MCLA Names New Vice President for Institutional Advancement

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mary Hastings, a development executive with roots in the Northern Berkshires, joins Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts this month as vice president for Institutional Advancement.

“I am extraordinarily excited to join MCLA, as I have seen the college praised and recognized for its excellence, which is a credit to the vision and energy of the board, faculty, administration and entire MCLA community,” Hastings said.

According to MCLA President James F. Birge, Hastings brings substantial experience in fundraising and development strategy to MCLA.

“Mary’s experience in development and expertise in fundraising make her ideally suited for this position,” Birge said. “I’m excited to work with her in her new role as she leads and enriches the work of the Office for Institutional Advancement.”


Before serving as executive director of the American London Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Hastings was the acting chief development officer for The Boys Club of New York; director of development for The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and The New School for Drama; director of special events for The Foundation for Jewish Culture and director of education and community outreach at the Bloomingdale School of Music.

Hastings grew up in Williamstown. That experience provides her with years of perspective into the college’s growth over the years. The accolades that MCLA has received in recent years, she said, put the college in an excellent position for further development and recognition.

“MCLA doesn’t stand still. I’m fortunate to have watched from afar the growth and advancements it has made in the quality education that it delivers, one that values the region’s resources, and one that understands that students can make choices with their education,” Hastings said.

Hastings also is deeply familiar with values and principles in higher education as she has served on the faculty of Queens College and Hunter College. A professional trumpeter, she continues to teach trumpet, and is an active Broadway and classical music performer.

 


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Macksey Updates on Eagle Street Demo and Myriad City Projects

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

The back of Moderne Studio in late January. The mayor said the city had begun planning for its removal if the owner could not address the problems. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Moderne Studio building is coming down brick by brick on Eagle Street on the city's dime. 
 
Concerns over the failing structure's proximity to its neighbor — just a few feet — means the demolition underway is taking far longer than usual. It's also been delayed somewhat because of recent high winds and weather. 
 
The city had been making plans for the demolition a month ago because of the deterioration of the building, Mayor Jennifer Macksey told the City Council on Tuesday. The project was accelerated after the back of the 150-year-old structure collapsed on March 5
 
Initial estimates for demolition had been $190,000 to $210,000 and included asbestos removal. Those concerns have since been set aside after testing and the mayor believes that the demolition will be lower because it is not a hazardous site.
 
"We also had a lot of contractors who came to look at it for us to not want to touch it because of the proximity to the next building," she said. "Unfortunately time ran out on that property and we did have the building failure. 
 
"And it's an unfortunate situation. I think most of us who have lived here our whole lives and had our pictures taken there and remember being in the window so, you know, we were really hoping the building could be safe."
 
Macksey said the city had tried working with the owner, who could not find a contractor to demolish the building, "so we found one for him."
 
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