PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Community College (BCC) Foundation announced the creation of the Richard J. Melluzzo Scholarship, made possible by an anonymous donor in honor of the late psychologist and public health administrator. 

 

Melluzzo, who died in December 2021, was a resident of Great Barrington for more 45 years and was an active member of the community. 

 

The scholarship, intended to honor Melluzzo's passion for mental health, will be presented to incoming students at BCC who are enrolled in the human services field of study.

 

Awards will range from $1,000 to full tuition and fees. Eligible students can apply by visiting www.berkshirecc.edu/scholarships by Aug. 5, 2022. Students in need of financial aid not covered by grants, scholarships or other funds are encouraged to apply. 

 

"Scholarships at BCC can make college a possibility for people who never thought they would be able to attain a degree," said BCC President Ellen Kennedy. "Richard Melluzzo was a special person who cared deeply about the mental health and wellbeing of his clients and his community, and we can't think of a better way to honor his memory than this important scholarship." 

 

Melluzzo's career in mental health spanned 42 years. He was a psychologist at the Wassaic Developmental Center in Wassaic, New York; program director of Inpatient Psychiatric Units at Berkshire Medical Center; administrator of Family Care of the Berkshires at Berkshire Medical Center; and program director of Greylock Pavilion, a 20-bed inpatient psychiatric unit at North Adams Regional Hospital. Most recently, he was a marriage and family therapist and social worker at RJM Consulting, an outpatient mental health clinic and healthcare consultation service in Great Barrington.  

 

Melluzzo earned an undergraduate degree in psychology from Ohio Wesleyan University, a master's degree in guidance and counseling from University of Hartford and a master of public administration degree from Russell Sage College. He also served on the Great Barrington Board of Selectman and Finance Committee collectively for 10 years. 

 

In a letter shared by his wife of 48 years, Patrice, Melluzzo wrote: "I knew from early elementary school that a career in the mental health field was the vocation for me. My clients were an inspiration in my life and I recall, with great pride, the many successes they experienced. Their hard work and bravery in facing lifelong issues was a great point of pride." 

 

The Human Services Department at BCC encompasses certificate programs in addiction recovery, mental health and human services, as well as a social work associate degree program for students planning to transfer into a four-year institution to earn a bachelor's degree. 

 

For more information about the Human Services Department or about the Richard J. Melluzzo Scholarship, email

scholarships@berkshirecc.edu or call (413) 499-4660.