MCLA Stresses Education Mission at Opening Breakfast
 MCLA President Mary Grant reviewed some of the happenings during 'first days,' including the annual Labor Day hike up Mount Greylock. Below, Trustees Chairman Stephen Crowe said the new term was a time for enthusiasm and renewal; Sen. Benjamin B. Downing said to stay involved and ask tough questions. |
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The past decade has seen growth in the programs, buildings and academic profile of the school under the leadership of President Mary Grant.
"Ten years ago, I stood at this podium for the first time and opened my first breakfast," said Grant to the traditional convocation breakfast gathering of trustees, faculty, staff, student leaders and local and state officials. "I can't imagine the gift I've been given in doing this work for 10 years."
Grant said the college would continue to build on its past work as it looked toward the future. Among its successes over the past few years is the Center for Science and Innovation currently being constructed on Blackinton Avenue (the topping ceremony is set for Sept. 13; the first graduating class from its Professional Masters in Business Administration; the renovation of the Towers, the Amsler Campus Center and the just completed Hoosac Hall dormitory; and the development of the Undergraduate Research Center.
Challenges this year include continued campus planning and community service, participation in the statewide Vision Project, and funding and financial support, such as developing and endowment for the science center and related scholarships.
The college is also launching into a rigorous self-study for continued accreditation.
"Every 10 years, we do this major review of the institution," said Grant. While acknowledging its difficulty, she reminded the college community that "we have a great story to tell."
Grant said she would look to the Berkshire delegation for continued support.
"It's an incredibly important time and we need the help from all of you at this table that we are supportive in nurturing, in supporting the liberal arts because that's the transformational education we need in the 21st century," she said, turning to state Reps. Gailanne Cariddi, D-North Adams, and Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, and Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield.
"There has been such rhetoric around 'a college degree doesn't matter anymore' and 'education isn't worth it,'" said Grant. But, she said, two recent studies have found that those with a college education are less likely to be unemployed and that some 2 million jobs requiring some level of higher education have been created during the recovery.
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Not surprisingly, the upcoming elections were touched on by several speakers, who reminded those attending of the importance of voting to determine the nation's and the congressional district's future direction.
Downing, who drove through parts of the Midwest this summer, said that too often we focus on what separates us. Speaking with people about issues this summer, he said, "what I found was just how much we agree on things.
"We have make sure we don't turn on each other, or away from each other, but to each other."
Mayor Richard Alcombright was unable to attend but asked Grant to give greetings and a hold a moment of silence for Pfc. Michael R. DeMarsico II, whose sister attends MCLA.
Also speaking were Farley-Bouvier and Cariddi; Board of Trustees Chairman Stephen G. Crowe; Dana Rapp, president of the Faculty Association; Charles Cianfarini, president of the local Association of Professional Administrators; Elizabeth Manns, steward of the local American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; new student trustee Daniel Peluso and SGA President Jason Brown.
Grant concluded the breakfast by thanking the college community "for the work you have done in continuing to invest in this institution. ... It happens because of all of you in this room."
"And all of you who have been here for 10 years, you don't look a day older."
Tags: breakfast, convocation, MCLA, science center,
