MCLA Summer Undergraduate Research Institute Underway

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' third annual Summer Undergraduate Research Institute is in full swing this month, as participants conduct experiments to hone their research skills and further their projects.

This year's participants include Andrea Fachini, Class of 2017, and Daniel Heinen, Class of 2018, both of whom are biology majors at MCLA. They are working on research related to endosymbiont bacteria from sea anemones and an augmented virtual reality laboratory simulation, respectively.

Under the direction of Dr. Ann Billetz, associate professor of biology, the Summer Undergraduate Research Institute provides students with an opportunity to focus on their research on a full-time basis as they work with a faculty mentor to sharpen their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

According to Billetz, this opportunity is of particular benefit to students as they apply to graduate schools: they can demonstrate their abilities to design and carry out an experiment, apply what they learn, and reach conclusions.

"The fact that they are able to do this work for the entire summer is really important," Billetz said. "Most of our students do research in addition to classes, so they only might have a few hours to do research each week during the regular semester. At the Institute, these students spend 30 hours a week conducting research."

"Unlike during the semester, this summer institute gives me an opportunity to concentrate on development, and allows me time to learn new software and design techniques," Heinen said. "In addition to gaining more confidence in my abilities as a virtual reality developer, I am gaining valuable experience that will aid me in future projects."

Using a three-dimensional gaming engine and an advanced virtual reality headset, Heinen is working with chemistry chair Dr. Rob Harris to create a virtual environment to allow students to visualize chemical reactions, as well as complete virtual experiments.

DiLego Jewelry to Close After Over 80 Years in Business

By Daniel MatziBerkshires correspondent
05:28AM / Tuesday, May 07, 2024

Sisters Pamela Costine, left, and Cynthia Lamore have been operating the store since their aunts retired in 1987. Both started working in the business as teens.  Lamore's decided it's time to retire. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — DiLego Jewelery Store, the family-owned business that has been a staple of North Adams for nearly a century, will be closing this summer. 

 

The closure was announced on the store's Facebook page late Sunday night, where it immediately drew comments of remembrance and well-wishing.

 

Cindy Lamore, whose great uncle Frank DiLego opened the store on Main Street in the late 1930s, said the shop will cease operations following her retirement, slated for June 30. A 20 percent off Mother's Day sale will begin immediately, with increasing discounts leading up to the closing date.

 

It took Lamore "a couple of years" to reach the decision to close. Witnessing the passing of lifelong friends or their struggles with debilitating illness prompted her to reconsider her priorities, especially considering the extensive time devoted to running a small business. 

 

"You really question what you're waiting for," she reflected.

 

While recognizing that changing consumer habits have led to a decrease in jewelry and watch sales in recent years, Lamore stressed that her decision to close was a personal one. She and her business partner and sister, Pamela Costine, wanted "to do it on our terms," she said.

 

Comments on Facebook praised the store's customer service, and friends, family, and customers alike reminisced about buying jewelry for special occasions, stopping in for watch repairs, and the perennial rite of childhood for many: getting ears pierced.