MCLA Freshmen Urged to Spend Time Wisely
 |
Some 360 freshman — one the biggest classes in years — ceremonially entered the college through the historic gates on Church Street on Tuesday afternoon and snaked their way across to campus to fill the seats in the Church Street Center.
They were welcomed by President Mary K. Grant, trustees Chairwoman Jane Allen, Student Government President Jakeem Clovie and keynote speaker Cynthia Normandin, a succesful businesswoman and 1976 graduate of the college.
Normandin recalled how she arrived at what was then North Adams State College in 1972 and left four years later with friends, fond memories and a bachelor's degree in education.
"I entered college knowing just what I wanted to do: I wanted to be a teacher," she said. And she was, for some years anyway, until her husband, David, convinced her they should buy the Medway trucking company for which he worked.
Not entirely convinced, Normandin said she decided to support her husband's dream. The dream began with one terminal and eight trucks in 1982; Braun's Express is now a thriving business with five terminals and 175 employees serving much of the Northeast. Normandin, an executive with Braun, is also owner and operator of her own trucking company — Normandin Transportation Services.
"My college experiences here at MCLA included learning both the technical skills, which are called hard skills, and the soft skills needed for business," she told the students. "I think you made a great choice coming to this college."
Normandin suggested four keys to success: attitude, setting goals, making good choices and treating others with kindness.
 Cynthia Normandin graduated with an education degree from the college and is now a successful trucking executive. |
Set goals but be ready to change them as life changes, Normandin continued, noting her own goals switched gears as opportunities arose. And if you're having difficulty reaching that goal turn to friends, families and teachers. "It means pushing yourself to be the best you can be."
Work as a team and make friends: "Come up with your own personal measure of success."
Most importantly, think about what you do with your time and how you spend it, she said.
"Each of us has a finite number of hours left," said Normandin. "Time is not a renewable resource: You can't make more, you can't buy more, you can't retrieve that which you have already spent."
 SGA President Jakeem Clovie urged his new classmates to join clubs, a team or volunteer as a way to connect to the college community. |
Grant, too, urged the students to become involved in the community and the larger world because ven the smallest actions of community service can change another's life.
Like Normandin and herself, she told the, "if you take full advantage of the educational opportunities that are here and if you are willing to work hard, you will be a success."
Normandin said she saw the future in the students. "I think your chances are very good. Uou have a great life ahead of you."
