UMass Amherst renames Mount Ida campus
NEWTON— The University of Massachusetts Amherst has announced that it will rename its center for professional development and experiential learning in Newton to the “Charles River Campus of UMass Amherst.” The name change will take effect in January 2026.
The campus has been the “Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst” since the university acquired the 66-acre property upon Mount Ida College’s closure in 2018.
The renaming follows a six-month stakeholder input process with feedback from students, faculty, staff and university governance groups. Charles River Campus of UMass Amherst won out over other options due to its placemaking appeal and connection to Greater Boston.
The soon-to-be-renamed campus hosts comprehensive internship pathway programs in psychological AND brain sciences, law and policy, and sociology that combine academic coursework with semester internships at corporate, nonprofit and public sector employers. Pathway programs in biology, applied humanities and engineering will come online in 2026 and 2027.
This year, UMass Amherst introduced the Career Launch program, which gives first-year students to spend a semester on the Newton campus exploring how to connect their academic discipline to career opportunities in Greater Boston.
Other undergraduate programs on the campus include veterinary technology, a Mount Ida College program adopted and redesigned by UMass Amherst. The campus also offers professional graduate programs, including master’s in business analytics and statistics, and workforce training programs.
Pop-up artisans day at Hadley Senior Center
HADLEY — A pop-up artisans day celebration and sale will be held at the Hadley Senior Center, 46 Middle St., Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Friends of the Hadley Council on Aging is putting on the event, which will feature local artisans and their crafts. The sale will include fiber art, books, paintings and cards.
New and existing programs at the senior center will be supported with 10% of the proceeds from the sale.
Those interested in volunteering to set up the event space in the hour leading up to the sale should contact the Council on Aging at 413-586-4023, ext. 5.
Poetic Recovery presents ‘Cultural Healing’ program
AMHEREST — Poetic Recovery will present a “Cultural Healing” program with DJ Johny Juice of Public Enemy, University of Massachusetts professor Amilcar Shabazz and local artists and poets on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 5 to 10 p.m.
The program will take place at the New Africa House Theatre on the UMass campus, 180 Infirmary Ave. It will include workshops and performances with community awards and Shabazz as the keynote speaker. Performances by DJ Johnny Juice Rosado of Public Enemy, singers, HipHop, and local poets including “The Life Giving Emcee,” Jenny HBO, Kae Price, Da Gifted, Ali Haqq, Darlene Elias, and Maurice “Soulfighter” Taylor.
The annual event is designed to bring together educators, activists, artists, students and community members to celebrate yearlong work of encouraging healing, recovery, and connection via cultural expression.
Poetic Recovery was founded 20-plus years ago by Maurice “Soulfighter” Taylor to provide an alcohol and drug free open mic performance space to aid those in recovery from alcoholism, addiction and trauma. This led to the development of a group of local artists committed to hosting events that encourage peace, education, healing, and recovery.
The event is open to the public and admission is on a sliding scale with a $7 suggested donation.
Holiday Bake & Book sale coming up in Hadley
HADLEY — A holiday Bake & Book Sale and Raffle is being Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hadley Public Library, 50 Middle St.
The Friends of the Hadley Public Library is sponsoring the event.