On Thursday, March 31, 2022, Anna Maria College recognized three community leaders with its Presidential Service Award, Anna Maria’s highest honor for outstanding humanitarian service. The 2022 awardees were: Worcester Commissioner of Health and Human Services Matilde Castiel, M.D.; Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills Firefighter/EMT and Anna Maria alumnus Christopher Koretski; and Worcester Police Officer and Anna Maria alumnus Enmanuel “Manny” Familia (posthumously).
The second annual Celebration of Service and Success was co-hosted by John J. Spillane, Esq., Chair of Anna Maria College’s Board of Trustees, and Timothy P. Murray, Esq., Trustee, and took place at the AC Hotel in Worcester.
“Anna Maria College honored three remarkable leaders committed to serving communities which is one of our core values,” said Mary Lou Retelle, president of Anna Maria College. “As a small college, Anna Maria has an outsized social impact when you look at the public service professions our graduates are drawn to. The same can be said for our honorees: Dr. Mattie Castiel has been at the forefront of Worcester’s battle with COVID-19; Firefighter Christopher Koretski exemplifies how our graduates turn their Anna Maria education into action and opportunity; Officer Manny Familia made the ultimate sacrifice serving his community. Students come to Anna Maria seeking an education associated with purpose. When they graduate, they go on to bring social impact to their communities.”
President Retelle expressed gratitude for federal support given during the 2021-22 academic year toward mental and behavioral health programs.
Anna Maria College received a federal grant last fall for $2 million over the next four years to strengthen the region’s behavioral health workforce by placing more highly skilled, graduate-level degree professionals in mental health and social work agencies in Central Massachusetts.
Last week, Senator Edward Markey recently notified the College that its Congressionally Directed Spending request to provide mental health first aid training to first responders had been funded. This provides $1.1 million to deliver mental health first aid training throughout the region and across the Commonwealth.
She concluded with a very special announcement which drew loud applause. Anna Maria College is now planning to commence construction on a multipurpose athletic and baseball field which will enhance the campus experience for both athletes and fans.
