In 1972, Berkshire Community College (BCC) moved from its original location in downtown Pittsfield (visit the Wikipedia article to learn more) to the "park-like" landscape on West Street, surrounded by farmland and Pittsfield State Forest.
Shortly thereafter, the Environmental program took shape and improved during a period when protection of natural resources was reaching a global awakening. By the time some of the original faculty (Dick Ferren, John Anthony, John Lambert and especially George Hamilton) and administrators (especially Tom O’Connell) made improvements to the new Environmental program, strengthened our ties to State and Federal Wildlife Agencies (as well as local and regional industries), and built the Hoffmann Environmental Center, Jimmy Carter began his presidency in 1977.
Students had already been flocking to the program and it was sometime in the late 1970s that the White House learned of BCC. Without knowing the exact date, Jimmy Carter himself (his staff, probably) sent an Award of Excellence to our Environmental students. Knowing how Carter's efforts to help people and the environment continues even today (he and Rosalynn are avid birders), this is reminder of our connection . Next to the Award of Excellence, BCC has a copy of one his books: An Outdoor Journal: Adventures and Reflections (1994).
Jimmy Carter BCC Award of Excellence