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Volume 80 ◆ Issue 11
Th u r s d ay, A p r i l 2 3 , 2 0 1 5
VP of Student Affairs to be chosen next week By Nick Swanson Senior News Editor
Photo by Isabel McKenzie/The Beacon
Giovani Dulcio reads poetry at the Cape Verdean Student Alliance night.
Early next week a potential Vice President (VP) of Student Affairs/Dean of Students will be chosen, according to director of Human Resources MaryEllen Olenyk. “It’s in the final stages,” she said, “The search committee held its final meeting where we discussed the pros and cons, and our overall impressions of each candidate.” Additionally, the search committee evaluated all student, faculty, and staff feedback they collected throughout the search process. With that information they formulated recommendations for the position given to Interim president Cynthia Brown. President Brown is the hiring manager for this search because the VP of Student Affairs overall reports to the president of the college, Olenyk said. She said when president Brown chooses a finalist, the next step would be to offer the position with a formal contract. From there the candidate decides whether to accept or deny the offer. “The candidates are being updated on the search process and all four [candidates] still remain interested,”
she said. “I was really pleased with the [candidate] pool overall,” she added, “With the four who visited, I heard good feedback from people on campus.” Candidate finalists include, Dr. David Bergh, Dr. Franklin Chambers, Dr. Shannon Finning, and Dr. Dewain Lee. The search committee collected feedback on the search from conversations, email, and web platform SurveyMonkey.com. Those who completed VP surveys on SurveyMonkey were asked to comment on the strengths and challenges highly noticed in the four candidates, Olenyk said. Search committee members Alyson Stolz and Tanisha Drysdale, are the student representatives on the VP search committee. Fewer than 10 surveys were completed by students, Stolz said. “Not many attended the student sessions because of a struggle for better timing of events, but I would have still liked to see more people involved,” she said. As SGA Student Trustee, Stolz, asked all SGA members to reach out to students and send feedback to her over email. “I felt they were the best way to funnel
SGA election continues today By Brittany Gallacher Editor-in-Chief
The Student Government Association (SGA) is currently holding elections for next year’s office in the campus center marketplace from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Students can stop by the SGA table to vote, where they will receive two pieces of paper, according to Nicholas Hernigle, SGA treasurer. “One [paper] will correspond with their current graduating class,” Hernigle said in an email. “[It] will have the candidates for the class officer positions and the SGA class representatives The general [paper] has the SGA President, Student Trustee, Student-Athlete Seat...all of the positions [students can vote for], no matter what grade level they are in.” Brendan Peltier, the graduating SGA president, said the votes will be counted and announced on Thursday evening. Hernigle also described the specialized seats on the SGA ballot, including the Greek seats, commuter seats, and athletic
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seats. “The Greek seat has the responsibility to update the SGA on [their] organizations,” Hernigle added. “The commuter seat is a current student that commutes to MCLA for classes. They are needed on SGA to bring a different perspective... because most SGA members are residents, it brings a whole new outlook to SGA if someone is a commuter. [The athletic seat] attends SAAC (Student Athletic Advisory Council) and gives SGA updates.” Hernigle also added that students can still run in the elections today by doing a writein campaign, but first they must get 20 write-in votes before those votes can count. The candidates include: SGA President: Alexandra Kadell, Daniel Wohler, and Kelsey McGonigle Student Trustee: Nicholas Hernigle and Colby Harvish Senate at Large Seat: Jamie Burdick, Timothy P. Williams, Evan Pirnie, Idalis Foster, Alison
News
Gilbert, Mackenzie McCarthy, Rachel Durgin, and Lauren Tomasczuk (All 8 can be voted in). ‘16 Senate Representative: None ‘17 Senate Representative: Bridget Forson ‘18 Senate Representative: Jessica Lavellette Shannon Esposito Class of 2016 Class Council: President: Kelsey McGonigle Vice President: Alexandra Kadell Treasurer: Nicholas Hernigle Secretary: Alison Gilbert Class of 2017 Class Council: President: Timothy P. Williams Vice President: Bridget Forson Treasurer: Samantha Beaton Secretary : Shelby Gauthier Class of 2018 Class Council: President: Meghan Deluca Vice President: Jessica Lavellette Vice President: Lauren Tomaszczuk Treasurer: Kaitlin Wright Secretary: Shannon Esposito
(reach) out to student athletes, Greek members, and other students who attended the sessions,” she said. She also took note of any student present at the sessions and asked them through a number of conversations their opinions on the candidates. “Regardless of how many people responded we wanted to make sure we (search committee) made the best decision possible,” she said. Originally, the idea of posting a student poll in the Campus Center was brought up. However, Stolz wondered if inaccurate results would have come from it considering the lack of students who attended sessions. All information shared with the search committee was done so anonymously, she said. The search committee has 10 members consisting of students, faculty, and staff. According to Olenyk, student representatives specifically gathered information from students, when she solicited the feedback from faculty and staff. Student representatives on the committee also gained feedback using the same methods as faculty and staff, VICE PRESIDENT DECISION, continued on page 4
Over 100 students to present at annual research conference By Nick Swanson Senior News Editor
The Undergraduate Research Conference today will feature over 100 students presenting the research projects they have worked on over the course of the semester. There are no classes today so that all students will have an opportunity to take part in the campus-wide event. The keynote address is being held in the Campus Center gym from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and will be presented by MCLA alumna Dr. Alicia Girgenti. She will also be meeting with undergraduate students in a session in Sullivan Lounge following the address. “While a student at MCLA, she (Girgenti) was a distinguished student in psychology, participated in undergraduate research, and the URC,” Rosanne Denhard, publicity coordinator for Undergraduate Research Advisory Board, said. Girgenti is currently a professor of Criminology at Merrimack College (MC) in North Andover, Mass. Her education specialties include capital punishment,
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Students collaborate to discuss art programs
Watsky rocks spring concert
Tennis comes up short in playoff bid
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intersectionality and race, gender, and social class inequality in the criminal justice system, according to Merrimack’s faculty Web page. “She had been a professional dancer, then returned as a nontraditional student and did a total career switch to criminal justice, and now is a college professor,” Denhard said. Girgenti was very active in the Dance Company during her time at MCLA. After MCLA, Girgenti earned a Ph.D. in Criminology and Justice Policy, as well as, an M.S. in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University in Boston, Mass. Today, she is also the faculty advisor to Pi Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma: The National Criminal Justice Honor Society at MC, according to the URC speakers Web page. She also was recently published in the Criminal Law Bulletin and Race & Justice: An International Journal. The publication examines the intersection of victim race and gender on jurors’ decision to impose a death sentence in capital cases. URC EVENT SCHEDULE, continued on page 4
News Features Arts & Entertainment Sports Campus Comment Local Events Photo Essay
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Campus News
Thursday, April 23, 2015
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Weekend Tuition reduction draws out of state students Weather 19 percent of students at MCLA are from New York, which is a two percent increase from last year
By Matt Aceto Staff Writer
Partly Cloudy High: 47° Low: 31° Prec. Chance: 40%
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Saturday, April 25
Ever wonder why so many New York students attend MCLA? It is called the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, after all. Nearly one in five students at the College are New York residents, but the tuition reduction isn’t the only thing that attracts students to North Adams. According to the ‘2014-2015 Data Highlights’ from the Office of Institutional Research, Assessment and Planning (IRAP), 19 percent of all students enrolled at MCLA are from New York. This is a 2 percent increase from the Fall 2013 semester, where 17 percent of students were New York residents. A major reason why students are attracted here from the Empire State is the large tuition reduction. New York residents who are U.S. citizens and attend MCLA full-time are eligible for an 85 percent tuition and fee reduction - $9,580 from the out-of-state rate of $18,010. According to the current Financial Aid pamphlet, the approximate annual cost of attendance for 2014-2015 is $19,665 for New York residents, including room and board. Compared to Massachusetts residents, this amount is only $515 more than the in-state tuition rate of $9,065. The tuition reduction also applies to students from the other five New England states for certain majors.
Whether students are interested in Business Administration, English/Communications, or Fine & Performing Arts, Admissions Direction Gina Puc believes the education programs also draw them to MCLA. “I think [potential students] are looking for academic quality,” Puc said. “Four years in a row we’ve been named one of the Top 10 Public Liberal Arts Colleges by US News & World Report.” Freshman students aren’t the only ones attracted to MCLA. The College receives a fair amount of transfer students from New York. According to the ‘2014-2015 Data Highlights’ from IRAP, 10 percent of new transfer students come from the Empire State. This is more than Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island students combined.
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We’ve grown our own recruitment over the past few years.
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Thursday, April 23
Gina Puc “We get transfer students every year. We mostly see them from Hudson Valley Community College, Columbia Greene Community College, and also near the Albany area,” Puc said. “We go out and recruit even fur-
Seniors will attend a baccalaureate service and present sprigs of ivy to faculty members who have positively impacted them at MCLA Staff Writer
Sunday, April 26
Partly Cloudy High: 58° Low: 36° Prec. Chance: 10%
NEW YORK TUITION, continued on page 3
Class of 2015 prepares for Senior Days events By Harmony Birch
Mostly Cloudy High: 56° Low: 33° Prec. Chance: 20%
ther west towards Syracuse and Binghamton. We’ve grown our recruitment over the past few years.” Although New York is a major recruiting hub, the College’s main focus is attaining students from Massachusetts. “Primarily we’re here to serve students in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” Puc said. “We do have two Admissions Officers who travel to New York during the fall and the spring, whereas in Massachusetts we have twice as many officers recruiting students.” Admissions Officers aren’t the only ones recruiting students from New York. Coaches draw players from all over the region to play at the College. Among coaches who recruit student-athletes from New York is Women’s Soccer Coach Deborah Raber. On the 2014 Women’s Soccer team, there were 10 New York players on the roster. Raber finds the Albany area as the best place to recruit players from New York. “We’ve had a lot of luck in the Capital District,” Raber said. “It’s only an hour away so parents can come to watch the games.” Despite the close distance, Raber believes the main reason why her New York recruits attend MCLA is the tuition reduction. “I think the real selling point at the end of the day is the cost,” she said. Similar to the Women’s Soccer team, Adam
“The fewer people that know where the brick is, the better,” Jenn Craig, Coordinator of Student Activities, said. She makes her rounds across Murdock pointing to the various bricks displaying class numbers. As the weather warms and finals approach, students and faculty prepare to wave a tearful goodbye to the class of 2015. To honor graduating seniors, each year before commencement MCLA hosts a three day series of events and activities called Senior Days. In preparation for the event students vote for one of three bricks on Murdock where they can have their class number displayed, but ultimately Jim Stakenas, Vice President of Administration and Finance, gets the final say on where the brick goes. This event marks a time of excitement during the semester. Craig refers to it as “the big reveal.” The class brick tradition has been going on since 1897 when Murdock Hall was first built, according to MCLA’s website. Craig points to the 2013 class brick which sits above the class of 1913. In addition to the brick ceremony, MCLA has a strange tradition dating back to the Normal School, involving ivy and poetry. In the past, during the baccalaureate service, a more intimate pre-commencement gathering to mark graduates rite of passage, students were given ivy to plant at the base of Murdock.
Photo by Liz Quirk/The Beacon
2015 Class Secretary Rhea Werner will read a poem written by the class of 2005 during Senior Days events. While students today no longer plant their ivy, they are still given ivy sprigs during baccalaureate to present to a faculty member who has positively impacted them while at MCLA. “Ivy has a representation of learning and growth” Craig said. With the ivy comes MCLA’s Ivy poems. The schools collection of poems dates back to the class of 1911. Each year the graduating class nominates
one student to write a poem about being at MCLA and going off into the world. The Class Council picks eight different readers who then get to pick a previous class poem to read from that resonates with them. Rhea Werner, the 2015 Class Council Secretary is reading the class of 2005’s poem. Werner, who has been helping to organize the Senior Days events, is both anxious and excited. “I can’t believe it’s almost here” Werner said. She thinks seniors tend to have a lot of mixed emotions as graduation approaches. “Some people are sad about graduating, some people are excited.” Werner said. “That emotion is put in to Senior Days.” Among the agenda planned for Senior Days is a movie on the quad, a special brunch and presentation of the class brick, an Alumni welcome hosted by the Advancement Office, a Dance party at the American Legion, and a class trip to either Boston or Saratoga Springs Casino, though according to Craig the schedule has not yet been finalized. The biggest theme to Senior Days, however, is getting a chance to spend time with friends before graduation. “It’s one last chance to bond with your class before everyone graduates and goes in different directions,” Craig said. Werner highlighted the change that would occur to friendships once college is done. “When we graduate we can’t just walk a couple of feet and see our friends anymore,” Werner said. “It’s those events heading to commencement that get you pumped last hurrah.”
Campus News
Thursday, April 23, 2015
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Students collaborate to discuss art programs Arts Management Professor Lisa Donovan holds Youth Development Convening for students to participate in field work and discuss the future of art programs across Berkshire County Staff Writer
Lisa Donovan, professor of arts management, is a powerhouse. When she’s not running the arts management program at MCLA, writing up grants, or writing textbooks on how to integrate art into other academic disciplines, she’s helping her students run events that will set the standard for the way art programs are run across the country. At least that’s what she was doing last Friday. The Creative Youth Development Convening was held in Gallery 51. The event was put on by Donovan, her Community Arts and Education class, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). The event is in response to a national summit held in March called the Creative Youth Summit, and is built off of a grant written by one of Donovan’s students for her Grants and Fundraising class. Junior Kathleen Sansone was approached by Donovan to write her grant. As she further researched the grant she became emotionally invested in the project. “I saw the impact that this sort of work has,” Sansone said. “Seeing these teens in these programs and the way that they express themselves in safe places is really gratifying.” Donovan used the Creative Youth Development Convening as an opportunity for her Community Arts and Education class to do fieldwork. Sophomores Brianna McDermott and Alex David joined Kathleen in planning the event. Sansone’s main focus for the project was on teenagers. Originally the convening was going to include arts program directors and teens
from across Berkshire County, but the event clashed with school and the teenagers could not attend. “There’s a point where adults can teach children because there’s a much clearer sense of right and wrong,” Sansone said on why they wished to include teenagers in the conversation, “but as you reach adolescence, you’re trying to figure out what’s right and wrong in terms of society and the world, but you’re also trying to figure out what’s right and wrong in terms of yourself.” Sansone believes that that sort of problem solving about the world and your own identity leaves teenagers isolated and confused about the choices that they make. “That’s not something other people can teach you,” Sansone said. “In order to find themselves, teenagers need to be validated by the society around them that what they’re doing is okay.” McDermott agrees. “I feel like the point of these programs is to build you and help you grow as a person,” McDermott said. “And how are you going to do that, how is an adult going to know what is best for somebody, if they’re not going to listen to that person?” McDermott’s interest in the project came from personal experience. When she was 12 she started doing theater. “From that day on I’ve had this fire, this passion that that experience gave me,” McDermott said. She now double majors in Arts Management and FPA Theater and sees herself sharing her passion with other young people by becoming an arts educator. She hopes this convening will push arts programs forward. “Organizations always think that what they’re doing is fine, it’s the best, but once
they hear what other people are doing they might have a different perspective.” McDermott said. “I think it just kind of pushes everybody forward, instead of keeping them in a lull.” Erick Holmgren and Diane Daily were at the event on behalf of the MCC. Lisa approached the MCC after the National Summit on Creative Youth Development about hosting a similar event on a regional level. The Creative Youth Development Convening used the policy platforms and agenda established during the National Summit to develop their own conversation.
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Seeing teens in these programs and the way they express themselves in safe places is really gratifying.
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By Harmony Birch
Kathleen Sansone “It’s really about taking the work in the region and moving it forward,” Daily said. Donovan’s goals revolve mostly around collaboration. She wanted to see if she “could bring people together to have a conversation around not only the great work that’s happening, but also what could happen collectively as a region.” During the convening organizations were asked to complete a SWOT analysis for arts organizations in the Berkshires. SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, oppor-
Many athletes hail from New York NEW YORK TUITION, continued from page 2 Hildabrand’s Men’s Soccer squad is almost half composed of New York athletes. On the 2014 roster, there were 13 players from New York and 18 players from Massachusetts. Because of New York’s size, Hildabrand finds there to be a larger range of athletes available compared to Massachusetts. “I think there’s a bigger pool for the New York kids, it’s just such a massive area and it’s spread out,” Hildabrand said. “For Men’s Soccer specifically, Long Island, Poughkeepsie, and the Capital District have been the three mainstays for me.” Over the years, Hildabrand has noticed an increasing amount of New York students play for the Men’s Soccer team. “In the past, I went to school here [at North Adams State],” he said. “There were very few New
York players [on the Men’s Soccer team], we had a lot of players from Connecticut.” Men’s Basketball Coach Jamie Morrison had three players from New York on his team this season, two of which were from the Queens area. Morrison regularly reaches out to athletes from New York City during his recruitment process. “Whether it’s high school players or transfers, I have a network of people from New York that will contact me about [potential players],” he said. Morrison believes MCLA is a prime destination for students who want to balance basketball with an education. “[I tell recruits] if you want a place that’s just for basketball and academics, it’s the spot for you,” he said. “If you want a social mecca, it’s not the spot for you.” Although recruiters attract many young faces to MCLA each year, the real decision makers are
the students themselves. Greg Wilson, a senior from Millbrook, New York, lives about two hours from MCLA. The College’s location was a big reason why he chose to come here. “[MCLA] was just far away enough, but not too far away,” he said. “I’m actually ok that I didn’t go to school closer to home, I’m good here.” Aaron Perkins, a junior from Hoosick Falls, New York, has yet to feel homesick since arriving at MCLA as a freshman. Though he isn’t a huge fan of the weather here, he does appreciate the scenery of the Berkshires. “The mountains here are nice, it’s just like my home town,” Perkins said. Due to variables such as cost, academics, and athletics, MCLA is the #1 option for many students from New York. Though out of state, it truly is their college, right from the start.
tunities, and threats, and is often used in organizations to measure needs and determine goals. Collaboration was listed as both a threat and a strength. “If we were to collaborate smartly we could get funding as a region,” Donovan said. Jane Burke, founding director of Flying Cloud, a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) organization, admitted that collaborating was scary. Laura Thompson, Director of Education and Kidspace at Mass MOCA, expressed frustration about doing too much. She felt as though she was involved in too many collaborations, and wanted to know tips about how to know which projects were the ones she should collaborate on. “It’s a matter of staff times and priorities,” Thompson said. “Where do I find the time, how do I fit it in?” “That’s the biggest obstacle to collaboration,” Burns said in response to Thompson’s dilemma. Among the more tangible solutions program coordinators agreed upon was the need for a regional website that organizations could use to network with each other to make collaborations easier. The website would also have a portion for youth input. Sansone said it sounded like a good opportunity to reach out to college students Jessica Sweeney, Program Associate for UNITY and Northern Berkshire Neighbors and MCLA alum, suggested collaborating with high schoolers as well. She believes that giving teens active leadership roles in the programs will give them ownership. “It’s a moment where they can test themselves and step out of their comfort zones,” Sweeney said.
Wellness Fair to have rock wall, photo booth and club activities By Nick Swanson Senior News Editor
Wellness Fair activities this year will include a rock-climbing wall, photo booth, club sponsored tie dying and Build-a-Bear station, and health education opportunities. “The goal is healthy lifestyle changes,” director of Health Services Jacqueline Krzanik said, “It is our hope to exposure individuals to healthier lifestyle choices that will last them a lifetime of good health.” The fair will incorporate a theme based on the television game show that first appeared in the 1960’s, “Let’s Make A Deal,’ with the specific focus - ‘For Good Health.’ Great prizes and free giveaways will be available to those who participate during the festivities, according to Krzanik. The fair is free
and open to the public. She added, many local health educators are scheduled to be at the fair to have discussions and educate on topics such as nutrition, sexual health, stress relief, physical activity, and alcohol awareness. The MCLA MountainOne Student Wellness Center (MSWC) annually organizes the Wellness Fair. It will take place in Venable Gym on Wednesday, Apr. 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) has agreed to organize the tie dying station; in addition the Student Activities Council (SAC) is sponsoring the Build-a-Bear station as they did at last year’s fair, Krzanik said. “MCLA Wellness Fair is a yearly event that attempts to mix a great time with education,” she said.
Student representative speaks on choosing new vice president VICE PRESIDENT DECISION, continued from page 1
however, not many students completed the SurveyMonkey surveys online, according to Olenyk. An interview question with Olenyk asked, did the amount of people who provided feedback adequate in relation to the college’s population? “I think a valid way to look at it, is to take how many people attended those [candidate] meetings and compare that to how many responded,” Olenyk said. She said the amount of people who attended the meetings in comparison to those who
gave feedback is fairly represented. “People should take advantage of all the opportunities they have, it’s a nice thing that we include as many people in these processes, give people the opportunity to attend these meetings, and then ask for their thoughts,” Olenyk said. The search process began with interviewing nine candidates over Skype in January. The new VP is predicted to start the position by July, Olenyk said. Olenyk also said the process is on schedule and perhaps even a little ahead, despite Greg Summers withdrawing from the president position.
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Campus News
Thursday, April 23, 2015
A Hand Up volunteers hold community meal on campus By Makayla-Courtney McGeeney Managing Editor
Monday through Friday the Berkshire Food Project in North Adams provides free meals, but on the weekends the hunger doesn’t disappear. On Sunday the first community meal was held in the Church Street Center Social Hall by volunteers of the Center for Service’s “A Hand Up” program. Spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread was served to community members from 11:45 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. Sponsors such as Big Y, Price Chopper, Aramark, The Berkshire Food Project, Stop N’ Shop, Student Affairs, Wal-Mart, Wild Oats and The Friendship Center contributed to the event. “Students signed up on our Facebook page and spread awareness through word of mouth,” Senior Ama Bemma Adwetewa-Badu said. “We want to see if this is something needed in the community, so the first two are trial runs.” Adwetewa-Badu helped create the student-run community service group, originally named “A Hand Up Not a Hand Out,” last year to focus on hunger and homelessness in Berkshire County. The program works with The Friendship Center and the Berkshire Food Project weekly.
For over 20 years state universities, including MCLA, have relied on Follett to provide their bookstore services, but a state-wide bid for a new bookstore company is currently in the works, and may take Follett out of the running for good. The contract for Follett is ending, and the state universities are in the process of selecting the new bookstore company through a competitive bid. The bid was managed by the Partnership to Advance Collaboration and Efficiencies (PACE), and included nine other institutions. According to James Stakenas, VP of Administration and Finance, Follett, Nebraska Bookstore Company and Barnes & Noble all replied to the bid, and met the requirements for it. “There is a group of representatives from all of the state universities, as well as some community colleges, that are looking at the bookstore proposals, and right now we are trying to determine which one brings the better value,” he said. “I think Barnes & Noble is a better choice, because it is a reliable company, and their prices are fairly cheap compared to Follett,” senior Virginia Graves said. “I would love [a bookstore] where the prices for my textbooks aren’t
An increase in college enrollment figures means a greater need for financial aid Staff Writer
Photo by Liz Quirk/The Beacon
Student members of A Hand Up, including founder Ama Bemma Adwetewa-Badu, help prepare pasta, salad, and garlic bread for meal attendees. “This is a new way to help the community and to be an active partner,” she said. “We saw that something was missing and we’re willing to fill it. The demand for a meal on the weekend was apparent.” “A Hand Up” contains three different components including service, education and the community meal. Students volunteer downtown to help at the soup kitchen and food pantry during the week. For those who can’t volunteer during the week took advantage of the event being on campus. “I was looking for [community service] hours and came to the interest meeting and decided it would be a good thing to do,” vol-
unteer Matt Costa said. “I don’t have a car so anything on campus helps.” Costa greeted the community on the way in, took orders and served. The menu offered garlic bread with or without butter and different types of spaghetti sauces and salad dressings. “We tried to get a variety of options with what we had,” he said. The next community meal is on Sunday, May 3 at 11:30 a.m. in the Church Street Center Social Hall. For more information on “A Hand Up” or volunteering, contact Spencer Moser in the Center for Service or Ama Bemma Adwetewa-Badu.
outrageous.” “I hope the prices are decreased,” said senior Ama Bemma Adwetewa-Badu. “Some of the books are a tad bit expensive, [and] as an English major I buy a lot of books, so lower costs would really help me out.” AdwetewaBadu also explained how the bookstore sometimes didn’t have the textbooks she needed for class in stock. “Sometimes [the bookstore] wouldn’t have the book I needed and I would have to wait a while before I could get the book, this has caused me to play a lot of catch up in some courses,” she said. “I just hope that the friendly people who are in there now will continue to be employed through the [potential] new book store company.”
ulty and students on reducing the price of textbooks, [and] want to provide services that one would typically like out of a bookstore, [such as] clothing, textbooks, and other materials that college students need to do their work.” “Most importantly, they all would like to see an increase in sales, and so they are interested in listening, [opening for] greater hours, and doing what they can to be able to sell the right products out of the bookstore,” Stakenas said. “It’s more than just textbooks, it’s sweatshirts and t-shirts, etc.” “I would say I like the clothing and other things that they have with MCLA written on it, but it would be nice to have more clothing with MCLA [written] on it that isn’t such sporty clothing,” senior Bethany Fusini said. “Nebraska Bookstore Company [would be a better choice because] it is one that has a focus on [mostly] college bookstores,” she said. “Everyone is really concerned with the cost of textbooks,” Stakenas said. “We are very interested in the bookstore and [having said that], whoever gets this proposal, [will be asked to] work directly with the faculty to make sure that they always get the materials they need for their classes.”
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I would love [a bookstore] where the prices for my textbooks aren’t outrageous. Senior Virginia Graves
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Staff Writer
Students urge legislators to increase college funding
By Idalis Foster
Changes on the horizon for campus bookstore By Gionna Nourse
Beacon.MCLA.edu
All of the proposals are very close, and very similar, according to Stakenas. “All of them want to work more closely with fac-
Eight student leaders of MCLA met with a group of legislators about the need to keep up funding for state colleges. They spoke on the perspective of students who are struggling to afford higher education, particularly due to loans. These students were freshmen Jennifer Baptiste, Sophie Delice, Makayla Parkin and Rachel Durgin, seniors Taylor Krowitz, Lucas McDiarmid and Mikaelle Olivier, and sophomore Timothy G. Williams. They were accompanied by Bernadette Alden, director of marketing and communications, and Associate Director of Admissions Joshua Mendel. “I would have to say that the main driving force behind my conversations was to emphasize that we need to make education affordable to all,” said Williams. “I personally know ambitious and very motivated individuals who had to take a semester or two off or not even go to college because they could not afford it.” This push for funding comes with an increase in enrollment, making the need for financial aid greater since there are more students who are unable to afford tuition and fees. Legislators were all ears when it came to hearing students out and showing them that they were taking their word and concerns seriously. “I mentioned that we need to
lower the cost of loans because it’s ridiculous that people spend so many years repaying them,” Williams recalled. “One legislator said he really is trying to fight [for that cause] because he himself is experiencing it as well.” Senior Taylor Krowitz voiced this same sentiment in comparing MCLA to other state colleges in terms of affordability. “Our conversations centered on our experiences at MCLA and how we were able to go to MCLA because of the low cost,” said Krowitz. “We wanted to let legislators know that any increase in funding from the state would be appreciated by both current and future students.” He also mentioned that the students wanted to thank the legislators for their continued support of the college. Legislators encouraged the students to let their peers know they could contact representatives in the State House if they want an issue to be raised, whether by phone call or letters. “Even though they are busy, they love listening and talking to their constituents,” Krowitz said. The visit with the legislators was on Weds., April 1, as part of the State House Advocacy Day program. It is an annual event which was attended this year by representatives and senators, including State Senator Jennifer Flanagan, State Representative Angelo M. Scaccia, and State Senator Benjamin Downing.
Events listed for 13th annual undergraduate research conference URC EVENT SCHEDULE, continued from page 1 13th annual URC schedule of events: 8:30 – 10:30 am Welcome Remarks, Monica Joslin, Interim Vice-President of Academic Affairs Poster Session (Venable Gym) 9:30 – 10:50 am Special Session I-A: History, Influence and Intersexuality in Literary Studies (Murdock 218) Paper Presentations I-B (Murdock 201) Paper Presentations I-C (Murdock 322) Paper Presentations I-D (Murdock 216) 11:00 am – 12:20 pm Special Session II-A: Signifying Jazz: Representations in Literature, Film and Art (Murdock 218) Paper Presentations II-B (Murdock 201) Paper Presentations II-C (Mur-
dock 301) Paper Presentations II-D (Murdock 322) 12:30 – 1:30 pm Welcome Remarks, Cynthia Brown, Interim President Keynote Address and Luncheon (Campus Center Gym) Presented by Dr. Alicia Girgenti, PhD ‘07 1:30 – 2:00 pm Meet the Keynote Speaker (Sullivan Lounge) FOR STUDENTS ONLY 2:00 - 3:20 pm Special Session III-A: Artist Talks* (Murdock 301) Paper Presentations III-B: (Murdock 216) Paper Presentations III-C: (Murdock 213) 3:30 – 5:30 pm Special Session IV-A: Philosophy Mini-Conference (Murdock 201) *This special session will run until 4:00 pm.
Features
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Beacon.MCLA.edu
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Traveling to experience the beauty and culture of the world Laura-Lynn Dear and her daughter Anika Pommers-Dear, travel and attend MCLA together
Photo Courtesy of Laura-Lynn Dear
Mother and daughter, Laura-Lynn Dear ‘15 (left) and Anika Pommers-Dear (right) attend MCLA and travel the world together. They are currently living in Dakar, Senegal.
By Juanita Doss Features Editor
Together, mother and daughter explore the beauty and culture the world brings them. An unbreakable bond formed between Laura-Lynn Dear ’15 and Anika Pommers-Dear ’16 the first moment Laura laid eyes on her. “I feel very fortunate that Anika and I have always been very close,
which may be because she’s an only child,” Laura said. Laura, Anika, and Anika’s father are a multi-racial and multicultural family interested in seeing their world. As a family, they traveled around the U.S., Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, North Africa and most recently Istanbul. Laura is a non-traditional transfer student from Berkshire
Community College. She is an Interdisciplinary Studies major focusing on International Studies, with a minor in Social Justice and Cross-Cultural Studies. When she graduates she wants to work at a college or university’s diversity or study abroad program. “I enjoy encouraging people to gain a broader cultural prospective,” Laura said. Although she enjoys being an MCLA student, being a nontraditional student is sometimes lonely for her because student life and activities are geared towards traditionally-aged resident students. Laura transferred to MCLA because she was attracted to the diverse faculty and the fact that the school’s president was a woman. “I was especially enthusiastic about taking professor JonesSneed’s “Africans in the Diaspora” class, which I never had the opportunity to take,” she said. “However, I have taken two of her other classes.” Laura and Anika are currently living in their own apartment in Dakar, Senegal where Laura is studying abroad as an independent learner. They have visited Senegal several times before, and
Finding the perfect stitch
Robinson finds her passion in sewing and building costumes By Kaliegh Hayes Features Writer
Fine and performing arts major Sarah Robinson is a senior this year, but she considers herself a “Super Senior,” as she will be attending MCLA for one more year. During Robinson’s time at MCLA she has been in groups like Yorick and Harlequin, but at any given time she can most likely be found in the costume shop on campus. She was introduced to costume making by Berkshire County’s “Shakespeare & Co.” her senior year of high school, she fell in love with the craft, and has been stitching and threading ever since. “I like building pretty things, and building the actual costumes rather than designing them,” said Robinson. Robinson was a costume maker in last semester’s production of “The Liar” where she and five others created the costumes for the actors. She compared one of her outfits to the character Charlotte from Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog.” “She had to be bubbly, goofy, klutzy and wear a lot of pink,” said Robinson. “Pink is my all-time favorite color so I was so happy and excited to work on her outfits.” But before the costume is created there is a process that Robin-
Photo by Liz Quirk/ The Beacon
Sarah Robinson ‘15 fell in love with building costumes after visiting “Shakespeare & Co.” her senior year of high school. son goes through. Robinson says that her motiva“So for me, the process is just tion and inspiration to do her best to wait for the designer produce comes from the actor’s reaction to renderings, which are drawings their costumes. of the characters,” said Robinson. “Its really nice when you have “Once we figure out what needs an actor who you’re making a costo happen, I am given the project tume for and they’re really excited and go make it.” about it, to the point where they Depending on the time period come in like ‘Oh my God!’ and there may not be any costume freak out about it,” said Robinbuilding, but Robinson always son with a wide smile. “It’s a good finds something to do. feeling.” “The designer likes to share the Robinson is going to be an apwork in the shop, so everyone prentice this summer at Shakeelse has something to do. She also speare & Co., where she will be makes sure that we work on our creating costumes. strong points and build up skills She hopes to make it to Hawaii, in other skills. Those projects help or even Japan, where she can conwith our skills and development tinue her costume making after in the field.” her college career.
lived there when Anika was a toddler and moved back when Anika attended bilingual middle school in Dakar. “I think Anika is an excellent travel companion because she is brave, adventurous, adaptable and non-judgmental,” Laura said.
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I enjoy encouraging people to gain a broader cultural prospective
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Laura-Lynn Dear
As an independent learner, Laura is taking classes at the Baobab Center, which she has known about since she first started going to Dakar over 25 years ago. The center has arranged for her to take private classes from university professors in Woolf (the traditional language in Senegal), Senegalese Anthropology, Culture and society, Senegalese Art History and French. She has classes three days a week and each class runs for two hours.
Laura also attends field trips to cultural and artistic sites, and the center arranged for her to learn African batik and tie-dying techniques with local artists. Anika, who is also a transfer student, attended Flagger College in Florida. The in-state tuition and the small size of the school captured her interest. She is a major in Environmental Studies, is interested in sustainable energy, and would like to continue living abroad. “Here in Sahel, the most reliable and abundant natural resource is the sun and I’d love to work on the development of solar technology for Africa,” Anika said. “Energy independence would be an ideal tool for countries like Senegal to improve and escape the grips of neo-colonialism.” Anika sees her mom as her selfproclaimed number one fan. Together they’ve traveled into different time zones, received new jobs, and met new friends. She gets her wanderlust and sarcasm from her mother and values her advice and pep talks more than anything. “I am proud of my mom for returning to school and adding another page to her long list of accomplishments,” she said.
Khalil Paul: “I want to make the change someone made for me” By Kaliegh Hayes Features Writer
Khalil Paul, junior, hasn’t only given points to MCLA’s basketball team this year, but has been given pointers to at risk children in North Adams. Paul volunteers weekly at the North Adams Youth Center with the Assist Program. The Assist Program is a mentor program for children in low-income families that may be at risk. “I want to make the change that someone made for me,” Paul said. Familiar with the background that these children come from, Paul wants to push them in the right direction by being their mentor and giving them opportunities they normally would not get. “Maybe at home the kids don’t have an older brother to sit down with and show them stuff like the correct way to shoot a basketball,” Paul said. “But we’re doing oneon-one stuff with them.” Paul has a history of working with children from his hometown of Troy, New York. At the youth center in Troy, Paul has run basketball clinics and worked as a camp counselor. “It’s amazing,” Paul said. “You can see it means something to them in their faces, like the next time you see them they’ll want to do things they did the week before with you.” Paul sees the chance to volunteer as a way to help the youth of today, and to make sure that these
Photo by Isabel McKenzie/ The Beacon
Khalil Paul ‘16, wants to make a change in the lives of local youth.
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You can see it means something to them in their faces Khalil Paul
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children aren’t left alone without any help in the world. “Some of these kids have never been to a basketball game,” said Paul. “Then they came here and we had pizza, snacks, and games for them. We gave them an experience that they had never had before.” Paul hopes to make a difference in these lives and to make the children feel like they have a person to turn to whenever they need to talk to someone.
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Arts & Entertainment
Thursday, April 23, 2015
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Watsky rocks spring concert Review by Matt Hotaling A&E Writer
George Watsky looks nothing like one would expect from a rap artist. The 28 year old artist is a pale skinny kid with a baby face from upper-middle class San Francisco. White rap artists for a long time have had to stand in the shadows of artists like Vanilla Ice, the Beastie Boys, and Eminem, but in the year 2015 the novelty of white rappers has worn off, and Watsky has been able to carve out his own niche brand of rap that is goofy, nerdy, and poignant. Watsky performed to a small, but enthusiastic, audience bringing his own unique brand of poetry-intensive rap at this year’s Spring Concert. “You can bring whoever you are to the table and make that work,” Watsky said. Opening for Watsky was the rap duo OCD: Moosh and Twist, a pair of lifelong friends based out of Philadelphia. While most of the audience was there to see Watsky, OCD had some fans there just to see them like juniors Cody Gawle and Brendan Daoust, a pair of aspiring hip-hop artists. “I thought they were great, they killed it,” Daoust said. “I hope they come back.” “We’ve been listening to them for a couple years,” Gawle said. “They’re a pretty big inspiration for us.” Before the show began a small
handful of student slam poets shared a couple of their own pieces. Jordan Goyette, SAC Concert Chair, explained how he thought it would be cool to have some of MCLA’s students share their work because Watsky started his performance career in slam poetry. Among the students who performed were Avery Woodbury, Tanisha Drysdale, Maggie Kase, Lynn McEnaney, Ryan Walters, and Alex Hicks-Courant. “I love performing slam-poetry,” Drysdale said, “it’s a chance to express yourself and be heard.”
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The moment I decided that I wanted to go into art professionally was when I saw Def Poetry Jam as a stage show in San Francisco in 2002. George Watsky
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While the number of students at the concert was perhaps lower than expected, both acts did a fantastic job of engaging the audience and making a room half full of people feel full with energy. Veneble Gym was transformed into an imposing but intimate stage. Most of Watsky’s set came from his two most recent albums, alternating between defiant high energy tracks like “Work,” low key numbers like “Why Don’t
We Get High and Watch Planet Earth,” and goofy off-beat songs like “The One.” “I’m really looking forward to the show,” freshman Lyna Benantar said. “My friend got me into Watsky through his Youtube videos and I heard his live shows were amazing.” Watsky does own an amount of his fame due to a couple viral videos he engineered at the start of his music career, but he wants to be more than just a viral artist, and always goes back to his poetic roots. Starting in high school Watsky discovered his love of performance acting in school plays, or just acting out in class. On the suggestion of a teacher Watsky started doing spoken-word and slam poetry to channel his need for the spotlight constructively. “The moment I decided I wanted to go into art professionally was when I saw Def Poetry Jam as a stage show in San Francisco in 2002,” Watsky said. “It was everything I loved in one place.” Five years later after working hard to get in front of talent scouts, Watsky got his one of his first big breaks and was featured in an episode of the final season of Def Poetry Jam. “That was one of the few moments I can point to in my career as a turning point,” Watsky said. “I felt really grateful. I set a goal for myself and I hit it young.” Watsky’s most recent album
Photo by Isabelle McKenzie/The Beacon
Watsky, along with several students, performed slam poetry drawing a collective enthusiasm for the art form. “All You Can Do” is a celebra- thought set him apart, aside from tion of living in the moment and the anomaly of just being a white doing the most with what you rap artist, is his sincerity. He’s have, with notable singles “Woah proud to have built a loyal fan Woah Woah,” “Ink Don’t Bleed,” base even if it isn’t massive; he’d and the title track “All You Can rather a closely engaged fan base Do”. Unlike his previous album than one that was an inch deep “Cardboard Castles,” which is the and a mile wide. anthem of every frustrated artist “Being yourself as a musician alnot quite scrapping by, “All You ways sets you apart,” Watsky said. Can Do” is not about resting on Watsky currently has no plans of the laurels of success, but moving slowing down, and hopes to keep forward to your next goal and un- touring and recording as long as derstanding both your limits and it’s profitable for him. For Watsky, potential. right now is right now, and all he Watsky talked about what he can do is all he can do.
The Mind’s Eye offers generations of voice to MCLA By Matt Aceto A&E Writer
Students aren’t the only ones innovating here at MCLA. Each year, professors both near and far combine their poetic intellect to create a literary journal, The Mind’s Eye. Published annually by MCLA, The Mind’s Eye features work from faculty members, students, and professors from other institutions. Found in the journal are poems and short stories ranging from topics such as final exams to grave stones. The 2014 issue celebrated 37 years of publishing, and featured some of the best literature submitted over the past few decades. According to History Professor Frances Jones-Sneed, the commemorative 37 year edition was an idea of former MCLA professor Benjamin Jacques, along with the rest of the editorial board. Among MCLA faculty who contributed to The Mind’s Eye are English Professor Jill Gilbreth, English Professor Jeff McRae, English Professor Mark Miller, and Art Professor Melanie Mowinski. On Thursday, April 9, a reading was held for The Mind’s Eye. Miller was amazed by the diverse voice the event gave to MCLA. “I was struck at the [April 9] reading by the way that event gave a multigenerational voice to
MCLA,” Miller said in an e-mail. “I got to hear an emeritus professor from my own department read--someone who retired just before I arrived on campus--as well as a current junior col-
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I was struck at the reading by the way that event gave a multigenerational voice to MCLA. Mark Miller
currently appearing, or forthcoming in: Massachusetts Review, Rattle, and Mudfish.” Gilbreth is a fiction writer, whose stories also appear in the literary journal Ploughshares. Her shortstory ‘A Final Note on Monsters’ appears in the 2014 edition of The Mind’s Eye. Similar to McRae, Gilbreth’s approach to writing involves lots of revision. “[Oftentimes] my stories begin with a character whose voice emerges and is persistent or feels important in some way. Other times, I’ll feel curious about something I’ve read or heard, and a set of circumstances, and the characters at the center of those circumstances will begin to emerge,” Gilbreth said in an e-mail. “I make notes. I let characters say things and do things. When the accumulation of those notes begins to impose order or suggest a shape, I begin to work with that order or shape.” While The Mind’s Eye is mostly composed of literature, there is artwork as well. Mowinski was one of three artists to contribute work for the 2014 commemorative edition. Her pieces, such as ‘Crow/Flight’ and ‘Mick’s Heart’, are examples of her previous and current work. “The work was placed to complement, but not illustrate the poetry and prose before and after it,” Mowinski said in an email. The Mind’s Eye is open to ex-
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league. I also got to hear a former student who had also taught here part time in the past. This is diversity over time, in terms of history.” Miller agrees with Robert Penn Warren’s approach to writing poetry, that it is a matter of faith more than it is writing prose. Although Miller has not recently submitted any new poetry, he plans to continue writing this summer and fall. McRae’s approach to poetry writing is one that requires a lot of work and revision. He find it important to pay attention to what’s going on around him. Along with The Mind’s Eye, McRae’s work appears in a multitude of literature journals. “My work has appeared in many other journals,” McRae said in an email. “Right now I have work that is either recently appeared,
Photo from mcla.edu
“The Mind’s Eye” has been the brainchild of Benjamin Jacques for 37 years. Faculty at MCLA have regularly contributed, such as Jill Gilbreth and Jeff McRae. pository essays, poetry, reviews e-mail Frances Jones-Sneed at and art. For submission queries, f.jones-sneed@mcla.edu.
7 Rambling Poets close out season at the Parlor Arts & Entertainment
Thursday, April 23, 2015
By Mitchell Chapman A&E Writer
The Parlor Café has become a popular hub for artists, both literary and not, to express themselves, getting recognition and connections with the community. No such night more exemplified that than last week’s poetry slam and open mic, featuring artists from all across the community, including MCLA senior Hanna Lauerman. “I didn’t expect there to be this many people,” Lauerman said. “When Curtis asked me to feature, I didn’t expect it to be at the season finale.” Lauerman presented seven original works, some of which were featured in “Spires”, the literary magazine of the College, though the majority of her pieces came from class assignments. Her style can best be described as crazy and fantastical as that of Chuck Wendig, author of the Miriam Black series, but with a more mature tone. Though her poems often feature oddities such as a town completely run by coyotes, it is through this tone that Lauerman truly gets at once she wants to say. In the coyote poem for instance, she starts with an unusual premise, but the poem is not merely about how novel or strange the situation is; she develops it by exploring the issues this society goes
through (running out of food), and as a result presents intelligent commentary that can be applied to contemporary society. The event was sponsored by Rambling Poets, a local organization “dedicated to creating safe space through the advocacy and support of poets and poetry,” according to their website. The event was the last of a series spanning two years, and was hosted by Rambling Poets Co-Founder Christian Phiffer.
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Poetry helps me find what’s left of my soul. I teach math for a living, which is quite the opposite.
Curtis Asch
dience was treated to pieces that dealt with surrealist imagery, human ideals, flaws in society, and reinterpretation of older works, while the slam competition largely featured deep personal experiences as told through the common tongue. Such is the case of Alex Hicks and Curtis Asch, who went toeto-toe during the slam. Though, ultimately, Curtis won, poetry serves very distinct functions in both their lives. “Poetry is like a coping mechanism for me,” Hicks, who has been competing since high school, said. “My approach generally is to take something awful and write about it.” “I picked up poetry four years ago after losing touch with it for a decade,” Asch said. “Poetry helps me find what’s left of my soul. I teach math for a living, which is quite the opposite.” Rambling Poets has featured many, and has helped build a community within the Parlor Café in which creative works can be shared safely. “This community that Jason (Morin, co-owner of The Parlor) and Chris have built is much bigger than the business that it contains,” Asch said. “I’m grateful to be a part of it.” According to Phiffer, Rambling Poets hopes to feature more events like this in the future.
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“Tonight was to give back to everyone involved in Rambling Poets,” Phiffer said. “It was sort of like a 20 poet party. We broke even, which is something unheard of for what we are.” The night hosted a large array of poets presenting in a multitude of genres, but truly belonged to spoken-word poetry; the genre conventionally featured in slams. Spoken-word was presented during both the open mic and poetry slam portions of the evening. The open mic portion however, had a bit more flavors of work. The au-
Photo from ramblingpoets.wix.com
Hanna Lauerman presented a decent selection from her oeuvre along with many of the poets-in-arms who frequent the Parlor. Though they currently have a host events on a more consistent weekly showcase, they hope to basis.
‘Kumiko’ and the journey into dreamerhood “Kumiko” is a film that both adults and young people should see for its delicate understanding.
Review by Shirin Hijab A&E Editor
David Zellner’s “Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter” does not present an unseen phenomenon in US cinema, but in taking the true story of a Japanese woman, Takako Konishi, who went looking for the money that Carl Showalter (Steve Buscemi) hid in “Fargo,” and fictionalizing that story, the filmmakers (David Zellner and Nathan Zellner who wrote and starred in the film) create a constant vacillation between truth and fiction.
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[The film] also asks us to consider the strange world we would live in if everyone took everything in fiction films as fact.
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An unnamed deputy/sheriff (David Zellner) who helps Kumiko (Rinko Kikuchi), or tries to, through some of the second half of the movie attempts to explain the difference between documentary or news footage and “normal movies”; this is ironic because Zellner seems well-versed in many strands of film types through their history. Another curious thing is expressed in the painfully awkward situation with the deputy and Kumiko where he says there’s a
cultural divide between them and was a metaphor Kurosawa used protect her. We get flashes of the er and multicolor blanket. Curihe’s absolutely sure that in the in describing Satyajit Ray’s films, beam of light hitting the viciously ously, the scene we see repeatedly Japanese culture what Kumiko but this is one film that I think pelting snowflakes for what feels from “Fargo” is when Buscemi wants to find (happiness, mon- deserves that description. Except like a terrifying five minutes. In has already been shot through the ey-- definitely not a husband, her it is a river without a destination. reality it was much shorter, but cheek and is hiding the money. mother keeps harking her to get This film isn’t easily brushed it looks like a Marie Menken film In a parallel scene, Kumiko tries one) is extremely important. In away as playful or fun; there’s a since the camera had largely been to dig what she thinks is money fact, if a US citizen tried to go find lot of suffering. Konishi’s death steady throughout and then sud- out of a frozen lake, and ends up the treasure from “Fargo,” they’d in the Minnesotan winterscapes denly becomes manhandled and bleeding and pulling out a log inbe institutionalized. The film, in was ruled as a suicide. We get an shaky, and we get put into Ku- stead of a suitcase. this sense, is a clever little parable extremely frightening moment miko’s perspective in her last moThe film is a kind of warning to about the status of dreamers in when Kumiko runs away from ev- ments. the dreamer but at the same time the modern world. erything else and is in the night, Like in “Fargo,” the film doesn’t an encouragement. It also asks us After recently hearing it sam- very far from any other human have a lot of color. Kumiko is the to consider the strange world we pled in an album, I can’t help but being; with only a flashlight and a center of the color throughout the would live in if everyone took evthink of one of the characters blanket she stole from a hotel to entire movies, with her red sweat- erything in fiction films as fact. the Dreamer meets in Richard Linklater’s “Waking Life,”: “They say dreaming is dead, no one does it anymore. It’s not dead it’s just that it’s been forgotten, removed from our language. Nobody teaches it so nobody knows it exists. The dreamer is banished to obscurity.” The whole film is a kind re-creation of “Fargo” with the bleak, midwestern landscapes and dialect fashioned precisely to how people spoke at the ambiguous time of the turn of the century. The camera is slow; comparing a film’s Photo from blindbureaux.com movement to a river’s “Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter” is one of the great moments in US fantastic cinema in recent years.
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Thursday, April 23, 2015
Sports
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Baseball struggles over busy week Team goes 1-4, but picks up key conference victory over Bridgewater State
By Jake Mendel Sports Writer
The baseball had a busy week as they played five games, including four MASCAC games. The team started with a matchup against Southern Vermont. Tyler Benoit took the mound for the ’Blazers, giving up six runs in four innings pitched. Chase Preite got the ’Blazers on the board with a ground out that scored Mike Sullivan in the top of the first inning. Southern Vermont came back in the bottom of the first scoring two of their own to take a 2-1 lead. In the top of the second the ’Blazers came right back as Ryan Grande scored when Ryan Shook reached on an error, tying the game at two. The game wouldn’t stay tied long as Southern Vermont added another in the bottom of the third to make the score 3-2. The game would remain tied until the fourth inning, the ’Blazers regained the lead on a Mike Mancivalano double, followed by a Ryan Shook ground out, making the score 4-3. That would be all the run scoring the team would do as Southern Vermont scored three in the bottom of the fourth to make the score 6-4. Southern Vermont added two more in the sixth and the seventh as they would go on to win 10-4. Tyler Benoit fell to 1-1 on the year. The ’Blazers then played a double header against MASCAC rival Mass Maritime on Saturday. Rory Slattery gave the ’Blazers a quick 1-0 lead, driving Ryan Grande in on a single. Robert Jutras gave up two runs (one un-
earned) in the top of the second as Mass Maritime took a 2-1 lead. The Buccaneers didn’t have the lead for long, Alon Willing singled to right field scoring Mike Mancivalano, tying the game at two. The Buccaneers came right back in the top of the third, scoring two more runs, taking a 3-2 lead. They would then add on two more to make the score 5-2. The ’Blazers started a rally in the bottom of the 7th inning as they could only score one run, losing by a final score of 5-3. Jutras (14) received the loss after pitching six inning, giving up four earned runs. The second game was a pitching duel as Ryan Grande pitched five innings, giving up two runs while striking out five. The game was scoreless until the top of the 5th when Mass Maritime’s Everett Walsh drove in two runs on an RBI single. The ’Blazers would cut the lead to one in the bottom of the six on a Preite single that scored Sullivan. That would be all the scoring the ’Blazers would do as they would fall 3-1 in seven innings. Grande fell to 1-3 on the year while Eamonn Andre pitched two innings in relief giving up one run. The baseball team finished the week with another doubleheader on Tuesday, this time against the Bridgewater Bears. In the first game Todd Hunt pitched a complete game, giving up no runs over seven innings, dropping his ERA to a team leading 3.19. The game was a low scoring one as the only run was scored on an error. A passed ball scored Alon Willing. Hunt (3-0) got the win,
snapping the ’Blazers three game losing skid. The ’Blazers had a hard time scoring in the second game of the day, with their only run coming when Nick Disanti reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring Andrew Gilvey. Nolan pitched four innings, giving up four runs as he dropped to 1-3 on the year. Andre and Alibozek combined to pitch two innings of work in relief, giving up one run. The ’Blazers end the week going 1-4, dropping their overall record to 10-12 (3-7 in conference). Utility infielder Nate Gutmann feels like the team has the right attitude to get back on track for the rest of the season. The attitude on the team is amazing. We all have the urge to be better and win more games,” Gutmann explained. “We have the mentally to push through tough games and do our best. We hope that we can make the playoffs.” They play a doubleheader at home on Thursday against SaPhoto by Liz Quirk/The Beacon lem State before heading Senior Chase Preite stands safely at second base. Preite leads the team in to Williams on Friday. batting average, runs scored and doubles.
Tennis denied playoff spot by Thomas By Jesse Collings Sports Editor
The Men’s tennis team picked up two wins over the week, but dropped a critical game to Thomas College on Sunday and finished conference play a game behind Green Mountain College for the vital fourth playoff spot, denying the Trailblazers a playoff berth in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC). The team finishes the season with a record of 4-6 overall and 2-6 in conference play. MCLA started the week last Thursday against Sage, defeating the Gators in Albany, 7-2. The Blazers swept the Gators in doubles play, jumping out to the 3-0 lead. The closest game was in the third doubles slot, where senior Tyler Russell and sophomore Jeff Mason picked up the victory for MCLA, defeating the Sage duo of Khademe Osbourne and Melissa Estremera. Sage picked up a point in the number one singles play, as senior Kristen Ackerman defeated MCLA freshman Aaron Goldsmith 4-6, 6-3, 11-9. Due to a lack
of participation in their program, in the top three seeds. Lyndon tor being rewarded with a birth the Sage Men’s tennis team em- scrambled back to take the last in the NAC playoffs. The Blazers ploys some players on the female three seeds in singles play, but it traveled to Waterville, Maine but team. MCLA picked up wasn’t enough and MCLA won its were beaten soundly wins in the next three by the Terriers, 9-0. seeds, as sophomore The Blazers came the Rob Wabshinak, seclosest to earning a nior Taylor Krowitz point in the numand Michael Rooney ber two seed doubles all picked up victories. play, but the Thomas Russell earned a point pair of Zachary Disch in the final sixth slot to and Federico Trujillo finish the game off for defeated Rooney and MCLA. Krowitz, 9-7. Thomas The Blazers then cruised through sinpicked up their second gles play, shutting out conference victory of MCLA. the season on SaturAlthough they did day, defeating Lyndon not qualify for the State in Stowe, Verplayoffs, the players mont, 6-3. For the secare not disappointed ond consecutive game, in the teams play. MCLA swept doubles Freshman Aaron play as the teams of who Photo from MCLA Athletics Goldsmith, Goldsmith/Wabshi- Senior captain Taylor Krowitz went 4-2 over the week- played primarily in nak, Krowitz/Rooney end in doubles and singles play, but MCLA was still the number one slot and Russell/Mason all unable to secure a spot in the NAC playoffs. for MCLA, reflected cruised to easy wins. on his rookie year. MCLA continued to assert second game in a row, 6-3. “We may not have reached the its dominance in singles play, The victory on Saturday set up desired end goal but we estabas Goldsmith, Wabshinak and a crucial game on Sunday against lished ourselves in the conference Krowitz all picked up victories Thomas College, with the vic- for future years and improved
overall from past years,” Goldsmith said. “Personally, I will work to play more consistently over the course of the whole season which will improve my individual record and help the team.” Krowitz shares a similar view on things, and he has seen a remarkable growth in the program during his four year tenure on the team. “We had a lot of positive notes this season. This was our best season in terms of wins and we still have one match left,” Krowitz said. “I have seen a lot of growth in every player. The biggest positive of this season was our ability to compete with the rest of our conference. The past few seasons have been disappointing because we never felt like there was a chance to make the playoffs. However, MCLA is now in a position to make a run at the playoffs for the next few years and that is by far the most exciting result of this season.” The team will finish up their season with a non-conference game against Bard College on Monday.
Sports
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Beacon.MCLA.edu
9
Lacrosse goes 1-1 over weekend Scores Cutler, Cutler got a goal off of an assist by junior Erin McNulty, and sophomore Rachel Green scored off an assist by senior Rebecca Pike. Pike added an unassisted goal, giving MCLA a 4-1 lead with 20 minutes to go in the first half. Southern Vermont responded by scoring three straight goals, tying the game at 4. MCLA would get two goals from Pike and one from junior Kate Brown. The two teams would trade goals for the remainder of the first half, and MCLA went into the break with a Photo by Isabel McKenzie/The Beacon 10-7 lead. Freshman Mackenzie Cutler looks to make a play during the game Monday Southern Veragainst Southern Vermont. mont struck first at the start of the 4-7 on the season while Southern By Jesse Collings second half, as Melodie Orrell Vermont fell to 3-7 on the season. Sports Editor scored unassisted three minutes It was a cold and rainy day in into the half. MCLA took control The lacrosse team picked up a North Adams, but Southern Verof the game during a 4-0 run in victory in non-conference play, mont was able to get on the board the second half. Pike and Cutler but was defeated in MASCAC early when Emily Lesure scored each scored twice, giving them a play to finish the week with a 1-1 just a 1:21 into the first half. 14-8 lead with 12:28 left . SouthMCLA would retaliate by workrecord. The Trailblazers hosted South- ing as a team, as they scored three ern Vermont would try to rally, ern Vermont College on Monday, straight goals off of assists. Soph- scoring 3 straight goals in about edging out the Mountaineers for a omore Natalie Caney scored off of a 1:30 span, but MCLA was able 16-12 victory. MCLA improved to a pass from freshman Mackenzie to hold them off, getting late goals from Brown and Pike, sealing the
victory. MCLA utilized team work to get the job done, assisting on 14 out of their 16 goals. Southern Vermont failed to generate a single assist on any of their 12 goals. The Blazers were dominated on the road in MASCAC play on Saturday, traveling to Westfield and falling to the Owls 18-2. The Owls utilized a pair of long scoring runs in the first half to gain control of the game. Westfield scored the first 5 goals of the contest, going up 5-0 with 23 minutes to go in the first half. A Pike goal off an assist from Caney got MCLA on the board, but Westfield would then go on a 7-0 run to go up 12-1. Caney scored unassisted, but Westfield got two late goals from Roni Orcutt and Brooke Williams to go into the half with a 14-2 lead. In the second half, Westfield scattered 4 goals over 15 minutes, while holding MCLA scoreless, clinching the 18-2 victory. Despite the loss, the team still values every games as a learning experience. “The team as has a lot to learn from losses, being a first year team has its ups and downs and we can learn a lot from other teams tactically and technically,” Caney said. “I think it is very important to play hard teams because the team will only improve. Mistakes are made throughout the season but every mistake and every achievement is a learning experience for the players and the coach.” The Blazers played Fitchburg State on Wednesday, and will finish their season on Saturday when they travel to Salem State.
Softball sweeps past Bridgewater and Mass. Maritime By Tyler Bacon Sports Writer
The Trailblazers swept Bridgewater State on Tuesday with scores of 4-2 and 4-1. In the first game, the Blazers got off to a fast start when Jennifer Sicinski hit a two RBI double making it a quick 2-0 lead for MCLA. The Blazers tacked on one more run in the fifth and sixth inning before Bridgewater State scored in the bottom of the sixth. They scored again before Rachel Quackenbush shut them down for a 4-2 win. Quackenbush pitched seven innings while giving up six hits, two zero earned runs, two walks and seven strikeouts. Quackenbush improved to 6-6 on the season. In game two of the doubleheader, Amanda Meczywor got the start for the Blazers, looking for the sweep. In the top of the third inning, Sicinski got the Blazers on the board with an RBI single that scored two. In the fifth inning, MCLA added another run when Abigail Lucas reached first base on a fielder’s choice scoring Quackenbush. Bridgewater State tacked on a run of their own with an RBI groundout by Samantha LoPilato, but MCLA answered with a run
in the seventh inning when Alexandra Romano doubled in the gap, making it 4-1. Quackenbush came on for the final two innings for the save. She gave up one hit, zero runs, zero walks, and two strikeouts preserving the win for Meczywor. Meczywor picked up her fourth win of the season and Quackenbush picked up her second save of the season. The MCLA softball team swept Mass Maritime in a conference doubleheader on Saturday. The Blazers’ pitchers held Mass Maritime scoreless in both games. In the first game, MCLA started off fast with a six run first inning. Abigail Lucas started the Blazers off with an RBI single. Angelica Perfido came up two batters later and walked in a run to make it 2-0. An error on the catcher allowed Rachel Quackenbush to score, making it 3-0. Later in the inning, Sierra Bailey hit a three-run home run that made it 6-0. That was all that starting pitcher Meczywor needed for the win. The game ended after the fifth inning because of the mercy rule. Meczywor pitched all five innings while giving up only two hits, one walk and seven strikeouts. MCLA scored one more run in the second and one in the third
making it 8-0. MCLA ended up with nine hits and did not make an error. In the second game, MCLA scored four runs in the second inning and three runs in Photo from MCLA Athletics the sixth. Junior pitcher Rachel Quackenbush leads MASCAC T h e with 112 strikeouts on the season. The next closest Blazers pitcher only has 69. Quackenbush ranks 32nd in the got RBI’s nation in total strikeouts and is 14th in the country in from Perstrikeouts per seven innings, with a rate of 9.5 strikefido, Baiouts per seven innings. ley, Juliwith Worcester State. ana Watson, and Meczywor. The Lancers will visit North Meczywor picked up her second Adams on Saturday for a huge win of the day, going seven indoubleheader that will likely denings while giving up ten hits and cide the regular season champion striking out five. of the conference. The first game The Blazers have now won four begins at 1 pm. games in a row and seven MASMCLA will wrap up their reguCAC games in a row. lar season with a doubleheader They currently have a record of against Williams College at home 11-15 overall and a record of 8-2 on Tuesday. overall, which is tied for first place
Softball Thursday, April 16 MCLA @ Sage 4-0 L MCLA @ Sage 12-5 L Saturday, April 18 MCLA vs Mass Maritime @ Williams College 8-0 W-5 innings MCLA vs Mass Maritime @ Williams College 7-0 W Tuesday, April 21 MCLA @ Bridgewater State 4-2 W MCLA @ Bridgewater State 4-1 W Baseball Saturday, April 18 MCLA vs Mass Maritime 5-3 L MCLA vs Mass Maritime 3-1 L Tuesday, April 21 MCLA @ Bridgewater State 1-0 W MCLA @ Bridgewater State 8-1 L Men’s Tennis Thursday, April 16 MCLA @ Sage 7-2 W Saturday, April 18 MCLA @ Lyndon State 6-3 W Sunday, April 19 MCLA @ Thomas 9-0 L Lacrosse Saturday, April 18 MCLA @ Westfield 18-2 L Monday, April 20 MCLA vs Southern Vermont 16-12 W
Schedules Saturday, April 25 Baseball MCLA vs Worcester State 1 pm MCLA vs Worcester State 3:30 pm Softball MCLA vs Worcester State 1 pm MCLA vs Worcester State 3 pm Lacrosse MCLA @ Salem State 6 pm
10
Opinion
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Beacon.MCLA.edu
What do you think about Hillary Clinton running for president? “I think its good she’s running for president. I’m all about equality.” Calvin Middleton, 2018
“I love it!” - Brittany Nicholson, 2016
The Beacon The Beacon is published Thursdays during the academic year and is distributed free to the College’s community. The Beacon is funded by the Student Government Association, the English/Communications department, and ad revenues. Single copies are free, additional copies may be purchased at 50 cents each. Contact information: News desk number: 413-662-5535 Business number: 413-662-5404 Email: Beacon@mcla.edu Web site: beacon.mcla.edu Office: Mark Hopkins Hall, room 111 Mission Statement The Beacon strives to provide timely and accurate news of campus and local events.
“I think it’s her turn to run. She got outvoted by Obama eight years ago, so I think she’s the best bet for the Democratic Party.” - Trey Coryell, 2016
“I don’t really have an opinion.” - Gaby McNeice, 2015
Editorials Policy Unsigned editorials that appear on these pages reflect the views of The Beacon’s editorial board. Signed columns and commentaries that appear on these pages reflect the views of the writers.
“I feel like it’s a major movement in equality for women. She has all the qualities for a president, the only thing she’s facing is the diversity against her.” - Denzel Reyes 2018
“We run on a majority two party system and we need to pick out a lesser of two evils if you live in a swing state. But if you live in a state that is already swinging one way or another then you have the option to vote for third parties.” - Lizzie Kurz Michel, 2017
Photos compiled by Isabel McKenzie Health & Fitness
Bigger than biceps
Warmer workouts
By Makayla-Courtney McGeeney Managing Editor
Each season I like to point out some exercises to do when the weather permits because not everyone is a runner, but you can run or walk and enjoy scenery and sunshine at the same time. There are gadgets and endless exercises that can be performed in the gym, but can also be brought outside. TRX suspension training straps run around $200, but can be used outside on a tree or bench or any other stable anchor. The idea behind using suspension straps is to use your body weight and get tangled up in a variety of exercises including hamstring curls lying on the ground with your feet in straps or incline pushups. It’s hard because of how long or short you make the straps and how close you stand to the base or how far away. The straps are also beneficial for their adaptability and way that you grow with exercises you may not necessarily be strong for initially. If you feel awkward about jumping up and down in your dorm while doing Plyometrics, take it outside. There are plenty of vacant grass areas around campus
to conduct a workout. I used to be worried about people watching me when I ran or did jumping jacks outside, but ideally you’re the winner and as long as your form is good, there should be nothing to worry about. Aside from outside body weight exercises such as squats, lunges, push-ups, tricep dips, etc., invest in some childhood backyard games. Get a wiffle ball, a Frisbee, volleyball, soccer ball, jump rope or throw a baseball around. As soon as it got warm my housemates and I were looking for anything to do to get us outside and active. In addition to that, because the cell phone service isn’t the greatest, it shouldn’t be hard to take a walk just for a phone call. I’m not too familiar with The Bike Share program but from what I can tell a handful of students enjoy it. For those without a car on campus, you have legs, so use them. I would feel too guilty sitting inside playing Mario kart with the sun shining through the window, especially after winter. Try getting outside for at least thirty minutes each day. It can improve your mood even if you don’t intend on working out. Some fresh air and natural light is bound to make you feel better during a break between classes. Don’t rely on the gym to always be open or empty when there’s almost always going to be room outside to break a sweat.
Art & Politics
Notes on Unknown Places
Greek cinema and history in film
By Shirin Hijab
Arts & Entertainment Editor The films of Theo Angelopoulos have been an obsession of mine for a while now, especially the way he deals with history and in particular the Greco-Albanian problem. There’s also “Hostage” which deals with the situation from the Albanian side. Angelopoulos’s film “The Traveling Players” is supposed to be one of his best. It details Greek history through the lives of a traveling theater troupe through the years 1939 to 1952, which show the beginnings of fascism in that country which would have a spike in the late ‘60s and ‘70s and continues to the modern day, with the Greek Nazi Party having an uncanny amount of support. Greek films like Athina Rachel Tsangari’s “Attenberg” briefly get into history but not in the way that Angelopoulos films do; especially in “The Traveling Players,” the telling of history is idiosyncratic in that history well go forward and backward within the same long-shot, of which there are 80 in the long film. However, despite all this the film is still somewhat followable; we know when the Germans occupy Greece, we can see their reconstruction afterward and their descent into a police state. The most interesting parts of the film are when actors from the
troupe address the camera and detail what we as viewers might have missed in the historiography of the film. They tell it as if it’s a first-hand account (even though Angelopoulos would’ve been rather young when this was happening; he would be ten in 1945). It has that particular socialist tinge of emotion in history-telling that’s so evident in the films of Chris Marker. It’s hard to watch a three and a half hour movie that deals with oppression of artists and the Greek people through fascism but it is worth it. This isn’t historical fact but it is a rewriting of history and for anyone who doesn’t know modern Greek history, it is an excellent introduction. And the thing that coheres the film is that the actors keep performing the same dumb, “Romeo and Juliet” kind of play; it’s endearing in the way that old friends have their own idiosyncrasies and things that they don’t change even after being friends for 60 years. If it could be called a theme as opposed to a self-criticism, Tsangari’s film and some of Angelopoulos’s could be said to see the Greek society as having fallen so far from where they once stood as the cradle of western culture. I’m curious who is going to come along in the Geek cinema to replace Angelopoulos; sometimes his contribution to the understanding of history in film and the composition of the long shot go unlooked. But those working in the modern Greek cinema have benefited from his influence, whether or not they’re averse to it. I’d like to see more films about the Greek-Albanian conflict.
Letters Policy The Beacon welcomes Letters to the Editor. Deadline is noon on Mondays for that week’s newspaper. Letters should be kept to 500 words or less and are subject to editing for grammar and content. The Beacon will not publish anonymous or libelous letters. Letters must be signed by the writer and include a phone number. Letters may be dropped off at the office or emailed to Beacon@mcla.edu. Contributions Policy The Beacon accepts stories, photos, and opinion pieces for publication. Submissions should be dropped off at the office by Monday at noon or emailed to Beacon@mcla.edu. Advertising Policy The Beacon reserves the right not to publish any advertisement it deems to be libelous, false. or in bad taste.
Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Brittany Gallacher Sports Editor Jesse Collings
Managing Editor Makayla-Courtney
A&E Editor Shirin Hijab
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Thursday, April 23, 2015
Check it Out!
Upcoming events on campus
Today, April 23
Mud and the Successful Life of Three Venable Theater 8 p.m. Undergraduate Research Conference Murdock Fitzpatrick Room, Venable Gym and Murdock 218 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. SAC Massage and Oxygen Bar Sullivan Lounge 4-7 p.m. Green Living Seminar Murdock 218 4:15-7 p.m.
Friday, April 24
Order of Omega Induction Campus Center 324B 12-2 p.m. Departure Meeting for Study Abroad Sullivan Lounge 4-5 p.m. Night of Asia Venable Gym 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, April 25
Spring Fling Academic Quad/Venable Gym 11 a.m.-3 p.m. LGBTQIA Conference Church Street Center 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Craft-a-palooza Marketplace 12-6 p.m. Nexxus Showcase Church Street Center 8-9:30 p.m. Big Prize Bingo Venable Gym 8-10 p.m.
Sunday, April 26 Good Vibes Yoga Dance Complex 8-10 p.m.
Announcements, Events, & Opinion
Beacon.MCLA.edu
11
Racial tensions to be discussed in Free family day community dialogue on Monday at The Clark Events following the shooting of Michael Brown addressed
The College will sponsor a dialogue on how communities, especially educational institutions, can respond to racial tensions. Veronica Benavides and Tracey Benson from the Harvard Graduate School of Education facilitate a conversation about their case study, “Letters from Ferguson: A Community’s Response to Race and Racism.” This discussion will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday in the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation, room 121. The event is free and open to the public. According to Dana Rapp, chair of MCLA’s education department, this event will explore the circumstances that informed the organizational response of three school districts in St. Louis County to the civil unrest that followed the shooting of Michael Brown by a local police officer. “How should organizations, particularly education organizations, respond to incidents involving racial tensions? This case brings to the forefront the racialized context in which educators operate, but often do not acknowledge,” Rapp said. Benson is a second year doctoral student in Harvard’s Educational Leadership Program. Prior to entering the Harvard Graduate School of Education, he served as a high school principal in Pittsfield. During his career, Benson has served as a vice-
Giant Used Book Sale!
Benefits Public Library in Williamstown Friday, April 24, 9-6 Saturday, April 25, 9-4
principal, district trainer and classroom teacher. His primary area of focus is working with historically marginalized communities in pursuit of access to high quality educational opportunities, as well as enhanced lifetime outcomes. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and his master’s degree in school administration from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Benavides is a second year doctoral student in the EdLD program. Prior to entering the Harvard Graduate School of Education, she taught middle and high school students in New York City and Mexico City. She is the co-founder of Movement Makers, an organization that looks to increase the agency and academic performance of high school students through culturally relevant curriculum. Her research interests include student motivation, family engagement, community organizing, adult development and organizational change. Benavides earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in government and philosophy from the University of Texas-Austin, and her Master of Science degree in teaching from Fordham University in New York, N.Y. For more information, contact Rapp, (413) 6625197, or D.Rapp@mcla.edu.
The Clark Art Institute welcomes people of all ages Sunday, May 3 from 1–4 pm for Machine Age Family Day, a free event held in conjunction with the special exhibition Machine Age Modernism: Prints from the Daniel Cowin Collection. Admission is free all day. At 1:15 pm, the Williams College Jazz Ensemble presents an hour-long interactive jazz session in the lower level lobby of the Clark Center. At 1:30 and 2:30 pm, exhibition curator Jay Clarke and assistant Meghan Kosinski present Machine Age Modernism gallery talks in the Clark Center galleries. The jazz band Kris Allen Quartet performs at 2:30 pm, also in the lower level lobby. Other events held continuously between 1 pm and 4 pm include: ·A printmaking workshop led by IS183’s Lucie Castaldo (Clark Center, West Pavilion) ·A 3D printing demonstration (Clark Center, West Pavilion) ·Fingerprinting with the Williamstown Police (Clark Center Terrace) ·An artist demonstration led by IS183’s Michael Vincent Bushy (Clark Center, West Pavilion) ·Flip book fun (Museum Pavilion) ·Dazzle Ship London film screening and art making (Clark Center galleries) ·Robot demonstration (Clark Center, lower level) This Family Day is generously supported by funding from the officers and employees of Allen & Company, Inc.
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Williamstown Elementary School, Church Street
Books from 50¢ u Café/Bake Sale Silent Auction Winner’s Choice Raffle
Info: milnelibrary.org FINANCIAL AID ANNOUNCEMENTS
ATTENTION GRADUATING SENIORS!! IF YOU BORROWED STUDENT LOANS WHILE ATENDING MCLA, YOU MUST ATTEND A MANDATORY LOAN EXIT COUNSELING SESSION! NOTICES HAVE BEEN MAILED THIS WEEK. KEEP AN EYE OUT IN YOUR CAMPUS MAILBOX AND YOUR HOME ADDRESS FOR THE DATES AND TIMES. ANY QUESTIONS? CONTACT THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE AT 413-662-5219 OR FINAID@MCLA.EDU YOUR DIPLOMA WILL BE HELD UNTIL THIS IS COMPLETED!!
12
Photo Essay
Thursday, april 23, 2015
Max Miller-Loran backs Watsky.
SAC Spring Concert
Beacon.MCLA.edu
Watsky’s enthusiasm kept the crowd cheering.
Featuring OCD Moosh & Twist and Watsky
Alex Hicks-Courant performed slam poetry before the bands came on.
Photos by Isabel McKenzie Tanisha Drysdale opened the show by performing poetry. Moosh, of OCD: Moosh & Twist, gave a great performance.