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
Students gather for food and activities during the RHA ResLife Bazaar on Taconic Lawn on May 4.
RHA Hosts End-of-Semester ResLife Bazaar for Students
May 9, 2026
Banner for the Technologies of Relation exhibition displayed at MassMoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts.
MassMoCA Opens New Exhibition Exploring the Relationship Between People and Technology
March 12, 2026
A commercial fishing vessel at sea during a Coast Guard safety inspection. (U.S. Coast Guard / File photo)
A New Hire Reflected on the Deadly Lily Jean Fishing Boat Accident
February 24, 2026
Screenshot
MCLA Welcomed Jodie Ginsberg for the 2025 Hardman Lecture
November 22, 2025
Lunch Talk Explored the Future of the Economy, Technology, Work, and Government
Lunch Talk Explored the Future of the Economy, Technology, Work, and Government
November 18, 2025
James Birge, Hulda Hardman Jowett, Jodie Ginsberg
Hardman Lecture Through the Lens: Photos by Gillian Jones
November 22, 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
North Adams Hosted Its Annual Fall Foliage Parade
North Adams Hosted Its Annual Fall Foliage Parade
October 17, 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
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
The Appeal of Custom Mechanical Keyboards
The Appeal of Custom Mechanical Keyboards
April 27, 2026
Mental Health Starts in the Dining Hall
Mental Health Starts in the Dining Hall
December 4, 2025
Let’s Talk About Storage: What Every Student Should Know About Flash Drives, HDDs and SSDs
Let’s Talk About Storage: What Every Student Should Know About Flash Drives, HDDs and SSDs
November 5, 2025
Battling the Traditions of Gender: Fragile Masculinity
Battling the Traditions of Gender: Fragile Masculinity
October 27, 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
James Birge, Hulda Hardman Jowett, Jodie Ginsberg
Hardman Lecture Through the Lens: Photos by Gillian Jones
November 22, 2025
Photograph by Beacon photographer Johnluke Kunce.
Photo Gallery: 2023 Nostalgia Night
October 21, 2023

The Online Beacon

The Online Beacon
Family history has been peaking many people’s interests lately, only leading me to be more curious and fascinated by my own.

Turns Out, This Runs in the Family

Jillian Currier, Co-Editor in Chief • February 16, 2023

This past weekend I was able to take the long - one hour - drive back home to visit my grandparents and hang out with my cousin who had just flown in from Texas. I only expected dinner, some talking,...

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