BCC to Hold Annual Alumni Meeting and Dinner

12:28PM / Monday, June 05, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) will hold its annual alumni meeting and dinner on Tuesday, June 6, from 5-6:30 pm in the Connector.

A Makerspace tour in the Science Commons, the College's creative space for STEM learning, will be held before the event from 4-5 pm.

To register for the event, visit www.bcc.edu/alumnievents.

The meeting will begin with welcome remarks from BCC President Ellen Kennedy, followed by board member introductions and meeting updates from Alumni Board President Melissa Myers and Director of Alumni Relations and Events Caterina Penna. Throughout the evening, BCC alumni will learn about upcoming news and events, alumni benefits and how to get involved.

BCC alumni include anyone who has attended a class or a semester, completed a certificate program or received a degree at BCC.

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Berkshire Vietnam Veterans Receive Long-Awaited Welcome Home

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
04:52AM / Wednesday, September 16, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Hundreds gathered at the fence of Pittsfield Municipal Airport to give Berkshire County Vietnam veterans the warm welcome home they did not receive nearly 60 years ago.

As the sun rose high over the Berkshire Mountains, nearly a dozen veterans hopped on a small chartered jet to Washington, D.C., where they were able to visit their fallen comrades at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

The daylong trip, organized by former state Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli, marked the first Honor Flight for veterans departing from Pittsfield Municipal Airport.

"It was very emotional because we have friends on the wall that we had a chance to go back and do a little bit more closure," Air Force veteran Lenwood "Woody" Vaspra said.

As the veterans returned home after the "emotional trip" they were greeted with patriotic tunes performed by Lenox High School Band, and a wave of community members, including some family members, clapping and screaming out their names. For some, the sight brought tears to their eyes.

The evening ended with a moment of unity as Laurie Schiff performed "God Bless America" a cappella. Community members joined hands and added their voices to hers, bringing the homecoming ceremony to a close.

The day was filled with several phases of surprises, Pignatelli said, from being greeted by Congressman Richard Neal at the memorial wall to being gifted tribute bags at the welcome home ceremony.

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