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A Top College, Again: The MCLA Community Reflects on Success

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As a top ten public college, MCLA has a lot to offer: more than 100 scholarships, a liberal arts curriculum that helps students learn across academic disciplines, tons of student activities, and support ranging from student-led tutoring to the TRIO Program, which focuses on helping low- income, first-generation, or disabled students get the most out of their college experience.
 
These are all important facets—and no doubt part of why MCLA also continues to appear on U.S. News’ list of best colleges for social mobility—but the MCLA community, who work here, live here, and learn here, has more to say about why MCLA has been named a Top Ten College for nine of the last 11 years, and keeps climbing the rankings lists each year.
 
"I think MCLA is a top college because of the quality of education it provides," said Domenica Gomez ’23, who attends MCLA while working as an admission ambassador, giving tours to prospective students. "Throughout my college experience I have had the opportunity to receive one-on-one assistance from professors that genuinely care about your educational success and
make long-lasting connections that will help shape my future."
 
Kayla Hollins ’12, MCLA’s director of admission, came to MCLA from New York City and has helped thousands of students learn more about the College before they apply. 
 
"MCLA is a top ten college because it is filled with true trailblazers—first generation students, students who live far from campus, undeclared students, and more," she said. "These are students who took a chance on our small community—and our community continues to deliver a quality education. MCLA is a place for all students to learn how to be a leader. As an alum, I pride myself on being a Trailblazer, and as the director of admission, I hope to recruit more of us to the institution."
 
MCLA professors bring their classes to experience everything in the Berkshires, from tracking salamanders in the MCLA forest and Mount Greylock State Reservation to working with museum staff on arts and education projects. 
 
"We have incredible access to the arts," said Professor of Art Melanie Mowinski. "MASS MoCA, the largest contemporary art museum in the country, is one of our teaching labs. I think that experiential element related to the arts, the environment, and the beauty of the land is what continues to make us a top ten school."
 
"I think the institution, meaning the people who are at its core, understand and stay true to the ultimate mission: providing a quality affordable liberal arts education to a student population that is not especially advantaged," said Dennis Ducharme ’82, president of the MCLA Alumni Association. "The college provides amazing support through a great student to faculty ratio and with many layers of services geared to maximize retention and graduation rates. The result is an educational experience that puts our students on an upward trajectory, both financially and as engaged members of their communities."
 
Want to learn more about MCLA? Talk to the Office of Admission, or plan a visit, at www.mcla.edu.

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Mount Williams Donates Flowers to Spruce Up Fire Department Yard for 9/11 Ceremony

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — In preparation for the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, the Fire Department wanted to clean up the side yard where it typically holds a remembrance ceremony.

"We wanted to make it look nicer because we are going to do a 9/11 ceremony here, so all of us got together, we cleaned it up, did all the stone work," said John Marlowe, firefighters' union president.

Marlowe said after their initial cleanup, the yard was still pretty bare, so they called Mount Williams Greenhouse for a quote on some plantings.

Instead, the business offered to donate the flowers and labor.

"They decided they wanted to do it for free," Marlowe said. "So they are donating all of the flowers and labor. They are a great group and great family. Great community members."

Monday afternoon, firefighters helped carry flowers and, other than supplying some water, let Mount Williams do its thing.

Flowers were planted in the circular area around the flagpole. Mount Williams planted New Guinea impatiens, regular impatiens, geraniums, ageratum, and salvia.

Marlowe said the department will hold its 9/11 ceremony on Sept. 11 at 8:46 a.m., the exact time when the first plane struck the Twin Towers. Police and EMS will also be present.

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