The MCLA Beacon

Alums acquire rectory

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Recently, the College acquired some new property. The MCLA Foundation has purchased the rectory of the 127-year-old Notre Dame Church in North Adams for $220,000.
The building will be used to house offices for nine members of the College's alumni department.

MCLA Videos

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Click Here to Visit MCLA's Youtube Page Click Here to Visit MCLA's Youtube Page http://www.youtube.com/MCLAedu

Undergrad research projects celebrated

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

After six years, the Undergraduate Research Conference has gone from celebrating achievements in biology, psychology, and math, to also incorporating environmental sudies, chemistry, sociology, history, English, the philosophy mini-conference, and the opening of the new Gallery 51 exhibit.

Hope lies in cash, say professors

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Even after winning the Pennsylvania primary, Hillary Clinton's best hope for winning the candidacy lies with her donations, according to Professor Bence and his Political Parties and Election class.

Last Thursday, the class met in the history house and briefly discussed the outcome of Pennsylvania's primary.

Gas prices are showing no mercy

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Twenty dollars used to go a long way for college students, covering the costs of food and gas, but they are realizing $20 doesn't stretch as far as it used to.

This time last year the average gas price in Massachusetts was $2.86, according to a news release from AAA New England.

A rare look at President Mary Grant

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

I entered a quiet conference room and was waited on by a kind lady named Rosemarie. I sat down and took out my pen and paper, preparing idly to interview what felt like a celebrity. I was in the President's office, waiting for one of the faces most recognized but least known at our college, Mary Grant.

SGA - In Brief

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

�EVP Kennedy spoke on behalf of the All-College Committee , discussing the inclusion of a biotechnology concentration and biotechniques course.
�
President Hansen talked about the Yearbooks committee and how yearbooks were now available. If any seniors have purchased a senior package, the yearbook is free, otherwise it's $15.

Demand for MCLA hockey team continues

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Sports Medicine major and hockey enthusiast Brian Blaszynski is trying to bring hockey back to MCLA.

"There's some great hockey in North Adams," Blaszynski said excitedly. "Let's put it on campus for everyone to enjoy!"
Blaszynski helps coach the Drury Co-op High School Hockey Team with fellow MCLA student and Sports Medicine major Ben Tefft.

MCLA Green Team updates

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. William Moomaw, spoke at the final presentation in the Green Living Seminar. The focus of his presentation was how the world can move toward a sustainable future. He said that the key to success is reducing carbon emissions by 80 percent over the next 50 years.

Earth Day celebrated on campus, cleanup planned

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Tuesday, April 22, was a bright and sunny day. It was not just any day, though. It was Earth Day, and there was a lot of activity in the Marketplace and Centennial Room because of it.

There were two Earth Day tables set up in the Marketplace. The first was from the Center for Ecological Technology (CET).

What's Happening?

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Today
� One Acts
� Sophomore and Junior day
� BOT Academic Affairs and Student Affairs
Pres. Conf Room, 10 a.m.
� Write Stuff Pizza Party
Campus Center 324A, 1 p.m.
� ALANA Club Election
Campus Center 324, 7 p.m.

Tomorrow
� SAC Meeting
Campus Center 324A, 3 p.

NFL: Jake Long selected first by Dolphins

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The 2008 NFL Draft kicked off when the Miami Dolphins chose offensive tackle Jake Long for the first overall pick.

According to NFL.com, the Dolphins signed Long prior to the start of the weekend to a 5-year, $57.5 million contract. Long played for four seasons in Michigan and became the fourth player ever to receive the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year award in consecutive seasons.

Softball takes two from Maritime

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The MCLA softball team has really found its way at the end of this season, and last week, they showed it, winning six out of eight games, improving their overall record to 12-22 and 6-8 in conference.

The team started strong by pulling off a two game conference sweep over Worcester State on April 21.

Baseball just misses playoffs

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Six teams - Salem State, Westfield State, Worcester State, Bridgewater State, Mass. Maritime and MCLA - all entered the final weekend of the regular season searching for a playoff berth.

Only four spots were available and when the weekend ended, Salem, Bridgewater, Maritime and MCLA shared an 8-6 record in conference play.

What's up right now Celtics?

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Boston Celtics, what in the world are you doing?

You insisted on killing the Atlanta Hawks in the first two games of the series, what happened? How are you going to let the below .500 Hawks get confidence and think they have a chance in this series? You may have given them the confidence they need to win this series.

Second annual Lawn Olympics

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Last Sunday, the second annual Lawn Olympics, sponsored by the Coalition of Lawn Recreation (CLR) was held on Taconic lawn outside of Hoosac hall. The event drew in six teams, all with six players (at least one of each gender) and the strong desire to bring home the champions cup by winning a series of different events.

UFC: Franklin, Bisping take victories

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In addition to the rematch between Matt Serra and Georges St-Pierre, which headlined UFC 83, middleweights (185-pound) Rich Franklin and Michael Bisping finished their opponents Travis Lutter and Charles McCarthy, respectively.

"Franklin looked pretty good, especially against someone as tenacious as Lutter," said senior Chris Field.

ATTENTION: Sports Writers

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Beacon sports department wants as many writers as possible for future semesters.

MCLA sports are currently underrepresented due to the lack of manpower in The Beacon's sports section. The only way to combat this problem is to get more sportswriters on staff to cover all games and other sporting events.

In-depth with our sports seniors

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The only four-year player graduating this season from the basketball team, Henry "Hank the Tank" Schrader has had nothing less than an experience of a lifetime here at MCLA.

Starting sports at a young age, mainly basketball, Schrader enjoyed just about everything he played, as long as it was outdoors.

Tales from the Bat Cave

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The directors of "Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay" almost put as the tagline on the poster "From the people who didn't bring you 'Knocked Up' and 'Superbad'."

Judd Apatow's universe has spread throughout Hollywood like wildfire in the past few years and for good reason.

Adam T.'s summer movie preview

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

After last summer's sequel-fest, we find that this upcoming summer's big films are less "sequel"-y, but still full of stuff we have seen before in some respect. This summer is more packed with reboots, superhero adaptations and long-awaited follow-ups than direct sequels.

Choir concert mixes Motown and spirituals

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The MCLA Choir and Women's Chorus performed Saturday at the Church Street Center for a noticeably small audience.

The tone of the concert, for both the Women's Chorus and the MCLA choir, was relaxed and informal. Conductor John Brown addressed the audience amicably and without a microphone, which was unnecessary given the size of the audience.

Ploof hosts edgy and occasionally naked comedy show

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The comedians that brought the funny to Sullivan Lounge in last Tuesday's comedy show all had a strange quirk at work in their acts. All four would work their way up to a controversial joke, throw it at the audience with all their might, and then back off to inquire if said joke was inappropriate.

IGC Variety show entertains

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

It was a night of singing, dancing, playing and laughing as the Inter Greek Council conducted its Variety Show in the Church Street Center last week.

The show kicked off with a rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner." Although the performer apologized to the crowd about being sick, the audience could not tell at all.

Rock band is A Breed Apart at Music Box

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Last Saturday, Sullivan Lounge was pumping with the sounds of the hard-rock band A Breed Apart. Thirteen people sat with their heads bobbing to the beats of the songs and various other students looked in to see what was happening.

A Breed Apart is a band from Rhode Island that drove three hours to the college all thanks to E-Board member of WJJW, William Brauneis.

A trip to Italy

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Huge, brightly colored billboards line the sides of the roads. Graffiti covers the walls. Cars and motorcycles fly down the highway. Political sign are plastered up everywhere.

This is Italy.

It's not what you were expecting, but it's the truth. These things are not all that make up Italy, but it was the first thing I noticed upon arrival in Rome last week.

College mathematics

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

It was ridiculously hot and humid. Sweat filled my t-shirt like a sponge submerged for weeks in water. I had a roof beam over my shoulder with one hand pressing it against my head and the other hand grasping the rungs of a ladder resting against a teetering makeshift scaffold.

Arts meets Scotland

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Eight lucky FPA and arts management students were chosen to travel free of charge to Edinburgh, Scotland to attend the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Sophomores Kate Adams, Robyn Warfield and juniors Nick Fahey, Darren Fitzgerald, Lisa Lepoidevin, Ellen Rosati, Sara Sambrook and Jordan Pagan will all be over-seas in August.

Business students receive national award

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

MCLA business students are tied for first place in a global business simulation competition with colleges and universities around the world.

Four teams, each co-managed by two classmates from Professor Ben Kahn's BADM 510 (business seminar) course are participating using "Glo-Bus," an online business simulation game produced by McGraw-Hill.

The Cradle of Reality

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

This is the last issue of the semester. Shortly, graduation will be upon us and the seniors who redefined themselves over the years here can look forward to the vast uncertainty ahead of them. Yippee.

This college has brought innumerable gifts, too many to list, and it has been a place of comfort, security, and frivolity for several years.

Too hard to say goodbye

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

I got a call from home the other day, only to be told another kid from my high school passed on. He died of cardiac arrest at the age of 18, while running in a track meet. He was all set to graduate and ready to embark on his journey to college.

Death should have not been his destiny.

The Debate

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Cassandra: Commencement is the height of a college career. It's when all the hard work, all-nighters, term papers and final exams pay off in the form of a diploma. So wouldn't it make sense that all graduating seniors should have a say in the person who will honor their efforts as the chosen commencement speaker?

The past two commencement speakers were Ted Kennedy and Martha Coakley, and for the coming graduation, seniors get to look forward to (or dread) John Kerry.

Campus Comment

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

"Well, I voted for him."

-- Brad Thibodeau, '08

I think it's great!"

-- Elin Hardenberg,'09

"John Kerry ... how exciting."

-- Matt Anderson, '09

"I'm not graduating yet.

The final verdict

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Four years of MCLA. How did it rate?

Faculty: A
I may be alone in saying I have never had a professor I've disliked. MCLA has an interesting split between young, hip teachers who connect with the young people today and wizened sages who have seen it all and know it all.