Formal inauguration set for MCLA President Mary Grant

12:00AM / Friday, June 06, 2003Print Story | Email Story

Mary K. Grant, Ph.D. will officially take the reigns of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts when she is inaugurated as the institution's 11th President on May 2, 2003. Grant will be installed by Judith Gill, Ph.D., Massachusetts Chancellor of Higher Education, during a ceremony that begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Amsler Campus Center Gymnasium. The public is welcome to attend. Grant, a 1983 graduate of the institution, began her tenure as President of MCLA on September 1, 2002. She came from the University of Massachusetts, where she served as the chief academic officer and deputy C.E.O. of UmassOnline. She was also a Senior Fellow at the John W. McCormack Institute of Public Affairs at UMass Boston, where she taught and served as faculty chair for the Master of Science in Public Affairs Program. State Representative Daniel Bosley '76 will serve as the Inaugural Master of Ceremonies. Bosley, a fellow alumnus, has represented the First Berkshire District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives since 1986. He is House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Government Regulations. The Inaugural Processional will include MCLA faculty, staff and students, delegates from other colleges and universities, alumni, the College's Board of Trustees and elected officials. Hubie Jones will deliver the keynote address. Jones has played a key role in helping to form, rebuild and lead numerous community organizations in Boston. He recently retired from UMASS Boston after serving as a senior fellow at the McCormack Institute and as a Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Urban Affairs. His initiatives include the City to City Program, which takes Boston leaders to other U.S. cities and abroad to learn about collaboration among municipal leaders. Jones is also known for his organization of the Forum for the 21st Century, which provides public discourse on economic and social challenges facing Boston. Additionally, Jones founded the Massachusetts Advocacy Center. He may be best known for his appearances on local television, particularly as a panelist on WCVB's public affairs discussion show, "Five on Five." His current endeavors include writing a book about African-American life in Boston and establishing the Boston Children's Chorus as a new arts organization. Jones received his bachelor's degree from the City College of New York. He continued his education at Boston University School of Social Work, from which he earned his M.S.W. and currently serves as Dean Emeritus. In addition to Jones, Congressman John Olver, State Senator Andrea Nuciforo, State Representative William (Smitty) Pignatelli and Mayor John Barrett will bring greetings. Also making remarks will be Eugene Leibowitz, chair of the MCLA Board of Trustees; Maynard Seider, president of the MCLA Faculty Association; Sharron Zavattaro, president of the MCLA Association of Professional Administrators; Tina Marie Leonesio, Steward of the MCLA AFSCME unit; and Erin Kelly, president of the MCLA Student Government Association. In addition, Michael Reopell, president of the MCLA Alumni Association and Maxwell Ayisi, student trustee will present Dr. Grant with the Presidential Medallion, while Leibowitz will present a Key to the College and Professor Bonnie Bishoff who chaired the Inauguration Planning Committee will read an MCLA Proclamation. President Grant holds a Ph.D. from The Florence Heller Graduate School for Advanced Studies in Social Welfare at Brandeis University, an M.S. in public affairs from the McCormack Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Massachusetts and a B.A. in sociology from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. She is a member of the Boards of Directors of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and Northern Berkshire Health Systems. She also serves as an associate for the Nellie Mae Foundation and a corporator of MountainOne. President Grant resides in North Adams with her husband, Jim Canavan. Following the Inauguration a series of panels will take place in Bowman Hall. One panel will feature College alumni who majored in sociology and will discuss their career paths. Another will focus on the past, present and future of public higher education in Massachusetts. A third panel will focus on public policy and those in need with an emphasis on families. Additionally, a number of scholarly presentations by current students will be showcased. The community is also welcome to attend an Inaugural Reception from 5-7p.m., which will be held at the Church Street Center Social Hall, following which the MCLA Community Band will perform in the Church Street Center Auditorium at 7:15 p.m. For more information about any of these events, call 413-662-5204.

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:57PM / Friday, December 19, 2025

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.) The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few. All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house. New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house. New paver patio in the back yard.

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

What do the current owners love about this home?

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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