Amherst College president Carolyn 'Biddy' Martin focuses on the community

AMHERST - At a recent dinner at the South Pleasant Street home of Amherst College President Carolyn "Biddy" Martin, several international students from numerous countries and socio-economic backgrounds gathered around the dining-room table. The meal, she said, served as reflection that the college, which into the 1970s had an entirely male and mostly white student body, has more than half of its newest class made up of either students of color or students of international origin.

Greenfield Community College, at 50, seeks nominees for alumni honors

GREENFIELD - To celebrate Greenfield Community College's 50th anniversary, the 2012 GCC Distinguished Alumni Award will be given to 37 alumni.

These 37 will join the 13 distinguished alumni who have been honored since 2001, to make an even 50.

Businesses step up to help Greenfield Community College with renovations

GREENFIELD - With the core complete and the building renovated, Greenfield Community College has turned its eye toward the continued improvement of its classrooms, and the business community has stepped up to help.

Greenfield Community College trustees want to keep local control

GREENFIELD - Seated around a large table one morning last week, members of the Greenfield Community College board of trustees discussed budget projections and staffing decisions - powers they may no longer have by the end of next year.

Community college consolidation proposal questioned

GREENFIELD - Gov. Deval Patrick's proposal for centralizing the state's community college administration is causing some concern among local officials.

Region's tree-lined colleges confront damage from Halloween storm

SOUTH HADLEY - Two and a half months after the freak Halloween snowstorm, grounds crews at the region's colleges continue to address the damage to their tree canopies. Paul Breen of Mount Holyoke College says 90 percent of the 1,100 trees on the core campus in South Hadley sustained some damage, and just over 50 will have to be removed. Campuses around the Pioneer Valley are in various stages of recovery.

• Related story: Communities to replant in storm aftermath

Former UMass president Jack Wilson may continue collecting $425,000 pay

Former University of Massachusetts President Jack Wilson can continue to draw his $425,000 presidential salary while he remains on a yearlong sabbatical through June. The university's Compensation Committee reached that finding Wednesday after a national expert on higher education compensation said the agreement between UMass and Wilson, who stepped down June 30, 2011, lies within norms in higher education. The committee found the arrangement with Wilson to be consistent with university practice and with standards in the field.