Please join me in honoring Joan Acorace’s memory by contributing to this endowed fund (which I have seeded with an initial $10,000) to provide scholarships to promising Early Childhood Education majors at Manchester Community College (MCC). My wife Joan dedicated her life to helping others and was a vital part of MCC, having spent most of her 25 years there as Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs.  

Joan truly enjoyed working at the college and encouraged students to persevere and do their best to accomplish their goals.  She loved talking with students and getting to know them and watch them grow and succeed.  She was great at getting students to feel more confident in math as well as helping them attain the skills necessary to be successful in college and life after college with her dedication to the College Success Program (formally Freshman Seminar).  Joan was also very passionate about MCC’s Early Childhood Education degree and certificate programs.  She was instrumental in starting the Child Development Center, which is nationally accredited.  The center recently added a certified natural outdoor classroom on-site and planted butterfly bushes in Joan’s honor.

Joan has left an enormous footprint at MCC and many have told me she was the “heart of the college”.  I would love to see that heart beat on and continue to help those in need to reach their goals in life.  It would mean a great deal if you could help me make this happen!

Thank you for your consideration,

Kevin Acorace