E-Trail - July 2010
A Message from President Mary K. Grant on State University Status
As you may be aware, legislation to establish a state university system in Massachusetts has been in development for some time now. Last night, July 15, this process moved forward when the state Senate voted 34-2 to pass the bill creating a state university system in Massachusetts. This follows approval of the measure last week by the House of Representatives. The next step will be for the bill to move to Governor Deval Patrick for consideration and approval prior to this law taking effect.
Under this bill all nine of the state colleges would continue to be part of this system. This change will bring Massachusetts in line with the 46 other states that have state university systems. In Massachusetts, the institutions with specialized/focused missions – MCLA, along with Mass College of Art and Design and the Mass Maritime Academy – would keep their current names in recognition of their unique roles but would be branded as part of the state university system. Six institutions – Bridgewater, Fitchburg, Framingham, Salem, Westfield and Worcester – would include university within their name.
Just as we have been a proud member of the Massachusetts state college system, so too will we be a proud member of the state university system in Massachusetts. Our size and scale allow us to engage with students on a deeper level, as we have done for the past 115 years, from our founding as a normal school through our evolution from a teacher’s college to a comprehensive state college to our current unique status as the Commonwealth’s public liberal arts college. This role makes us distinctive, as does our membership in the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), a national cohort of public liberal arts colleges and universities.
It is this very distinction based on the power of a liberal arts education that makes MCLA the institution of which we are all so proud. As part of the Massachusetts state university system, we will build on our tradition of academic strength, dedicated public service, and winning athletics teams, demonstrated most recently by the 2010 MASCAC champion women’s basketball team, who represented us so well in the NCAA tournament. Looking ahead, MCLA will continue to take advantage of the unique opportunities to promote the College and our mission in North Adams, across the Commonwealth, and nationally.
The next edition of Beacons and Seeds will be coming out in August, and it will include information about many of the exciting things taking place at our alma mater. I hope to see many of you at alumni reunion and fall family weekend October 22nd-24th. Until then, please contact Marianne Drake if you have any questions.
Alumni News
1965 Fund EstablishedCongratulations to Class Agent Dennis Zicko ’65 for all his hard work encouraging his classmates to fund the 1965 Scholarship. Through Dennis’ persistent efforts, the Class of 1965 has come together to contribute a total of $10,000 to endow a scholarship in honor of their class. Interested in establishing a scholarship in honor or memory of your class or a loved one? Please contact the Advancement Office alumni@mcla.edu or call (413) 662-5224.
Call for Nominations for the Distinguished Alumni Awards
This is a great way to recognize former classmates who have made you feel proud to share the same alma mater. Please make a nomination today! We can’t wait to hear from you.
The awards for consideration include:
- Distinguished Alumni - The individual must have demonstrated a history of achievement in one or more of the following: community, state, regional or national service, and/or the individual must have made a significant leadership contribution to a state/regional/national organization that does not come under the purview of his/her profession.
- Humanitarian - Nominees must have demonstrated a record of service to his/her community and to the world-at-large.
- Service to the College - Nominees must have demonstrated a record of service to the Alumni Association and/or the College.
Click here for more information, including how to make a nomination.
Upcoming Events
MCLA Golf ClassicThis year’s MCLA Golf Classic will honor Judge Paul Perachi '63, M.Ed. '70. The event will be held on September 20th at Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield, MA. The tournament is an 18-hole scramble format. All proceeds raised from the event benefit the MCLA Athletics Department and the College's student-athletes.
Click here for more information, including a registration form.
Reunion Weekend
Join us for a fall weekend filled with fun activities. This year’s reunion will be held October 22-24 in conjunction with Fall Family Weekend. Reunion will honor class agents and alumni classes ending in 0s and 5s, but all are welcome. Look for a brochure in the mail or contact the alumni office for more information.
