Issue 1 - Fall 2014

The Beacon

Student Newspaper of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts North Adams, Mass.

For more content, visit online at: Beacon.MCLA.edu Volume 79 ◆ Issue 1

Th u r s d ay, S e p t e m b e r 1 8 , 2 0 1 4

Welcome back!

President leaves legacy of vision

By Makayla-Courtney McGeeney Editor-in-Chief

Photo by Osakpolo Igiede/The Beacon

Junior Kyla Graves hands Senior Isaac Portugal cone of cotton candy at SAC’s Welcome Fest

VP Brown to be interim president at end of semester

Beacon file photo

Cindy Brown, vice president of Academic Affairs, has been chosen as interim president by the Board of Trustees.

By Makayla-Courtney McGeeney Editor-in-Chief

The Board of Trustees hasve appointed Cindy Brown, vice president of Academic Affairs as interim president. She will serve during the time between Presidnet Mary Grant’s departure at the end of the fall semester and until the arrival of the next president.

Celia Norcross, director of Student Development, worked alongside Brown during her first

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years at the College.

“She understands the president’s vision and projects.

Cindy Brown will keep that vision going,” she said. “She has worked closely with Mary Grant, and cares about the campus and student body just as much.”

The Search Committee generated to locate candidates for the next President consists of cochairs Trustees Mohan Boodram and Susan Gold; Trustees JD Chesloff and Shirley Edgerton; representatives from the campus community include students Junior Ama Bemma AdwetewaBadu and Senior Brendan Peltier; alumni representatives Class of 2006 Rachel Churchill and Class of 2005 John Greenbush; faculty representatives Education Professor Dana Rapp, Physics Professor Adrienne Wootters, and Education Professor Christopher Himes; staff representatives APA Chapter President Charles Cianfarini and Marianne Drake, president of the Foundation Board of Directors.

The Board of Trustees rewarded Grant with an outstanding performance review during a meeting on Sept. 11, according to Tyler Fairbank, Board Chair, which directly reflected the highest merit raise for the remainder of her term. The Board has guidelines to analyze Grant’s

performance throughout the year, which includes her involvement in the community and the institution, as well as her focus on moving the College forward.

Fairbank said there will be a web page launched later in the month that will function as a repository for all information regarding the President search.

In order to find a new president

by April 28, 2015, Fairbank said the search committee will work with a hired search firm to identify potential candidates. In addition to that, a prospective document will be developed to explain what exactly the opportunity entails. Grant will be involved in the search process in the beginning stages to help organize.

“The document is sent to tell a story in a way that entices and is much more than a job description,” Fairbank said.

“It’ll take a number of weeks and requires much input. The prospective should reflect what MCLA looks like as a community.”

During the opening breakfast on Sept. 2, Fairbank assured faculty and staff of the College’s position in time of change.

“We need to find someone to stand on Mary Grant’s shoulders,” Fairbank said.

On the first anniversary of 9/11, faculty and staff marched up Church St. toward the College’s gymnasium for an observation event.

Along the walk, President Mary Grant heard a few local, young girls asking, “Are we near the college?”

At that moment is when Grant realized what a small part of her mission would be in leading the establishment to a dignified level. She felt confused and baffled that children in North Adams were unaware of the location of the College, and wondered if college was even a realistic conversation amongst families in the city.

Grant succeeded in her mission in making the College notorious, at least state-wide and as New England’s public institution.

“People know about MCLA,” she said. “You want to be known to build relationships and support. The college has a much greater diversity now; it’s exciting, and it’s the world we live in. This feels like my place.”

The College was granted some recognition throughout the community, surrounding neighborhoods, and across the

GRANT, continued on page 5

Fourth year on US News’ Top 10

By Nicholas Swanson Senior News Editor

Purchase College in Purchase, NY was ranked in tenth place behind MCLA.

MCLA made the cut that secured a position on US News and World Report’s ‘top public liberal arts colleges’ list for the fourth consecutive year.

“This is great especially because we are one of the smaller liberal arts colleges, it really shows the caliber of our work and what we’ve done,” Gina Puc, director of Admissions, said.

The 2014 results have the college ranked as ninth on the list, one place in front of last year’s tenth place.

The University of North Carolina—Asheville is ranked in eighth place and is where President Mary Grant was recently appointed to be chancellor.

“Many people believe we are ‘THE’ public arts college of the state because of what we represent, and for that we thank many people,” Denise Richardello, Executive Vice President of enrollment and external relations, said.

Since last year MCLA has made a number of advancements to better various parts of the institutions infrastructure.

These efforts include the finished Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation and extensive Bowman Hall renovations.

In April, the university was awarded a 10-year reaccreditation from the New England Association of Schools and

MCLA’s new smoking policy is in effect

FreshGrass returns to MassMoCa

Men’s Soccer starts off strong

Students react warmly to the change

Annual bluegrass festival begins this weekend

Begins season with 3-2 record

Arts & Entertainment, page 7

Sports, page 9

News, page 3

Beacon file photo

President Mary Grant ends state when Grant implemented Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) signs along the Mass. Turnpike and Route 2, leading in from New York.

“Even though it was something so small, it meant something great to me, and I was so persistent in getting those signs up,” Grant said. “I was told that we weren’t close enough to the exit. So, I drove to other schools and measured their distance to the exit.”

Since Grant began her tenure with the College, it has been named as one of U.S. News and World Report’s Top Ten

News Arts & Entertainment Sports Campus Opinion Local Events Photo Essay

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Campus News

Thursday, SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

Weekend Weather

Thursday, September 18

SGA currrently accepting Senate seat nominations dents are encouraged to vote yes in order to serve on the governance committees.”

The referendum will be sent out to students electronically when the election beings.

37th Annual Sam Gomez Race

By Nicholas Swanson

Mostly Sunny High: 66° Low: 36° Precip. Chance: 10%

Friday, September 19

Sunny High: 62° Low: 43° Precip. Chance: 0%

Senior News Editor

The Student Government Association (SGA) is currently accepting nominations to fill the remaining seats in Senate and will hold an election beginning Oct. 8.

In addition, administration is conducting a referendum asking students if they wish to keep the same amount of say they have within college governance.

According to SGA president Brendan Peltier, a ‘no’ vote means that SGA will no longer serve on college governances such as All College, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Food Committee.

Peltier stated in an email, “Stu-

The week of 9/07-9/13

◆ 2:44 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a medical call on Ashland Street. The call was completed. ◆ 3:05 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a medical at the Wellness Center. The subject was transported to the hospital.

Mostly Sunday High: 72° Low: 57° Precip. Chance: 20%

◆ 7:24 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a supervisory alarm at the Flagg Townhouse Complex Apartment 47. The alarm was determined to be accidental.

Wednesday, September 10

Sunday, September 21

◆ 1:49 a.m. - Public Safety responded to a parking/enforcement issue on the MCLA campus. A citation/warning was issued. ◆ 9:11 a.m. - Public Safety responded to a 911 hang-up call at Eldridge Hall. No action was required.

AM Showers High: 77° Low: 54° Precip. Chance: 40%

“The Sam Gomez Road Race left a legacy here at MCLA,” SGA executive vice president Alexandra Kadell said. “We continue to honor him through this 5k race, so tell more to join, especially friends and family.”

The race will take place on Sunday, Oct. 19.

The YMCA is the beneficiary for the race, and will use the money to help fund their youth program.

Last year Windsor Lake received the money raised from the race to build a volleyball court, but the project was delayed.

If the SGA Executive Board decides to take back that money, it would be donated to another organization.

On Campus

Senator Timothy Williams asked, if the College could bring a speaker in to follow-up and discuss about the no-smoking areas on campus.

“I think it would be great to have someone come in and talk about no smoking areas,” Peltier said, “especially because we are the only state institution that does not have a completely smoke free campus.”

According to Kadell, who is on MCLA’s smoking task force, the new smoking policy is currently more of a civic duty than a regulation, relying on students to point out non-designated smoking areas.

For Clubs According to SGA coordinating vice president Ama AdwetewaBadu, the ice cream social is on Sep. 18 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. on the quad. The secondary location is Venable Gym. “Leadership summit is mandatory for clubs, because if you are having outings or events there are new policies and processes

of hiring of students on campus to work,” SGA Adviser Jen Craig said.

The SGA Leadership Summit will take place on Sunday, Sep. 28 beginning at 3 p.m.

Open Positions: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Class of 2015 Vice President Class of 2015 Repersentative Class of of 2016 Repersentative Senate-At-Large (5) Athlete Seat Greek Seat Commuter Seat Resident Seat Class of 2018 President Class of 2018 Vice President Class of 2018 Treasure Class of 2018 Secretary Class of 2018 Repersentative (2)

Campus Police Logs Tuesday, September 09

Saturday, September 20

Beacon.MCLA.edu

◆ 11:59 a.m. - Public Safety responded to a 911 hang-up at Murdock Hall. The call was

investigated. ◆ 12:34 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a call to jump start a broken down vehicle at the Ashland Street Parking Lot. Services were rendered. ◆ 1:07 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a parking/enforcement issue at the Church Street Center Parking Lot. Services were rendered. ◆ 4:36 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a 911 hang-up call at the Flagg Townhouse Complex Apartment 58B. No action was required. ◆ 10:25 p.m. - Public Safety responded to an animal issue on the Mohawk Trail. Services were rendered.

Thursday, September 11 ◆ 11:12 a.m. - Public Safety responded to a parking/enforcement issue at the Mark Hopkins Parking Lot. Services were rendered. ◆ 11:14 a.m. - Public Safety responded to a parking/enforcement issue at the Freel Library Parking Lot. Services were rendered.

◆ 11:30 a.m. - Public Safety responded to a parking/enforcement issue at the Church Street Center Parking Lot. A citation/warning was issued. ◆ 1:24 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a parking/enforcement issue at the Berkshire Towers Parking Lot. Services were rendered. ◆ 1:51 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a parking/enforcement issue at the Taconic/Commuter Parking Lot. Services were rendered. ◆ 8:20 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a medical call at the Hoosac Hall Complex.

The subject was transported to the hospital.

Friday, September 12 ◆ 9:10 a.m. - Public Safety responded to a call regarding a vehicle lockout at the Taconic/Commuter Parking Lot. Services were rendered. ◆ 9:25 a.m. - Public Safety responded to a call to jump start a broken down vehicle at The Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation Parking Lot. Services were rendered.

◆ 4:57 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a 911 call at the Berkshire Towers Complex.

The call was investigated. ◆ 5:49 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a complaint at the Campus Police Office. ◆ 5:59 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a call to jump start a broken down vehicle at the Ashland Street Parking Lot. Services were rendered. ◆ 10:20 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a call requesting a well-being check at the Amsler Campus Center. The subject could not be located. ◆ 11:16 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a a supervisory alarm at the Flagg Townhouse Complex. A report was filed. ◆ 11:32 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a medical call at the Hoosac Hall Complex. No action was required.

Saturday, September 13 ◆ 10:06 p.m. - Public Safety responded to a medical call at the Campus Police Office.

The subject was trasnported to the hospital.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

College approved by NEASC for 10 years

By Nicholas Swanson Senior News Editor

After a long-term review process the college was re-approved for a 10-year accreditation through New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

“This was longer than a twoyear process,” Cindy Brown, vice president of Academic Affairs said.

“The self-study is the longest part and involves [the entire campus].”

Brown said the self-study was organized around each of the 11 standards. Over 100 people were a part of the self-study team.

According to the 2013 MCLA Self-Study Summery, in applying each standard, the NEASC Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CHIE) assesses and determines the effectiveness of the institution as a whole.

Brown said that what the NEASC team report really recognized was their detailed strategic planning strategy.

The final report recognized new academic programs and majors, increased enrollment, undertook and sustained an intentional focus on increasing student, faculty, and staff diversity and engaged students and alumni in new and deeper ways.

The report mentioned organizing the first comprehensive capital campaign, redrafting the College mission statement; and opening,

The Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation, the first new academic building in 40 years.

“This campus has done good work across all divisions and that was recognized when the team was here,” Monica Joslin, dean of Academic Affairs, said.

The NEASC final report states only four minor concerns at the end of the review in April.

They include suggestions to carry out a strategic plan for the library, a program of information literacy added to the Core curriculum, better access to IT network and wireless service, and to add a regular multi-year financial plan.

Brown said concerns in the report were not a surprise because the college had recognized them in the self-study.

Brown added that later in the semester there will be campus wide Wi-Fi connection and the library will face a few small renovations on the bottom floor.

“President Grant’s leadership [and] our high functioning organization brought us to that point, which reflected on how well the review functioned,” she said.

Grant’s thank you letter stated that the review provided the opportunity for college and community members to reflect and gain inspiration from the achievements and progress MCLA has realized since the 2003 accreditation.

Campus News

Beacon.MCLA.edu

Smoking areas a result of an effective survey

By Isabel McKenzie Staff Writer

The College’s smoking policy has been revised by implementing signs across campus since the beginning of the fall semester.

As part of the updated policy, these signs designate smoking and non-smoking areas. Cigarette disposal canisters have also been provided.

According to Human Resources director Mary Ellen Olenyk, the signs are only transitional.

Signage, benches, and receptacles will become more permanent in coming weeks as materials arrive.

The revised policy has reorganized designated smoking areas and restructured language to better reference current laws and regulations. The revised smoking policy is available to view online at http://campus.mcla.edu/humanresources/smokingpolicy/.

According to the policy, designated smoking areas include the front side of Mark Hopkins, outside the Campus Center near the Sullivan Lounge entrance, the Church Street Center parking lot, outside the Facilities Building, the Freel Library balcony, and the parking lot of the Public Safety building.

Smoking areas for residence buildings include the front side

of Mark Hopkins for Berkshire Towers, the Campus Center second floor deck for Hoosac Hall, and the center of the Flagg Townhouse courtyards, according to the student handbook.

The smoking policy emphasizes community policing, although

61 % of transfer students previously attended a smokefree campus repeat offenders may be reported to an administrator in the area in which the violation occurred.

“Everybody has been cooperative and pleasant about going to where the designated smoking areas are once I notify them. So far it seems to be going well from my standpoint,” Olenyk said. “I think people want to be able to walk around, and if they don’t smoke they don’t want to have to walk through smoke. As long as people are feeling comfortable, that’s positive.”

Ryan Robison, a junior transfer student, said that community policing will only go so far.

“If someone wants to smoke somewhere and if there are no real consequences, they’re going

Students transition to new Office 365

By Idalis Foster

creased amount of storage space in the new system.

The amount of storage This past summer, the Information one of many similarities beTechnology department officially tween Office 365 and other switched from the FirstClass email popular email systems such system to Microsoft Office 365. as Hotmail and Gmail.

The transition was gradual, beSome students have adjustginning on June 25th and involving ed quickly to the system beseveral announcements and planning cause of its resemblance to tips, culminating on July 26th with other frequently used email the official move to the new system. systems.

According to chief information offi“It is much more similar cer Curt King, the transition accepto my other email accounts, tance has been high. like Gmail, so I think that is “Within three days over 1,000 peowhy,” said sophomore Alexple, including the faculty, accessed the andra Romano, when asked new system,” King said. “So far over why she likes Office 365.

2,400 people have accessed the system, “I’m really not tech savvy at Photo By Osakpolo Igiede/ The Beacon and over 1700 of them are students.” Junior, Amanda McField, checks her email on the new Office all, so I like it a lot because Office 365 includes a number of 365 system at The Parlor cafe. of its accessibility!” features which FirstClass lacked, However, many students many of which are intended to make On the other hand, some students have have voiced their confusion access to multiple sites easier. embraced the new system and the new fea- over whether or not a smartphone app ex“The FirstClass system was over eight tures, such as the single sign-on portal. ists for the new program. years old and there has been no real de“I like the new email system better than “I loved my app,” senior Jayla Wingard velopment over the years,” King said. “The FirstClass,” freshman Samantha Hamilton said, “because if you were early to class makers of the system pretty much aban- said. “I didn’t like it because not everything and wanted to check if it was cancelled you doned development last year, which pushed was in one place so I had to go to Banner, could do that quickly through the app. It is us to upgrade to a new system.”

Canvas, and E-Portfolio on one page, and just a few steps more now, though, so it’s not Students’ opinions on the new system are then the email system was FirstClass.” too bad.” varied. Some students said they miss FirstThe Information Technology department The new system can be accessed through Class because they were used to the simpler also plans to roll out many new features in phone browsers without the glitches comsystem. the upcoming months, including a cloud- mon with FirstClass, and information about “[FirstClass] alerts you when you have a based system and instant messaging within the app can be found at the tech help website. message and it was less busy,” sophomore the system, so students can see when others “Office 365 is basically built for the iPhone Josie McDonald said. “With Office 365 I feel are online and contact them efficiently. and other smartphones,” King said, “which like it has too much going on, so it’s very One issue that many students and faculty is important since most of our campus comconfusing.” raised as a reason for the switch was the in- municates through emails primarily.”

Staff Writer

3

to smoke wherever,” Robison said.

“What they need to do is fines and stuff, because if you hit people in the pockets they’ll actually start following the rules.”

The Smoking Policy Task Force, formed last spring, made the change based on the results of a campus-wide survey completed over the summer.

The survey was completed by 265 current students, 65 faculty, 80 staff, 197 incoming freshmen and 61 transfer students. It was available online and distributed during summer orientations, according to Human Resources.

Out of the current students surveyed, 22 percent were smokers. Of the freshman students surveyed, 14 percent were smokers, while 18 percent of the transfer students were smokers.

Of the current student population surveyed, 62 were concerned about second-hand smoke and its effects.

Of the incoming freshmen surveyed, 69 percent favored a smoke-free campus, along with 79 percent of transfers. The returning students, faculty, and staff were divided on the subject, with about one third favoring a smokefree campus, another third disliking the idea, and the remaining

SMOKING, continued on page 5

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Thursday, September 18, 2014

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Campus News

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Students okay smoking policy SMOKING POLICY, continued from page 3 third lacking a strong opinion.

“We did not, at least with the survey results of the current community, see a clear mandate for becoming smoke free or tobacco free,” Olenyk said. “It looked like it needed further review.”

The Task Force will reconvene later this month to re-evaluate campus opinion and to decide what steps to take next, according to Human Resources. It will also discuss educational resources on smoking for the College.

Daniel Wohler, a sophomore and non-smoker, said he appreciates the updated policy. “I’m happy that you can’t smoke in certain areas now, because I think some of those areas are ones with heavy traffic and eliminating smoking there is good,” he said. “I’ve also seen a lot less smoking now, to be honest, from last year.”

Kristina Alexander, a junior and member of Students for a Sensible Drug Policy (SDDP), also said she thinks the policy is effective.

“I do see improvement, solely of the canisters that have been placed around campus,” she said.

“I currently see no butts on the ground which is really good. I like how they’ve given more designated smoking areas than they had in the past.”

Beacon.MCLA.edu

President Grant to leave Two at end of the semester students Administration and faculty praise Grant’s leadership

GRANT, of campus, along with Financial chair, Tyler Fairbank, assured continued from page 1 Aid and Student Accounts. She is faculty and staff of the status of Public Liberal Arts Colleges for four consecutive years (see story below). She also bolstered science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiatives in Berkshire County through the Berkshire Compact for Education.

Deborah Foss, Psychology professor and coordinator of Academic Advising, describes Grant’s entrance to the college as “a breath of fresh air, and a changed direction of the wind.”

She is the third president Foss has worked with.

“I’m excited for her,” Foss said.

“We are in a much better position in many ways. We are not going to lose ground or take steps backward.”

Grant set a high bar and tone of excellence for the College, Foss said.

“She is genuinely curious and wanting to do the best for people she serves and that overrides any physical advancement,” she said.

“When President Grant started here, she relocated her office to Blackinton in order for Center for Student Success and Engagement (CSSE) to be located in the center

a selfless human.”

Foss said that the College’s new additions would not have been possible without Grant and her advocating for the institute.

Other advancements made during Grant’s twelve years included the renovation of the Amsler Campus Center in 2011, the creation of the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation that opened Spring 2014, as well as the Facilities Building to house maintenance that was built on Ashland Street, and the beginning phases of the renovation of Bowman Hall this year.

Celia Norcross, director of Student Development, shares mixed emotions for Grant by remembering that the colleagues began their term on the same day in 2002.

“Mary Grant has passion for the College and understands the students,” she said. “She would never settle for less and always wanted more and wanted to do more for the College. That dedication was pushed onto us for our professional development.”

At the Opening Breakfast on Sept. 2, the Board of Trustees

the College in preparation of a new transition.

“We need to find someone to stand on Mary Grant’s shoulders,” Fairbank said. “This could not have happened at a better time.

MCLA is in an excellent position to manage this transition.”

Grant said the expectations for a new president are high and that he or she should invest in people, the students, the community and work with others as a team player, all things that play a part in her legacy.

“I want people to realize that it’s all about the students, despite any arguments, it’s about them,” Grant said. “We have a healthy campus where we talk out issues and problems and where good ideas come from every level. The strength and profile of the College is stronger than ever and when ups and downs come, we will be in a better position to navigate, together.”

As she concluded her last opening breakfast, Grant rejoiced with “Once a Trailblazer, always a Trailblazer,” and noted the transition to UNC’s “Go Bulldogs.”

Four grants awarded in six months NSF grant of $639,000 to fund student scholarships

By Nicholas Swanson Senior News Editor

Within six months the college was awarded four grants from separate foundations, each is structured regarding an important cause to benefit students.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) contributed two of the four grants that were given to the college. The first that passed is worth $639,826 to fund Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-Stem).

There are currently six incoming freshmen that were awarded the scholarship at the beginning of the semester. Transfer students are eligible to receive the award next year.

“The overall goal of the grant is to ease financial burden for qualified students,” Monica Joslin, Dean of Academic Affairs continues, “students who receive the award can get it renewed for up till their fourth year, which will assist students to stay in the field of science.”

Those who received the scholarship are able to renew it each semester, making it possible to receive $20,000 in scholarships over the course of regular college years.

STEM majors including Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Envi-

5

ronmental Studies, Computer Science or Mathematics can be awarded scholarships amounted to $5,000 for 32 students; recipients are chosen annually.

According to Ann Billetz, STEM pathways program director, the grant also provides the funds to pay STEM associates and STEM writing associates.

S-STEM funding began on Aug. 1 and will continue until Jul. 31, 2019.

STEM associates are students who are there specifically to help in science courses during office hours. STEM writing associates are there to help with scientific writing designed specifically for STEM. “This grant benefits MCLA, the idea is that it took a lot of the things we had already been working on and it really gave us more permanence and funding that is dedicated to it [STEM] directly,” Billetz said.

Recently, The NSF awarded a second grant of $810,876 supporting a new four-year project involving MCLA and Williams College undergraduates.

According to an IBerkshires article, this project allows the undergraduates to work with college science professors and teachers in North Adams Public Schools to develop science units based

on the Next Generation Science Standards, and to teach curriculum to students in grades K-7.

The NSF has given over $1.4 million to MCLA between these two awards, through grant endeavors.

The Berkshire United Way (BUW) organization awarded the college an $11,000 grant towards the Berkshire County Goes to College initiative. Berkshire County Goes to College is an annual event started by The Berkshire Compact for Education and MCLA. “Around 1,200 sixth grade students will be able to attend a day at different colleges,” Joslin said.

According to the BUW Grant Press Release, sixth grade students from Berkshire County’s public schools will visit MCLA, Bard College at Simon’s Rock, Berkshire Community College and Williams College to learn about the benefits of a college education.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) awarded a $10,000 NEA Art Works grant to the Berkshire Cultural Resource Center (BCRC) initiation: DownStreet Art. “One of the main goals is to get people on Main St. in North Adams, this is all an attempt for economic revival using art as a

catalyst,” Jonathan Secor, BCRC Director, said.

Secor said the money from the grant was mainly used to fund activities over the summer, help larger advertising tactics, start large-scale murals, and fund the DownStreet Art Associate Gallery Manager Program.

During the gallery manager program, MCLA Arts and Arts Management students were taught how to professionally run a gallery, how to hang, sell, and talk about art. After, students are trained cordially and given their own gallery to run for the summer.

DownStreet Art Gallery 51 and MCLA Presents are all in conjunction with the BCRC. According to Secor, the BCRC has brought over 120,000 new visitors to downtown North Adams. DownStreet Art has been ongoing for seven years.

“When we first started we had over a dozen pop-up galleries because there was so many empty stores, but our goal was to populate them and to show others they could have a year round business,” Secor said. “This year we only had three pop-up galleries, new businesses have opened, houses near by have been sold, and businesses are doing noticeably well.”

stabbed after party

By Makayla-Courtney McGeeney Editor-in-Chief

Two college students were injured in a stabbing as a result of a fight that broke out during a party on Blackinton Street, which occurred around 2 a.m. Sunday, according to the North Adams Police.

The injured students, two 22-year-old males, fled the party prior to police arrival and received treatment shortly after at Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) in Pittsfield.

Police say at least 20 youths from the Pittsfield area, both male and female, showed up at the party and were not cooperative when asked to leave.

“It’s very early in the semester for these type of events to be taking place,” Michael Cozzaglio, North Adams Police director, said. “Students should be mindful of the police’s increased presences in the area.”

Students should also take care of themselves and each other, Cozzaglio added.

“It’s still unclear who the people from Pittsfield are and what brought them here,” he said.

No comment has been made yet by a college spokesperson. The investigation is being led by the North Adams Police and is still ongoing.

Cozzaglio suggests that if anyone has information regarding the case, to contact North Adams Police department directly at 413662-3105.

Visit our website to listen to a WJJW podcast of this week’s Beacon news.

Beacon.MCLA.edu

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Thursday, September 18, 2014

Arts & Entertainment

Beacon.MCLA.edu

Improv comedy returns for more laughs

By Rachel Fitterman

Arts & Entertainment Editor

MCLA Presents! opens this year with the return of “Broadway’s Next H!t Musical (BNHM),” a completely improved musical comedy. The troupe of New York comedians performs their second round at MCLA tonight at 7:30 in the Church Street Center auditorium. Admission is free for students.

“Our show is fully improvised,” explained Gregg Triggs, co-producer and emcee for BNHM. “The first half is an awards show based off of song titles ideas from the audience, and the second half is a fully produced version of the ‘award-winning’ musical that we improvise off of the audience’s vote.”

“BNHM” first came to the College in 2012, and their lasting (and hilarious) impression made them a prime candidate for MCLA Presents’ “Rewind Season,” which brings back the “greatest hits” of past seasons, according to Jonathan Secor, director of the Berkshire Cultural Resource Center.

“The students absolutely loved it,” Secor said. “There wasn’t a person in the room who wasn’t laughing.”

Although BNHM has been here before, Triggs explains that

the experience will be entirely different this time around.

“Everything is based on the audience, so it’s guaranteed to be a different show than it was last time. The world is different and the cast is different, so the show, by nature, is dramatically different,” he said.

The fact that the performance is entirely improvised gives it vitality, Triggs added, and requites total awareness.

“What we do is very different than your typical production of Phantom of the Opera, for example. The audience always leads us to fresh material. Every new site keeps our shows fresh,” he said. “We are constantly warming up, touching base with each other and our surroundings, and looking for clues around us. The fact that [Church Street Center] was a former synagogue will be something we incorporate into the performance The fact that we eat dinner in the cafeteria beforehand will give us something to work with. We warm up by being present in the moment.”

Students will have multiple opportunities to interact with Triggs and the other actors. Secor’s Arts Management class will be holding an open reception following the performance, and professor Laura Standley’s acting class will participate in a workshop with the

Photo courtesy of Broadway’s

“Broadway’s Next H!t tions.

Next H!T Musical

Musical” actors improvise a full-length musical from audience sugges-

troupe. Senior Court- n e y McLaren, a TA for the c l a s s , attended a similar workshop that Harlequin, the College’s musical theatre club, hosted with the troupe for BNHM’s last performance.

“We learn things like how to improvising a song, coming up with lyrics, all that jazz,” McLaren said.

“I think this year is going to be another fantastic experience, because

you never know what’s going to happen. [BNHM] is a blending of

questions when I was younger, so this is a great opportunity for the

all the things I love, especially because I’m a performer in the field as well, and their presence here is definitely beneficial.”

Triggs added, “We take the workshop folks through the fundamentals of improv. I would have loved to have access to professional actors and ask them

[FPA majors.”

Triggs loved the energy of the students last year, stating that the audience was smart, sweet, and super energized. His advice for students attending the show this time? “Strap on your thinking caps and come up with some fun titles!”

Clark renovations bring new exhbits

By Nicole L’Etoile

Arts & Entertainment Writer Berkshire County is well known for its multitude of art museums and exhibits that attract tourists from all over the country and the world. The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown is quietly nestled near the end of Williams College with a long, winding driveway leading up to it.

Upon walking into The Clark, visitors are greeted by friendly staff members who introduce them to the iPads they offer as tour guides, a new technological integration. The museum’s 140-acre campus was recently renovated and reopened on July 4. It now features a reflective pond behind the museum building with chairs affixed all around the water.

Currently, there are four special exhibits in addition to the usual Clark collection. One exhibit, “Make It New,” opened on August 2 and will remain until October 13. It features multiple abstract paintings, including one by Sam Gilliam titled “Hot Chord.” The large canvas is painted a dark, velvety red with clean black and white lines diagonally across the middle and a lighter red stripe in the center. The lines are almost mesmerizing.

Another piece in the “Make It New” collection is titled “Panneau de Moules” by Marcel

Photos courtesy of the Clark Art Institute

The new relfecting pool at sunset, left. At right, the Lunder Center at Stone Hill hosts “Raw Color: The Circles of David Smith.”

Broodthaers. It is a panel with mussel shells and resin covering it, which makes it threedimensional and very interesting to look at. Some of the shells still have a natural, milky-looking coating on the inside of them, which make it appear as if they were taken straight from the ocean and placed on the panel.

The newest exhibit at The Clark is called “Magna Carta,” which showcases historic documents. It opened on September 6 and will remain open until

November 2. The documents are arranged beneath a timeline painted on the walls around the room. The first document is the Magna Carta from 1215, which has watermarks and faded spots and is protected in a glass case.

In the case, there are two gauges, one for the humidity level and one for the temperature to preserve the document.

The other documents around the room include the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Emanci-

pation Proclamation, The Declaration of Rights of the Women of the United States, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Each of these documents look as if they have been carefully preserved, and they are all rare early editions.

There are security guards in every room of the museum, including the “Magna Carta” exhibit. “This exhibit has about the same amount of interest as most others, especially because of its location in the middle of all

the permanent exhibits,” said one security guard.

MCLA student Cecilia Wright was also at the Clark Art Institute.

“The Clark is changing their image a little bit to attract a younger audience,” Wright said.

“The museum guards who were once only older people are now mixed in with people 20-30 years old.”

The Clark Art Institute has a lot to offer, and admission is always free for students with a valid ID.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Arts & Entertainment

Beacon.MCLA.edu

7

FreshGrass arrives at MoCA FreshGrass, MASS MoCA’s annual festival of bluegrass and roots music, features a host of well-known, much-loved artists, along with FreshGrass discoveries, in its return to the museum campus in North Adams, Massachusetts, on September 19-21, 2014.

This year’s lineup is the deepest yet, including Emmylou Harris, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Railroad Earth, Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Sam Bush, The Infamous Stringdusters, The Gibson Brothers, and more. Last year’s FreshGrass Award recipient, Cricket Tell the Weather, will take the stage for a full set. Find the full lineup at freshgrass.com.

Already a major presence on the festival scene, FreshGrass sharpens its focus this year on the best in traditional and progressive bluegrass, also surveying innovative music at the edges of the genre. “A bluegrass weekend that spans The Gibson Brothers to Sam Amidon, The Carolina Chocolate Drops to Rodney Crowell… That’s our kind of festival, positioned just on the cusp

of New England’s fall foliage season,” says MASS MoCA Director, Joseph Thompson.

Three days of concerts and pop-up performances in the museum’s indoor galleries, stages, and outdoor concert courtyards; music clinics organized by instrument; and insider presentations by players in the bluegrass music trade, as well as a bounty of Berkshire fresh food and spirits, are planned for the weekend festival. The contest, workshops, and camping, will all be expanding this year, as will luthier demonstrations and children’s programming. Admission to MASS MoCA’s galleries — where festival-goers will find concerts set amidst dramatically scaled exhibitions of contemporary art such as Darren Waterston’s Uncertain Beauty — is included in the price of festival admission.

Senior Allie Pavey, an intern for FreshGrass, noted that FreshGrass will give a large percentage of its campsite profits to the Northern Berkshire Youth ROPES Camp.

The FreshGrass Award, a mu-

sic contest judged by industry professionals and featuring $15,000 in cash prizes and recording time at Compass Records’ studio in Nashville for the winner, expands this year to include separate contests for bands, duos, and solo banjo. FreshGrass Award winners will also earn a main-stage slot at the 2015 festival.

“The FreshGrass community has really taken root over the past two years. And this festival is the heart and soul of it,” says FreshGrass Producer Chris Wadsworth.

“Great music, a strong community, preservation and advancement — those are the guiding lights of this festival. Th audience has responded.”

Festival passes are available for $87 for adults, $77 for students, $43 for kids 7-16, and are free for children 6 and under, making FreshGrass one of the best values on the festival circuit. Festival passes increase to full price with the final lineup announcement in the late spring. Museum members receive a 10% discount on fullprice tickets. Single-day tickets

Beacon file photo

FreshGrass will feature music from internationally known artists as well as local bands.

may be offered closer to the event.

FreshGrass details will be updated on the festival website, FreshGrass.com, and on Facebook at

FreshGrass Festival. FreshGrass tickets are general admission, and the festival will be held rain or shine.

“Things You See” contrasts two artists

By Christopher Johnson Arts &Entertainment Writer

Hideyo Okamura’s works in Gallery 51’s exhibit “Things You See” exist less in terms of figure and shape and more in terms of new dimensions, seen through the different layers of his work.

Sara Farrell Okamura’s works, on the other hand, exist in a world of ideas and objects.

These artists exhibit their work together in several different galleries, but have very different styles and visions.

Sara’s work focuses on humanoids (“Hospital Aide,” “Tour Guide,” “New Breed,” and “CoWorker”) and expresses the feeling of a rigorously scheduled, undeviating existence. But unlike other works of art criticizing modern technology, Sara’s work does not present her vision of the world from an anti-technology viewpoint. Instead, she engages with technology as an expressive, animate object.

“I focused a lot on everything from basic engineering tools and the beauty of the engineering, also the dichotomy of these tools,” Sara said. “They could be used to build; they could be used as weapons; they could be used as political symbols.”

In contrast, Hideyo Okamura shows special appreciation for Russian artist El Lissitzky. Hideyo did an installation in San Diego based on his understanding of El Lissitzky’s philosophy, which he called sight-specific, meaning this artwork was based off the galleries and spaces they inhabit.

“He was an architect as well,”

Photo by Agnella Gross/The Beacon

Junior Hannah Bearup views “Hospital Aid” and “Tour Guide” by Hideyo Okamura at Gallery 51.

Hideyo said, “so there’s a use of bringing out the architectural element of the building, the space.

So I used that as well. It’s totally different from showing just paintings.”

Architecture is the paramount idea in many of Hideyo’s works - but not so much the architecture of cities and buildings as that of different dimensions. He described his works as “threedimensional.” The ideas of architecture and three-dimensionality are prevalent in the three pieces grouped together: “Resolve,” “Probably,” and “Whisper.”

“I feel my aesthetics, being informed through living in two different cultures, is best expressed

in abstraction,” Hideyo said. “[Being from two cultures] influences me in terms of visual language and development. I think [in] the visual arts, you have to have a visual vocabulary.”

Hideyo mentioned that the three-part piece “Cognition” reminded one viewer of an obi, a belt worn on the kimono. “Cognition” borrows from traditional triptychs, where there are three paintings in a row and a transition occurs between them. In “Cognition” that transition is expressed abstractly: some of the swirls become more enclosed and some are freer. The colors also combine to express anger, fear, transient happiness, and

overwhelming sadness.

Sara Farrell Okamura said her main inspiration is news.

She added that the way lettering and typography are arranged, as in printmaking, is of great interest to her. This shows in many of her works, especially in “CoWorker,” the text of which came from industrial ads. In this piece, language combines with the figure of a robot to give a meaning to the parts in motion.

This juxtaposition of language and physical movement makes one wonder what the robot would say if it were able to speak for itself.

In the robot’s eyes, widening from some horror or shock, Sara references those who are voiceless in

the modern world.

Perhaps the least accessible of all the artworks is the only video piece, one of Hideyo’s works, called “Trees.” It is a three minute stationary shot of trees swaying in the wind.

“There is no beginning or end,” Hideyo said of the piece, also noting that “the trees work as lines.”

A perceptive quality stretches through many of the Okamuras’ works. Sara has said of the differences in their works that Hideyo’s are what a person actually sees and Sara’s works are what a person subconsciously chooses to ignore.

On first glance, these statements seem like they should be reversed, but Sara’s works focus on ideas, which can be ignored.

In contrast, Hideyo is “more interested in what make[s] it interesting, visually,” he said. “It can be just paint, lines, colors.” But he is interested in a tangible vision, as one can see with the layered, often dripping, and reflective paints in his works.

Despite the differences between the two styles, in the words of freshman Kimberly Murphy: “They go well together.”

The Gallery’s manager, junior Sarah Tefft, acknowledged the benefits of the differences in their styles and works. “Two very different styles draws people in and keeps them interested,” she said.

On Thursday, Sept. 25 from 6-9 p.m., there will be an open house with poets and dancers interpreting the art in Gallery 51.

The Gallery is also open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will run to Oct. 26.

8

Sports

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Fair territory

Beacon.MCLA.edu

Youth movement hits Women’s Tennis

By Jesse Collings Sports Editor

With Ray Rice, NFL is not the only one to blame

By Jesse Collings Sports Editor

With the NFL currently in a PR nightmare, many people have aired opinions about how the league should conduct itself in regards to domestic violence.

Obviously, domestic abuse has no place anywhere in society, and the NFL’s original punishment of Ray Rice was a joke. But while the NFL has bungled the Ray Rice situation at almost every step of the way, the league itself only holds so much responsibility.

Despite the fact that Roger Goodell wasn’t the one who punched out his fiancée in an elevator, he, not Ray Rice, has received the most media criticism for the situation. Goodell has a responsibility to apply rulings to players in the league, and he did a terrible job in this situation, but eventually people need to stop harping on the league and start taking a broader look at domestic violence as a societal issue.

When the original two game suspension was handed down, it seemed that the league was saying, with the suspension, that domestic violence was okay, and that it was only worth two games.

Many pundits argued it was the NFL’s responsibility to set a stiff ruling against Ray Rice.

Why exactly is the NFL, a governing body of a game, responsible for showing everybody that domestic violence is not okay?

Shouldn’t everyone already know that? This might come off as overly cynical, but many people who commit domestic violence have psychological issues preventing them from thinking rationally when the violence occurs. I don’t think a whole lot of people are going to stop and think, “Wait a minute, the NFL suspended that guy for 10 games, I can’t do this.”

Instead of blaming the NFL for not being tough on domestic violence, we should be focusing on the overwhelming prevalence of domestic violence in our culture.

As the standards for tastefulness in entertainment decline, the exposure of domestic violence in TV shows, films, and music has increased. Instead of capitalizing on these events to boost careers, we should start taking the damage domestic abuse does seriously. Blaming the NFL is only masking a much larger and more serious issue that doesn’t exclusivley pretain to football players.

The MCLA Women’s Tennis team opened conference play on Saturday, falling in a close match to North Atlantic Conference opponent Castleton State, 5-4.

MCLA dropped their second straight match, falling to 2-3 on the season and 0-1 in conference play. The hosting Spartans improved to 5-1 on the season and 1-0 in conference play.

Senior Sarah Murphy led the Trailblazers, earning two points for MCLA. She defeated Castleton State senior Olga McIntyre in singles competition, then teamed up with freshman Sarah Mikutowicz in doubles competition and defeated Castleton State freshman Shannon Hagerty and senior Meghan Susslin, by a score of 8-6.

It was the closest game of the season so far for the Trailblazers.

Sophomore Rebecca Waterhouse and freshman Mariza Sfankianki also earned points for MCLA. Mikutowicz and junior Ama Adwetewa-Badu both forced deciding tiebreakers in their singles matches, but were unable to come up with any points.

After winning only one match last season, the Trailblazers have gotten off to a much better start, going 2-3 over their first five games this season.

The team is led by some new blood, as freshmen Emily Deaso, Mariza Sfakianaki, and Sarah Mikutowicz have all come up big during the season so far. Upperclassmen Kylie Dumas and Ama Adwetewa-Badu, along with Rebecca Waterhouse, have also supplied a big boost to the team’s play.

“Having an impact on the team so quickly into my freshman season feels surreal. I’m honored to be a part of the Women’s tennis team here at MCLA,” Deaso said. “Working with such great teammates and a wonderful coach made it easier to become a part of the team. I think I have grown already as a player with the help of Coach McGovern and the

Photo From MCLA Athletics

Freshman Sarah Mikutowicz delivers a serve during a match. Mikutowicz was named the NAC Player of the Week on September 1st. Mikutowicz became the first Trailblazer ever to receive that award. learning of new techniques from other players on the team. I look forward to the rest of the season and finishing strong.”

The team opened the season on Aug. 30, with a solid defeat at home against Becker College, 8-1.

In the top singles match, Sarah Murphy lost to Becker’s Jennifer Lord, but MCLA went on to sweep the rest of the matches.

Deaso and Sfakianki won their first career matches, winning their singles battles 6-1, 6-1, and 6-3, 6-3, respectively. Mikutowicz completed the freshman triumvirate by defeating her opponent 6-2, 6-2. Adwetewa-Badu, Waterhouse, and Dumas also won points for the Trailblazers.

MCLA continued their season on Sept. 5, falling at home to Worcester State, 9-0. Worcester State had no trouble disposing of MCLA in singles competition, sweeping all six of the matches.

MCLA played much more competitively in doubles competition, but were still unable to secure a point against the visiting Lancers.

The tandem of Deaso and Sfanki-

anki came the closest to winning, but ended up dropping a nailbiter to the team of sophomore Shelby Jankins and junior Megan Shepard, 9-8.

The Trailblazers got their momentum back Sept. 7, defeating Bay Path University at home, 9-0.

The Trailblazers were dominant right from the start, sweeping all of the singles matches, and then matching that feat in doubles competition. Mikutowicz started in the number one slot and didn’t disappoint, dispatching her opponent, Bay Path senior Stephanie Morin, 6-2, 6-0.

Dumas was involved in the most dramatic game of the match, battling freshman Katie Leibowitz.

Dumas took the first set, 6-2, but Leibowitz came back and took the second set 6-1. Dumas toughed it out in the tiebreaker, taking the game 10-6.

Dumas, who was elected as a co-captain of the team along with Murphy, said she was excited about her new role on the team.

“Being named one of the team leaders, along with Sarah Mur-

phy, was a really rewarding experience. It feels great knowing that all of our hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed by our coach,” Dumas said. “I have a lot of respect and admiration for Coach Holly (McGovern), so knowing she puts her faith and trust in us is a great feeling.”

The Trailblazers traveled for their first road match last Wednesday, falling to Western New England University, 8-1.

MCLA was swept away in doubles play, with the team of Mikutowicz and Murphy coming the closest, falling 8-3. In singles play, Sfakianki earned the lone point for MCLA, defeating WNEU’s junior Kelly Byrnes in a dramatic match. Sfkaianki took the first set 6-4, and Byrnes took the second set, 6-1. In a back-and-forth final tiebreaker, Sfakianki earned the point, winning 10-7.

“I am so proud of our team this season. We have a great set of players and we are off to a strong start,” Dumas said. “Everyone is playing very well and our skills are improving each time we play.”

Women’s Soccer off on the wrong foot

By Jesse Collings

Sports Editor MCLA was put on its heels early while visiting Elms College on Saturday and were unable to pick up their first win of the 2014 campaign, falling to the hosts, 5-0.

Elms freshman Angelina Estrada scored in the second minute of the game, and MCLA was never able to recover, as Elms added two more goals in the first half on their way to the 5-0 victory. The win dropped MCLA to 0-4-1 on the season, while Elms earned their first victory of the season, improving their record to 1-3 on the season.

The opening score occurred when Elm’s sophomore Rachel Connell broke free and unleashed a hard shot at MCLA’s net. Sophomore keeper Katy Daly was able to deflect the shot, but the ball

rolled right to Estrada, who put it back in the net. Connell scored a goal of her own in minute 20 and freshman Jackie Soucia scored a beautiful goal two minutes later, going up 3-0.

The second half started very competitively, with neither team able to get the upper hand, until Elms sophomore Kylen O’Hearn received a cross from Soucia and put in the fourth Elms goal of the day. Junior defender Lyndsey Oppenheimer put in the fifth and final goal in minute 88, thanks to a pass from freshman Lexi Vieria.

MCLA was outshot in the game 22-5, and was only able to put two of those five on goal during the game. Elms controlled the ball for most of the game, and earned six corner kicks compared to the Trailblazers’ one.

It was the fourth straight loss

for MCLA, as they continue to struggle to get a solid foothold on the season. In their four losses, MCLA has been outscored 111. Sophomore forward Natalie Caney talked about the team’s struggles.

“I think the biggest thing we have to work on is the little things.

Soccer is a simple game, but I think we are making it a little bit more complicated than it is,” Caney said. “Once we can do the little things right, like checking to the ball, a good first touch, and spacing, we will be back on track.”

MCLA started the season on a more promising note, tying Regis College 1-1 on Aug. 30. On Sept.

1, they hosted Albertus Magnus, losing 2-0. They lost a close game at home to Smith College on Sept.

7, 1-0. They then traveled to Castleton State on Sept. 10. Sopho-

more Nicole Zacchio scored in minute 42, but it wasn’t enough and Castleton won 3-1.

The Trailblazers are back in action this Saturday, as they travel to Worcester State to open up Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play. They will then go back to non-conference play, hosting SUNY-Institute of Technology on Wendsday. The match starts at 4:30 pm at the MCLA Athletic Complex. The players said they are looking to work out the kinks in their game before conference play gets rolling in October.

“We are a good team and have a lot of talent,” Caney, who led the team with 17 goals scored last season, said. “We just need to all work hard and play smart and we will be a force to be reckoned with!”

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Sports

Beacon.MCLA.edu

Men’s Soccer kicks off season with wins

By Tyler Bacon Sports Writer

The Men’s Soccer team is off to a hot start in 2014, with a 3-2 record going into their first Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) game this Saturday against Worcester State.

The team started its season with two wins at the Norwich Cadet Classic, against Green Mountain College on Aug. 29 and Johnson State on Aug. 30. They followed with a split in the CIAO Classic, losing against Curry College on Sept. 6 and winning against Castleton State on Sept. 7.

Midfielder Mitchell Candelet, a senior, said the team has played very well together so far.

“We’ve been working on team defense and trying to get all 11 players on the field to play defense,” Candelet said, “so I am happy with the season so far and looking forward to the rest of the season.”

The team fell to Sage on Saturday by a score of 3-2, with goals scored by sophomore Dylan Pereira and freshman Oscar Castro.

“This season so far has started off really good and I am proud of us,” Pereira said. “We’ve worked hard and deserved the wins that we’ve received.”

The players, and Coach Adam Hildabrand, said they are excited and optimistic about going into their MASCAC home opener on Saturday.

“We were good enough to beat anyone in the MASCAC last year

with great leadership from Matt Robinson and Will Luke,” senior Ryan Baker said. “Up front we have some talented guys, as well as veterans led by Captain Anthony Basile and reigning MASCAC Rookie of the Year Dylan Pereira.

When we play as a unit, we play top class soccer.”

On Saturday, the Blazers hope to start their quest for the MASCAC title positively with a win against Worcester State.

“We have to come out to a hot start and set the tempo,” Candelet said. “We have to play our game and set the tone early. We want to come out with a win to start MASCAC play on the right foot.”

The ultimate goal for the Blazers this season is to compete for the MASCAC title and make a run in the conference tournament.

“We are all very excited to get MCLA back into playoff contention,” Baker said. “Worcester State is going to be a great first test for us and with our work ethic, skills and attitude we will be successful.”

Saturday is the MASCAC home opener and the players hope fans and students show up and support the Blazers.

“It is going to be a big game, so we are hoping Photo From Men’s Soccer Facebook Page that the MCLA students Sophomore striker Romeo Grey unleashes a shot at the net. Grey is cur- will come and support us,” Candelet said. rently tied for the team lead in goals with two. on a pure talent level,” Hildabrand said. “This year we believe that we can beat anyone in the MASCAC, which to me is very important.”

The Trailblazers are led in goals by four sophomore players: Dylan Pereira, Romeo Grey, Anthony Basile, and Kwadwo Kusi. They are all tied with two goals on the season.

Pereira is returning this year as the reigning Rookie of the Year in the MASCAC. He said he can ignore the pressure, see what the

defense is doing, and use it against them to benefit the Blazers.

“All the other teams are aware of the award I received, and are going to be watching me,” Pereira said. “I believe that if I keep doing what I’m doing, if I work hard, and if I become better, the pressure will disappear.”

The Blazers are led by their group of seniors, headed by goalkeeper Matt Robinson and defender Will Luke.

“Defensively we are organized

Volleyball sweeps doubleheader

By Jesse Collings Sports Editor

The Women’s Volleyball team continued its successful start to the season, sweeping a doubleheader at home on Sunday. In the opening game, MCLA defeated visiting University of Maine-Fort Kent (UMFK), by the score of 3-1.

MCLA then came out for the second game and beat Lyndon State College (LSC) 3-0. The Trailblazers improved to 5-3 on the season.

The team started the first game strong, taking the first set from the UMFK Bengals, 27-25.

Sophomore Rachel Mills was instrumental in taking the first set from UMFK. Down 25-24, Mills earned three straight kills to give MCLA the first set.

MCLA improved on their first set victory in the second set, taking it with a little more breathing room, 25-19. The Blazers were led by strong play from two

Golf

The Golf team will host it’s annual golf tournament today at the Pittsfield Country Club. The tournament starts at 11am and is open to the public.

“It’s always a great experience hosting the tournament,” senior Mitch Mullett said. “A lot of times, most of the guys have never

freshmen, Rebecca Godbout and Brianne O’Rourke. Godbout was versatile on both sides, balancing strong defense with some key plays on offense. O’Rourke was a force in the center all game, and controlled a lot of the action there. UMFK hung tough, but simply lacked the playmakers to take the set.

During the third set, UMFK was able to turn it around, thanks to the strong play by senior Danielle Carrillo. Carillo led all players with 20 kills on the day, and UMFK took the set 25-20.

Despite losing the third set, MCLA was able to seal the deal in the fourth set, closing out UMFK 25-18. MCLA was led by strong play in the middle by O’Rourke and fellow freshman, Margaret Allen. O’Rourke finished the game with 9 kills and Allen had 7.

Mills led the Blazers with 15 kills on the day, and junior Courtney Parent was the top playmaker, finishing the match with 25 assists.

Fresh off of their victory over UMFK, the Blazers moved right into the second half of the double header, breezing past Lyndon State College, 3-0.

The Blazers opened up the game strong, taking the first set 25-15.

They were able to roll the next two sets, 25-12 and 25-16, to finish the LSC Hornets in just a little over an hour of game time. Mills again led the Blazers with 8 kills, and senior Jackie Paluilis had a strong game, blocking two shots and leading the team with 9 digs. Freshman Chanielle Enomoto was also a strong player, leading the Blazers with 10 assists.

Coach Amanda Beckwith used the game to get playing time for a bulk of the roster, with MCLA employing 18 different players throughout the game. The Blazers have a very young team, with an impressive 13 freshmen. Despite their youth, Coach Beckwith has managed to get a lot out of the young players.

“There are a lot of them. They are talented, tall, and hardworking. It is great to have a big team and it has offered us a lot of intersquad competition,” Beckwith said. “I am thankful for all their contributions thus far and am excited for them to help take our team to postseason.”

But it hasn’t been all freshmen for MCLA. The Blazers have also benefited from strong play and leadership from the upperclassmen.

“Our first-year class is also great because of the strong direction they have had from our four seniors/captains and the other returning players. We are a strong team, family, and unit,” Beckwith said.

The team travels to Elms College tonight, and then to Curry College on Saturday. They will return home on Tuesday, when they take on The Sage College, starting at 7pm at the Campus Center Gym.

played here (BHCC) so it’s cool to introduce them to a new course.”

“It’s extremely important to have a strong showing because it’s still early in our season,” Mullett said. “If we can manage to string together a few good rounds as a team it would really go a long way in terms of helping us get into a rhythm and boosting the confi-

dence of the team.”

The team will be in local action this weekend as well, as they partake in the two-day Williams College Invitational, starting this Saturday at the Taconic Golf Club .

The team opened the season last Friday, when they competed in the SUNY-Cobleskill Invitational.

The Trailblazers struggled in their

opening tournament, placing 7th out of 7 teams. First-year player Nick Young led MCLA with a score of 85, good for 17th overall while Mullett followed him with a score of 92., finishing 30th.

SUNY-Cobleskill’s “A” Team won the tournament, with freshman Clark Leonelli leading all players, shooting +1 71.

9

Scores Women’s Soccer Saturday, September 13 Elms 5, MCLA 0 Women’s Tennis Saturday, September 13 Castleton 5, MCLA 4 Volleyball Saturday, September 13 MCLA 3, Becker 0 Sunday, September 14 MCLA 3, UM-Fort Kent 1 MCLA 3, Lyndon State 0 Men’s Soccer Saturday, September 13 Sage 3, MCLA 2

Schedules Thursday, September 18 Golf MCLA Invitational 11 a.m.

Volleyball MCLA @ Elms 6 p.m.

Saturday, September 20 Golf Williams Invitational 11 a.m.

Volleyball MCLA @ Curry 1 p.m.

Women’s Tennis MCLA @ Lyndon State 1 p.m.

Men’s Soccer MCLA vs Worcester State 1 p.m.

Women’s Soccer MCA @ Worcester State 5 p.m.

Sunday, September 21 Golf Williams Invitational 11 a.m.

Tuesday, September 23 Women’s Tennis MCLA vs Green Mountain 3 p.m.

Men’s Soccer MCLA vs Skidmore 4 p.m.

Volleyball MCLA vs Sage 7 p.m.

10

Opinion

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Beacon.MCLA.edu

What are your thoughts about Mary Grant leaving?

“I didn’t get to know her, but I guess it’s pretty sad.”

“I’m pretty bummed. She brings such a positive vibe to campus.”

–Guoyao Huang, 2018

–Emily Cox, 2017

The Beacon The Beacon is published Thursdays during the academic year and is distributed free to the College community. The Beacon is funded by the Student Government Association, the English/Communications department and from ad revenues.

Contact information: News desk number: 413-662-5535 Business number: 413-662-5404 E-mail: 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.

“Well, I was kind of sad. Last year I ate breakfast with her. I’m also happy she’s moving up.”

“I never had a chance to talk to her. She’s really friendly from what I’ve heard.”

– Travis Rice, 2017

–Edna Pires, 2018

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.

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.

“From the one year I was here, she tried to be with the students. She will be missed.”

““I am really sad that she’s going to be leaving but she’ll have a great opportunity at the new school. I’ll miss her coming to support the MCLA theatre shows.”

–Johnathan Chery, 2018

Photos compiled by Agnella Gross

Bigger than biceps

Fear of the free weights

By Makayla-Courtney McGeeney Editor-in-Chief

Most females have the hidden fear of walking ten feet away from the elliptical or treadmill over into the free weight section of the gym. Some reasons being: they don’t want to get bulky and look like a dude, they don’t know what to do with free weights, or there are too many guys crowding the area.

First of all, females using free weights are not guaranteed to blow up and look like a muscle head. It is very possible for women to strengthen their muscles with free weights, but without further practices, they will stay similar in size. By further practices I mean, lifting weights consecutively, with strategies on building muscles in a preferred way and pairing with

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 e-mailed 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.

-Veronica Sniezek, 2016

supplements and/or additional protein products.

In addition to those factors, three things go hand in hand with building muscle, genetics, gender and training intensity. Some people may not be built to look huge because of genetics. Two girls could be the same weight and similar heights, but look very different because of where fat and muscle are located on the body.

Already you can rule out looking like a dude because unless you want to….it won’t just happen.

As for not knowing how to use free weights, research exercises that use them. They’re much better than any stationary machine anyway because of the fact that normal daily movements require muscle stability. What that means is, when you reach up over your head for something, your arms aren’t attached to a weight controlled bar (similar to a shoulder press machine). Use free weights to do a shoulder press so that your shoulders and arms have a larger free range of motion and can maintain flexibility.

The overall lesson to be learned here is to explore the options in the gym and adapt exercises to your liking. Many may not be for your body type, but you can create your own exercises to do what you want. Some people don’t realize what a useful tool fitness can be and how it differs from person to person. While experimenting with free weights, also be aware of the injuries that could result from improper use and from increasing weight too quickly. Start low and work your way up slowly.

Letters must be signed by the writer and include a phone number. Letters may be dropped off at the office or e-mailed to Beacon@mcla.edu.

In my humble opinion...

Our failure to slay the hydra

By Nick Arena

Multimedia Editor Yesterday, the New York Times posted an article about a statement made by President Obama regarding the United States’ action versus the latest and greatest terror threat, ISIS. The President has said that the troops deployed in Iraq will not be drawn into ground combat with the terror group, and that we do not intend to start another ground war.

I am not entirely sure what we intend to accomplish by dropping over 1000 troops into Iraq if we’re not actually sending them into combat – not that I condone that – and even if we did start another war, what exactly do we hope to accomplish?

The United States’ conflicts with the Middle East stretch back decades, at least, and one pattern has

Editorial Board remained the same all along: with every terrorist group, or violent dictator that we have “destroyed” another one has risen in its stead.

Our policy of trying to scare people back into their holes and killing those who defy us has cemented this cycle in place. At this point it is hard to imagine that any Middle Eastern country would harbor anything but contempt for us. Then when they rise up to strike back against the people that have done so much wrong they are immediately deemed as terrorists, and threats to national security.

If someone invaded us, would we not raise arms against them? Would we not form militia groups to fight back for every one of our armed forces branches that was violently dismantled? Anyone who argues that we wouldn’t is deluding themselves. This country was founded on fighting for our freedom.

Our attempts to slay the hydra have continuously failed. For every one head that is removed, another two will grow. Maybe it’s about time to just leave them alone.

Unfortunately, there does not seem to be a viable option for just leaving this situation be. So much damage has been done to the political, economic and social infrastructure of countries like Iraq and Afghanistan that if we were to just leave entirely everything would simply crumble to the ground.

Our only talks with Middle Eastern governments seem to involve alliances to destroy the terrorist threats, why not start having talks about fixing what we have broken?

Maybe then we will start to see an end to countless innocents dying.

Editor-in-Chief Makayla-Courtney McGeeney

Sports Editor Jesse Collings

Web Editor Jenna O’Connor

A&E Editor Rachel Fitterman

Senior News Editor Nick Swanson

Copy Chief Avery Finnivan Multimedia Editor Nick Arena

Design Editor Meg Gugarty

Staff Staff Writers

Photographers

Isabel McKenzie Idalis Foster Juanita Doss Christopher Johnson

Osakpolo Igiede*

Nicole L’Etoile Tyler Bacon

Agnella Gross

Design Team

Osakpolo Igiede*

Copy Editors

Advisers

Brittany Gallacher Caitlin O’Neill

Jenifer Augur Gillian Jones Jim Niedbalski

*Holds more than one position

Videographers

Kayleigh Anderson

Online at: Beacon.MCLA.edu Facebook.com/MCLABeacon Twitter.com/MCLA_Beacon

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Events and Announcements

MCLA welcomes new faculty Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) has welcomed 13 fulltime members to campus, to serve in a variety of positions.

Jamal Ahamad ’11 joined MCLA’s Advancement Office as the alumni relations coordinator in February. He came to the campus from Crane and Company in Dalton, Mass., where he was a typesetter. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Communications from MCLA. Seth Bean joined the campus’s Computer Support Services division in May, where he works as the telecommunications systems administrator. He comes to MCLA from North Adams Regional Hospital, where he was a network support technician. Bean earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in government from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., and an Associate of Arts degree in liberal arts from Berkshire Community College.

Cherilyn Bonin joined Residential Programs and Services at MCLA, where she is a residence director. She comes to the campus from Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Conn., where she was a senior resident assistant. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a French minor, from Central Connecticut State University.

Ashley Brooks recently joined MCLA’s Office of Academic Affairs, where she is an administrative assistant. She comes to the campus from the Baywood Golf and Country Club in Arcata, Calif., where she was an administrative assistant. Brooks completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in

recreation administration from Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif., after attending MCLA for three years.

Joab Camilo joined MCLA’s Department of Public Safety as a campus police officer. He comes to the campus from Chenega Corporation in Boston, Mass., where he worked as a security officer.

He attended the Criminal Justice Academy of Osceola in Kissimmee, Fla., where he received certification as a basic recruit.

Curt Cellana joined the campus’s Department of Administration and Finance as an accountant. He comes to MCLA from North Adams Regional Hospital, where he was a senior accountant.

Cellana earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a major in accounting from Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I. Daniel Colonno joined MCLA’s Department of Public Safety as a lieutenant. He comes to the campus from the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in Oriskany, N.Y., where he was a senior police training instructor. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in law enforcement management from Madison University of Gulfport, Miss.

Scott Ferris joined MCLA’s Facilities Department as a full-time employee in February, where he is a maintainer. He previously worked on campus as a part-time employee.

Nichole Lother ’06 joined the campus’s Advancement Office in February as the annual giving manager. She comes to MCLA from Berkshire Children

FINANCIAL AID ANNOUNCEMENTS ATTENTION STUDENT LOAN RECIPIENTS!!

IF YOU’RE BORROWING A STUDENT LOAN FOR THE FIRST TIME, YOU MUST COMPLETE ONLINE ENTRANCE COUNSELING AND YOUR MASTER PROMISSORY NOTE. COMPLETE BOTH AT www. studentloans.gov DON’T DELAY YOUR REFUND! CHECK WITH THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE IN ELDRIDGE HALL TO MAKE SURE YOUR REQUIREMENTS ARE COMPLETE!

and Families in Pittsfield, Mass., where she was a special assistant to the president. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Communications from MCLA. Jonathan Meehan joined MCLA’s Counseling Services in January, where he works as a counselor. He came to the campus from Berkshire Medical Center, where he was a psychiatric social worker. At the same time, he also worked part-time in counseling at MCLA. Catherine Obrzut ’14 recently joined the campus’s student accounts office, where she works as a clerk. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Communications from MCLA. Amanda Schuler ’12 recently joined MCLA’s Office of Administration and Finance as a clerk.

She comes to MCLA from Berkshire Community College where she was a MCA AmeriCorps VISTA community engagement and partnership coordinator. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration with a concentration in management and marketing from MCLA. Alyssa Spano recently joined Residential Programs and Services at MCLA, where she is a residence director. She comes to campus from Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, Mass., where she was a residence life graduate assistant. Spano earned her Bachelor of Arts and her Master of Science degrees from Northeastern University in Boston, Mass.

For more information, go to www.mcla.edu .

“The ReWind Season” begins tonight at MCLA MCLA’s Berkshire Cultural Resource Center (BRCR) will take another look at some of the most popular performances of its MCLA Presents! series’ 10-year history, as this season’s line up of MCLA Presents! brings back audience favorites in “The ReWind Season.”

“The problem quickly became in deciding what were the ‘hits,’ as have we’ve had so many exciting, cutting-edge and straightout fun performances over the years,” Secor said. “What you see programmed this year is just scratching the surface of the past 10 years, but it is a great start, bringing back some of our favorites. We invite you to come back and see them again, and enjoy the year of the ‘ReWind.’”

The season will kick off on Thursday, Sept. 18, at 7:30 p.m. in the MCLA Church Street Center’s Eleanor Furst Roberts Auditorium with Broadway’s Next H!T Musical, when the audience will help to create a brand-new, fully improvised musical comedy, where every lyric, melody and jazz hand is made up on the spot.

Tickets may be reserved by calling MCLA Presents! at (413) 662-5204. For more information, (413) 664-8718, or go to www. mcla.edu/presents .

MCLA Presents! is a program of MCLA’s Berkshire Cultural Resource Center (BCRC), a collaborative project with Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) and the City of North Adams.

The Beacon now has an email edition of the newspaper!

Subscribe now to receive a weekly email Wednesday night that highlights stories in the upcoming issue of The Beacon and be notified of breaking news stories.

Visit Beacon.mcla.edu to sign up today!

Beacon.MCLA.edu

11

Check it out!

Upcoming events on campus!

Today, Sept. 18 Career and Graduate Fair, Science Center 2nd Floor Mezzanine 1 - 4 p.m.

Activities Fair and Ice Cream Social, Academic Quad and Venable Gym 2 - 4 p.m.

Walk a Mile Tabling, Amsler Campus Center Marketplace 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

MCLA Presents! Broadway’s Next Hit Musical, Church Street Center Auditorium, Social Hall, and Founder’s Room 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 19 Allegrettos Auditions, Church Street Center Auditorium 5:30 - 11 p.m.

MassPIRG Welcome Back Table, Amsler Campus Center Marketplace 4 - 8 p.m.

SGA Hiring Management Meeting, Amsler Campus Center Sullivan Lounge 3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

SAC Meeting, Amsler Campus Center CC324A 3:15 - 4 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 20 SAC Bingo, Venable Gym 8 - 9 p.m.

March to Victory, Taconic Lawn to Zavattarro Complex 11:30 a.m.

Saturday Night Chat, Amsler Campus Center Sullivan Lounge 7 - 9 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 21 Yorick Rehearsal, Church Street Center Auditorium 7 - 11 p.m.

Dance Company Meeting, Amsler Campus Center Dance Complex 4 - 6 p.m.

Good Vibes Yoga, Amsler Campus Center Dance Complex 8 - 10 p.m.

12

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Photo Essay

Beacon.MCLA.edu

Freshman Hunter Long dances between Junior Emma Bonhiver and Freshman Brigid Downey at the Carribean fest.

Carribean Fest!

Photos by Nick Arena/The Beacon

The Black Student Union hosted its Caribbean-themed welcome back party at Venable gym on Saturday.

Students were invited in to enjoy a night of dancing and festivities to the sound of Boston’s DJ Gurdy. BSU President Kenya Joseph and Vice President Giovanni Dulcio said that the dance is one activity they choose to improve the cultural awareness of students of all races and nationalities.

Above: From left, Freshmen Dakota Jones, Alexander Sweitzer and Gaby Brown danced under the Carribean flags hanging throughout Venable gym.

Below: From left, Sophomore Matthew Roberts, Junior Tausha Rocke, Senior Dominique Ackley and Sophomore Sebastian Conrad jammed together.

Kareem Willis-Holley, also known as DJ Gurdy, provided a mix of reggae, soca and R&B music for students to dance along to.