MountainOne Presents Major Gift to MCLA Funds to create the MountainOne Community Development Scholars Program
Thursday, March 20, 2014
North Adams, MASS. – MountainOne, headquartered in North Adams, has announced a gift of $100,000 to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), which will be used to create the MountainOne Community Development Scholars Program.
According to Thomas Leavitt, MountainOne President and CEO, this program is designed to provide internship opportunities for MCLA students to work with qualified not-for-profit organizations to further community development initiatives in the areas that MountainOne serves, including the Berkshires and southern Vermont, as well as Rockland, Quincy, and Scituate on the South Shore and Danvers on the North Shore of Massachusetts.
“We know the value of partnering with the next generation of leaders in spearheading real change. MCLA students have talent, energy and a fresh perspective, and we need to help them put that to use in our local communities,” Leavitt said.
Mary Grant, president of MCLA, said, “We are deeply appreciative to MountainOne for this generous gift and thrilled about partnering with an organization with such strong community leadership and with whom we have a long history of partnerships. It is exciting to now have this new collaboration with MountainOne that not only helps to prepare our students for careers but will provide energy and talent to the non-profit sector that plays a key role in our extended communities.”
According to Monica Joslin, MCLA dean of academic affairs, internships provide valuable experience for students as they apply classroom knowledge to practical experience.
“In addition, internships provide incredible networking opportunities with professionals in the field,” Joslin said. “Combining an internship experience with a liberal arts education is highly attractive to employers and gives students an competitive advantage as they apply for employment. We are grateful to MountainOne for their gift and dedication to community development.”
Student selection for participation in the MountainOne Community Development Scholars Program will be based upon academic standing. MCLA will determine appropriate organizations to partner with in the administration of the program, and also will administer the funding, implementation and selection process.
MountainOne Financial is a mutual holding company headquartered in North Adams, MA. MountainOne Bank is a subsidiary of MountainOne Financial, and includes the following divisions: Williamstown Savings Bank; South Coastal Bank; Coakley, Pierpan, Dolan & Collins Insurance; Stevenson & Co. Insurance; True North Insurance; and True North Financial (financial professionals offering securities and advisory services through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser). Founded in 1848, MountainOne Bank and its banking divisions have assets of over $775 million and provide a broad range of banking services to personal and enterprise customers. MountainOne Bank has full service offices serving the Berkshires and Boston South, with a mortgage office in Danvers serving Boston North.