BCC Holds Pinning Ceremony for Nursing Graduates

08:00AM / Friday, January 24, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) held a traditional pinning ceremony for 40 graduates of the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program on Thursday, Jan. 16 at the Robert Boland Theatre on the main campus.

The wearing of the school pin symbolizes the right to serve others, signifying the acceptance of the responsibilities of the practice of nursing and the educational preparation of the wearer. The ceremony is a nursing school tradition dating to the turn of the twentieth century. The gold center of the pin features the college seal, including the words "To travel hopefully."

Five graduates received awards:

Marcia Bailey received the Academic Excellence in Nursing Award, which is presented to the student who has the highest GPA within the ADN program and is given in acknowledgment of academic excellence in nursing. This award recognizes the student’s hard work and determination demonstrated in the pursuit of nursing knowledge.

MacKenzie Muzzulin received the Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award, which is presented to a student who performs exemplary delivery of nursing skills in the clinical setting. This award recognizes the role of advocacy in nursing by promoting compassionate and holistic patient-centered care.

Cortney Provenzano received the Professionalism in Nursing Award, which is presented to a student who is committed to high quality patient care, and who also serves as a role model for teamwork and collaboration. The award recognizes the importance of communication and critical thinking while promoting the positive image of nursing.

Danna Toledo received the Berkshire Healthcare Systems Spirit of Caring Award, which is given to a graduating Associate Degree in Nursing student who best exemplifies the spirit of compassion. The recipient of this award is committed to clinical and service excellence, optimizes each patient interaction to its full potential, and shows caring and concern for patients and their families.

Nodia Wright received the Bette B. Everson Memorial Nursing Award, which is given to the graduating Associate Degree in Nursing student who best exemplifies the personal characteristics of commitment, perseverance and professional growth.

The ceremony honored the following Class of 2024 graduates:

Connecticut

Bloomfield: Symanther Grey

Canaan: Marcos Irausquin

Granby: Alysha Yard

Norfolk: MacKenzie Muzzulin

Suffield: Kristin Graeff

Massachusetts

Adams: Corrisa Regan

Cheshire: Colleen McKearney

Chicopee: Edwin Juma

Clarksburg: Marcia Bailey, Aurie Delano, Carissa Hartman

Dalton: Katie Higgins

Great Barrington: Elizabeth Pevzner

Hancock: Emily Condry

Lanesboro: Tonya Burns, Jordan Rosier

Lee: Alexandra Barnes, Alyssa Barnes, Michele Belliveau, Jennifer Donovan, Christina Tighe

Lowell: Elizabeth Nazaire

Pittsfield: Jaklyn Barbarotta, Bernice Cobbinah, Jocelyn Cote, Emily Greb, Rain Hajjar, Raisa Kachevsky, Elizabeth Kwaw, Madison Lamoureaux, Norah Moindi, Jennifer Phelps, Cortney Provenzano, Danna Toledo

Shrewsbury: Stefan Stidsen

Springfield: Auris Encarnacion, Frank Rogers, Nodia Wright

West Springfield: Yuko Tasato

Westfield: Leighan Toomey

Tags: BCC,

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Dalton Redevelopment Authority Seeks to Attract Veterinarian

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
02:04PM / Monday, March 02, 2026

DALTON, Mass. — The Dalton Redevelopment Authority is looking at revamping zoning to make it easier for a veterinarian to open an office.

This was prompted by resident Kevin Herkelman, an animal nutritionist who worked with veterinarians before retiring and moving to the area about a year ago.

He and his wife have many animals and found that area vet offices weren't accepting new patients or were booked out for a long time.

"When we moved here, we were looking for a vet. We have five dogs and a cat. I used to show dogs and things like that. When we tried to find a vet, we had a hard time even finding people taking new clients. So we ended up going over to Northampton. That's where we still are," he told a recent meeting of the authority.

He said it's more difficult to have to travel far, and even if residents have a veterinarian, it's likely in Pittsfield so they have to leave town.

Currently a veterinary office is only allowed in a B1, R1, or I1 zone and must be 100 feet from a boundary.

Herkelman and Chair John Boyle have been looking for a suitable location to entice a vet to come to the area but zoning has been an issue as it is very restrictive.

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