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.â€
For more information, go to www.mcla.edu .
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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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