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MCLA President Touts College's AchievementsBy Jen Thomas - January 15, 2008
 | | Mary K. Grant |
NORTH ADAMS - Even in the face of fiscal crisis, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts President Mary K. Grant said she's optimistic about the future of her small state college.
"We have our share of challenges and opportunities," she said Tuesday morning, at MCLA's spring semester opening breakfast. "We will have a good semester; we will have a challenging semester."
After chronicling the achievements of the fall semester - which included record crowds at Gallery 51, the unveiling of an improved admissions Web site and the naming of freshman soccer player Jessica Tietgens of Stamford, Vt., as the college's first-ever Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year - Grant outlined goals for the road ahead.
"We're reflective but optimistic for the work we have ahead of us," Grant said.
In the beginning of the new year, MCLA expects to continue to expand successful programs and initiatives while pushing forward to meet new goals. With major construction and renovation projects in the works (including a new front entrance to Berkshire Towers and the installation of a heating and air conditioning system for Murdock Hall), Grant said she is committed to providing the best possible education to her students.
Admissions numbers are way up and the college already boasts a 20 percent increase in prospective student numbers. A newly designed Web site unveiled in December had a huge jump in visitors since its launch, indicating heightened interest in the college and its offerings.
Citing enrollment and retention as priorities, Grant said she's adhered to the fundamental goals for success at the college, which include fostering academic excellence, strengthening student life, increasing the use of technology, improving student space and modernizing existing buildings.
One of the obstacles Grant noted was a lack in state funding for these major projects. With their possible inclusions (including the proposed science building) in Gov. Deval Patrick's capital bond bill and a $1 billion life science bill, MCLA is looking to draw focus to the needs of state higher education.
"We have to push to turn the conversation in the commonwealth; we have to push for funding for higher education. It's the beginning of a long process," Grant said. "We have to keep our eye on all of these balls because we have big projects in the works."
The proposed new entrance to the Berkshire Towers. |
This semester will see more outreach to the community as MCLA will welcome more area schoolchildren through a collaboration with the Berkshire Compact for Higher Education. The "Berkshire Passport," a plan to introduce younger students to the possibility of college earlier in life, will encourage county youth to visit campuses in the region during a weeklong "Berkshire County Goes to College" event in April. Along with MCLA, Berkshire Community College, Williams College and Bard College at Simon's Rock will open their doors to students for tours, informational sessions and other activities.
"We're looking to inform students at earlier ages that college is an option," said Grant.
A plethora of performances and lectures at the college this semester will draw in hundreds of visitors and draw connections between MCLA and the larger Berkshire community. A spring North County production of "Trumbo" by Barrington Stage Company will take place at the college and a February "Women of the Blues and Funk" festival will feature the Charmaine Neville Band and Sue Foley.
Marianne Pearl, widow of slain journalist and former North Adams reporter Daniel Pearl and author of "A Mighty Heart," will be the speaker for the Hardman Lecture Series.
"There's a lot to look forward to this year," Grant said. "The pieces in the world of higher education are going to be moving and we have to make sure our voice is in the mix." |
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