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Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Profiles

Nora Onanian receiving her award, "Courage, Grit, and Determination in Successful Journalism Degree Completion" on December 16, 2024. Left to right: Douglas Struck, Christine Onanian, David Onanian, Nora Onanian (front).

Nora Kate Onanian, Emerson journalism student, remembered as ‘impactful’ and an ‘inspiration’ by classmates, professors

By Merritt Hughes, Dept. Campus Editor / December 27, 2024

In the early morning hours on Christmas Eve, Nora Kate Onanian, 22, an Emerson journalism student who graduated weeks ago, passed away at her house surrounded...

Aili Montague was adopted at the age of two and a half. They struggled to find their identity within a family where they bore no resemblance. (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff)

The end of China’s international adoption program has left adoptees with mixed emotions

By Hannah Woods, Staff Writer / November 22, 2024

For Aili Montague, being a Chinese adoptee makes up a significant part of their identity. Montague was adopted from the city of Huainan, China, in...

Behind the scenes on "La Bibliothèque." Courtesy Dana Koops

Emerson alum Dana Koops commemorates her brother with short film ‘La Bibliothèque’

By Ryan Yau, Living Arts Editor / November 6, 2024
Dana Koops, BFA '23, wrote, directed, and starred in her thesis film "La Bibliothèque,” which follows a woman receiving a supernatural FaceTime call from her recently deceased brother.
MacKenzie Galloway. (Courtesy)

MacKenzie Galloway, MFA ‘23, spotlights Afrofuturism in Washington, D.C.

By Meg Richards, Managing Editor / October 16, 2024
MacKenzie Galloway ‘23 has many titles—filmmaker, writer, fashion designer, Howard University doctorate student, and congressional staffer for Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
Courtesy of Brynne Norquist

Emerson’s Brynne Norquist makes BostInno’s 25 under 25 list

By Hannah Brueske, Dept. Projects Editor / October 9, 2024
“Go-getters” is how BostInno labels their annual 25 under 25 honorees.
Courtesy of Elisa Gabbert

Alum Elisa Gabbert’s ‘Any Person Is the Only Self’: meditations on a well-read and well-lived life

By Danielle Bartholet, Kasteel Well Staff Writer / September 18, 2024
Elisa Gabbert '05 began working on her essay collection before the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, causing her writing to take a turn to reflect on the tumultuous time.
Emerson Professor Scott Pinkney

‘My students are my family’: Professor Pinkney leaves lasting Emerson legacy

By Bridget Frawley, Staff Writer / March 20, 2024
For Emerson professor Scott Pinkney, his proudest accolade is the success of his students.
Katrina Kusa, a sophomore VMA major at Emerson College, is preparing for the Miss Massachusetts USA pageant. (Yufei Meng/Beacon Staff)

VMA sophomore prepares to compete in the Miss Massachusetts USA pageant

By Bridget Frawley, Staff Writer / February 21, 2024

Scrolling through TikTok in the car, Katrina Kusa saw a video about the Miss Massachusetts USA beauty pageant. She turned to her mom and asked if she thought...

Dr. Gregory Payne, chair of the Communication Studies Department, is in his office during an interview with the Berkeley Beacon, where he reflects on his 40th anniversary teaching at Emerson and the years ahead. (DJ Mara/Beacon Staff)

Dr. Gregory Payne celebrates his 40th anniversary of teaching Emerson ‘change agents’

By DJ Mara, Dept. Metro Editor / February 21, 2024

Dr. Gregory Payne, chair of the Communication Studies Department, celebrated his 40th anniversary of teaching at Emerson College earlier this month, a...

Photo courtesy of Roger House

Roger House becomes the first African American male professor to receive emeritus status

By Emma Siebold, Beacon Correspondent / February 14, 2024

After 24 years at Emerson College, Roger House retired with professor emeritus status, a lifelong distinction of honor for a professor, the first African...

Photo courtesy of Larry D. Moore

Two major anthologies include Emerson professor Jabari Asim’s words, welcoming Black History Month

By Valentina Baez, Staff Writer / February 7, 2024

“Poemhood: Our Black Revival” and “This is the Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets,” two major anthologies of African American poetry,...

“Things are looking a lot better”: Sustainability Coordinator Jacqui Moy joins Emerson’s sustainability team

“Things are looking a lot better”: Sustainability Coordinator Jacqui Moy joins Emerson’s sustainability team

By Katherine Cressman, Editor-at-Large / February 6, 2024

The Emerson Dining Hall trash cans frequently hold the wrong kind of waste. Whether it be a banana peel in the recycling bin or plastic water bottles in...

Melissa Richards is appointed as the new Emerson vice president and chief of staff, starting her role on Tuesday, Jan 16, 2024. (Ashlyn Wang/Beacon Staff)

Melissa Richards appointed as new Emerson vice president and chief of staff

By Bridget Frawley, Staff Writer / January 24, 2024

Melissa Richards knew from a young age that she wanted to enter the communications field as a broadcast journalist. But as the first member of her family...

Emerson College appoints Robert Amelio as a part-time interim director of Spiritual Life.

Robert Amelio addresses diversity, equity, and outreach in his new role as interim director at the Emerson Center for Spiritual Life

By Bryan Hecht, Kasteel Well Bureau Chief / December 13, 2023

Last week, Robert Amelio was announced as the part-time interim director of spiritual life. A 1981 alumnus, former professor, and director of diversity...

Norman Lear ‘44

Norman Lear ‘44, TV and Emerson legend, dies at 101

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief / December 6, 2023

Norman Lear ‘44, the television writer and producer who revolutionized American sitcoms by addressing political and social issues, died on Dec. 5. He...

Emerson's Rohan Edwards (28), left, Aidan Ferguson (16), center, Thomas Pelino (18), right, celebrate as Thomas Pelino (18) scores a goal to help Emerson to a 2-2 draw with MIT at Rotch Playground in Boston, on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (Ashlyn Wang/Beacon Staff)

Senior spotlights: Men’s soccer seniors and grads were impactful leaders

By Rylie Burns, Operations Managing Editor, Layout Editor & Newsletter Editor / November 30, 2023

The men’s soccer team finished their season 7-7-4, with four graduating seniors and two graduate students showing tremendous growth and leadership. Each...

Ronee Penoi

Director of Artistic Programming for ArtsEmerson Ronee Penoi takes on the role of interim Executive Director for ArtsEmerson and the Office of the Arts

By Bridget Frawley, Staff Writer / November 29, 2023

Director of Artistic Programming for ArtsEmerson Ronee Penoi’s perception of the artistic field changed when she realized artistic recognition wasn’t...

Senior midfielder Simone Barragan-Shaw (16) scores the game-winning goal against Coast Guard in the 2023 NEWMAC Semifinals.

Senior spotlights: Women’s soccer seniors were “iconic” and shaped the program

By Merritt Hughes, Dept. Campus Editor / November 15, 2023

This year’s women’s soccer graduating seniors have it all: All-Conference players, bass-shredders, and karaoke stars. They made it to the quarterfinals...

The Emerson men's basketball team visited the Cambridge Basketball Lab on Wednesday, Nov. 8. (Photo courtesy of Matt Meyersohn)

Men’s basketball supports youth basketball camp in Cambridge

By Jordan Pagkalinawan, Dept. Sports Editor / November 15, 2023

As the Emerson men’s basketball team continued preparing for their season, they decided to take an opportunity to give back. The team spent their Wednesday...

Trey Fuccillo, a junior political communication major at Emerson College, becomes Marlborough’s next Ward 6 City Councilor. (Ashlyn Wang/Beacon Staff)

Fuccillo secures seat on Marlborough City Council as full-time Emerson student

By DJ Mara, Dept. Metro Editor / November 14, 2023

While running for office in his hometown of Marlborough, Massachusetts, Trey Fuccillo woke up each morning and asked himself, “What’s worth more than...