Middletown, Conn. — The Middlesex Community College (MxCC) Foundation board of directors is pleased to announce the recipients of their donor recognition awards, presented during the group’s annual meeting on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. In addition to the awards presentation, the MxCC Foundation elected new board members. The foundation funds scholarships and academic development for CT State Community College Middlesex in Middletown and Meriden.
Laura Pieper, outgoing vice chair, presented the Donor Award to Stop & Shop for their continuous support of the CT State Middlesex food pantry through their generous monetary and food donations.
“We appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the foundation, CT State Middlesex, and their work with the community,” said Edward Peña, store manager at the Middletown Stop & Shop, who received the award on behalf of the company.
Elizabeth Wagner received the Legacy Award for her support of the annual fundraising event known as the Red Moon Gala, and for creating the Elizabeth R. Wagner Scholarship, established for students pursuing a career in law enforcement as a criminal justice major with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Jeff Myjak earned the Distinguished Alumni Award, presented by Prof. Jennifer Hernandez, Ed.D., foundation faculty representative and Middlesex alumna. Myjak, a 1979 Middlesex graduate, has been a consistent supporter of the Magic Food Bus pantry through his nonprofit, Cans-4-A-Cause. The organization collects and redeems cans and bottles and donates the proceeds to local charities, including Middlesex.
Longtime Guilford public school educator Norman Hicks, who attended Middlesex from 1967–71, was honored with the Corporator Award.
“It’s because of the background I got from Middlesex that got me to where I was—it’s the fabric today of who I am,” said Hicks.
Ken Innocenzi, outgoing chair of the board, presided over the meeting, and Isabella Merlini, board secretary and 2022 Middlesex alumna, oversaw the election of new members and officers.
Daniel Fagan, managing partner and senior wealth management advisor at Radiant Wealth Management, was elected to serve on the foundation board. Fagan graduated from Middlesex in 1990. Kaoutar Tayoub-Elidrissi, a 2024 alumna who works with the Hospital of Central Connecticut’s Family Enrichment Center, was also elected. Gina Smith will serve as the new student representative.
Pieper was elected as the new board chair, with Innocenzi as past chair.
In her remarks as new board chair, Pieper highlighted efforts to engage Middlesex alumni with events next spring, and invited attendees to the next fundraising gala, Luna on the Sound, to take place on Feb. 28, 2026, at the Water’s Edge Resort in Westbrook.
New Middlesex Campus President Joshua Moon-Johnson, Ed.D., introduced himself and highlighted recent Middlesex achievements and activities. Rick Morin, CPA, treasurer, reviewed the financial report.
More accomplishments of the foundation and a list of donors can be found in the 2024–25 annual report.
