Four MCLA professor's Awarded Tenure

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Ann Billetz
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts President Mary K. Grant, Vice President for Academic Affairs Steven Green and the Board of Trustees recently announced that four faculty members have been granted tenure. They include: Ann Billetz, of the Department of Biology; Michael Birch, of the Department of English/Communications; Graziana Ramsden, of the Department of Modern Languages; and Ann Scott, of the Department of Education. An assistant professor at MCLA since 2002, Billetz holds a Ph.D. in regulatory biology and a M.A. in biology from Cleveland State University in Ohio, and a B.S. in biology from Walsh College in Michigan. She was a research fellow at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation’s departments of Cancer Biology and Biomedical Engineering. A member of the American Society for Microbiology, the Society of Protozoologists, and the American Society for Enology and Viticulture, Billetz’s publications include articles in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research and in Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology. She teaches courses in biology, cell biology, biochemistry, human anatomy, microbiology, parasitology and human biology at MCLA. Also at MCLA since 2002, Birch, teaches courses in the areas of semiology of sound and image, theory of genre and audience reception. Other courses include those in the history of broadcasting, sport and popular music, video/audio production and history of documentary. His numerous publications include “Narratives of Madness in Media,” “Representations of Schizophrenia in Television News,” and “Creating Accepting Communities: Report of the Mind Inquiry into Social Exclusion and Mental Health Problems,” about the representation of mental health in the media. An assistant professor, Birch holds a Ph.D. in politics and communications from the University of Liverpool in England, an M.A. in cultural studies from Lancaster University in Bailrigg, Lancaster, England, and a B.A. in drama, focusing on theatre and television, from King Alfred’s College in Winchester, England. Ramsden, an assistant professor at MCLA since 2002, received her Ph.D. in Hispanic Languages and Literatures from the University of California at Santa Barbara,and a Laurea in Lingue e Letterature Straniere (equivalent to a Master’s degree) in Peninsular Spanish Literature from the University of Venice in Italy. She teaches courses in Spanish and Italian, literature, and film and civilization. Ramsden serves on numerous committees at MCLA, and her publications include “Manuel Puig, Pedro Almodovar and the Politics of Camp” in The Mind’s Eye, and “Cinema as the Site of Identity and Desire: El beso de la mujer anana by Manuel Puig,” in the Utah Foreign Language Review. Forthcoming papers include “Anarchy and Incest in ‘The Carnivorous Lamb’” for MCLA, and “Amores Perros and New Punk Cinema,” for West Virginia University’s Colloquium on Stage and Screen Today. Scott, who has been at MCLA since 2002, earned her Ed.D. in the Language, Literacy and Culture Program at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, her M.Ed. in multicultural education at UMass-Amherst, and her B.A. in comparative literature from Smith College. Scott, an assistant professor, is the recipient of many academic honors, awards, and grants. Her published articles include “Latino Mental Health” in the Human Resource Association Conference Report, “Family Centered Services for Youth: Keeping Families Together” in Resources, “Minnie Mouse Meets Paulo Freire: Media Literacy, Praxis and Multicultural Education” in National Association for Multicultural Education. Her video productions include “Success Stories: The Mentor Program at Holyoke Community College and The Care Center.” For more information, go to www.mcla.edu .
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McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course. 
 
The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication. 
 
"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."
 
LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates. 
 
"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.
 
The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.
 
"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back. 
 
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