Girls Inc. Celebration Evening Honoring Grant of MCLA
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Girls Inc. of the Berkshires is the core program of the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center in Pittsfield.
Grant is the 11th president of MCLA and the first alumna of the college to serve as its president. Under her leadership, MCLA has expanded academic programming and facilities, including the launch of a new major in political science and public policy and a related lecture series, and a minor in cross cultural studies and social justice; recruited an array of new faculty; provided students with new study away, internship, research and service opportunities; overseen growth in enrollment, strengthened the connections between the college and the community; and become part of the Massachusetts State University System. Grant has provided leadership in advancing the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) agenda in Berkshire County and statewide. Recognition of these efforts led to MCLA securing funding for the Center for Science and Innovation.
Grant is a passionate advocate for public higher education, civic engagement, and community service. She is the recipient of the 2010 Council for the Advancement and Support of Education District 1 Executive Leadership Award in recognition of her success in increasing MCLA's institutional stature in, and service to, the community; the 2011 American Council on Education Massachusetts National Network of Women Leaders Lifetime Achievement Award; and the 2011 Francis H. Hayden Award from the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. She chairs the Massachusetts Campus Compact executive committee, is a member of the executive committee of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, which champions public liberal arts education in the United States and Canada, and is a former chairman of the Massachusetts State University Council of Presidents.
Presented annually since 1990, the "She Knows Where She Is Going" award recognizes strong, smart, and bold Berkshire County women leaders who exemplify the vision and values of Girls Inc. Past honorees have included Beth Mitchell, Nancy Woitkowski, Jeannie Norris, Carol Siegel, Dr. Maria Sirois, Julianne Boyd, Jane Bresnahan, Maria Brodeur, Marilyn Sperling, Margaret "Peg" Downing, Tracy Ruberto, Beth Wallace, Gwen Davis-Ouillette, Sr. Julia Sullivan, P. Keyburn Hollister, Kay Klem, Katherine O'Brien, June Roy Martin, and Gail Molari.
In addition, to the award, Girls Inc. will present scholarships to eight young women who will graduate from high school and go onto higher education. These scholarships are based on financial need and demonstrated involvement in community service. Scholarships are generously underwritten by: Ruth P. Boraski Trust for Girls Inc. of the Berkshires, Zonta Club of Berkshire County, Berkshire Community College Foundation, MCLA and Westfield State University.
This year’s scholarship recipients are as follows:
Ruth P. Boraski Trust for Girls Inc. of the Berkshires:
Chelsea Lefebvre (Champlain College)
Amanda Larabee (Castleton Stage College)
Rebekah Packer (Smith College)
Gabrielle Tyer (Springfield College)
Berkshire Community College Foundation:
Stacy Twing (BCC)
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts:
Amanda Masoero (MCLA)
Zonta Club of Berkshire County:
Samantha Miller (Stonehill College)
Westfield State University:
Amanda Canale (Westfield State University)
To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Bethany Pelletier, at 413 442-5174, Ext. 12, or bethanyp@brighamcenter.org
