North Adams - Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will celebrate its 104th Commencement exercises on Sunday, May 25, 2003 at 11 a.m. in the academic quadrangle.
This year, 309 students, including 32 master's candidates will receive degrees. Dr. Blenda J. Wilson, president and CEO of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation will deliver the keynote address. Wilson will receive a Doctor of Public Service.
Also receiving honorary degrees this year are Dr. Armand V. Feigenbaum receiving a Doctor of Science, Dr. Donald S. Feigenbaum also with a Doctor of Science, State Senator Andrea Nuciforo receiving a Doctor of Laws, Jessica Hilary Park being granted a Doctor of Fine Arts and Evelyn H. Jorge with a Doctor of Pedagogy.
Wilson serves as the first President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, which was established in 1998. One of the largest foundations in New England and the largest to focus exclusively on education, it serves to promote accessibility, quality and effectiveness of education, especially for under-served populations in New England, via grant making, research and policy development.
As the Foundation's first President, Wilson has led the organization in defining its vision as a major grant maker, research organization, convener and policy maker in the New England region.
Previously, Wilson was president of California State University, Northbridge, successfully leading the University's recovery from the Northbridge Earthquake of January 1994, which caused over $400 million in damage to the campus. Prior to her tenure at CSU, she was chancellor of the University of Michigan, Dearborn.
From 1984 to 1988, she was executive director of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, where she served as an officer in the Governor's cabinet. Wilson received her BA in English and secondary education at Ceder Crest College, an M.Ed. at Seton Hall University and a Ph.D. in higher education administration at Boston College.
Armand Feigenbaum is president and CEO of General Systems Company based in Pittsfield while Donald Feigenbaum serves as chief operating officer and executive vice president. The company is a global leader in implementing greatly improved results, which accelerate the competitive business strengths of many of the principal manufacturing and service companies throughout the world by designing and installing proprietary management operating systems.
Armand Feigenbaum is the originator of Total Quality Management, the approach to quality and profitability that has profoundly influenced management strategy in the competition for world markets in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Latin America. He is the author, with his brother Donald, of the book The Power of Management Capital, published in 2003 by McGraw-Hill, which is setting a new direction for management in industry, health care, education, public administration and technology.
Prior to his position with General Systems, he was executive for worldwide manufacturing operations and quality for General Electric Company. He holds a bachelor's degree from Union College and a Master of Science and Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has received numerous honorary doctorates.
Donald Feigenbaum previously served in the U.S. Navy with Far East duty in the Seabees. His career began as an engineer with the General Electric Company in its Schenectady operations. He holds a B.S. in electrical engineering and a Doctor of Science from Union College.
He has also received a Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Massachusetts, where the Armand V. and Donald S. Feigenbaum Distinguished Professorship has been established. Additionally, Union College has dedicated and named the Armand V. and Donald S. Feigenbaum Hall, the building that houses the president and vice president of the College, in his and his brother's honor.
Nuciforo has served as the State Senator representing the 48 cities and towns in the Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin Massachusetts State Senate District since 1997. He currently serves as the Senate Chairman of the Joint Committee on Banks and Banking. Additionally, he serves on the Senate Committee on Ways and Means as well as the Election Laws and Local Affairs Committee
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A champion for his district in a variety of areas including education, Senator Nuciforo has received numerous awards. These include the Massachusetts Association of Jewish Federations' Legislative Achievement Award, the National Association of Social Workers Community Service Award, the Massachusetts Municipal Associations Legislator of the Year Award and the Massachusetts Legal Services Legislator of the Year Award.
Senator Nuciforo also serves as an Attorney at Law, practicing business litigation and domestic relations since 1995. Prior to that, he was an attorney with Posternak, Blankstein & Lund in Boston as well as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Frank. H. Freedman, Chief Judge. Nuciforo holds a B.A. in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Juris Doctor from the Boston University School of Law. He also attended the Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Park of Williamstown is a renowned painter who has overcome numerous obstacles to excel creatively. A self-taught artist with autism, her mother Clara Claiborne Park, has written award winning books and articles about her struggles to encourage her daughter's artistic ability during a time of little educational opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Park was recently honored with the National Artistic Achievement Award at the Shield Institute in New York City. One of her pieces, George Washington Bridge with the Light Pillar Reflections, was featured on the cover of the event's formal invitation and the Dinner Journal Honor Book. Park received her art instruction at Mount Greylock Regional High School. Her work, which is in high demand of personal collectors, has been featured in several art exhibitions as well as numerous solo exhibitions. Some of her work will be displayed at MCLA during Commencement. She has been employed at the Williams College mailroom for 22 years.
Jorge, a 1944 graduate of then North Adams State Teachers College, has taught at the elementary level for 43 years in Newton; Brookline; Amherst; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Roslyn, New York; and Sea Cliff, New York. As a student, she was president of the student government and selected for recognition in Who's Who Among College Students.
Jorge received a Master of Science in Education from Long Island University in 1973. Jorge has been a strong supporter of MCLA for many years, with her husband Lin contributing $100,100 to MCLA in 2001, with $50,000 earmarked for the Murdock Hall Restoration Project and the remainder funding scholarships for students who intend to teach. Jorge currently resides on Long Island with her husband, where they have been active in tennis and golf.
The commencement platform party, led by President Grant, will include the honorary degree recipients, The Board of Trustees, senior administrators and representatives of the College's unions. In addition to President Grant and Wilson, Christina Barrett, president of the class of 2002 and Howard Jacob Eberwein, a master's degree candidate will address the graduates.
Music will be performed during the processional and recessional by the Berkshire Highlanders Pipe Band and during and after the ceremony by the MCLA Community Band. The National Anthem and the Alma Mater will be sung by Melissa Gumlaw '06 and David B. Ortendahl '04. Students will be welcomed into the Alumni Association by Trustee John Marcus '82 and Ellen Kennedy '83, chief advancement officer.
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Winter Storm Warning Issued for Berkshires
Another snowstorm is expected to move through the region overnight on Friday, bringing 5 to 8 inches of snow. This is updated from Thursday's winter weather advisory.
The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., has posted a winter storm warning for all of Berkshire County and parts of eastern New York State beginning Friday at 4 p.m. through Saturday at 1 p.m.
The region could see heavy to moderate snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour overnight, tapering off Saturday morning to flurries.
Drivers should exercise caution on Friday night and Saturday morning, as travel conditions may be hazardous.
Saturday night should be clear and calm, but warming temperatures means freezing rain Sunday night and rain through Monday with highs in the 40s. The forecast isn't much better through the week as temperatures dip back into the teens with New Year's Eve looking cloudy and frigid.
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Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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