MCLA Alumni Foundation Recognizes Distinguished Alum
Ed Sokolowsi speaks on receiving the Distinguished Alum Award.
Gina Coleman and Annie Pecor earned their Master of Education degrees from MCLA in 2000 and 2009, respectively.
Coleman, who earned her bachelor's degree from Williams College and doctoral degree in educational leadership and policy through the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, addressed the gathering in the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation via video upon receiving the Outstanding Educator Emeritus Award.
"MCLA served as the foundation of my development as an educational practitioner," said Coleman, who is also head women's rugby coach at Williams and vocalist for the renowned Misty Blues. "William Butler Yates once said that education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire, the instruction I received and the professors I had ignited a passion in me for my field of study."
She is currently director of diversity, equity and inclusion for the Brien Center, and was principal of Pittsfield's Herberg Middle School and associate dean of students, associate director of admission and director of diversity recruitment at Williams.
Coleman thanked the faculty at MCLA and said she was "forever indebted to this institution, and I garner a deep sense of pride when it's bestowed well-deserved recognition and accolades. Thank you again for this award. I'm truly humbled and immeasurably honored to receive it. Now have an extra dessert for me."
Pecor was presented the Outstanding Educator Award, becoming the second generation to receive an Alumni Award following her father, Donald Pecor, who received the emeritus distinction last year.
"When I was thinking about the honor of getting an Outstanding Educator Award, it felt important to acknowledge that this award, earning an award like this, wouldn't be possible if I didn't pay honor to all the outstanding educators in my life," she said, highlighting some of the teachers who made an impression on her, including the late Susan Zoltek, who taught her "when you're working with students and really when you're working with people, your words matter and really think about what your intention is and what your heart is trying to say, because it really impact who they are."
She thanked Kimberly Roberts-Morandi for nominating her and being one of those who "pave the way for you to do the good work in your community," and her father, "who was the first teacher in my life, and who I modeled my career after in North Adams."
"Education is more important than ever," said Pecor. "How are we working together as a community to build critical thinkers, to really think about what it means to be a global citizen, to be a responsible individual, and to show up every day in every space, with a kind heart and to be community minded, whether that's in our own personal lives, in our professional spaces, and just with each other."
She earned her bachelor's degree from Siena College in 1999 and both her master's and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate studies from MCLA, and her doctorate in education from the University of New England. She has been a middle school teacher, started a peer mentoring program and principal of Dalton's Craneville Elementary School. She was most recently director of Northern Berkshire adult education and 21st Century programming and sits on the board of the Berkshire Leadership program and Berkshire County Suicide Prevention.
Katie Brelsford, class of 2010 and president and CEO of KB Accounting, received the Vanguard Award for her work in supporting small businesses, providing internships and serving in the community on the board of Hillcrest Education Centers, treasurer of the 1Berkshire Strategic Alliance Foundation and chair of the Berkshire Black Economic Council.
"Her commitment to mentorship extends to her role as an instructor for E for All, where she teaches the bookkeeping segment of the program equipping entrepreneurs with the financial knowledge necessary to run successful businesses," said presenter, Danielle Gismondi. "Unfortunately, Katie was unable to attend today, but I would love to give her a round of applause."
Edward Sokolowski, class of 1992, was presented the Distinguished Alum Award for his professional and community achievements. He is a founding partner of the Pioneer Valley Financial Group, and leads a financial advisory business managing $650 million in assets. He supports a number of nonprofits in the Pioneer Valley including the Wilbraham Friends of Recreation and the Ludlow Community Center. The Pioneer Valley Charitable Fund has contributed $150,000 to support the community in the last three years.
Sokolowski said he owed MCLA two public thank-yous — one for taking a chance on an unprepared freshman and the second for giving him another chance when he screwed up. And he owed a former boss for opening his eyes in considering what a nonprofit organization means personally and the community, in the present and in the future.
"He said, 'give till it hurts, because if someone is asking you, it probably means you are in a better position than the person or organization that needs your help,'" Sokolowski said. "That stuck with me, and it does stick with all of the employees of PV Financial. I'd like to thank my wife who can't make it here today, Karen, I wouldn't be here also without her. So thank you this. This award is an incredible honor, and I think it does help validate my second chance that I was given here at MCLA."
The award ceremony was bittersweet as two awards were given posthumously. Jonathan Monroy, class of 2013, and Jennifer Schimmel, class of 1999, were remembered for their leadership and love within and without the college community.
Schimmel was a executive director of the Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity for a dozen years and had supported non-profit organizations in a variety of roles. She died in early 2024 after brief illness.
Her best friend of 20 years, Jani Burke, accepted the Community Service and Citizenship Award on behalf Schimmel's sister and her son, Jackson.
"I was with Jen at her last stage so it hits me hard when we talk about her and her life and the light that she shone in everything that she did. she loved and thrived in the nonprofit world," said Burke, who was wearing Schimmel's "Habitat" dress. "I can share so much about her love for the nonprofit world, but it was really about the people she supported and the homes that she was able to build for the community members. One of her biggest things, she often said was to make sure that someone's time, talent and treasure was always utilized. ...
"She wanted to make sure that everyone she touched felt value."
Monroy died in late 2024 after losing his battle with cancer. A member of Pi Upsilon Pi, the Pines, he remained active with Alumni Association and made regular service trips to Guatemala, offering care and comfort to children battling cancer in local hospitals. He also served on the board of Revive Guatemala, a global nonprofit committed to empowering communities, said presenter Crystal Adelt.
His sister, Sonia Colón, and his mother, Sara Monroy, accepted the Service to College Award on his behalf.
"Jonathan believed wholeheartedly in the power of education, community and service," said Colón. "He was the first in our family to pursue college, blazing a trail that inspired me to follow. ... Here, he built a lifelong friendship that became more like his family. Here, he graduated with determination and chose to keep giving back raising funds for students supporting organizations, volunteering his time and pouring himself into causes bigger than himself.
"That was Jonathan's joy, serving his friends, his church, his missionary work and his school. He never sought the spotlight, but instead lived a life that lit the way for others."
College President Jamie Birge, in welcoming the gathering, said they were bound together as members of one alumni association with 130 years of history and tradition,.
"You are, each of you a beacon for alumni to follow in an aspirational model for our current students, you join a group of dedicated MCLA advocates who are here today and around the country," he said.
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