MCLA Grad Joins College as Alumni Relations Coordinator

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Brandon Pender
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Office of Advancement has hired alumnus Brandon Pender to be its alumni relations coordinator.

Pender will network with MCLA’s younger alumni to connect them with the college. This includes online social networking on MCLA’s alumni Web page and on Facebook. Other responsibilities will include working on phoneathon fund-raising events and staying connected with graduating students so that MCLA might provide them with networking opportunities as they enter the job market.

Pender, who earned a bachelor of arts degree in English/communications in 2007, comes to his new position from the State House. There, he worked as a research analyst in the office of Rep. Brian Dempsey,  a Democrat from the 3rd Essex District, and chairman of the Joint Committee of Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. Previously, Pender served in the same position for state Rep. Daniel Bosley, D-North Adams, the former chairman of the committee.

"We are so pleased to have Brandon join us here in the advancement office," said Marianne Drake, chief advancement officer, institutional advancement. "As a former student, he will contribute much as he brings a great skill set to the college and will be an outstanding resource for our alumni."

A main goal of his position is to make sure that students know that the MCLA Advancement Office is available to them before they graduate, Pender said. Once they earn their degree, "it’s just connecting these younger alums and making sure that we have their information to connect with them to see how they’re doing, what they’re doing and where they are in life, because we do care here."

Pender said MCLA is a great resource for its alumni.


"I want recent graduates – as well as those who are currently at MCLA – to know that we are a resource for them. We want them to connect with alums out there and to hear their stories. We want the transition from college to career to be a little less stressful."

Active on campus while a student at MCLA, Pender was a forward on the men’s basketball team and president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee and vice president of the Multicultural Student Society; acted as a peer advisor; was a member of the intramural staff, the Dance Company and the African American Studies Club; worked in the president’s office as an assistant to the communications specialist; and had an internship with the Berkshire Hills Internship Program at the Williams College ’62 Center for Theatre and Dance. After graduation and until he became the alumni relations coordinator, Pender was a class agent and a member of the MCLA Alumni Board.

"Everything I did at MCLA prepared me for what I’m doing now," Pender said. "It’s great to be back."

Alumni who would like to reconnect with the college should contact Pender at b.pender@mcla.edu or 413- 662-5392.
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Companion Corner Grey Boy at No Paws Left Behind

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — There's a cat No Paws Left Behind still waiting for his forever home.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home. He was previously highlighted but he now has new information.

Grey Boy is 10 years old and is a gray and white domestic shorthair and was previously highlighted on Companion Corner.

The shelter's Executive Director Noelle Howland introduced us to him and his long journey to be ready for adoption.

"He's been here a couple months. He was a transfer from a rescue in Bennington. They were out of space, so we had taken him in with a few other cats. So he's been here a couple months. He came in with what we believed was a respiratory infection," she said. "So it took us a little bit to get him ready, and then he also needed a dental. So he has nice, clean teeth. He had some teeth removed, and then he has to go back in and have one more dental. So he'll be all ready to go."

It was previously thought that he has feline herpes but he was recently diagnosed with a palette fracture because of how bad his dental disease was, which is what is causing his sneezing. He can now go home with cats, a cat-savvy dog and children.

"He has had two dentals since being with us. Due to the palate fracture he will be sneezy for the rest of his life, not contagious sneezing, but that doesn’t stop him from living a perfectly happy life. He should be on wet food with chunks due to this and since he has had many teeth removed," Howland said.

Grey Boy loves to play with toys and enjoy treats. He would also love to have a window to lounge or bird-watch in.

"He is not afraid of anything. He's very curious, so I'm sure he'd love if you have windows for him to look out of. He still plays, even though he's 10 it does not stop him. So any home would be a good fit for him."

Now that he is ready to be adopted, he is excited. When you walk into the room with him he will rub up against your leg introducing himself and asking to be pet.

"Usually, I would say, when you're walking, he'll bonk into you so he might catch you off guard a little bit. He constantly is rubbing against you," Howland said. "He really, I would say he's lazy when you want him to be, and he's active when you want him to be. He'll play with toys. He's usually lounging away. And then when he comes out he'll play. He loves it. So, very friendly, easy going cat."

He is now perfectly healthy with his dentals all done and veterinary care up to date and is ready to find his forever family.

"I would say the friendliest, easiest cat you could have. He's just, he's just gonna be a little sneezy sometimes, but that doesn't stop him from doing anything," she said.

Grey Boy's adoption fee is sponsored by Rooted in Balance Counseling LLC.

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