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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

Gavin Creel. (Creative Commons)

‘He was a legend, a bright light in a tough business’: musical theater icon Gavin Creel dies at 48

By Jesse Lipschutz, Beacon Correspondent / October 14, 2024
On Sept. 30, the world lost beloved musical theater legend Gavin Creel.
Late Paramount security guard leaves legacy of dedication

Late Paramount security guard leaves legacy of dedication

By Zac Poulin, Correspondent / September 27, 2023

John O’Toole, who worked at Emerson College for 14 years, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 19 at Tufts Medical Center. He was 59 years old.  O’Toole...

Bill Alex's yearbook photo in The Emersonian, 1966.

‘Born communicator’ from class of 1966 leaves behind journalism scholarship

By Camilo Fonseca / March 30, 2022

Vassilios Alex didn’t learn English until kindergarten. That didn’t stop the Emerson alum from a decades-long radio career that saw him take on everything...

Former Lions volleyball player Kat Westbrook accumulated 151 kills and 58 digs in the 2012 season.

Remembering former Lions volleyball player Kat Westbrook

By Vivi Smilgius / March 23, 2022

A key contributor to Emerson’s women’s volleyball team, Katherine Westbrook ‘16 died of a fall on March 8, at the age of 28 years old. “She...

Pamela White, former associate vice president and Title IX & Clery act coordinator, dies at age 63

Pamela White, former associate vice president and Title IX & Clery act coordinator, dies at age 63

By Frankie Rowley, News Editor / January 4, 2022

Associate Vice President Pamela White, who served as Emerson’s Title IX & Clery Act coordinator, died on Dec. 29 at the age of 63, college officials...

Marla Kirban in 1970, her senior year at Emerson

Marla Kirban, Emerson alum and Hollywood voiceover coach, dies at 72

By Gabriel Borges, Beacon Correspondent / October 31, 2021

A long list of celebrity clients have walked through the doors of Marla Kirban Voiceover, a full service voiceover school run by the late Marla Kirban...

Pete Chvany (center), a former Emerson professor and longtime men's soccer coach

‘A friend to hundreds of Emersonians’: Pete Chvany, former professor and men’s soccer coach, dies at age 81

By Frankie Rowley / September 23, 2021

Pete Chvany’s three-decade tenure at Emerson was more than just an academic career—according to his son Alec Chvany ‘95, it was just the “third...

A bomb squad storms the Copley Westin Hotel on Sept. 12, 2001, looking for potential terrorist suspects.

Beacon alums look back on catastrophe coverage

By Camilo Fonseca / September 16, 2021

On Sept. 6, 2001, sophomore journalism major Cyndi Roy was writing about first-year orientation and college dorm policy. She never imagined that, just...

Chair of the Performing Arts Department Bob Colby, who died April 5, 2021

Late performing arts chair leaves behind legacy of empathy

By Camilo Fonseca / April 8, 2021

After 44 years at Emerson, students and colleagues fondly recalled Robert Colby as a committed theatre practitioner, a trusted mentor, and by many, a valued...

Amanda, Morse's daughter, said her father was always the first one to crack a joke.

Emerson Police Lieutenant remembered for positive, caring nature

By Charlie McKenna, Deputy News Editor / May 22, 2020

  Dan Morse’s laugh lit up every room he entered.  Worcester State University Police Chief Jason Kapurch, who worked with Morse for over...

Maureen Murphy, 64, died in December after an eight-month long battle with ovarian cancer.

Beloved mentor and financial administrator dead after battle with cancer

By Parker Purifoy / January 15, 2019

Vice President for Administration and Finance Maureen Murphy walked into the fall 2016 Media Art Gallery and witnessed a scene that looked straight out...

Flint grew up in East Bridgewater, Mass. Courtesy of Susan Flint.

Lucas Flint remembered as a kind-hearted, dedicated student

By Abigail Hadfield / January 14, 2019

At 15 years old, Lucas Flint performed tedious tasks at the Emerson radio station WERS as part of a volunteer program for non-Emerson students. Flint,...