OLLI at BCC to Host CNN’s Dana Bash at Mahaiwe

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College (OLLI at BCC) presents Dana Bash as the 2026 Mona Sherman Memorial speaker on Saturday, May 23 at 5 p.m. at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, located at 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington. Bash will be interviewed by Lisa Sharkey.  
 
To register for the free event, visit https://berkshireolli.org/event-6598207
 
According to a press release:
 
Dana Bash is CNN's chief political correspondent, anchor of "Inside Politics with Dana Bash" and co-anchor of "State of the Union with Jake Tapper and Dana Bash," the network's Sunday morning news show. Bash is an award-winning journalist who plays a key role in the network's political coverage, conducting high-profile interviews with candidates, serving as an anchor for CNN's "Election Night in America" special coverage and frequently moderating presidential debates and town hall specials. 
 
Bash's first book, "America's Deadliest Election," which she co-authored with David Fisher, details the 1872 Louisiana gubernatorial election. It debuted on the New York Times bestseller list. In 2021, Bash launched her CNN series, "Being…," which features in-depth conversations with individuals affecting American policy, politics and culture. Her digital CNN series, "Badass Women of Washington," profiles women who have shattered glass ceilings on their way up the ranks.  
 
Bash won the Radio and Television Correspondents Association's Joan S. Barone Award for her original reporting on a STOCK Act loophole that led Congress to pass legislation to close it. She is also a winner of the National Press Foundation's Sol Taishoff Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism and a three-time recipient of the Foundation's Everett McKinley Dirksen Award for Distinguished Reporting of Congress. 
 
Bash graduated cum laude with her bachelor's degree in political communications from The George Washington University. 
 
Lisa Sharkey, a creative pioneer across multiple media platforms, is senior vice president and publisher of Harper Influence, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. She has overseen the acquisition and publication of more than 100 New York Times bestsellers, including multiple at number one. She has published such authors as former Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi, journalist Jim Acosta, former NFL football player Tim Tebow, Congressman Jamie Raskin, skier Lindsey Vonn, former Yankee Jorge Posada, gymnast Jordan Chiles, supermodel Christie Brinkley, journalist Chris Whipple and His Majesty King Charles. A two-time Emmy Award winner, Sharkey is also the recipient of Peabody and Dupont Awards for her work as part of the ABC News team during 9/11. 
 
Sharkey spearheads the annual Mona Sherman Memorial Lecture in honor of her late mother. The event brings high-profile speakers to the Berkshires at no cost to the community each Memorial Day weekend.  
 

Tags: BCC,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Taconic High Names Top Students of the Class of 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Taconic High School Principal Matthew Bishop has announced the valedictorian and salutatorian of the class of 2026. 
 
They will speak during the graduation ceremony on Friday, June 12, at 4 p.m at Tanglewood in Lenox. 
 
Gavin O'Donnell, son of Kevin and Colleen O'Donnell of Pittsfield, has been named valedictorian with a grade average of 103. Hunter Bentz, son of Heidi Bentz of Pittsfield, has been named salutatorian with a grade average of 102.4.
 
Throughout his high school career, O'Donnell has exemplified the values of leadership, commitment, and excellence that define the Taconic community. He achieved high honors all four years and made significant contributions to both the school and the wider community. He was an active member of the Link Crew, Green and Gold, and Class Council, just to name a few of his activities. 
 
A dedicated athlete, O'Donnell played soccer and baseball all four years and was named captain of the varsity soccer and baseball teams both junior and senior years. His commitment to service extended beyond athletics, as he volunteered with Unified Games and was a math tutor at Taconic. He has also been an active part of Pittsfield Soccer Club, where he has helped
referee youth soccer games and assisted in getting the fields ready for game days.
 
He has earned several awards, including being a member of the National Honor Society,  the John and Abigail Adams Award, and being an AP Scholar and an AP Capstone Graduate. 
 
O'Donnell plans to pursue a degree in finance at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where he will continue to play baseball and hopes to excel as a student. 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories