Simon's Rock 2024 Alumni Reunion Begins May 31

12:05PM / Friday, May 24, 2024Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The 2024 Bard College at Simon's Rock Alumni Reunion will begin on Friday, May 31 through Sunday, June 2, 2024.

The events will kick off on Friday with the BBQ Mixer and Lawn Games, which will take place on The White House front lawn, followed by the world premiere of the Great Barrington Public Theater's performance of "Dog People," and the Alumni Buffet Breakfast on Saturday morning.

Following the breakfast, the Herbarium Tour & Demo, guided by Professor Donald McClellan and Alum Hannah Wheeler, will take visitors through the internationally recognized plant collection which includes species from the Simon's Rock program on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, and segue into a picnic lunch with Provost John Weinstein at the Simon's Rock Farm and Center for Food and Resilience. The festivities will conclude on Sunday with a Champagne Brunch in the Dining Hall.

During reunion weekend, alumni and their families can also indulge in special discounts and deals, such as 20 percent off Simon's Rock gear at the Campus Store and at local businesses The facilities of the Kilpatrick Athletic Center will also be available for free to alumni and their families throughout the entire weekend.

Businesses that are interested in offering special discounts to Simon's Rock alumni from May 31-June 2 should contact Asa Cade, acade@simons-rock.edu, for more information on how to participate.

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Elevated Mercury Level Found in Center Pond Fish

11:41AM / Friday, December 19, 2025

BECKET, Mass. — The state Department of Public Health has issued an advisory after a mercury-contaminated fish was found in Center Pond.

According to a letter sent to the local Board of Health from the Division of Environmental Toxicology, Hazard Assessment and Prevention, elevated levels of mercury were measured in the sample taken from the pond.

The concentration in the fish exceeded DPH's action level of 0.5 milligrams per kilogram, or parts per million.

"This indicates that daily consumption of fish from the waterbody may pose a health concern. Therefore, DPH has issued a FCA for Center Pond recommending that sensitive populations should not eat chain pickerel and all other people should limit consumption of chain pickerel to 2 meals/month," the letter states.

The letter specifically points to chain pickerel, but the 60-acre pond also has largemouth and smallmouth bass and yellow perch.

The "sensitive populations" include children younger than 12, those who are nursing, pregnant, or who may become pregnant.

The Toxicology Division recommends reducing intake of "large, predatory fish" or fish that feed on the bottoms of waterbodies, such as largemouth bass and carp. More information on safely eating fish can be found here.

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