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BCC Confers 305 Degrees, Certificates

LENOX, Mass. — It was Berkshire County that started astronaut Stephanie Wilson on her career path, which eventually launched her toward the stars.

On Friday night, she charged 305 Berkshire Community College students to "follow their heart" and use their expertise to make the world a better place as they embark on their own careers.

The college conferred 259 associate degrees and 56 certificates during the muggy late afternoon at Tanglewood.

"I recognize that I am a product of a resourceful community and I try to match that example for my family and for Berkshire County. I wish for each of you to find a legacy that is true to you and your family and may you see it through to the best of your ability," Wilson told the graduates from the stage in the Shed.

"In the future, when you find yourself giving a commencement speech, you'll be able to share your wisdom and knowledge and tell a story of overcoming many struggles and achieving your personal goals. Congratulations class of 2013, may you find your dreams, may you achieve the impossible and may you always be proud to call Berkshire County your home. I know that I am."

It was during her days at Taconic High School when Wilson set her goal of being an astronaut. But the path wasn't easy. She embarked on a career in engineering but still held out hope for space travel. Then, some 20 years after she received her college acceptance letter, she got the opportunity to look down on Massachusetts from the space shuttle.

"Don't focus too closely or too early," Wilson said. "I made job choices based on what would help me in my career as an engineer, not necessarily jobs that specifically led me to be an astronaut. My approach was not to narrow my options too early but to focus on the path of engineering, which allowed me to pursue a broader path with many opportunities."

But Wilson isn't the only Berkshire County success, and spoke of others who had gone to to "huge" things. Pittsfield Mayor Daniel Bianchi said he was touring a manufacturing plant just last week where BCC graduates were building equipment that keeps others safe.

"It has given you the foundation of success," Bianchi said.

But while pursuing their goals, Wilson didn't want the graduates to forget what matters most. A few days after the Boston Marathon bombings, she bumped into a co-worker on her way to a meeting. That co-worker's close friend finished the marathon just moments before the bombs exploded and then on his return home, he witnessed the fertilizer plant exploding in West, Texas.

She stopped and talked and ended up late to her meeting, upsetting her bosses. But, those extra minutes to help a community heal was worth it, she said.

"If you listen to your heart, you'll make the right choice," Wilson said of the times when "it will be difficult to prioritize" ones actions.

With bombings and other tragedies occurring, Wilson was wondering what was happening to the world. But, then she remembers that from space, the Earth paints a different picture, one without chaos and tragedy. Wilson asked the graduates to go on to create the world she saw out of the shuttle window.

"From that vantage point, Earth is very serene and peaceful, unified and harmonious. It appears without complication or division," she said.

That positive outlook is similar to what state Sen. Benjamin Downing encouraged the students to adopt when looking at their own lives.

Downing told the students not to make excuses and continue to pursue their dreams. Co-valedictorian George Leibinger has no concerns about his class giving up.

He recapped and episode of a television show when the characters were considering what would happen to an apartment the two had shared when one of the friends got married. They ultimately let their "future" personas handle the debate.

The characters had confidence that their future selves would figure it out, just as Leibinger is about his class.

"Life is going to throw us curveballs but do you know who can handle it? Future George and future class of 2013," Leibinger said.

Leibinger said the key to the future lies within the school's motto — to travel hopefully. The key word is hope, he said, and that is exactly what BCC returned to him.

For the other valedictorian, Xavier Domjan, BCC provided him with a career path he is passionate about. Domjan said he worked others jobs but none of them were what he was passionate about.

"I worked many other jobs but they were all driven by necessity," Domjan said, adding that he was a good dishwasher but that would never provide him a future. "Today, I'm graduating and will become an RN. I have the opportunity to do something I love."

While the students were the ones celebrating, school officials also named faculty member Christine Martin as professor emeritus. Former college President Paul Raverta and former Board of Trustees Chairwoman Susan Lombard also became the first recipients of the 21st Century Educational Leadership Award — a newly created award that will be the school's highest honor and only given occasionally.

Also speaking at the ceremony were state Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli, who congratulated the students on behalf of the House of Representatives delegation, President Ellen Kennedy and Vice President for Academic Affairs Frances Feinerman. Sheriff Thomas Bowler called the commencement to order and later closed the ceremony.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.