BCC Welcomes Vice President of Institutional Advancement

04:01PM / Friday, March 03, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) has named Louise Lydon as Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA).

"I am thrilled to be joining Berkshire Community College. As I learn more about the school and its historic connections to Berkshire County, I am struck by the depth of passion that everyone I met has for BCC," Lydon said. "Clearly, BCC is a special place."

Lydon has spent more than 20 years in higher education advancement roles, working at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania; George Washington University in Washington, D.C.; and, most recently, as the Assistant Dean for Law Advancement at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. There, she partnered with university leadership in engaging donors to solicit multimillion-dollar gifts and spearheaded a $36 million comprehensive campaign for the law school.

In her role as VPIA, she is the chief advancement officer for the College. As such, she advises President Ellen Kennedy on the management and operation of alumni relations and donor relations. The VPIA also serves on the President's Executive Council and Cabinet, providing guidance to maximize philanthropic impact. Other responsibilities include developing, executing and evaluating donor engagement. This includes annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, legacy giving, donor and alumni relations, research and prospect management, advancement services, donor cultivation, stewardship and communications/marketing.

In collaboration with BCC leadership, Lydon will drive campaign planning to ensure the school's ability to raise capital matches its ambitions to broaden its positive impact on Berkshire County. "A key focus in my first year is making sure BCC is campaign-ready," she said.

A first-generation college graduate, Lydon earned a bachelor's degree from Seton Hill University. She is passionate about providing educational opportunities to students of all backgrounds and experiences. She lives with her husband in Cheshire, Massachusetts.

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

12:05PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.

This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.

The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.

DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.

"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.

"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."

Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.

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