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MCLA Convocation Kicks Off School YearBy Lyndsay DeBord - September 03, 2008
Special to iBerkshires
 | | Maria Chambers |
NORTH ADAMS — First-year students passed through the symbolic gates of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on Tuesday afternoon, signifying their entrance into the college.
The wrought-iron gates that once hung on Murdock Hall are opened only twice a year, with graduating seniors walking through the gates at the end of the spring semester, symbolizing their departure from MCLA.
Students were joined by faculty, staff and distinguished guests in the procession through the campus quad to the college's Church Street Center for the traditional ceremony and keynote speaker Maria Chambers of VH1 Radio.
The board of trustees Chairman Richard Lamb and Student Government Association President Christopher Kennedy, welcomed students and MCLA President Mary K. Grant introduced Chambers.
Chambers graduated from North Adams State College in 1991 and she joked about the school's change in name.
"[My dream] started right here at MCLA," Chambers said, quickly uttering, "North Adams State College" under her breath. (Founded as the North Adams Normal School in 1894, the school has seen a few names changes, and became MCLA in 1997.)
 Originally from Rockport, Chambers started her broadcasting career as a deejay for the campus radio station, WJJW.
The alumna, now a program director with VH1 Network, described her first full-time job on-air. She described her position at an oldies station in New Hampshire as boring — "There are no new hits on oldies" — but said it was good experience.
Along with standard broadcasting work, Chambers has also ventured into acting — with a recurring role on the ABC soap "All My Children" — and has lent her voice to the video game "Grand Theft Auto." As she mentioned her contribution to the game, there were cheers from the crowd.
Animated and cheerful, Chambers regaled the students with her "extraordinary experiences" with singers Stevie Nicks and Cyndi Lauper, among others. Then there was the time she lost Flavor Flav.
"He's probably the craziest person I've ever met," the radio personality said about the rapper and reality show star who wears a huge clock around his neck. Flavor Flav had arrived at her studio for a show — then wandered off.
"I lost a grown man in a Viking helmet," she joked. Chambers described Flav, a member of Public Enemy, as "a big sweetheart" and said he was insightful.
Much to the amusement of the students, Chambers also recounted an interview with Paris Hilton and how the celebrity couldn't pronounce the word "economic."
Chambers also gave helpful tips to the new college students — "Always know where the free food is."
Her humorous stories were well received by the audience. After convocation, students spoke positively about Chambers.
"She's funny and a good speaker," said Jessie Guay of Blandford. Worthington native Megan Blocker said her speech as "informative yet entertaining."
Grant, also a graduate of the college, talked about her experiences at MCLA as a student and said starting college was both exciting and terrifying at the same time.
In addition to giving advice to freshman, Grant discussed the upcoming presidential election and students' civic responsibility.
"Democracy is not a spectator sport," she said.
Most students seemed to enjoy the speeches. New student Kevin Riley of Williamstown wasn't as inspired and complained about the length of time students had to wait in front of the Hoosac Hall dormitory before the procession to covocation began.
 Students line up along Church Street for the convocation processional; above, trustees Chairman Richard Lamb and President Mary Grant open the gates. |
Identical twins Justin and Jeremy Shay, incoming freshmen from Westfield, independently chose to enroll at MCLA. Jeremy, a math major, said the event was interesting and Chamber's stories were funny. His brother, a biology major, also enjoyed the ceremony.
"It flowed together well," said Justin.
It wasn't all entertainment — Chambers also had important messages she wanted to convey. "Don't be lazy," she warned, and spoke about creating a balance between working hard and having fun.
Mark Miller, the new chairman of the English department, said Chambers was dynamic and he liked how she talked about balancing work and pleasure. "She should have some authority" on the matter, he said.
Chambers gave them one measure of advice to help lead them to becoming better people — not just better students.
"Believing in yourself is one thing, but I also think it's important that you're someone to believe in," she said. |
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