Local Students Earn Williams College Degrees

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williams College President Morton Owen Schapiro today conferred bachelor of arts degrees on 18 Berkshire County graduates at the college's 220th Commencement on Sunday.

Adams                                             

Kari A. Lyden-Fortier, daughter of Wayne Fortier and Beth Lyden-Fortier, majored in English and with honors in psychology.

Christopher K. St. Cyr, son of Kirk and Laurie St. Cyr, majored in economics.

Dalton

Brenna E. Baccaro, daughter of Robert J. Baccaro and the late Lorene Erb Baccaro, majored with honors in biology.

She was elected to the science honorary society Sigma Xi and was a Class of 1960 Scholar in biology and in biochemistry and molecular biology. She also was a Summer Research Fellow in biology. Baccaro was a junior adviser and in the Williams Community Building Program. She performed with the Irish dance/music group Inish, the step dance squad Sankofa and with the Williams percussion music ensemble.

Rahul Bahl, son of Vinod and Manju Bahl, majored in history and political economy.

He wond the Arthur B. Graves Essay Prize and was named a Lehman Scholar for service to both the Williams and wider community. He also was senior class marshal, participated in varsity golf, the Purple Bull Investment Club and All Campus Entertainment.

Katie F. Grace, daughter of Heather and Tim Grace, graduated cum laude and majored with honors in political science.

She served on the Sophomore Council, Committee on Undergraduate Life, Williams Women's Center Leadership Board and Political Science Student-Faculty Liaison Committee and was a leader for Williams Outdoor Orientation for Living as First-Years. She also participated in rugby and novice crew.

Lee

Brian J. Delmolino, son of Joseph Delmolino and Virginia Delmolino, majored in art and history.

Lenox

Brooks M. Sherman, majored in religion.

North Adams

Amber M. LaFountain, daughter of Mary Ellen LaFountain, majored in history.

She interned at the Williamstown House of Local History and participated in Ultimate Frisbee.

Jenna R. Taft, daughter of Lynn and Lawrence Taft, majored in chemistry.

She won the Frank C. Goodrich 1945 Award in Chemistry and participated in junior varsity basketball and Symphonic Winds.

Sarah J. Willey, daughter of James Willey and Donna Cuzzone, majored in biology.

She performed with the Symphonic Winds and Handbell Choir and participated in the Relay for Life.

Pittsfield

Jonathan P. Berch, son of Kathryn and Stephen Berch, majored in mathematics.

He was head chef of the Jewish Religious Association and performed with the Symphonic Winds, Student Symphony and chamber groups. He also participated in the Chess and Martial Arts clubs and taught chess at the Milne Public Library.

Emily M. Flynn, daughter of David and Deborah Flynn, majored in human ecology.

She was a Class of 1960 Scholar in psychology. She received an Erik K. Butler Scholarship and O'Herron Scholarship, and studied at the Williams-Mystic Maritime Studies Program in Connecticut. She served as class vice president, and was an ambassador and tour guide for the Admission Office, a Post-Katrina Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, campus coordinator for Teach for America, contributor to the student newspaper, and leader for Williams Outdoor Orientation for Living as First-Years. Flynn also participated in the a cappella group The Accidentals and in junior varsity soccer.

Elizabeth A. Goggins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Goggins, majored in classics and history.

She was awarded an alumni internship and was Currier Neighborhood treasurer, coordinator of the first-year orientation program "Where Am I?!" tutor at Mount Greylock Regional High School, and a Reunion Ranger. She also participated in junior varsity soccer.

Elizabeth A. Leibinger, daughter of David and Diana Leibinger, majored in history.

She earned a certificate in Spanish, was a contributor to the student newspaper and a leader of the first-year orientation program "Where Am I?!"

Kristen D. Milano, daughter of Arthur and Sara Milano, majored in English.

She was a peer writing tutor, elementary school volunteer tutor, tntern and docent at the Williams College Museum of Art, and musical director of the a cappella group The Accidentals.

Williamstown

Erica R. DeWitt, daughter of Mary Lou and William DeWitt, majored in geosciences.

She was a Class of 1960 Scholar in geosciences and studied for a semester at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. She also performed with the African music and dance group Kusika.

Alexander C. Kopynec, son of Renate Kopynec and Bohdan Kopynec, graduated magna cum laude in biology.

He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, was a junior adviser and a member and co-president of the a cappella group The Octet. He also participated in Ultimate Frisbee.
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'Swatting' Incident at Mount Greylock Regional School

Staff Reports iBerkshires
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williamstown Police on Wednesday morning responded to an apparent 'swatting' incident at Mount Greylock Regional School.
 
At 10:17 a.m., police were notified by the middle-high school that a threat was phoned in to the school, police reported in a news release.
 
Mount Greylock implemented its security protocols, and the police responded to the Cold Spring Road campus with assistance from the North Adams and Lanesborough Police Departments and State Police, according to the release.
 
Law enforcement officers conducted a search of the school and surrounding areas. The search uncovered no evidence to support the threat and the school returned to normal operations at 11:03 a.m., police said. Additional public safety resources were to remain on scene for the remainder of the school day.
 
The investigation is continuing, and persons with information are requested to notify the Williamstown Police Department at 413-458-5733.
 
Swatting is a dangerous, illegal hoax where perpetrators make false emergency reports — such as bomb threats or active shooters — to provoke a heavily armed law enforcement (SWAT) response to a target's address, police said. It is a criminal act of harassment or retaliation that puts victims, officers, and the public in immediate physical danger.
 
The Williamstown Fire Department and Northern Berkshire Emergency Medical Services also provided assets to assist in the police response.
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