By: Nick Cherico
On April 26, every member of the Mount Wachusett community was saddened to learn of the death of Professor Edward Stevens. Stevens was a MWCC faculty member for 51 years of his life, teaching various courses in science, electronics, and mathematics.
According to the faculty page on the Science Department’s website, Professor Stevens wrote this about himself: he enjoyed gardening, skiing, swimming, hiking, reading, and playing tennis. Stevens believed that emphasizing to students how science is involved in everyday life was very important, which is why he taught science courses, according to the faculty page.
“Students were very upset to hear the news” said Janice Barney, Dean of the School of Business, Science, and Technology. When speaking on how Stevens will be remembered, she said, “students and faculty are all going to miss his sense of humor and his depth of knowledge on every topic.” Barney said that she is available for any students who need to talk.
Danielle Wasleski, Liberal Arts major, had earth science with Professor Stevens last fall semester. Wasleski stated that Stevens would often say how much his students surprised him, which would crack a smile on his face. She also said that Stevens was very organized and spoke whatever was on his mind. He would always have something to say to make the whole class laugh, according to Wasleski.
Kenneth Takvorian, Professor in mathematics in electronics, taught electronics courses side by side with Stevens for 22 years. When speaking about Stevens, you could see his eyes fill up with emotion. “I was in a daze when I got the news,” stated Takvorian. He viewed Stevens as a mentor to him for many years. Takvorian and Stevens were very close, as Takvorian would often say that they were the only two “full-blooded Armenians” on campus.
Lorie Donahue, English Professor, shared an office next to Stevens for many years. “I am so saddened by losing my hallway mate,” stated Donahue. She will remember him as a committed and hardworking man, who always showed up to work no matter the weather. Donahue will also remember the in-depth talks they had about Greek and Armenian culture, along with the gardening tips they shared.
Michelle Valois, English Professor, also shared an office next to Stevens for nearly 15 years. Valois said that “Ed was a grounding presence in that crazy corridor.” She often wondered how he put up with her and her “crazy English comrades”, but he seemed to tolerate them and was sometimes even amused by their rantings, according to Valois.
She saw Stevens as a father figure, as she would be able to speak to him about things totally unrelated to their work such as car troubles, “Ed was always generous with his time and his advice. He will be greatly missed.”
Susan Taylor, Professor in computer information systems, stated that Stevens enrolled in many of her programming courses. She will remember Stevens as “an engaging student who seemed to appreciate the opportunity to learn.” Taylor will also remember Stevens’ brightly colored ski vests that he would wear on the slopes of Mount Wachusett. “You couldn’t miss him,” according to Taylor.
Stevens’ courses this semester included earth science, physics, and one math course. Each of these courses will be finished with a plan customized based on the state they were in before Stevens passed, according to Janice Barney. Memorial contributions can be made to the Edward H. Stevens Scholarship Fund, Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green St., Gardner, MA, 01440.
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