North Adams - Richard C. Lamb, president of True North Financial Services, was elected chairman of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Board of Trustees at this month's meeting.
Lamb, president of True North Financial Services in North Adams, replaces Dr. Eugene Leibowitz, a retired neurosurgeon who served as chairman since March 2001.
"I am excited to be part of the leadership of the Board, which includes the remarkable efforts of Dr. Mary Grant, and to continue the great work of Gene Leibowitz, who served for years with such dedication," Lamb said. "It's an exciting time for the College, particularly as we look forward to the reopening of Murdock Hall."
President Mary K. Grant said that Lamb, who previously served as theBoard's vice chairman, had demonstrated his commitment to MCLA and a passion for the work of the institution.
"He's going to be a wonderful chairman," she said. "The benefit of his experience and leadership roles in the community will bring a great capacity to the Board. I feel the institution will be extraordinarily well-served."
From the start, Grant said, Leibowitz hit the ground running when he began serving on the Board as a new member, then as its new chairman and as the chairman of the search committee for a new college president after former President Thomas D. Aceto announced his retirement.
"Gene has been a passionate and devoted steward of the institution. He cares deeply about public higher education, he cares deeply about MCLA, he cares deeply about how MCLA serves both the Berkshires and the commonwealth," Grant said. "He's been a phenomenal board chair. We're really fortunate that he has another five-year term and continues to serve on the Board, which I'm very grateful for."
Other changes at the June 8 meeting included the election of retired elementary school principal and Williamstown Selectwoman Jane B. Allen as the board's vice chairwoman. The Board also recognized the tenure of Stephen E. Fix, Ph.D., an English professor at Williams College, for his 10 years of service.
Fix reflected on his decade on the board, where he served under the
leadership of two MCLA presidents. He recognized former President Aceto for his service and thanked Grant for her passion and saluted her for her accomplishments.
"MCLA has a remarkable faculty and staff," Fix said. "I have served on the Board under the leadership of three Board chairs. Gene Leibowitz, you have done a superb job. To my fellow trustees, you have a keen sense of the trustee role - deeply informed and passionate about the College. We are part of a remarkable history here. It is exciting to be part of MCLA."
Lamb has served as president of True North Financial Services, a
subsidiary of MountainOne Financial, since 1997. Previously, he was vice president of Coakley, Pierpan, Dolan & Collins Insurance Agency, also an affiliated company.
Lamb was the mayor of North Adams from 1978 to 1983.
A 1971 graduate of Williams College, Lamb was awarded an honorary
doctorate from MCLA in 1984. He previously served MCLA as the chairman of the college's foundation for several years and is the chairman of the college's fiscal affairs committee. He also has served as a trustee of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts and on the Coolidge Hill Foundation Board of Directors.
Lamb resides in Williamstown with his wife, Holly Taylor.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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