Seven NLC Graduates Make Good Use of Union Skills

July 1, 2010 -- Keith Wright studied how to reduce death rates during live fire training exercises. Daniel Shea focused on promoting residential fire sprinklers. Anthony Mussorfiti wrote a dissertation on the importance of SCBA in reducing fire fighter fatalities.

Wright, Shea and Mussorfuti were among seven IAFF members to graduate this year from the National Labor College (NLC) in Silver Spring, Maryland. Each of the seven – all in the middle of their fire fighter careers – are taking all that they learned and putting it to good use back in their locals.

The seven graduates represent the largest class of IAFF members to graduate from the NLC in a single year. Each spoke approvingly of the program. They were among 90 adults from 31 states and one Canadian province to receive degrees at a graduation ceremony June 26 at the NLC campus.

“As future members of America’s workforce, you may question the current condition and immediate future of the domestic and global economy,” said Representative Donna Edwards (D-MD) in her remarks as keynote speaker at the graduation. “But I believe fully that the degrees you receive here today are answers to those questions. Yes, we must take further action to improve our economy and make sure the United States can adequately compete in the 21st century, but that action comes with the understanding that you all will be the driving force behind economic renewal.”

AFL-CIO President and NLC Board of Trustees Chair Rich Trumka also spoke during the ceremony. “Today, the labor movement confronts challenges everywhere we turn,” he told NLC graduates. “That’s why it’s important that we have graduates who understand the world that we live in and how to effectively respond to these challenges. The AFL-CIO is very proud of you and all that you have accomplished – balancing work, your union roles, family responsibilities, and the time that you dedicated to your education.”

All of the seven IAFF members graduating spoke glowingly about the NLC program and its role in improving their careers and the union.

Tony Mussorfiti, a member of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association of New York, Local 854, received his NLC bachelor’s degree in Labor Safety and Health. “The NLC program is designed for adult learners,” says Mussorfiti. “It was not easy, but was manageable with the support of the professors, staff and our families. The NLC understands the reality that those attending have full-time commitments at home and work, and supported me throughout the entire process.”

Those attending the college are working adults who completed their coursework and received degrees while holding down full-time jobs and also meeting family, community and union responsibilities.

Mussortfiti focused his senior research project on studying how to decrease fire fighter fatalities through the use of SCBA. He says, “I have already had the opportunity to take the tools and experiences I received at the NLC to develop programs for the Fire Department of New York and the IAFF to help protect emergency responders.”

Keith Wright, a retired active member of Anne Arundel County, MD Local 1563, double-majored in Labor, Safety and Health and Labor Education. “This is a very cost-effective way to get a quality education in labor,” he says. “It is perfect for someone who doesn’t have the time to spend two nights a week in class and it is a great opportunity to spend time with other people from organized labor.”

Deborah Crisher, an A-shift safety officer and member of Virginia Beach, VA Local 2924, received her degree in Health and Safety.

Rick Burtt received his degree in Leadership and Administration and will use the degree to pursue a fire chief's position. An online degree was the perfect choice for Burtt, a captain/shift commander for 33 years serving the town of Billerica, Massachusetts, with 76 full time members, five fire stations and a population of 40,000.

Timothy Dupin, a fire fighter with Kansas City, MO Local 42, earned a bachelor degree in Union Leadership. Dupin, who also attended the Harvard Trade Union program, hopes to use his new education to continue to help his local and the IAFF.

Dennis Eulberg, a member of North Metro, CO Local 2203, received his NLC degree in Labor Studies. “The courses, networking and shift-friendly approach to higher education is something that more members should look at for their degree programs,” he says.

The NLC is the nation’s only accredited higher education institution devoted exclusively to educating union leaders, members and activists. Found by the AFL-CIO in 1969 as the George Meany Center for Labor Studies, it became a degree-granting college in 1997.

For more information about the NLC, its programs, admissions and graduation requirements, click here.

The IAFF offers three scholarships annually for members pursuing studies at the NLC. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition for one semester (up to nine credits), room and board and provides $1,000 for travel and incidental expenses.

For more information about the NLC IAFF scholarship, click here.