MCLA Holds Open House for New Alumni Offices

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
09:20AM / Saturday, April 25, 2009Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Alumni and community members were able to tour the new alumni offices Friday constructed by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts last fall in the former Notre Dame Rectory.

Now called the Office for Institutional Advancement, the building on East Main Street houses the college's alumni and advancement offices; most of the staff moved in last December. With the Alumni Association Board preparing to meet on Saturday and the staff settled in, Friday evening seemed right time for an open house.

The three-story residence was purchased last year as part of the deal that moved the Notre Dame property into the city's hands. MCLA purchased the century-old rectory for $220,000 in June. It needed primarily aesthetic work and updating to handle the computer systems and electronics.

Top, Janice Messer, right, shares a laugh; left, Jane Allen and Marianne Drake; right, Laurie-Jean Hickey; below, Drake's second-floor office.

Painted in a soft green hue, the first floor offers plenty of space for meetings and use by alumni and community groups. The front parlor sports an original fireplace and one wall filled with a series of bird paintings donated by the artist, Greg Scheckler, a member of the MCLA faculty.

The second floor cotains offices and a private conference room; the bottom floor, storage and a room that can be dedicated to student "call-athons" to alumni.

The spacious setting with abundant parking is a far cry from the cramped quarters alumni and advancement shared with other departments in Shapiro House on the main campus.

It's proximity to Main Street works to extend the campus to the downtown, said Marianne Drake, chief advancement officer and president of the MCLA Foundation, without sacrificing any efficiencies.

"Most of what we do is by phone or over the computer. Plus, we're more focused on external communications," said Drake, noting the campus was still just down the road. "We can walk downtown to have lunch or meet with people."

Janice Messer, executive director of alumni relations and development, is hoping the inviting rooms will encourage alumni to not only stop and visit but to put the space to good use. A computer for their use will be installed and a built-in bookcase holds all college yearbooks.

"This really fits our needs perfectly," she said.

Messer led tours through the building, taking visitors through the basement rooms, the full kitchen, meeting rooms, closets and down the dramatic, original staircase. Some spots are still a little bare, waiting for accessories such as lamps, or for staff to move in. The general review of the alumni who tramped through the old rectory was positive.

"I like it. It's very welcoming," said Laura-Jean Hickey of Acton, a 1999 graduate and member of the alumni board. "It works for the building to be off-campus, it's a nice entry point and they really needed the space.

"If I had to hold a business meeting, I'd have it here."

Next week, the college will hold an officially opening of its other building project: the new entrance and meeting areas added onto the Berkshire Towers dormitories.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

Save & Earn with Greylock

3.30% APY 6-month certificate. Click to learn more! Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

North Adams Airport Hires New Manager

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
10:30AM / Saturday, October 24, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Airport Commission unanimously voted this week to hire Skyler Friedman as the new airport manager.

The vote came after a brief interview Tuesday. Although two candidates were scheduled to be interviewed, only Friedman was in attendance.

In total, there were four resumes that a subcommittee knocked down to two finalists.

"All were qualified," Commissioner William Hooper said. "One was less qualified, two were equally qualified, and one was a step above. The two you have this evening were the two determined to be the most qualified."

The commission planned on interviewing both candidates, but only interviewed Friedman. Although the second candidate indicated she would be present remotely for the interview, she never called in.

Friedman was the manager from June until September through the city's contract with Hewison Aviation, a New York-based flight school operating in North Adams. The company provided management services to the city but decided to end this arrangement in the fall.

The commission faced losing Friedman as manager and urged him to apply when they advertised the position.

Friedman spoke about communication, noting he suspected it would be easier as an employee of the city. He also spoke about larger projects at the airport he would like to follow through on, including the creation of a flying club. He said he wants more people at the airport and interested in aviation.

He was asked if he planned to leave the position in the near future for other opportunities.

"I would not be here now if that were my goal," he answered.

He added that the area does not have a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), a position he hopes to fill. He said he hopes to "merge his interests" as the manager and a CFI, eventually relocating permanently to North Adams instead of commuting from Albany.

Otherwise, he said there will be no disruptions, as he has already done the job. Instead of learning a new position, he said he is ready to tackle projects he had to step away from when the contract ran out.

"The past five months have been that process, and I will pick up where I left off," he said. "I stumbled upon things in the interim, and there will be no transition."

In other business, the Airport Commission saw another response to the proposed restaurant RFP. Only one organization responded: East Fork Bread.

Although there was some back-and-forth between the RFP subcommittee and the bread makers, the subcommittee ultimately could not recommend their proposal as it did not fit their requirements.

View Full Story