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Graduates Leave MCLA Commencement 'One Degree Hotter'
By Tammy Daniels, iBerkshires Staff
04:53PM / Saturday, May 14, 2016
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Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts presented 404 degrees and certificates on Saturday. See more photos here.

MCLA's 12th president, James Birge, presides over his first commencement.

Class President Kelsey McGonigle said the graduates should have confidence in their education.

Outgoing state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, who has been on something of a victory lap, was awarded an honorary doctor of public service.



Krystal Henriquez, organizer of last month's Figment North Adams, is among Saturday's graduates. She is starting an internship at Mass MoCA.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts made 404 graduates "one degree hotter" on Saturday morning.

And it wasn't from the traditionally steamy Amsler Campus Center gymnasium, but the awarding of 369 bachelor's degrees and 35 master's degrees and certificates at the college's 117th commencement.

"You will leave this room one degree hotter, you will be leaving this room with the knowledge and skills to face any obstacle thrown your way," Kelsey McGonigle, president of the class of 2016, told the packed gymnasium. "Have confidence in what you've learned here."

Only about a third of Americans obtain four-year degrees, so the class should celebrate its accomplishments, she said.

"You should all be so proud, we have all worked extremely hard to get here," said McGonigle, who would minutes later receive her bachelor of science in business administration. "MCLA allowed us to find our strengths and supported our growth ... our shared experiences will always keep us connected."

The class of 2016 was addressed by both its current president, James F. Birge, and its former president, James C. Clemmer, a member of the board of trustees who had stepped in as interim until Birge was named.

In giving the commencement address, Clemmer, a 1986 graduate of the college and retired business executive in the medical device industry, said the college had provided him with the education and confidence that had set him on a path to success.

"You'll see that the challenges you've already overcome will give the strength to persevere through future challenges," he told them. "When you look forward to the path you've chosen for yourself, don't forget to look back on your MCLA experiences. It will help you down your chosen path and toward your dreams."

But Clemmer cautioned the graduates that success was not just about achievement, but about how that success was acheived. During his short stint as president between August and March, he said he'd tried to set an example of integrity, commitment and passion.  

"How you chose to think, to create, solve, collaborate, challenge, how you chose to love and how you chose to live your life is more important that what you have to show for yourself," he said. "When you chose how you will live your life, not only will you become closer to personal fulfillment, but you will also be role models and mentors for others to follow."

Urging the graduates to "give more than you expect to receive," Clemmer asked them to consider what one word they each want to sum them up, and to make things happen — not wait for things to happen to them.

"I trust that you will do great things in your lives, individually and collectively," said Clemmer. "It's been an honor and a pleasure to spend this year with you yes you're ready for the world  and i cant wait to watch what you will do  

For Birge, this was his first time presiding over an MCLA commencement. The 12th president of the college said afterward that the event "was wonderful. There was lots of good energy in the gym."

His time with the class of 2016 has been brief, but he's already becoming familiar with the class of 2020, and reaching out to current students.

"I'll just do what I always do — go to performing arts events, sports events, lectures, presentations," he said. "My early career was in student life so I like being around students."

During the ceremony, he acknowledged the efforts of faculty and staff in ensuring that the college's students progress.

"The faculty and staff at MCLA care deeply about their work and take a personal of interest in the educational experience and the well-being of our students," he said, adding he had been told by them that "this class was especially accomplished, outgoing, friendly and contemplative."


MCLA graduates became 'one degree hotter' on Saturday.

"My colleagues and I are called to our work at MCLA by one common purpose: we want to contribute to the next generation of leaders," Birge said. "Our hope is that you leave here with a greater understanding of yourself and of the world."

Recognized on their retirements were professors Ben Jacques of English/communications, Douglas Jenkins of the Fine & Performing Arts Department, and Ron Shewcraft of biology and physical education. The three combined had provided 86 years of service.

Nine retiring staff members had a combined 209 years at the college: Marianne Drake, James Stakenas, Peter Allmaker, Joe Charon, Diane Collins, John Greenbush, Norbert Miller, Theresa Miller, and James Sweeney.

Martin W. Mahoney, master of business administration candidate and director of collections and exhibitions at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, said the graduates should thank their families and the extended community of MCLA for their "significant support."

"Please take a moment and thank them today because these are the people that have, for better or for worse, supported and shaped who you are," he said.

The processional was led by Faculty Marshal Christine Condaris; graduates Caitlin Chouinard, Callen Gardner, McGonigle, Brittany Nicholson and Rebecca Szczygiel sang "America the Beautiful"; and professer Graziana Ramsden announced the candidates. Honorary degrees were presented to Clemmer, state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, and Yvonne Spicer, a leader in educational partnerships and literacy at the Museum of Science in Boston

The recessional was led out by the Berkshire Highlanders to a reception on the lawn at Murdoch Hall.

Most of the graduates will be heading off for work, the military or graduate school, but Krystal Henriquez of Springfield has decided to stick around. The arts management major will be doing an internship at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art with the college's B-HIP program.

"I hope to stay in the area for a couple of years and keep producing events that push the boundaries of what an event can be," said Henriquez, who already has one event, last month's Figment North Adams, under her belt. "MCLA has been an amazing experience, the arts management program has been perfect for me. ...

"I'll be pushing it for anyone who is considering it because of the opportunities it gave me, and the faculty in arts management are phenomenal."

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