Community Honors Ellen Kennedy, BCC's Longtime President
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Community College community celebrated outgoing President Ellen Kennedy for the innovation, kindness, and curiosity she has fostered on campus over the last 14 years.
She walked out to "Into The Mystic" by Van Morrison as students, colleagues, friends, and family gave a standing ovation.
"Looking out here, it's so, so special to me," she said while delivering a final presidential address in the Robert Boland Theatre.
"I could sit and talk to every single one of you and tell you what you each mean to me, and the impact that you've had on my life."
After leaving BCC, Massachusetts' first community college, Kennedy will continue her career in public higher education as the interim president of Cape Cod Community College, the state's second oldest community college.
She explained that these campuses are the gateway for so many, offering first chances, second chances, and opportunities for students to discover themselves.
Kennedy gave thanks to many people who have supported the college's mission, and expressed gratitude for being part of a Commonwealth that believes in education and is committed to free community college, "Which has changed the trajectory of all of our colleges, and particularly out here in the Berkshires."
"I am so honored to be part of all of that, and to have had some small role in helping our students find their way to new opportunities, and to become the change makers that they each become. They mean so much to us," she said.
"The work isn't in this building, it's not the buildings we've done, it's not the budget that we put together. It's not any of that. It's each of you. It's what goes on in this room. It's the way in which Berkshire County comes together. It's the way in which Berkshire County and Berkshire Community College commit to making all that we do matter, and to change opportunities to provide ways in which people can flourish and grow, and I am so grateful to be part of that, and to have led this institution."
The BCC Board of Trustees unanimously selected Hara Charlier as the college's president come July 1, and Kennedy is feeling confident about stepping down. She said Charlier is the "most wonderful person in the whole world" to be the next president, and has her utmost confidence.
Charlier has been in the county and attended the BCC commencement last week.
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and U.S. Sen. Edward Markey sent video messages, and Kennedy was presented with certificates of special recognition from the City of Pittsfield and the congressional delegation, the governor, and the state Senate. After the ceremony, a reception was held in the BCC quad and the One Stop Enrollment Center.
Board Chair Julia Bowen explained that they wanted to gather and reflect on the "leadership, compassion, humility, and unwavering commitment that have defined her presidency and touched so many lives."
After serving on the board for 10 years, five as chair, Bowen has had a front row to Kennedy's leadership and said what she has witnessed is inspirational.
"I've watched her inspire her team not just to work harder, but to lead, to take ownership, to step forward, to believe in their own capacity to make a difference. I've watched her inspire students who came here, perhaps uncertain of their path, to strive, to persist, and to discover what they're capable of," she added.
"I've watched her inspire community members to support the college, not just because they were asked, but because Ellen made them believe in what their partnership could achieve, and for all of us in this room, trustees, colleagues, alumni, students, community partners, elected officials, family, friends, Ellen has simply inspired us to do our best."
Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges Executive Director Nate Mackinnon recalled May of 2012, when Kennedy was overwhelmingly recommended to lead BCC. As a representative on the search committee, he remembered reporting back to the Commissioner of Higher Education that they "really, really love Ellen Kennedy, I mean, like really love her."
He read some handwritten quotes from the candidate evaluation forms describing her as a "Dedicated, motivated woman who epitomizes what we believe about higher education: Study hard, work for what you believe and succeed," a "genuine and trustworthy" person, and one staff member wrote in capital letters, "SHE IS THE REAL THING."
Out of the 43 evaluations, he only found one criticism: "Until she earns her Doctoral degree, she will be viewed as a second-class president amongst her peers."
"Well, I've got news for that person from 2012 because Dr. Ellen Kennedy put that concern to bed a long time ago, making you now, Ellen, damn near perfect," Mackinnon reported.
"So, 14 years later, here we are, and to say that the Berkshire community has benefited from your leadership, kindness, and compassion, and commitment to this college, Ellen, would be a gross understatement."
Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Adam Klepetar said Kennedy cares deeply about students — and not just in speeches, strategic plans, or annual reports, "I mean, actually cares."
Kennedy is famous for helping students around campus without telling them who she is, he reported, which, when you think about it, is "Either incredible humility or the longest running Undercover Boss episode in Berkshire County."
"She cares about staff, she knows people's names, she knows their families, she remembers what matters to them, and what many people here may not fully realize is that the same Ellen we know in Pittsfield is the exact same Ellen in Boston, in Washington, D.C., in statewide meetings, and in national conversations," Klepetar said.
"She treats everyone the same with warmth, authenticity, curiosity, and respect, and because of that, Berkshire Community College isn't just known, it's respected, it's resourced, it's listened to, and a lot of that has to do with Ellen."
Student Government Association President and recent graduate Briana Booker presented Kennedy with a "Dear BCC" book that was made in her name.
Booker said Kennedy has given her many words of wisdom and encouragement in the time she has known her, but her greatest lesson was never truly said out loud: No matter where you go or how much you grow from where you started, never forget that we are all people, all humans trying to build a better world together.
"It's that connection to our humanity that will keep us grounded, but it is our curiosity, our eagerness to learn about each other, that will push us forward into building that better world," she said.
"I am grateful to have had Ellen serve as president during my years as a student, and to have learned so much from her as a woman stepping into my own leadership, but more than anything, I am forever grateful to have made such a genuine connection with such a lovely human being."
BCC launched a special fundraising initiative to grow the Berkshire Community Impact Fund in recognition of Kennedy's service to the college, surpassing its $100,000 goal and raising more than $136,000. More than $530,400 has been raised since its inception to support the evolving and urgent needs of BCC students.
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