THE MAGAZINE OF THE COMMONWEALTH’S LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE
A Fall Tradition
MCLA’s fall Homecoming Weekend included alumni baseball and softball games, and participation in the Fall Foliage Parade. Read more on page 11.
James F. Birge, Ph.D.
PRESIDENT
Bernadette Alden
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS
Joseph DaSilva
VICE PRESIDENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Richard Glejzer, Ph.D.
PROVOST, VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Kelli Kozak
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
Joshua J. Mendel, Ph.D.
CHIEF OF STAFF
Jeannette Smith, Ph.D.
VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS
Robert P. Ziomek ’89
VICE PRESIDENT OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Trailhead
WINTER 2026
Writer & Editor Amy Krzanik
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT COMMUNICATIONS
Design Julie Hammill HAMMILLDESIGN.COM
To view a digital version of Trailhead, scan here
Dan Trombley ’90 and Nicole Westall ’92 invest in the future success of MCLA students.
We welcomed alumni back for Homecoming Weekend, 2025 Commencement, and more.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, the Commonwealth’s designated public liberal arts institution, has proudly upheld a tradition of excellence, innovation, and service for more than 130 years. Today, Pathways, The Campaign for MCLA — a $30 million fundraising initiative and the most ambitious in the College’s history — is transforming that legacy into action.
Thanks to the generous support of alumni, friends, and community partners who believe in the power of a high-quality public liberal arts education, the campaign is already having a meaningful impact. It has expanded student scholarships, supported faculty research, enhanced athletics, and funded immersive travel courses.
Guided by the Campaign Cabinet and inspired by your belief in our mission, the Pathways campaign is providing students with robust, future-focused academic experiences that prepare them to meet the world’s greatest needs. Our graduates — teachers, nurses, business leaders, social workers, artists, historians, and more — continue to strengthen the Berkshires, the Commonwealth, and beyond.
Nationally ranked among the top 10 public liberal arts colleges for more than a decade, MCLA remains committed to blazing new pathways to student success and community impact. Your support makes you a true Trailblazer — someone who empowers students to lead exceptional lives.
SUPPORTING PATHWAYS, THE CAMPAIGN FOR MCLA HELPS OUR STUDENTS BLAZE NEW TRAILS. Your gift ensures our Trailblazers can pursue their passions, explore meaningful learning opportunities, and become fully empowered to make their impressions on the world.
THE FIVE PATHWAYS
1
INCREASED STUDENT SUCCESS GOAL: $12M
With 90% of MCLA students receiving some form of financial assistance, it is imperative that MCLA puts students’ lifelong success first in every endeavor. The College ensures that all students, especially those utilizing need-based grants to finance their education, can achieve their academic and career goals, securing upward intergenerational mobility and economic opportunity.
This pathway increases MCLA’s financial aid endowment by 25%; delivers $200,000 in funding to support first-generation and low-income students, and students of color; and provides $75,000 per year in wraparound student support services. It distributes travel scholarship funds of $50,000 annually and provides $20,000 per year to combat hunger across the College community.
2
INNOVATIVE
GOAL: $8M
INITIATIVES
We believe in providing students with an education that lasts a lifetime. Our students can learn a little about everything and a lot about what fuels their curiosity. Their broad learning experiences set them up for success after graduation. By investing in hands-on learning, providing opportunities for innovative curricular exploration, and supporting student-faculty research, we continue to adapt and evolve with 21st century needs.
This pathway designates $200,000 annually for enrichment programs that connect faculty and students to community-based initiatives, especially those that address workforce training and other pressing community concerns, helping to mitigate the largest job vacancy rate the Berkshires has faced since the 1990s. It underwrites student-faculty led research, provides scholarships to The Center for Teaching and Learning for
faculty and staff, and addresses regional demands in data science and electrical engineering career paths. It also recruits, trains, and supports diverse faculty and visiting artists, because when students of color learn from a faculty member who is similarly diverse, they achieve better academic outcomes.
3
21ST CENTURY WORKFORCE GOAL: $7.5M
Responding to local workforce needs, this pathway fosters upward social mobility by creating appropriate, modern spaces for academic programs that contend with the urgent needs of students and the critical employment demands of Berkshire County. Graduates will emerge with career-readiness skills and internship experiences needed to fill the current gaps in the healthcare, K-12 education, and STEM fields.
This pathway creates a Persistence Center that handles students’ administrative needs. It designates a Career Center for employment readiness and internship exploration, and establishes a Center for Education — a cutting-edge facility with technology-enabled tools to mirror what teachers use in modern classrooms. This pathway also develops a Center for Nursing and Health Sciences to meet critical employment needs in nursing and radiology, launches a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, and underwrites educational expenses to support up to 200 nursing, radiology, and health science students.
4
ENHANCED
ATHLETICS
GOAL: $1.5M
MCLA has served thousands of students who enhanced their academics through participation in NCAA Division III athletics. The leadership and team building skills that our students develop through athletics support continued success along their career paths. Impactful recent enhancements include the return of men’s ice hockey and the addition of a women’s program, a replacement surface to Shewcraft Field for soccer and lacrosse, and the addition of softball to the facility. Modernizing our athletic facilities better attracts and serves our College athletes.
5 THE FUND FOR MCLA GOAL:
$1M
At MCLA, we take pride in staying responsive to the ever-evolving needs of our students and our campus community. Through The Fund for MCLA, this pathway will build a broad foundation of support to provide unrestricted and flexible funding to the College, when and where it is needed most. It continues investment in MCLA’s Resiliency Fund, which covers food security, emergency financial aid, textbook cost mitigation, and technology needs.
This pathway also strengthens MCLA’s commitment to Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging through programs designed to improve student success and retention, particularly for historically underrepresented and marginalized groups. Additionally, it supports funding for the College’s Student Government Association, Freel Library Fund, Day of Dialogue event, and quality-of-life improvements to campus.
Pathways
TO HONOR AND SERVE
DON WILKINSON ’66, ALUMNUS
WHERE I GIVE: BARBARA LOUISE BAKER SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Several years ago, while attending alumni weekend events, I participated in a tour of the newly created nursing program. It was an eyeopening experience that led me to establish an endowed fund to honor my mother, Barbara Louise Baker.
Throughout her life, my mother was dedicated to her nursing career, even volunteering in a hospital after retiring. Her dedication to helping others continued after her death, as she was able to donate her body to the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
My mother managed her career while also caring for children and maintaining a home. In reflecting on her early adult years, I was struck by the difficulties she faced: While attending the Lawrence Memorial Nursing School in Medford, Massachusetts, her mother died after a long illness. After graduating, she married and had two children a year apart. In addition, she cared for her father who was dying of cancer, and her husband was sent overseas during World War II.
When reflecting on my upbringing, I am struck by how seemingly normal my mother’s caretaking abilities seemed when I was a child. Now, looking
back as an adult, I truly understand and appreciate the sacrifices she made and how difficult it must have been for her to balance work and home.
Establishing a scholarship in my mother’s name has been valuable to me as a way to honor her memory as well as continue her service in nursing by providing the opportunity for others to pursue a career so beloved to her. It is my dream, with the assistance of others, that at some point a full nursing scholarship in her name can be achieved.
ABOUT DON:
Don is the owner of Ichabod Flat Oysters, based in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
ESTABLISHING A SCHOLARSHIP IN MY MOTHER’S NAME HAS BEEN VALUABLE TO ME AS A WAY TO HONOR HER MEMORY BY PROVIDING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHERS TO PURSUE A CAREER SO BELOVED TO HER.”
Pathways
TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY
DAVID HALBERT ’03, ALUMNUS, BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBER
WHERE I GIVE: DON QUINN KELLEY LIFT EV’RY VOICE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The value and power of an MCLA education is a transformative experience on every level, but I remember a lot of my dearest friends, many of them first-generation students, encountered challenges.
There are a lot of amazing scholarships at MCLA, but this scholarship and its goals really spoke to me. My wife (Lauren Merrill ’03) and I had been regular contributors to the College, and we decided to shift our giving in a more direct way when we were made aware of the Don Quinn Kelley Lift Ev’ry Voice Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students of color, with preference given to those who have demonstrated financial need, and those who are first-generation college students.
The role that schools like MCLA and all state universities play—providing a real and direct ladder to opportunity, success, a new way of seeing the world, and a new life—is such a critical mission. If
we can’t support the “trailblazer,” the first in their families to attend college, we’re not doing our job.
One of the reasons I give is to be able to tell people about the school. Even though my time there has passed, the echoes go on because it has touched so many areas of my life. I have so much gratitude for the many ways MCLA has had a positive impact. I can’t fathom not giving back.
My mother and my aunt both graduated from Wellesley College and regularly contribute there to help students like them—first- or secondgeneration college students and those from underrepresented communities—to make it easier for those who follow in their footsteps. Just the act of giving is very, very important. For me, it’s not just an academic and civic belief, but an expression of faith, which is the foundation of our story as a family.
ABOUT DAVID:
David is the Director of External Affairs at Framingham State University. Prior to that, he worked as the executive director of Bay State Progress, a Bostonbased donor organization focused on progressive power building, policy making, and governance. He also served as outreach manager for The Educational Justice Institute at MIT, and deputy director of community affairs at the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office.
Pathways
TO PAY IT FORWARD
MIKE MUTI ’99, ALUMNUS, FOUNDATION BOARD DIRECTOR, MBA/BUSINESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIR
WHERE I GIVE: BUSINESS DEPARTMENT’S FINANCE CONCENTRATION
The Business Department laid the groundwork to put me in the position I’m in now. I’m 49 and, as I reflect on my career, I want to give back to the department that helped me so it can help other students. My first business classes at MCLA (then NASC) were with Professor Jim Moriarty, who has become a close friend. Those classes started me on my path toward choosing business finance as a career.
My time at NASC/MCLA was foundational in building the career that I have. I benefited from the individual attention and direct conversations with professors that a smaller school provides. All of us owe it to the next generation to donate time or resources to become stewards of the institution.
The Business Department continues to attract the largest number of students to MCLA, and we’re working on initiatives that will position the Department and its students for a successful future.
ALL OF US OWE IT TO THE NEXT GENERATION TO DONATE TIME OR RESOURCES TO BECOME STEWARDS OF THE INSITUTION.”
ABOUT MIKE:
Mike is a Managing Director for Natixis Investment Managers, located in Boston. He has over 25 years of industry experience, 21 of which have been at Natixis. Prior to joining the firm, in 2004, he worked as a financial advisor in Massachusetts. Mike has lived in Somerset County, New Jersey for the past 18 years with his wife, Kate, and two college-aged children.
Mike Muti speaks to an MCLA Business Department class in 2024
Pathways
TO INSPIRE FUTURE GENERATIONS
RACHEL VALLIERE ’17, ALUMNA
WHERE I GIVE: FUND FOR MCLA, SCHOLARSHIP FUND, INTERNSHIP FUND
I want the next generation of MCLA students to have the same, if not better, opportunities that I had when I was a student. MCLA is a wonderful school where you can build a close-knit family and learn so much from others. The best way to ensure the school does well is to be active in whatever capacity you can be.
-
ABOUT RACHEL:
Rachel is the Assistant Director of Annual Fund and Advancement Services for Eastern Connecticut State University. “Arts Management classes gave me an understanding of how nonprofits operate, specifically the arts and finance course,” she said. “Many of the marketing classes I took really helped me to think about things differently and understand parts of what I do now. I was also in multiple clubs, and those leadership roles helped me learn how to be a manager. The overall liberal arts education gave me a broader understanding in many subjects so I can better relate to others.”
ALUMNI BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
KAREN (GUY) DYER ’94
MEET THE CO-OWNER OF STURBRIDGE COFFEE ROASTERS
“When I’m not at my full-time job as a senior marketing manager for global engineering consulting firm WSP USA Inc., you can find me mostly ‘behind at the scenes’ at Sturbridge Coffee Roasters—a small-batch coffee roaster locally owned and operated since its beginnings in 2004—which my husband, Elvis, and I purchased in 2014. Our current storefronts are in Charlton and Dudley, Massachusetts, with a dedicated FDA-certified roastery in Southbridge that also services our wholesale customers.
“We offer coffee from all over the world and our retail storefronts also offer a variety of beverages, breakfast sandwiches, light lunch options, coffee-making equipment, and gifts. My husband roasts all our coffee and we know the roast date on every bag we sell. You’ll occasionally see me staffing a shift on the weekends, and you’ll always find me at community events, including farmers markets and town bonfires, actively engaged with local business organizations and the community, and handling the marketing for the business.
MY INTERNSHIP AT THE ALUMNI OFFICE POSITIONED ME FOR MY FIRST FULL-TIME JOB OUT OF COLLEGE.”
—Karen Dyer ’94
“Studying print and media communications positioned me well for a career in marketing. My desire to learn, a foundation in my life enhanced by my college education, has allowed me to pivot marketing and communication tactics in an ever-changing buyers’ market. Taking classes in the video studio enhanced my public speaking skills, whether that’s one-on-one with a customer, or in front of a local business group. The journalism-focused courses created a solid foundation for all my future communications pieces.
“My internship at the Alumni Office at MCLA (then NASC) positioned me for my first fulltime job out of college, in an alumni office at a local university (from which I received my
master’s degree in communications). The small class sizes and nurturing environment allowed students an opportunity for one-ondiscussion and learning.
“The friendships I formed in college have become lifelong; we chat and text regularly, often daily, get together, and go on trips. These are the strongest friendships I have in my life and I will forever be grateful for those years in college that provided me with these valued relationships.”
Resume writing, job searching, mock interviewing, recruiter meetings, internship matching, recommendation letters, graduate school applications: Tony Napolitano has been assisting students and alumni in MCLA’s Career Center with all of this and more for the last eight years. But now, with help from two dedicated alums, the Center has been given an upgrade to make it larger, more accessible, and more attractive to students and recruiters alike.
On September 2, the College hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Trombley-Westall Trailblazer Career Center in Bowman Hall. Support from alumni Dan Trombley ’90 and Nicole Westall ’92 will enhance students’ ability to find fulfilling careers, live meaningful and productive lives, and increase their earning potential.
“The Career Center at MCLA was an invaluable resource, helping me with my resume and interview skills,” said Trombley, a local businessman and member of MCLA’s Pathways Campaign Cabinet. “When Nicole and I were approached by the MCLA Foundation about
investing in a new Center, it was an easy decision for us. We both strongly believe we are making an investment in the future success of students and the overall growth of the College. The new Center’s prominent location provides for increased foot traffic, greater brand visibility, and improved convenience.
We hope it will support students—past, present, and future—in achieving their professional goals.”
Career Services has coordinated approximately 500 employer visits to MCLA in the last six years and, last year, the College was able to place 137 students in local, state, and national internships. Within six months of graduation, 93% of MCLA alums are employed or enrolled in graduate school.
Napolitano, MCLA Career Services’ employer relations and internship coordinator, said the new Career Center will benefit students in a multitude of ways. “Over the last six years, I’ve done a lot of classroom outreach, but now faculty members can bring classes here. When the students see the surroundings, they are more comfortable and
more likely to come back. It also provides space to accommodate more recruiters. And the aesthetics are wonderful. This is a great benefit for the students and I’m excited to be in this new space.”
Recent graduate Viral Shah ’24, an assistant teller supervisor at a local bank, made use of the Career Center beginning in his freshman year. “Tony has been supportive since the beginning of my MCLA journey—since the day of new student orientation, when I stopped by his office to see how he could help with my career development. I started doing research on my side and he helped with getting my resume to a professional level, as well as interview preparation, internships, and a ton of good resources.”
“Our experience at the ribbon-cutting event for the new career center was truly memorable and inspiring,” said Trombley. “The atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation as students, faculty, and community members gathered to celebrate this significant milestone. The ribbon-cutting ceremony itself was a moment of pride, symbolizing the beginning of new opportunities and resources for our students.”
Provost and VP of Academic Affairs Richard Glejzer, Nicole Westall ’92, Dan Trombley ’90, President Birge, and MCLA Board of Trustees Chair Buffy Lord ’98 cut the ribbon on the new Career Center.
MCLA’s 2025 Convocation Speaker, Declan McDermott ’21, visited North Adams on September 2 to speak to the College’s incoming class. Declan is a performing arts administrator and wardrobe professional based in New York City.
While at MCLA, they immersed themself in the advanced curriculum, independent studies, and experiential learning opportunities made available through the College’s Fine & Performing Arts and Arts Management programs. During their time here, Declan completed internships with Williamstown Theatre Festival and the Institute for the Arts and Humanities, both of which went on to hire Declan part-time while they earned their degree.
Upon graduation, Declan relocated to New York City to pursue a career, and quickly landed a position at The Public Theater, an internationally recognized non-profit performing arts organization. They served two years with The Public before pursuing new opportunities and finding a place in wardrobe on Broadway.
Now, Declan has worked on six Broadway productions and is a proud member of IATSE Theatrical Wardrobe Union Local 764.
Professors Jeremy Winchester and Lisa Donovan, Amanda Gilmore ’20, Mitchell McCauley ’19, Mackenzie Liddle ’21, Elizabeth Rodio ’21, Declan, and Professor Laura Standley.
BACK TO THE BERKSHIRES
We welcomed alumni back to the region for events on campus and off. To find out where we’ll be next, follow us on social media: @mcla_alumni
BALDERDASH
Alumni and guests enjoyed an afternoon out at Balderdash Cellars in Richmond on August 10, 2025.
HOMECOMING WEEKEND
COMMENCEMENT
Golden Graduates helped us celebrate the College’s 126th Commencement on May 17, 2025.
Homecoming Weekend, held October 3-5, 2025, included alumni baseball and softball games, and participation in the Fall Foliage Parade.
ARTS MANAGEMENT IN ACTION
CECILIA WRIGHT’S JOURNEY TO THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BOSTON
Cecilia Wright ’16 is the manager of corporate sponsorship at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where she builds and nurtures corporate partnerships to secure funding for the museum’s programs and exhibitions. She describes the role as both dynamic and deeply rewarding — a balance of relationshipbuilding through in-person networking, crafting thoughtful proposals, and strategically negotiating partnerships.
Creativity and innovation are integral parts of the Boston landscape, Cecilia said, and corporations make social responsibility a priority by building support for cultural organizations into their budgets.
Cecilia said her journey to the job she has now began at MCLA with amazing Arts Management professors who helped further her interest in the business side of the arts. She was able to work at the College’s Gallery 51 during the school year, she said, and as a summer Resident Advisor through the College’s Berkshire Hills Internship Program (B-HIP), which also offered free housing. “I had the opportunity to figure out how to market the space, I met artists with different temperaments, learned how to protect and safely display art, and even how to patch a wall,” she said.
The College’s connections to powerhouse local cultural organizations helped Cecilia secure an internship at The Clark Art Museum in Williamstown. “It was a great experience. The Clark’s staff taught me a lot, and the name recognition on my resume gave me credibility very early on in my career,” she said.
MCLA Professors Diane Scott and Dr. Lisa Donovan, along with The Clark’s director of development, helped Cecilia apply for jobs before graduation. “When I received an offer that didn’t reflect my value, I sought guidance from Professor Scott on how to negotiate effectively — and by confidently communicating my worth, I secured the higher salary I deserved.”
Prior to her time at the Museum of Fine Arts, Cecilia worked at the EcoTarium, a historical science and nature museum in Worcester. “Because it was a small nonprofit, I had the opportunity to take on many different tasks and projects,” she said, including leading a full database conversion and running successful membership campaigns.
CECILIA SAID HER JOURNEY TO THE JOB SHE HAS NOW BEGAN AT MCLA WITH AMAZING ARTS MANAGEMENT PROFESSORS WHO HELPED FURTHER HER INTEREST IN THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THE ARTS.
Beyond her day job, Cecilia is part of City Awake, a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation initiative for young professionals that offers networking opportunities, tools, resources, and skills to help elevate them in their work. “It’s played an important role in helping me build meaningful connections in Boston,” she said.
MORGAN MCCARTHY ’15 has combined the skills she learned at MCLA with her life experience to create a career for herself as a freelance speaker and life coach. “I facilitate relationships between individuals, like me, with disabilities and help them come into their own. MCLA helped prepare me for a career in public relations, communications, and research, and I eventually became my own boss.” @yourhotdisabledbestie
JENNIFER CAVALLUZZI WOLFE ’91 produces the poetry podcast “The Glimpse” for The Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation. “If you’d told me, back in 1991, I could combine my love of radio and poetry and be able to support myself, I’d have laughed. MCLA was instrumental in my ability to shift from radio, to TV, to live streaming, and ultimately podcasting.” @jcwolfe13
AARON GOLDSMITH ’18 is a tennis coach, performance trainer, and certified personal trainer. “I teach tennis to all levels of players — from true beginners to aspiring or current professionals. I studied health sciences and biology at MCLA, which directly helped me pass my test to become a Certified Personal Trainer and Tennis Performance Trainer. Having studied anatomy and physiology, I can assist my clients and players in the gym and on the court because I have a better understanding of the movements of the body and properly utilizing their kinetic chain.” @aarongoldsmith01
ABBY ABRAHAMSON ’22 is a teacher naturalist for Mass Audubon. “I get to do deep-impact, series-based programs in schools and community organizations for youth in grades K-12. I also facilitate my region’s cohort of Mass Audubon’s Youth Climate Leadership Program for high school students. When I first transferred to MCLA, I felt torn about choosing a major because I wanted to study both Sociology and Environmental Studies. My advisors encouraged me to double major. Their support was super impactful to me because they worked together to help me follow an academic path that matched my passions.” @botanical.abby
ISABELLE SANTIAGO ’20 is a Life Set Specialist at Youth Villages in Massachusetts. She supports and empowers at-risk youth to achieve their personal goals and develop essential life skills. “MCLA provided me with a strong foundation in critical thinking and communication, which are essential in my current job. The College’s emphasis on community engagement and social responsibility deepened my understanding of the challenges faced by at-risk youth.”
2025 ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
The 2025 MCLA Athletics Hall of Fame induction was held Saturday, Oct. 4 at 3 West Events at The Norad Mill in North Adams. Meet this year’s honorees.
JONATHAN GREENBERG ’11 BASKETBALL
“After college, I spent five years with the Boston Celtics on their finance team, then earning five President Clubs (top sales awards) from HubSpot, where I spent eight years learning, then teaching, the sales process. I then started my own marketing agency, Harmony, whose focus is on data and AI. I’ve also picked up a Go-To-Market role with the AI-forward company Reforge.
I’ve stayed involved with volunteer work, leading both the Celtics and HubSpot’s nonprofit programs. After surviving Hurricane
Helene in North Carolina, I’ve spent the last year coding a disaster-relief platform meant to better connect survivors with resources.
Being able to say that I went from having never played on an organized team in my life to earning Hall of Fame honors enforces the belief that, if you truly apply yourself with intention and focus, you can do things you never thought possible.
This honor is incredibly meaningful to me. To be recognized for my accomplishments is special, but what makes it truly humbling is to be included alongside so many great players who came before me. I know I’m here because I was surrounded by incredible teammates and coaches who pushed me, supported me, and ultimately made me a better player.”
BEING ABLE TO SAY THAT I WENT FROM HAVING NEVER PLAYED ON AN ORGANIZED TEAM IN MY LIFE TO EARNING HALL OF FAME HONORS ENFORCES THE BELIEF THAT, IF YOU TRULY APPLY YOURSELF WITH INTENTION AND FOCUS, YOU CAN DO THINGS YOU NEVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE.”
—Jonathan Greenberg ’11
SEAN MCELROY ’01 BASEBALL
“After graduation, I was invited to tryouts with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cleveland Indians organization. I spent 10 years playing in the Intercity League for the Lexington Blue Sox and was part of seven championships and was inducted to the Intercity League Hall of Fame in 2017.
I am extremely grateful that my teammates took the time to nominate and advocate for me. My success was based on the people I had around me and we had such a great group of guys, coaches, and trainers.
I worked hard every day at practice, both on and off season, which allowed me to stay in shape and focus on getting better every day. We had a lot of competitors that wanted to work hard, and it became contagious across the team.
I currently reside in Wendell, North Carolina, with my wife, Alyson, daughters, Avery and Mila, and son, Chase.”
ALLISON CLARK ’17 VOLLEYBALL
“I took away so many valuable lessons, but one that has always stayed with me is the importance of making those around me better. That mindset has become a guiding principle in my life. I strive to be someone others can look to for encouragement; someone who inspires them to grow, improve, and believe in themselves.
My time at MCLA also taught me the power of presence. It’s easy to get caught up thinking about the next season, the next goal, or the next challenge. But being there grounded me. It reminded me to savor every moment, no matter how small, because chapters can close before you realize it.
Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is an honor. I’ve worked incredibly hard to get to where I am today, but this achievement reflects something much greater than personal effort. Volleyball is, at its core, a team sport. None of this would have been possible without the teammates, coaches, and support system who shaped my journey.
Life after MCLA has been full of adventure and joy. After graduating, I moved to New York City to pursue a career in tech sales. It was an
exciting chapter, but, after a couple of years, I felt the pull of home and returned to California to be closer to family. Not long after, I met my now wife, Jamie, and we’ve been building an incredible life together ever since!”
PAUL COONEY ’83 HOCKEY
“After college, I was fortunate to continue playing hockey with a College All-Star team that toured France before signing a professional contract in The Netherlands.
When I returned home, I transitioned into a career in sales, building over 35 years of experience across high tech, finance, and real estate. Now, recently retired, I enjoy traveling with my wife, Diane, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Looking back, what has stayed with me most is realizing how much can be accomplished when a group of people truly pull in the same direction. At MCLA, I experienced firsthand that teamwork, trust, and persistence don’t just win games — they build character. Those values became the foundation I relied on throughout my career in business and in my personal life.”
ALUMNI AWARDS
The MCLA Alumni Association honors distinguished alumni and friends who have made outstanding contributions in public or community service or in service to the College. Congratulations to each of our distinguished honorees!
2025 HONOREES
DISTINGUISHED ALUM AWARD EDWARD SOKOLOWSKI ’92
Ed Sokolowski’s passion for finance began in childhood, when he was fascinated by the stock market tickers in his sister’s Springfield office. That fascination followed him to college at MCLA, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in finance in 1992, taking with him a valuable lesson: when you lose money, it takes twice as much effort to earn it back. It was with that in mind that Ed chose to carve out a career grounded in long-term investment rather than quick-fix stock trading. He pursued his Securities & Insurance license while at MCLA, and then worked for EQ Financial Consultants for seven years.
Now, as a founding partner of Pioneer Valley Financial Group, Ed leads a financial advisory business managing $650 million in assets. He’s had the honor of being named one of the top 20 advisors out of 2,000 by Commonwealth Financial Network.
At PV Financial, Ed takes pride in giving back to his community by supporting Wilbraham Friends of Recreation, Ludlow Community Center, the Mental Health Association, First Responders, and other
nonprofits. The company’s efforts have been recognized five times with the Springfield Chamber of Commerce Super 60 Award, and its 20-person team recently earned 1st place for total number of volunteer hours by the Boston Business Journal.
In 2022, Ed founded the Pioneer Valley Charitable Fund, which has contributed $150,000 to support the community. In 2024, PV Financial gifted more than $70,000 to the Wilbraham Senior Center and the Ludlow High School Track and Field Complex. Ed also established the Plan with a Purpose scholarship for local students, which has donated $35,000 to date, and provided CPR and AED training equipment to the local fire department.
Ed serves on the Commonwealth Advisor Council, and has participated in the Advisor Mentorship Program. He served as a chairman in Belchertown, where he advocated to preserve Foley Field and Lake Wallace, earning him a Volunteer of the Year Award. He advocated for the Lake Wallace Sensory Trail project, where children and their families now enjoy sporting events, nature walks, and environmental explorations. This spring, Ed was appointed to serve on the MCLA Alumni Association Board of Directors.
President Birge, Ed Sokolowski, Annie Pecor, Jani Burke (accepting on behalf of Jennifer Schimmel), and Sonia Colón and Sara Monroy (accepting on behalf of Jonathan Monroy)
COMMUNITY SERVICE & CITIZENSHIP AWARD JENNIFER SCHIMMEL ’99, POSTHUMOUS
Jennifer Schimmel (aka “Jenbob” to her NASC/MCLA friends) was a highly skilled, successdriven, visionary leader with a proven track record of guiding agency change within the non-profit field. She dedicated her career to positively impacting others and went above and beyond to improve the lives of everyone she encountered, personally and professionally. Jenn received numerous accolades for her work, including being named one of Business West’s 40 Under Forty in 2011.
While attending MCLA, she was an active student leader who was highly involved in the theater department, as well as clubs and organizations, and worked as a Resident Advisor. She joined the national sorority Alpha Sigma Alpha and spent the next 20-plus years as a local, regional, and national volunteer for the organization.
Jenn served as a trustee with the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation, helping the organization with their development needs, as well as coaching and mentoring the Foundation’s development director. She also volunteered as a Global Village Trip Leader for Habitat for Humanity International, was an officer for the Young Professionals Society of Springfield and the Springfield Rotary Club, a board member for the Children’s Chorus of Springfield, and a fundraising chairperson for the St. Bernard School in Enfield, Connecticut.
Service was important to Jenn for many reasons. She was a faithful person who had a true passion for helping others and improving the world around her. Her sorority instilled in her the importance of generosity, relationships, and responsibility. She believed in challenging the status quo, had a special talent for developing relationships with everyone she met, and stayed connected to provide support and use her network to help others.
Jenn was a cancer survivor, and the proud mother of her son, Jackson. Sadly, Jenn passed away in January 2024 and she is greatly missed. Jenn always said that “God gives challenges to those who can handle them” and she took on many throughout her life. Her network is extensive, and those who knew her will always remember her bright smile, infectious laugh, love of life, and passionate desire to make the world a better place.
VANGUARD AWARD KATIE BRELSFORD ’10
After earning her bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in accounting, from MCLA in 2010, Katie Brelsford went on to earn an MBA, with a concentration in accounting, from Strayer University in 2013.
Katie is now a dynamic leader in the corporate non-profit sector, with more than 13 years of experience in financial management, bookkeeping, and organizational leadership. As the founder and owner of her own bookkeeping firm, KB Accounting, she helps small businesses and non-profit organizations maintain financial stability and growth. Her expertise in financial strategy, compliance, and operations has positioned her as a trusted advisor.
Before launching KB Accounting, Katie served as vice president of finance at 1Berkshire Strategic Alliance, where she played a pivotal role in financial planning, budgeting, and organizational growth.
Beyond her entrepreneurial success, Katie is a passionate mentor and educator. She hires and trains interns, providing them with hands-on experience and professional development opportunities. Her commitment to mentorship extends to her role as an instructor for EforAll, where she teaches the bookkeeping segment of the program, equipping entrepreneurs with the financial knowledge necessary to run successful businesses.
Katie serves on the board of Hillcrest Educational Centers, where she contributes her expertise to both its Finance Committee and Buildings and Grounds Committee. She also serves as treasurer for the 1Berkshire Strategic Alliance Foundation and board chair of the Berkshire Black Economic Council. Her past volunteer work includes serving as treasurer for the Taconic High School Chorus Booster Club and Berkshire HorseWorks.
SERVICE TO THE COLLEGE AWARD JONATHAN MONROY ’13, POSTHUMOUS
Jonathan Monroy, affectionately known as “Jon,” “Magz,” or “Monroy,” left an indelible mark on everyone he loved, and now leaves behind a powerful legacy of leadership, compassion, and unwavering generosity.
Jonathan, who graduated from MCLA in 2013 with a degree in business administration and a concentration in marketing, was a beloved son, brother, and friend. He was a thoughtful, humble leader who lived a life grounded in uplifting others.
Jonathan led with quiet strength, always placing the needs of others before his own. With his family, Jonathan 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 through spiritual growth, education, healthcare, nutrition, agriculture, and
self-sustainability. His work there reflected his belief in access, dignity, and hope for all.
As a student and alum of MCLA, Jonathan’s passion for service was unmistakable — whether raising funds for cystic fibrosis research, organizing community initiatives, or mentoring students with warmth and encouragement. He lived his values every day, inspiring those around him to do the same.
He served for many years as an active and dedicated member of the MCLA Alumni Board. Jonathan was instrumental in bridging gaps between the College and Greek alumni.
In November 2024, Jonathan Monroy passed away at the age of 36, following an 11-year battle with brain cancer.
OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARD
ANNIE PECOR, M.ED. ’09
Annie Pecor has been a Berkshire County educator for more than 15 years, starting as a middle school English Language Arts teacher and now serving as the assistant superintendent of North Adams Public Schools.
Annie earned her bachelor’s degree from Siena College in 1999, and went on to earn both a master’s degree in education and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from MCLA. She is also a proud graduate of the MCLA Leadership Academy. In 2024, she received her doctorate in education from the University of New England.
During her time as a North Adams middle school teacher, Annie started a peer mentoring program and the 7th grade student council to provide students with leadership roles. On a district level, she was the facilitator of the K-12 ELA Curriculum Team, ensuring students were receiving standardsbased, vertically aligned instruction.
While serving as the vice principal, and then principal, of Craneville Elementary School in Dalton, she worked to build a culture of open communication and proactive strategies to address concerns, with a focus on restorative practices. During her tenure, the school saw a decline in behavior referrals, and Annie successfully led the Craneville community through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most recently, while serving as director of Northern Berkshire Adult Education and 21st Century Programming, Annie saw the program exceed its enrollment targets, add a thriving English Speakers of Other Language Program, and move to Proficient with the Department of Education. Thinking strategically, Pecor added tutoring to the program, found local funding for transportation, upgraded curriculum resources to align with Adult Education Standards, and forged a partnership with McCann Technical High School for a Culinary Arts program for adults.
Annie volunteers as vice chair of the Berkshire Leadership Program, and is a board member of Berkshire County Suicide Prevention. She is honored to work in and serve a community and school system she cares for so deeply.
OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR EMERITUS AWARD GINA COLEMAN, M.ED. ’00
Dr. Gina Coleman is the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion for The Brien Center, a behavioral health agency serving children and adults throughout Berkshire County. Prior to her tenure there, she was the director of education for the Children’s Study Home in Springfield, a nonprofit serving primary and secondary students with behavioral disabilities. She has also served as the principal of Herberg Middle School in Pittsfield and as both the associate dean of students and associate director of admission/director of diversity recruitment at Williams College, where she worked for nearly 15 years. Additionally, Gina has served as the Head Women’s Rugby Coach at Williams since 1996.
Originally from the South Bronx, Gina earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Williams College in 1990, her master’s degree in education from MCLA in 2000, and her doctoral degree in educational leadership and policy through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2007.
As an alumna of A Better Chance, a nationally recognized program that gives gifted minority students the opportunity to attend some of the country’s finest secondary schools, Gina has always been personally invested in educational outreach programs. She created Quest for College, an early college awareness board game that educates students on the college search, application, and financial aid processes, empowering them to make sound academic and extracurricular choices.
Gina is a former MCLA trustee and served as a faculty member in the College’s Leadership Academy, where she taught graduate-level education courses to public school teachers. In 2007, she was selected by the citizens of Massachusetts to receive the Governor’s citation as an Unsung Heroine of Williamstown.
Since 1999, Gina has also been the lead singer of Misty Blues, an internationally recognized musical group that performs original and traditional blues infused with hints of jazz, soul, funk and tent revival gospel.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO NOMINATE AN MCLA GRADUATE OR FRIEND OF THE COLLEGE FOR THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION’S 2026 AWARDS?
Please contact Doreen Kleinman, director of constituent engagement, at alumni@mcla.edu.
MCLA BOOKSHELF
SCOTT TIRELL ’04
“KOEN: QUILLS FROM THE RAVEN’S NEST” Grendel Press
CLAIRE C. HALL ’77
“ON MEMORY POND” Independently published
CAROL LALIBERTE ’81
“THE DEVELOPING TEACHER” Goodheart-Willcox Publishing
ROSEMARY JETTE ’75
“JOURNEYING INTO INNER AND OUTER LANDSCAPES” Independently published
THERESA ELIZABETH RADLEY ’07
“LUNCH BREAK” & “THIS IS ME” Independently published
WARREN ROAF ’77
“DEPRESSION DOES NOT HAVE TO WIN” & “THE ARMOR AGAINST DEPRESSION” Independently published
MICHAEL GLENZEL ’91
“CRACK OF DAWN, PART ONE: GONE TO HELL” Independently published
TOM RIMER ’06
“BUOYGEIST” Shadow Spark Publishing
If you’re an author and would like to see your book listed in a future publication, or know of an alumni author with a recently published work, please contact alumni@mcla.edu.
DISCOVER MCLA AUTHORS
Visit www.indiebound.org to order one of this featured books.
CLASS NOTES
Bill Lucci ’80 recently completed the first season of his podcast, View from the Top, which features conversations with Vermont’s prominent leaders and newsmakers from the business, education, political, and nonprofit sectors.
Dennis Ducharme ’82 has been recognized in the 2026 edition of “Lawyer of the Year” in Mediation for Manchester, New Hampshire. He is highlighted in the new edition of “The Best Lawyers in America” for his work in Mediation and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants. This is his 21st year being named as a best lawyer for litigation and 6th for mediation. Dennis has been named lawyer of the year for litigation twice and this is the first time for mediation.
PV Financial Group, the company Edward Sokolowski ’92 founded and leads, was named one of the Most Charitable Companies in Massachusetts by the Boston Business Journal. Representatives from PV Financial attended the award celebration on September 10 in Boston.
Scott Lopez ’92 has been named to the Campaign for Catholic Schools (CCS) Board of Advisors. CCS is a change agent for rebuilding Greater Boston’s urban Catholic schools.
Tamara Menard ’95 lives in Tolleson, Arizona, with her husband and their daughter, Cheyenne.
In April, Becky (Lindley) McGann ’99 became the assistant of engagement and initiatives for the president at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester.
In October 2024, John Lauterhahn ’00 joined Hingham Institution for Savings, bringing his NASC and MCLA pennants with him.
In August, he was awarded 2025 Employee of the Year.
VIEW OR SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE bit.ly/MCLAclassnote or email your Class Note to alumni@mcla.edu
Lynn (Singer) Melchiori ’01 will soon be publishing her 5th book in the “Adventure of Mimi the Artist™” art education series for young children. The latest, “The Adventures of Mimi the Artist™: Dits and Dahs,” will cover the alphabet and the sounds of CW (Morse Code) in the world of amateur radio. Educational games and lessons can be found at mimitheartist.com.
Liz (Frederick) LaMonica ’02 earned an MBA from Northeastern University this May.
Maura Mills ’05 was recently promoted to Full Professor in the Culverhouse College of Business at The University of Alabama, where she was also awarded the Joe A. Chambliss Endowed Business Professorship. Maura has received numerous awards for her teaching, research, and service. She lives in Tuscaloosa with her husband, Matt, children, David and Joey, and dog, Twiggy.
STAFF RETIREMENTS 2025-2026
Marcelle Bastille ’09 married Matt Devoe on August 8, 2025. Many MCLA alums were there to share the day with the happy couple.
Megan Tainter ’10 and her partner, Heyler Torres, are expecting their first child (a girl) in January 2026.
Evan Patev ’16 and Rachel Valliere ’17 got engaged in April 2025.
Andrew Baillargeon ’19 recently accepted a position in an ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) classroom at the Discovery School at Four Corners, in Greenfield, Massachusetts.
Paul Guest, Facilities
Tom Spiro, Student Affairs
MCLA alumni, as well as current and former faculty and staff members, attended the August 2025 wedding of Marcelle Bastille ’09.
Evan Patev ’16 and Rachel Valliere ’17
John Lauterhahn ’00
JOIN US!
WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS:
FOR MORE INFORMATION
ON THESE AND ADDITIONAL ALUMNI EVENTS, VISIT alumni.mcla.edu/events
JANUARY 1-MARCH 1, 2026
ALUMNI AWARDS
NOMINATIONS OPEN
FEBRUARY 28, 2026
VIRTUAL WINE TASTING
MARCH 14, 2026
NAPLES, FL
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE + OTHER EVENTS
MARCH 31, 2026
MBA NETWORKING EVENT
APRIL 11, 2026
SPRING WEEKEND + ALUMNI ATHLETICS GAMES
APRIL 13-14, 2026
MCLA GIVES
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD ELECTIONS
Nominations Open Until January 22, 2026
Elections: February 1-March 15, 2026
Results Announced: May 2026
LEARN MORE AT ALUMNI.MCLA.EDU/ALUMNI-ASSOCIATION
APRIL 28, 2026
SPRING CRAFT CLASS
MAY 14, 2026
ALUMNI + CLASS OF 2026 MIXER
MAY 15, 2026
CLASS OF 1976
50TH REUNION WEEKEND
MAY 16, 2026
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY + RECOGNITION OF GOLDEN GRADUATES
