PHS Student Earns Feigenbaum Scholarship

Attorney Emil George presents the award to Mark Eddy on Thursday afternoon at the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield High School graduate Mark Eddy has won this year's Feigenbaum Scholarship.

The $5,000 award is given annually to a city student who excels in engineering and technology by the Feigenbaum Foundation and General Systems Co. in conjunction with the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. The scholarship was started by Donald and Armand Feigenbaum 10 years ago.

The Feigenbaum brothers started the engineering firm General Systems in 1968 and the South Street company has grown to become internationally recognized.

Here in the Berkshires, the Feigenbaums are known as philanthropists contributing to numerous causes but most notably donating more than $1 million to renovate the Berkshire Museum. The museum later opened the Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation in their honor.

The scholarship recipient is chosen through an interview process. Eddy was chosen this year and will be studying chemical engineering and engineering management at Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology in the fall.

Eddy, son of Kenneth and Bette Anne Eddy of Elaine Drive, was the student speaker at his graduation from Pittsfield High earlier this month. A high honors student, he was awarded a number of scholarships and awards, including the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award from the University of Rochester.

Donald Feigenbaum died earlier this year but the scholarship will live on. Eddy said this isn't the first time the Feigenbaums have helped him. The brothers allowed the high school to hold the science fair in the Hall of Innovation, helping many of Eddy's classmates move on to state competitions.

Eddy said he was saddened by Donald Feigenbaum's death this past March at age 87. Armand Feigenbaum a quality control expert, remains president of General Systems.

"This is just an extreme honor to receive his today," Eddy said. "I hope to make you proud in the future."

During the short ceremony, Chamber of Commerce President Michael Supranowicz said science education is more important now more than ever because of the types of jobs that will be available in the future.

Cyclists Pedal Into Berkshire Bike Month

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:42AM / Saturday, May 04, 2024

Berkshire Bike Path Council President Marge Cohan addresses bikers at the event. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Clad in helmets and bright colors, more than 20 people gathered in Park Square to kick on Berkshire Bike Month on Wednesday.

The month of May will be stacked with bicycle-centered events throughout the county — beginning with an eight-mile loop from the city's center that ends at Hot Plate Brewing Co.

"We have we have a lot of things going on in Pittsfield for bicycles and for safety," Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales said.

"We're not anywhere near where we should be. We have a lot of work to do."

Bike month is meant to promote the safe use of streets for anyone and everyone no matter how they are traveling, he said The commissioner is especially excited about Bike to Work Day on May 17, as he can register to be recognized for his typical commute.

He presented a proclamation to President of the Berkshire Bike Path Council President Marge Cohan. It states that the city is committed to the health of its citizens and environment, safe cycling with road bike lanes and the extension of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, and that the Police Department encourages safe cycling by distributing lights and helmets and accompanies the city's Ride Your Bike to School event.

BBPC is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Cohan said the quarter century has been full of commitment to bike paths and bike safety throughout Berkshire County "on roads, on trails, on tracks, and on paths."

"In expanding our mission in this way we have been able to encompass all kinds of cycles and all kinds of riders," she said.

She noted that participants range from babies to 90-year-old people. Bike month includes events for all ages.