Lamb Elected Chairman Of MCLA Board Of Trustees

12:00AM / Friday, June 23, 2006

Richard C. Lamb

North Adams - Richard C. Lamb, president of True North Financial Services, was elected chairman of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Board of Trustees at this month's meeting.

Lamb, president of True North Financial Services in North Adams, replaces Dr. Eugene Leibowitz, a retired neurosurgeon who served as chairman since March 2001.

"I am excited to be part of the leadership of the Board, which includes the remarkable efforts of Dr. Mary Grant, and to continue the great work of Gene Leibowitz, who served for years with such dedication," Lamb said. "It's an exciting time for the College, particularly as we look forward to the reopening of Murdock Hall."

President Mary K. Grant said that Lamb, who previously served as theBoard's vice chairman, had demonstrated his commitment to MCLA and a passion for the work of the institution.

"He's going to be a wonderful chairman," she said. "The benefit of his experience and leadership roles in the community will bring a great capacity to the Board. I feel the institution will be extraordinarily well-served."

From the start, Grant said, Leibowitz hit the ground running when he began serving on the Board as a new member, then as its new chairman and as the chairman of the search committee for a new college president after former President Thomas D. Aceto announced his retirement.

"Gene has been a passionate and devoted steward of the institution. He cares deeply about public higher education, he cares deeply about MCLA, he cares deeply about how MCLA serves both the Berkshires and the commonwealth," Grant said. "He's been a phenomenal board chair. We're really fortunate that he has another five-year term and continues to serve on the Board, which I'm very grateful for."

Other changes at the June 8 meeting included the election of retired elementary school principal and Williamstown Selectwoman Jane B. Allen as the board's vice chairwoman. The Board also recognized the tenure of Stephen E. Fix, Ph.D., an English professor at Williams College, for his 10 years of service.

Fix reflected on his decade on the board, where he served under the
leadership of two MCLA presidents. He recognized former President Aceto for his service and thanked Grant for her passion and saluted her for her accomplishments.

"MCLA has a remarkable faculty and staff," Fix said. "I have served on the Board under the leadership of three Board chairs. Gene Leibowitz, you have done a superb job. To my fellow trustees, you have a keen sense of the trustee role - deeply informed and passionate about the College. We are part of a remarkable history here. It is exciting to be part of MCLA."

Lamb has served as president of True North Financial Services, a
subsidiary of MountainOne Financial, since 1997. Previously, he was vice president of Coakley, Pierpan, Dolan & Collins Insurance Agency, also an affiliated company.

Lamb was the mayor of North Adams from 1978 to 1983.

A 1971 graduate of Williams College, Lamb was awarded an honorary
doctorate from MCLA in 1984. He previously served MCLA as the chairman of the college's foundation for several years and is the chairman of the college's fiscal affairs committee. He also has served as a trustee of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts and on the Coolidge Hill Foundation Board of Directors.

Lamb resides in Williamstown with his wife, Holly Taylor.