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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

The first cohort of students graduated from MCI-Concord Sept. 27

Emerson Prison Initiative graduates first cohort of students

By Maddie Khaw / October 5, 2022

On Mondays, Robb Eason’s entry to his classroom looks a little bit different than usual. Instead of entering Walker or Tufte building and tapping...

From top left to bottom right: Emerson alumni Sam Crimmins, André Archimbaud, Gaby Dunn, Dustin Straube, Steven Rowley and Kasey Fielding. / courtesy

Safe spaces, section 8 and student loan debt: Emerson alums say they (mostly) don’t regret the financial risk

By Vivi Smilgius / August 30, 2022

For many freshly graduated Emersonians, monthly loan payments are a harsh awakening to the real world of work—or lack thereof—as creatives. While movements...

Soledad O'Brien speaking to graduates during 2019's commencement ceremony.

College officials reconsidering in-person commencement

By Frankie Rowley and Camilo Fonseca / March 25, 2021

Emerson is “exploring several options” for an in-person commencement ceremony alongside the previously announced virtual celebration on May 9, according...

Soledad O'Brien speaking to graduates during 2019's commencement ceremony.

Should Emerson host in-person graduation?

By Editorial Board / March 25, 2021

As college students, the driving force to get us through 8 a.m. classes, midterm exams, and the ever-rising tuition rate is the monumental closing event...

The college illuminated Little Building with artwork and messages celebrating the graduating class of 2020 on Saturday. The display will run for two weeks.

Two Emerson classes devastated by loss of graduation ceremonies

By Frankie Rowley / March 17, 2021

For the second year in a row, Emerson will hold an online commencement ceremony in May, slashing a ritual many recent and upcoming graduates anticipated...

Courtesy of Emerson College.

2021 commencement ceremony to be held virtually

By Frankie Rowley / February 4, 2021

The class of 2021’s commencement ceremony will be held virtually on May 9, Emerson announced in an email Thursday.  The announcement comes amid statewide...

Students cross the intersection of Boylston St. and Tremont St. in front of the Little Building.

Hybrid class scheduling restrictions disrupt students’ graduation timelines

By Dana Gerber / November 26, 2020

A college policy that prohibits students from mixing flex—a hybrid of in-person and online courses—and online-only courses is disrupting some students’...

The college illuminated Little Building with artwork and messages celebrating the graduating class of 2020 on Saturday. The display will run for two weeks.

College lights up Little Building in honor of graduating students

By Diana Bravo and Dylan Rossiter / May 16, 2020

A series of messages and artwork lit up the Little Building Saturday night to honor the Class of 2020.  The 11-story art installation titled “One...

"We did not just work so hard for four years and not be able to celebrate those achievements with our friends and loved ones. We deserve to walk."

Seniors are robbed of a milestone by not walking in person

By Melissa Rosales / March 31, 2020

In an email to the Class of 2020, President M. Lee Pelton announced that Commencement on May 9 and 10 will be postponed.  “No doubt, this news comes...

Senior Tatiana Melendez, pictured second from the left in the top row, said she was looking forward to celebrating Commencement with her friends.
Top Row (left to right): Jonah Puskar, Ann Zhang, Raz Moayed.
Bottom Row (left to right): Melissa Leslie, Lily Scher.

Seniors hoping to walk in May face altered plans as COVID-19 spreads

By Dana Gerber, Assistant Enterprise Editor / March 25, 2020

Senior Tatiana Melendez found out there wouldn't be a traditional 2020 Commencement weekend only a week after her ELA classes moved online and she had...

A pile of belonging rests curbside as one of the hundreds of Emerson students who live on campus squeezed everything they owned into their car.

How the coronavirus outbreak is affecting students’ lives

By Melissa Rosales / March 22, 2020

On this week’s episode of The Beacon, we discuss how the coronavirus outbreak affects students’ lives, with producer Melissa Rosales, Berkeley Beacon’s...

The strange nature of success

By Madelene Nieman / December 7, 2017

This issue marks my last week at the Beacon. Once I submit my thesis next week I will also experience my last week as an undergraduate student. It’s...