Alumni Spotlights

Embracing the unexpected twists of life, Jay Ogle transformed his associate degree earned in Human Services into the foundation of his dynamic approach to business development. ... "I chose BCC for its accessibility, affordability and the fact that I was able to integrate the huge time commitment of school into my working life."

Phlebotomy is literally in Wendi Ridgeway's blood. Her grandmothers and great-grandmothers were nurses, and she had an interest in healthcare at a young age. "It's a genetic thing for me." ... She liked the phlebotomy part of the classes best, even though she had some obstacles to overcome.

Even though Stefanie Weber grew up in Pittsfield, a self-proclaimed "GE kid," she never imagined she'd live here full time to pursue her art. Today, she is an action-based artist who specializes in dance, movement and performance, having worked with famed Berkshire institutions such as Jacob's Pillow, Barrington Stage Company, Berkshire Opera Company and others.

"I never adapted well in high school because I never understood the social hierarchy. That's a critical way BCC has helped me, aside from giving me real-world tools and real-world scenarios. It's a new experience. You get to shed that old shell or find a new one. You walk away stronger than you were before ..."

If ever there were an alum who reveres BCC, it would be John Bresnahan '74. Not only did he and his sister and brother matriculate from BCC, but all four of his children also attended BCC. "I wasn't quite sure of the path I wanted, other than I wanted a baccalaureate degree. I decided to start with my associate degree at BCC..."