American Institute for Economic Research Names Next President

01:47PM / Friday, June 02, 2017Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Edward P. Stringham, a prominent U.S. political economist and thought leader in the field of private governance, has been named president of the American Institute for Economic Research, an 84-year-old research and education organization headquartered in Great Barrington.

In addition, he will serve as the organization's director of research and education. The appointment, announced by AIER’s Board of Trustees, was effective May 24.

"Dr. Stringham's accomplishments and experience make him uniquely qualified to build upon AIER’s great traditions and lead the institute in fulfilling its goals," said AIER Chairman Gregory van Kipnis. "We are confident that under his intellectual leadership AIER will succeed in carrying out its mission of educating the American people on the value of personal freedom, free enterprise, property rights, limited government and sound money in advancing peace, prosperity and human progress."

Stringham, who is the K.W. Davis Professor of Economic Organizations and Innovation at Trinity College in Connecticut, is a frequent contributor to both academic journals and the popular media. In addition to his position at Trinity, he also serves as editor of the Journal of Private Enterprise. He also is past president of the Society for the Development of Austrian Economics and the Association of Private Enterprise Education.

Prior to his Trinity appointment, Stringham taught at Texas Tech University, Fayetteville State University in North Carolina, Klagenfurt University in Austria and San Jose State University in California.

He is the author or editor of three books. His most recent, "Private Governance: Creating Order in Economic and Social Life," was published in 2015 by Oxford University Press.

A native of Brookline, Mass., Stringham received his B.A. from College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Mass., and his Ph.D. from George Mason University, Fairfax, Va.

"The mission of AIER is in perfect alignment with my interests, philosophical beliefs and life's work,” Stringham said.

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Free Vaccinations Available Throughout Berkshire County

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
10:30AM / Saturday, October 10, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fall season is also the flu season, which means vaccine clinics are now available.

The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative will provide public vaccination clinics in Berkshire communities this fall, including the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. There are about 49 clinics.

The collaborative began during COVID-19 to help vaccinate people across Berkshire County. Berkshire Health Systems started the Get Vaccinated Berkshires website and still manages it. The group works with the Pittsfield Public Health Department, Community Health Programs, and the Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative.

"The majority of people will always get the flu [vaccine] because, as I said, if you've ever gotten the flu, you will always get a flu vaccine because it's so bad. And just so you know, the flu is already in Berkshire County. It's an early season this year," said Leslie Drager, who is the senior public health nurse at Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

Drager said last year they issued 2,705 vaccines, with more than 1,100 of them being for COVID-19 and more than 1,500 being flu. In total, they were able to vaccinate 1,669 people in Central and North County, in addition to Pittsfield.

Drager also said she will be carrying three types of COVID vaccines this year, which is in high demand.

"We have a high demand of COVID vaccine, which is awesome," she said. "So we're doing a lot of COVID vaccines. Also, I provide Pfizer, and this year I have Moderna and the Novavax, which I think is real important to get out there because the Novavax, a lot of people want, people with long COVID. So I'm carrying all three vaccines this year, which I normally only carry the Pfizer."

Public health departments also can help people access other vaccines such as for measles or meningitis when they cannot get them through a pediatrician, she added.

Using the website, people are able to get vaccines even if they are homebound by filling out a form.

All public Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative clinics are free of charge, but registrants are asked to provide insurance information, when available, in order to defray costs. The clinics are open to anyone 6 months of age or older, the age group recommended to receive an annual flu vaccine and the latest COVID-19 vaccine.

"I always encourage everybody to wear a short sleeve shirt because it makes it a heck of a lot easier to get at," Drager said. "And children, we do carry the nasal flu, the live virus of nasal flu for kids that are afraid to get needles."

Registration is highly recommended for the clinics. Walk-ins may be accepted depending on the number of vaccine doses available at each clinic, with preference given to those who are registered.

"It's really important. I'm really encouraging vaccinations for the schools, because not only you know if the kids are vaccinated and the teachers are vaccinated, the schools won't have the flu go wild right through it," Drager said. "And of course, the best way to prevent infections: washing your hands. So don't touch your face, and wash your hands."

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