Michael McCarthy NECC’s vice president of administration and finance receives an award from NACAS.

Michael McCarthy, Northern Essex Community College’s vice president of administration and finance, recently received the David H. Lord Scholarship for Exemplary Community Service from National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS), the largest auxiliary and ancillary services support organization serving higher education.

McCarthy was recognized for his work overseeing The Revolving Test Kitchen in Lawrence, which the college co-manages with the Lawrence Partnership. Located at 420 Common St, part of Northern Essex’s Lawrence Campus, the test kitchen gives local start-up restaurants the opportunity to run a trial of their business model, build their capacity and clientele, understand the local market, and prepare to grow into a permanent location.

“I find our community partnerships to be one of the most rewarding parts of my job, so it feels terrific to be recognized for it,” said McCarthy.

Recipients of the Lord Scholarship receive a $500 donation which can be donated to a charity affiliated with the project they are being recognized for. McCarthy has designated that the donation benefits the Essex County Community Foundation’s Merrimack Valley Small Business Resiliency & Innovation Fund, which helps local businesses in Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover recover from the Columbia Gas Explosions in 2018.