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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

Front Page

Lu Ann Reeb looks at Emerson's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion web page. (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff)

How safe is diversity, equity, and inclusion at Emerson College?

By Iselin Bratz and Meg Richards / February 5, 2025

“Emotional terrorism.” “Censorship.” “Hyper-nationalism.” A period of tumult likened to “the late 1960s.” These are the words and phrases...

Dancers perform a “Lotus Dance”, which originates from 1600’s Vietnam. The Lotus flower in Vietnamese culture symbolizes purity, commitment and optimism for the future on Jan. 30, 2025. (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff)

Slithering into new beginnings: MFA hosts Lunar New Year celebrations

By Hannah Woods, Staff Writer / February 5, 2025

Vibrant colors of lion dancers and echoes of traditional music filled the halls of the Museum of Fine Arts on Jan. 30 for a special event to celebrate...

(Yogev Toby/ Projects Editor)

Bill Gates says DEI has ‘gone too far at times’ in Colonial Theater book talk

By Iselin Bratz and Yogev Toby / February 5, 2025

On the opening night of his new book tour, billionaire and philanthropist Bill Gates spoke at the Emerson Colonial Theater about the first installment...

A Emerson College sign above the colleges' visitor center on Boylston street. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

Faculty argue over potential motion to end disciplinary action related to protest on campus

By Iselin Bratz, News Editor / January 29, 2025
Most of the excitement during the Jan. 28 faculty assembly came in the last half hour when a motion aimed at standing against disciplinary actions taken against community members who participate in on-campus protests hit the floor.
Doug Struck holds the latest issue of Discipline News on Boylston Street outside of Emerson College on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

Discipline News argues it’s ‘reasserting Emerson’s values.’ The college calls it an ‘anonymous propaganda campaign.’

By Hannah Brueske, Dept. Projects Editor / January 29, 2025
Discipline News emerged on Emerson’s campus in early December, quickly embedding itself into the Emerson community. For the first time ever, the publication’s contributors discussed its operations and why its message is necessary now.
Junior guard Bri Frongillo (#12) swished the game-winning floater with 0.6 seconds left against Coast Guard on Jan. 25, 2025 (Courtesy of Anna Schoenmann).

Bri Frongillo breaks Emerson women’s basketball scoring record with 44 points in win over Coast Guard

By Hongyi Ji / January 28, 2025

Two between-the-leg dribbles seamlessly transitioned into a swift crossover and left the defender staggering. Junior guard Bri Frongillo cut into the lane,...

Trump supporters watching the inauguration live stream outside of the U.S. Capitol on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff)

As a second Trump term unfolds, Emerson watches as future of work sponsorships, DEI hang in balance

By Adam Nuñez, Staff Writer / January 22, 2025

As former President Joe Biden peacefully transferred power to President Donald Trump on Jan. 20, Emerson community members described feelings of uncertainty,...

A crowd of roughly one thousand people stood outside the Capitol inauguration morning, echoing the president’s sentiments about a coming “golden age of America.” (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

Emerson students from Republican-led states share concerns of second Trump presidency

By Merritt Hughes, Dept. Campus Editor / January 22, 2025

President Donald Trump’s first few days in office came with a slew of executive orders and policy changes. He notably declared a state of emergency at...

A small crowd gathers around a speaker broadcasting President Trump’s inaugural speech on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

Photos: Thousands gather outside Capitol after Trump Inauguration moved indoors

By Nick Peace and Rian Nelson / January 22, 2025

Thousands of people flocked to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20 for the second presidential inauguration of Donald Trump.  Despite the freezing weather...

(Iselin Bratz/ Beacon Staff)

Favoritism, blacklisting threats, and a ‘toxic culture’: Allegations of mistreatment shake Emerson Stage artistic director

By Iselin Bratz, News Editor / January 15, 2025

At a routine evening rehearsal last fall for “POTUS,” a student-led Emerson Stage production, recent graduate and on-set observational director Emma...

Daphne Bryant, founder of Dreamworldgirl Zine, in a photoshoot. (Courtesy of Emma Cahill)

How Daphne Bryant built her dream world

By Bryan Liu and Meg Richards / January 15, 2025

Dreamworldgirl, a Y2K-inspired zine celebrating girlhood’s complexities, puts women of color, queer, and plus-size women in traditionally “girly”...

Former men's basketball head coach Hank Smith (center) poses with President Jay Bernhardt, several of his former players, and family members (Courtesy of Nate Gardner).

‘We’re truly home now’: Brown-Plofker court renamed for former men’s basketball coach Hank Smith

By Jordan Pagkalinawan / January 14, 2025

Former men’s basketball head coach Hank Smith took the Bobbi Brown and Steven Plofker Gym floor to a thunderous standing ovation, appearing on a court...

Paul Dworkis poses for a photo inside of the newly completed fitness center on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

Always ‘an Emersonian,’ Paul Dworkis, CFO, departs Emerson after five years

By Hannah Nguyen, Editor in Chief / December 12, 2024

For Paul Dworkis, being an Emersonian came almost naturally.  “I didn’t start at Emerson until December [2019], but I actually started working...

A Emerson College logo on the Ansin Building on Tremont street. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

‘[Emerson] feels like a ghost town’: new initiative draws mixed emotions from a divided campus

By Yogev Toby and Hannah Woods / December 12, 2024

As the fall semester approaches its end, some Emerson students, faculty, and staff say Emerson’s new community-building initiative and interim policy...

Emerson men's lacrosse players in Dave's Hot Chicken (Merritt Hughes / Beacon Staff)

Left to right: Jacob Goldberg (freshman), Jack Burns (senior), Ethan Corby (junior), Owen Lotti (junior), Brady Fish (freshman), Grant Wilson (senior), Quinn Gardiner (sophomore), Landon Segal (sophomore)

Winner winner, Dave’s Hot Chicken dinner: Emerson men’s lacrosse’s new NIL deal

By Merritt Hughes / December 11, 2024

For the second time in Emerson College’s history, student-athletes will have a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal.  Beginning in January, all...

Vice President, Student Affairs Christie Anglade. (courtesy Derek Palmer for EmersonToday)

Christie Anglade named Emerson’s next vice president of student affairs

By Sam Shipman, Assistant News Editor / December 4, 2024

Christie Anglade will become the college’s next vice president of Student Affairs beginning Dec. 15, after temporarily serving the position for six...

People pose for a group photo with the tree in the Boston Commons on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Nick Peace/ Beacon Staff)

The arrival of Boston Common’s Christmas tree kicks off Boston’s holiday season

By Hannah Woods, Staff Writer / December 4, 2024

With umbrellas up and spirits high, attendees braved the pouring rain last Wednesday in anticipation of the arrival of a Christmas tree from Nova Scotia.  The...

Uncle Drosselmeyer presents the nutcracker doll to Clara. (Courtesy of Grand Kyiv Ballet)

The Grand Kyiv Ballet presents Ukrainian culture in its rendition of ‘The Nutcracker’

By Rylie Burns, Layout Editor, Newsletter Editor, Assistant Sports Editor, Assistant Social Media Manager / December 4, 2024

The Grand Kyiv Ballet of Ukraine presented a dazzling production of “The Nutcracker” on Nov. 29 at the Emerson Colonial Theatre. Founder Oleksandr...

Hundreds of teacher’s union members from Marblehead, Gloucester, and Beverly rallied outside the Massachusetts Statehouse in a continued strike for compensation and benefits on November 19, 2024 (Nick Peace / Beacon Staff).

From the school lawn to the Statehouse: North Shore teachers continue to rally

By Bryan Hecht, News Co-editor / November 20, 2024

Hundreds of teachers union members from Marblehead (MEA), Gloucester, and Beverly (BTA) gathered outside the Massachusetts Statehouse Tuesday afternoon...

Sophomore center Claire English (#17) prepares to shoot free throws against Suffolk on Sunday, Nov. 17. (Courtesy of Nate Gardner)

Basketball splits Sunday doubleheader with scoring career-highs

By Jordan Pagkalinawan / November 20, 2024

Days after their respective seasons began, the Emerson women’s and men’s basketball teams returned to the Bobbi Brown and Steven Plofker Gym in an...