MCLA to Host the 22nd Annual Undergraduate Research Conference

08:00AM / Wednesday, April 03, 2024Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — On Thursday, April 18, 2024, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will hold the 22nd annual Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) to recognize students for their work and dedication in producing academic projects.

This year's keynote speaker is MCLA alumnus Deven Philbrick '16 – a poet and PhD Candidate in English Language and Literature at the University of Michigan. Philbrick earned his bachelor's in English/Communications & Philosophy with a double major in Literature and Writing concentrations from MCLA, then received a master's degree in creative writing from the University of Seattle-Washington in 2018. Currently, he is working on a dissertation on 20th-century innovative poetry and process philosophy.

The full-day event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a poster session at 11 a.m. and the keynote speaker and lunch at noon. Additional event schedules and locations are forthcoming.

"Undergraduate research is a value that underlies the mission of MCLA because it promotes excellence and innovation, creativity and critical thinking, service, and citizenship," said Graziana D'Elia-Brillante, URC chair and professor of modern languages at MCLA. "It is a transformative experience that transcends traditional classroom learning, offering students a profound journey of personal and intellectual growth going beyond textbooks, so students delve deeply into their chosen field, fostering a deeper understanding of concepts and methodologies."

Students will present 15-minute talks, posters, and artistic work; the URC will also include special sessions and events focused on specific themes and performances. Members of the media are welcome to cover this MCLA community event, sit in on virtual talks, and interview students and faculty members.

"Furthermore, undergraduate research nurtures a sense of independence and self-reliance, as students take ownership of their projects from conception to completion. This autonomy not only builds confidence but also instills a strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence," said D'Elia-Brillante.

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Reign Purple Reigns Over 1791 14-and-Under Field

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
07:58PM / Sunday, August 16, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Camden Sievers Sunday went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles at the plate and struck out eight in four innings on the mound as the Berkshire Reign Purple won the 14-year-old Division Championship Game to conclude the inaugural 1791 Classic at Joe Wolfe Field.

But there were no losers in the final game of the three-day, eight-team event as the Purple beat the Berkshire Reign White, 10-2, in what amounted to a celebration of the travel baseball program’s success – over the weekend, this summer and the last five years.

Reign founder and coach Kristopher Ireland was in the losing dugout in the split squad game on Sunday evening, but, in reality, he couldn’t lose after pulling off what he promised will be the first of many 1791 Classics to come.

“The tournament went great,” Ireland said. “The weather held out. I think we only had one game that got called short for rain, which we probably could have gotten in, but it would have made it a late night [Friday].

“The weather was great over the weekend. The facilities held up wonderfully. We got hit with a thunderstorm in Dalton on Friday night, and our parents stepped up and got the field ready for Saturday’s games. And, once again, kudos to North Adams for hosting us here and Dalton for hosting us there. In Pittsfield, we had fields there, too, if necessary.”

Nothing, including the weather, could stop the Reign Purple in the four-team 14-and-under bracket, where it went 5-0 – three pool games plus Sunday’s semi-final and final – outsourcing opponents by a combined 65-17.

In Sunday’s title game, Kody Lesser was 3-for-3 with an RBI, Spencer Kotski was 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs, and Kai Laframboise went 2-for-3 with a triple in a 13-hit attack.

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