NORTH ADAMS, MA- Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) was honored recently by the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety Architectural Access Board and the Boston Society of Architects for the renovations of the Berkshire Towers dormitory. In recognition of the building's improved accessibility, the College received the Public Architecture Honor Award during a ceremony at the State House.
Berkshire Towers, first built in 1973, began undergoing renovations in 2008. The brick towers now have a street-level entrance with an elevator to the main lobby. The old design had residents and guests enter on the second floor, using an exterior ramp.
Other additions to the space include a pull-off area for vehicles in front of the building, a kitchenette, new meeting and multi-purpose rooms, a new front desk, and a new laundry room and lounge space. "It's an honor for the College to have a building project that's been recognized by the state," said Diane Manning, director of Residential Programs at MCLA. "It's nice knowing that we have a facility welcoming to all... It's really important to make sure buildings are accessible to all members of the MCLA community. "The building was so lacking in any public space, and it's so heart-warming to see the students in the meeting and multi-purpose rooms," she added. "It's such an improvement to the quality of life of the students in general."
The Berkshire Towers renovation project was designed by Kuhn Riddle Architects of Amherst. The Massachusetts State College Building Authority funded the construction project through a $4 million bond. For more information on MCLA visit www.mcla.edu.
NORTH ADAMS, MA—Paul Rusesabagina, subject of the film Hotel Rwanda and author of An Ordinary Man, speaks at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Thursday, November 5, at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center gymnasium. His visit is part of the College’s Public Policy Lecture Series, which is made possible through the generosity of the Ruth Proud Charitable Trust. The lecture, “Hotel Rwanda: A Lesson Yet to Be Learned,” is free and open to the public.
Ten years ago, as the country of Rwanda descended into madness, one man made a promise to protect the family he loved and ended up finding the courage to save over 1,200 people. Over the course of 100 days, almost one million people were killed in Rwanda.
Hotel Rwanda, which was nominated for three Academy Awards, tells the inspiring story of real-life hero Paul Rusesabagina, who is portrayed in the film by Don Cheadle, a hotel manager in Rwanda who used his courage to shelter over 1,000 refugees from certain death. His autobiography, An Ordinary Man, was published on the 12th anniversary of the genocide in 2006. A moving story, it delves into Rusesabagina’s personal journey while explaining the history behind Rwanda’s Hutu and Tutsis tribes within the historical context of the conflict.
An Ordinary Man was read by incoming freshmen this semester as part of the First Year Experience at MCLA. Rusesabagina has traveled the world with his message of hope, peace, and “never again.” He founded the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation (HRRF), which provides support, care, and assistance to children orphaned by, and women abused during, the genocide in Rwanda. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Award, and the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award.
“I’ve become a humanitarian and I never thought I would become one,” Rusesabagina has said. “And, as a humanitarian, I wanted to take this message on a wider scale, to raise awareness of what happened in my country so that the international community can help others who suffer now.”
Rusesabagina was born June 15, 1954, at Murama-Gitarama in the Central-South of Rwanda. His parents were farmers. In 1962, he entered the SDA (Seventh Day Adventist) College of Gitwe, a missionary school, and was there for seven years of primary school and six years of secondary studies. From 1975 to 1978, Rusesabagina attended the Faculty of Theology in Cameroon and, in January 1979, was employed by Sabena as a front office manager in their newly opened Hotel Akagera in the Akagera National Park.
It was at this time he learned about the tourism, hotel, and culinary industry. Through The Suisse Tourist Consult, Rusesabagina's application was accepted for entrance into the Kenya Utalii College in Nairobi in the hotel management program, which he started in early 1980 and finished in September 1984 in Switzerland.
Back from Switzerland, Rusesabagina joined Sabena Hotels again and was employed as assistant general manager in the Mille Collines Hotel from October 1984 until November 1992, at which time he was promoted to general manager of the Diplomate Hotel (also in Kigali). For the 100 days of the genocide, Rusesabagina had to move back to the Mille Collines Hotel. His colleague Bik, manager of that unit, left Kigali on April 11, 1994, despite the number of refugees still left on their own. It was the next morning, when the interim government left Kigali for Gitarama. Rusesabagina was there for almost the entire span of the genocide.
When the massacre slightly calmed down, in July 1994, Bik came back and joined his unit, and Rusesabagina went back to the Diplomate Hotel, where he stayed until September 1996, after which he went to Belgium as a refugee. From that time to date, Rusesabagina has worked as a businessman and owns a transport company. For more information visit www.apbspeakers.com.
In addition to the Public Policy Lecture and the community reading of An Ordinary Man, MCLA sponsors an exhibit at 77 Main Street in North Adams called 800,000 Acknowledge. Remember. Renew. The exhibit consists of thousands of hand-bound books assembled by Will Snyder as an artistic response to the genocide in Rwanda. The exhibit is curated by MCLA Assistant Professor Melanie Mowinski.
The 800,000 installation is made up of 800,000 pages in 2,500 books displayed in 100 crates: one page for each victim, one crate for each day of the war. The project asks the viewer to acknowledge the war, remember the victims, and help the country by donating $5 to the Kayinamura Foundation, which Snyder founded to provide grants and fellowships for people working to renew Rwanda. Viewers can then place their handprint on one page of a book. 800,000 Acknowledge. Remember. Renew. will be open to the public Thursday, November 5, from noon to 5 p.m. For more information visit www.mcla.edu.
NORTH ADAMS, MA—The Career Services Center at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) hosts its annual Graduate School Fair Wednesday, November 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Murdock Hall, Room 218.
In addition to MCLA, representatives from the following colleges and universities will be on hand:~ Assumption College, Suffolk University, Simmons College, Salem State College, Ross University School of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, Union Institute and University, American University of Antigua College of Medicine, Fitchburg State College, Sage Graduate School, Western New England College School of Law, The Graduate School At Bay Path College, Southern New Hampshire University, Springfield College, Antioch University New England Graduate School, Westfield State College, and Bridgewater State College.
These institutions offer graduate programs in social work, business administration, communications, criminal justice, education, special education, psychology, public administration, English, sports medicine, environmental studies, medicine, and veterinary medicine, among other disciplines.
The Graduate School Fair is open to the public. For more information contact Sharron Zavattaro, director of the MCLA Career Services Center, at (413) 662-5332 or email szavattaro@mcla.edu.
Williamstown, MA - Craft puppets, celebrate the season in verse, and sing and drum yourself silly! Or, just watch! The First Congregational Church of Williamstown, Massachusetts, invites the public to their free event “Give Christmas a-Way: Preparing a Simple Season” from 11:45 am-3 pm on Sunday, November 22.
The expense, frantic pace, and over-commercialization of the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas takes a toll on everyone – whether or not you belong to a church, or even identify yourself as a Christian. This intergenerational event is designed to offer a positive, inexpensive, and just plain fun Way to create a simpler, more home-centered holiday season.
Following the 10:30 service of worship, everyone is invited to a delicious, simple luncheon in Fellowship Hall from 11:45 am-12:15 pm. If you would like to come for lunch, please call 413-458-4273 or e-mail office@firstchurchwilliamstown.org and let us know so that we will be sure to have plenty for all!
Throughout the day, the building will be filled with the wonderful aroma of the pumpkin pies we bake every year for the Berkshire Food Project’s Thanksgiving meal. There will be opportunities to join in the baking, and to buy slices of pie to benefit the Berkshire Food Project. There will also be a corner for younger children to make simple crafts throughout the day with local artist Beth Parker.
During three activity sessions starting at 12:15, 1 and 2 pm there will be workshops and performances in puppetry, poetry, and music designed for all ages. Meredyth Babcock and Michael Wolski of Becket-based Marmalade Productions will present a performance of “Dr. Marmalaid and The Emerge-and-See Wagon” and offer a puppetry workshop. Teens and adults will love composing their own limericks with local poet and humor columnist Seth Brown. Become your own Epic Poem! And Strings of Glory and Friends will help everyone find new notes to express holiday cheer with voices, instruments, and drums.
The First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, is located at 906 Main Street (Route 2) in Williamstown, Massachusetts, in the middle of the Williams College campus. The building is fully handicap accessible and ample parking is available behind the church. Everyone is welcome. The First Congregational Church is a Just Peace Church and an Open & Affirming Congregation. For more information call or e-mail the church office 413-458-4273 or office@firstchurchwilliamstown.org, or visit the church Web site www.firstchurchwilliamstown.org.
North Adams, MA - The Bay State Winter Games celebrate their silver anniversary in Northern Berkshire County, January 22-24. To register, call 781.932.6555
North Adams, MA - The North Adams Public Library and Northern Berkshire Health Care host an informational session on seasonal and H1N1 flu on Thursday, October 29 at 6:30 pm at the library, 74 Church Street. Call 413.662.3133 for information.
North Adams, MA - An informational meeting concerning a trip to Tremosine, Italy will be held on Wednesday, October 28 at 7 pm in the Shipper’s Office at Western Gateway Heritage State Park. Tremosine and North Adams are sister cities and details will be given on how to participate and enjoy Venice, Verona, Dezensano, Lake Garda and the wonderful people of Tremosine.
Adams, MA - On Wednesday, October 28 at 6 pm join Ignacio Long & Tomás Murmis for an evening of Argentinean music in the Bascom Lodge atop Mt. Greylock. Free and open to the public. The music will be followed by a prix fixe dinner. Please call for dinner reservations: 413.743.1591. At this time of the year all events are weather permitting.
North Adams, MA - Join Northern Berkshire Neighbors in recognizing neighborly acts of kindness by people and groups of Northern Berkshire. Community Recognition Night will be held on Tuesday, October 27 at Congregation Beth Israel, 53 Lois Street at 5 pm. Light refreshments will be served. Contact Natalie at the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition with questions, 413.663.7588.
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