Jan. 8, 2019
NORTH ADAMS, MASS. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) and its Division
of Graduate and Continuing Education has announced that the campus’s location in Pittfield
has changed from the Conte Federal Building to a building owned and occupied by 1Berkshire,
at 66 Allen St.
A grand opening and ribbon cutting event will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 12, from 3:30
to 4:30 p.m. to celebrate the location, the College’s partnership with 1Berkshire,
and the campus’s commitment to offering courses in Pittsfield. Those who attend are
invited to enjoy light fare and drinks, while hearing from MCLA President James F.
Birge, Ph.D., faculty members, students, and special guests.
According to President Birge, classes at the location – now known as MCLA-Pittsfield
– began this past fall semester. MCLA made renovations to its space in the facility
throughout the fall semester.
“Our new location at 66 Allen St. is exciting in many ways,” Birge said. “MCLA now
shares the first floor of the building with MassHire, which will allow us to offer
classes during days and evenings, as well as on weekends, if we choose.”
According to Paul A. Petritis, M.Ed., associate dean of graduate and continuing education
at MCLA, “In addition to wonderful, well-equipped classrooms, a student lounge, and
a computer lab for all of our students, we have plenty of parking, a police station
across the street, and several restaurants just around the corner.”
Stay tuned for exciting announcements about new MCLA programs. “It's an ideal location
for an academic center, and easy to get to from almost anywhere in Berkshire County.
We intend to make MCLA-Pittsfield a great place for college students and the community,”
Petritis said.
As the official Regional Economic Development Organization and Regional Tourism Council,
1Berkshire assists people in becoming part of the dynamic Western Massachusetts region.
1Berkshire was created in June 2016 by a merger of four countywide economic development
organizations: The Berkshire Economic Development Corporation, the Berkshire Chamber
of Commerce, the Berkshire Visitors Bureau, and the Berkshire Creative Economy Council.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is the Commonwealth's public liberal
arts college and a campus of the Massachusetts state university system. MCLA promotes
excellence in learning and teaching, innovative scholarship, intellectual creativity,
public service, applied knowledge, and active and responsible citizenship. MCLA graduates
are prepared to be practical problem solvers and engaged, resilient global citizens.
For more information, go to www.mcla.edu.
