Award-winning singer Darlene Love performs for MCC fundraiser

Oscar and Grammy award-winning, Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame singer, actress and author Darlene Love dazzled audience members of the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in a performance for Middlesex Community College’s Celebrity Forum on June 6.

Named “one of the greatest singers of all time” by Rolling Stone magazine, throughout the years, Love has been associated with performers such as Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. Before sitting down to talk to Love about her historic career, MCC President Phil Sisson spoke of the difference that the annual event has on the lives of Middlesex students.

“Celebrity Forum is a critical source of support for our mission of providing affordable access to a high-quality education for our diverse community of learners that we serve,” Sisson said. “We cannot build a successful open access institution without the help of our donors and we greatly appreciate those committed sponsors who have supported us for so many years.”

Hosted by the Middlesex Community College Foundation, the event was MCC’s 21st Celebrity Forum to raise funds in support of student scholarships. TJX Companies Inc. has been a proud Presenting Sponsor of MCC’s spring fundraisers since 1999.

“Devoted donors, community partners and local businesses and organizations make the College’s and Foundation’s support of students possible,” said MCC Executive Director of Advancement Judy Burke. “We are endlessly grateful for their continuous generosity and to have shared an evening of music, celebration and partnership in the name of transforming the lives of students. Thank you to all who helped bring back this tremendous event, in particular to Ms. Love who offered an astounding performance!”

Longtime Middlesex partner and supporter Enterprise Bank was a sponsor of this year’s Celebrity Forum.

“Enterprise Bank is delighted to continue our support of MCCs Celebrity Forum,” said Chester J. Szablak, executive vice president, chief sales, community and customer relationship officer at Enterprise Bank. “These community partnerships are essential for the economic and social viability of our communities. The support that our sponsorship provides to MCC students in the form of scholarships makes this so rewarding.”

In a video highlighting the work of the MCC Foundation, computer science student Kwadwo Bempah, of Lowell, spoke on how receiving a scholarship helped him go to MCC without worrying about having to pay for college. “Words cannot describe how grateful I am and I know this opportunity, this chance you have given me, is going to be life changing,” he said.

“The MCC Foundation Celebrity Forum is a wonderful annual community event held to raise awareness and much needed scholarship dollars for our MCC students,” said MCC Dean of Advancement Sherri McCormack. “Our sponsors, donors and friends come together to meet and engage with our students and alumni to learn of the opportunities created by their MCC experiences and how they utilized those experiences to build their careers and better lives for themselves and their families.”