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The Online Beacon

The Student News Site of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

The Student News Site of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

The Online Beacon

The Online Beacon

The Online Beacon

Elise Cross, Fred Ferris, and Denise Maselli make a difference for MCLA students everyday in their roles as support staff on campus.

Invisible and Impactful: Meet MCLA’s Dedicated Staff

Toni Basil, Staff Writer April 30, 2025

At MCLA, the spotlight often shines on the president and faculty, while the dedicated staff who help shape the campus experience tend to stay in the background. Yet, it's these everyday heroes in the dining...

Jack Black stars in "A Minecraft Movie".

“A Minecraft Movie”: A Mindless Fun Block-Buster

Kyle Manzolini, Staff Writer April 15, 2025

There was a time in Hollywood when any time a studio tried to adapt a beloved video game into a movie, it would be cursed, ending up up unanimously panned by critics, audiences, and fans alike. Last year's...

Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega co-star in "Death of a Unicorn".

Death of a Unicorn: A Funny and Gnarly Creature Feature

Kyle Manzolini, Staff Writer April 6, 2025

A24, as a studio, has garnered massive respect from movie critics across the nation. In the time since they became more mainstream, they have still held onto their keen eye for making artsy, bold, filmmaker-driven,...

Thank You, MCLA

Thank You, MCLA

Owen Brown, Editor in Chief December 12, 2024

To Whoever is Reading This, Three-and-a-half years ago in August of 2021, I left my hometown of Sandy Hook, Connecticut, and stepped onto the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) campus for...

Reclaiming Lost Narratives: MCLA Day of Dialogue 2024

Reclaiming Lost Narratives: MCLA Day of Dialogue 2024

Karen Yamada, Staff Writer October 2, 2024

The MCLA Day of Dialogue is an annual event that emphasizes campus-wide participation in a unique day of alternative education, where traditional day classes are suspended, and campus members are encouraged...

Photo credit to @danielhowell on Instagram

We’re All Doomed! The End of the World Through the Eyes of Daniel Howell

Angelina Clark, Web Editor April 3, 2024

On October 16th, 2009, YouTube creator Daniel Howell (formerly danisnotonfire) uploaded his first ever video, titled “HELLO INTERNET”. This video, a time capsule from the emo-fringed late 2000s, is...

Green Day in 1994

Why is Green Day Still Relevant 30 Years After “Dookie”?

Angelina Clark, Web Editor February 12, 2024

Bienvenue à (welcome to) J’adore la Créativité (In English: I Love Creativity) In this column, I will write about various topics involving arts, entertainment, and culture. I aim to focus on unique...

Photo from Rhode Island Comic Con | Facebook.

Nerds in New England: My Experience at Rhode Island Comic Con

Angelina Clark, Web Editor November 8, 2023

Picture this: a massive building with multiple floors, connected by escalators and filled with art and merchandise showcasing various media such as anime, video games, and movies, and, of course, individuals...

An Open Letter to Students

An Open Letter to Students

Dr. Samantha Pettey, Political Science Department November 1, 2023

I recently sent an open letter to my faculty colleagues here at the college and thought I’d share with you some of what I said to them, while hoping you also consider and take to heart the message.     I...

Student Leaders

Student Leaders

Jaden Jackson October 5, 2023

“Become a leader." As college students we have heard this phrase since the application season of our senior year of high school. Making your mark on your campus, and becoming a leader within your community...

Zodiac constellation of Taurus on background of hand drawn symbol in engraving style. Vector retro graphic illustration of astrological sign Bull.

Written in the Stars: Your May Horoscope

Macayla Flanigan, Copy Editor / Columnist April 23, 2023

Happy, happy Taurus season! As a little PSA before the main event (horoscopes!) I’m gonna tell you everything you need to know about the (as I’m writing this) upcoming Mercury retrograde and...

A Check-In On Our New Year's Resolutions

A Check-In On Our New Year’s Resolutions

Jillian Currier, Co-Editor-in-Chief April 23, 2023

I think everyone has those moments approaching the New Year where they really feel themselves start to change, start to think about all the changes they’re going to make, and dream about how wonderful...

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