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 Beacon and Beacon Web News editors Fallon Maloney, left, Kate Zelkowitz, top center, Ainslie Lafko, bottom center, and Anna Najimy, right, in The Beacon office, Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Freel Library.
A Fading Light, Extinguished: A Letter from the Editors
May 2, 2025
A passing woman looks into Berkshire Art Center in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where Berkshire Immigrant Center is located.
Trump’s 2025 Immigration Agenda: A New Era of Borders and Policy
April 25, 2025
Murdock Hall, built in 1897, is the oldest building on MCLA's campus.
MCLA Enrollment Decline: Can the College Reverse the Trend?
April 25, 2025
Images Cinema Launches Look Forward Fundraising Campaign
Images Cinema Launches Look Forward Fundraising Campaign
April 11, 2025
A hand-painted cake, featuring the colors of the trans pride flag, displayed in the Gender and Sexuality Center on the 3rd floor of MCLA's Amsler Campus Center.
“Dehumanizing and Dangerous”: MCLA Students React to Executive Orders on Trans Individuals
February 24, 2025
Cynthia August, right, held by her mother Ginny, in 1971.
The Passing Grades: Navigating Loss and Grief in College
May 2, 2025
Sheri Stanton's office door decorated with quotes and a sign showing support for LGBTQIA+ students.
Inside TRIO Student Support Services: A Day in the Life of Sheri Stanton
May 1, 2025
A portrait titled “Anonymous in RED” from the “Portraits in RED” series. (ACRYLIC PAINTING BY NAYANA LAFOND)
Crimson Narratives: Amplifying MMIW Voices
May 1, 2025
The North Adams Public Library, located in the heart of the city on Church and Main Street.
Beloved yet Not Funded: The Fight to Keep North Adams’ Public Library
May 1, 2025
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
April 30, 2025
Get Inspired by Mya Linsky, Student Editor with Spires
Get Inspired by Mya Linsky, Student Editor with Spires
April 25, 2025
Jack Black stars in "A Minecraft Movie".
“A Minecraft Movie”: A Mindless Fun Block-Buster
April 15, 2025
Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega co-star in "Death of a Unicorn".
Death of a Unicorn: A Funny and Gnarly Creature Feature
April 6, 2025
MCLA's latest Benedetti Artist-in-Residence, Wendel Patrick.
Wendel Patrick Brings Innovation to MCLA as 2025 Benedetti Teaching Artist Fellow
March 22, 2025
Freel Library's Valentine's Day Event Spreads the Seasonal Love
Freel Library’s Valentine’s Day Event Spreads the Seasonal Love
March 12, 2025
Sophomore forward Addam Brunner (#19) on the ice at Peter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Skating Rink in North Adams.
MCLA Athletics: The Start of a Cinderella Story?
April 3, 2025
A team photo of the 2023-24 MCLA Women's Basketball team. The 2024-25 season would be cancelled in large part due to a lack of players on the roster this year.
No Season on the Court: MCLA Announces Cancellation of 2024-25 Women’s Basketball Season
November 17, 2024
Trailblazer Brandon Balcazar '19 clinched a win for MCLA in the final home game of the season for the Men's Soccer team.
A Last-Minute Masterpiece: Men’s Soccer Seals a Home Win with a Final-Second Goal
November 14, 2024
Cheyenne Laszo steps into a new role at MCLA this semester as Head Coach of the college's Esports team.
Welcome MCLA’s First Esports Coach: Cheyenne Laszlo
October 19, 2024
Mat Gover '27, of Atkinson, NH, won this year's MASCAC golf tournament, earning back-to-back titles.
MCLA Golf’s Stellar Season: Gover Leads All-Conference Honors
October 18, 2024
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
April 30, 2025
Jack Black stars in "A Minecraft Movie".
“A Minecraft Movie”: A Mindless Fun Block-Buster
April 15, 2025
Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega co-star in "Death of a Unicorn".
Death of a Unicorn: A Funny and Gnarly Creature Feature
April 6, 2025
Thank You, MCLA
Thank You, MCLA
December 12, 2024
Reclaiming Lost Narratives: MCLA Day of Dialogue 2024
Reclaiming Lost Narratives: MCLA Day of Dialogue 2024
October 2, 2024
Photograph by Beacon photographer Johnluke Kunce.
Photo Gallery: 2023 Nostalgia Night
October 21, 2023

The Online Beacon

The Online Beacon

Ainslie Lafko, Editor-in-Chief

All content by Ainslie Lafko
Get Inspired by Mya Linsky, Student Editor with Spires

Get Inspired by Mya Linsky, Student Editor with Spires

Ainslie Lafko, Editor-in-Chief
April 25, 2025
Freel Library's Valentine's Day Event Spreads the Seasonal Love

Freel Library’s Valentine’s Day Event Spreads the Seasonal Love

Ainslie Lafko, Editor-in-Chief
March 12, 2025
A Not-So-Warm Welcome Back: Heating Repairs Leave Students in the Cold 

A Not-So-Warm Welcome Back: Heating Repairs Leave Students in the Cold 

Ainslie Lafko, Editor-in-Chief
February 21, 2025
Trailblazer Brandon Balcazar '19 clinched a win for MCLA in the final home game of the season for the Men's Soccer team.

A Last-Minute Masterpiece: Men’s Soccer Seals a Home Win with a Final-Second Goal

Ainslie Lafko, Copy Editor
November 14, 2024
MCLA women's volleyball huddles up.

MCLA Volleyball Rallies in a Close Defeat Against Bay Path University

Ainslie Lafko, Copy Editor
October 15, 2024

The War on Drugs: Berkshire Harm Reduction Visits MCLA

Ainslie Lafko, Copy Editor
October 4, 2024
An MCLA Lady Trailblazer in action during their match-up with Castleton University.

MCLA Women’s Volleyball Falls in a Close 3-2 Match Against Vermont Castleton

Ainslie Lafko, Copy Editor
September 27, 2024
Photo from Dietz & Company Architects

A Peek Into the Closing of Hoosac Hall and Reopening of Berkshire Towers

Ainslie Lafko, Staff Writer
April 19, 2024
Photo of Tamar Sarai

A Preview of Tamar Sarai’ Hardman Journalist in Residence Lecture

Ainslie Lafko, Staff Writer
April 17, 2024
Photo of Flavia Adabía

Inside the Life of Up-and-Coming Music Artist, Flavia Abadía

Ainslie Lafko, Staff Writer
April 5, 2024
Graphic by Angelina Clark

A Retrospective on RHA’s Most Recent Event, Club Glow

Ainslie Lafko, Staff Writer
April 1, 2024
Graphic by Angelina Clark

Threads of Creativity: Craft Club’s Recent Yarn and Sip

Ainslie Lafko, Staff Writer
March 29, 2024
Graphic by Angelina Clark

Students Provide Their Takes on the Recent Midterm Study Night

Ainslie Lafko, Staff Writer
March 12, 2024
Graphic by Angelina Clark

Rachel Houghtaling Tells All on the Veterinary School Application Process

Ainslie Lafko, Staff Writer
March 6, 2024
Graphic by Angelina Clark

The Inside Scoop on RHA’s Recent Ping Pong Tournament

Ainslie Lafko, Staff Writer
February 19, 2024
The MCLA Men's Hockey team preparing to make substitutions during a game at UMass Dartmouth (via MCLA Athletics).

MCLA Men’s Hockey Faces Rival, Plymouth State

Ainslie Lafko, Staff Writer
February 9, 2024
Students Relax as MCLA Hosts a Self Care and Safety Night

Students Relax as MCLA Hosts a Self Care and Safety Night

Ainslie Lafko, Staff Writer
January 31, 2024
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