MCLA Ranked No. 7 Top Public Liberal Arts School in 2024 U.S. News and World Report

08:34AM / Tuesday, September 19, 2023Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) has earned the No. 7 spot on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts Schools in the nation for a third year in a row.

The College's continued commitment to affordable education and economic prosperity is reflected in the 2024 U.S. News and World Report with additional rankings: No. 1 for Top Performer on Social Mobility in the state, No. 2 in the country, and No. 22 for National Liberal Arts Colleges.

MCLA has appeared on U.S. News' list of Top Ten Public Colleges for 9 consecutive years. The College has also been acknowledged in its list of National Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Mobility since the organization adopted this ranking in 2019. This list measures how well institutions graduate students who receive federal Pell Grants, typically awarded to students whose families make less than $50,000, though most Pell Grant money goes to families with income below $20,000.

"Each year that MCLA appears in the Top Ten Public College rankings I am reminded how incredibly committed our faculty and staff are when it comes to the growth and success of our Trailblazers by demonstrating an unwavering dedication to excellence," said President James F. Birge, Ph.D. "I am grateful to be part of an institution like MCLA that has made enormous improvements over the last year and its rankings for Top Performer on Social Mobility."

More than 42 percent of MCLA undergraduate students receive Pell Grants, and 51 percent are the first in their families to go to college. Overall, 93 percent of students receive some kind of financial aid.

"Enrolling at MCLA makes such a difference on student and faculty lives as well as on the community at large," said Brenda Burdick, Chair of the MCLA Board of Trustees. "I'm truly amazed by the ongoing success of MCLA – an institution that consistently shines as a top-notch provider of high quality, accessible, and affordable education. Being recognized as a Top Ten Public College affirms this commitment."

U.S. News ranks colleges based on indicators that reflect a school's student body, its faculty, and its financial resources, along with outcome measures that signal how well the institution achieves its mission of educating students.

For more information, go to usnews.com/colleges.

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
12:37PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.

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