NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The annual MCLA opening breakfast reflects on the year ahead — the incoming students, new faculty and programs, challenges and goals. 

 

President James Birge wrapped up the breakfast by saying Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is in a good place financially and programmatically, and that this was a "logical time" to retire. 

 

"After 10 years as president of MCLA and 42 years of working in higher education, I've decided it's time to retire," he told the packed Centennial Room on Tuesday morning. "I plan to leave MCLA at the conclusion of the academic year on June 30, 2026."

 

As he stepped away from the podium, the room rose for a standing ovation as he got a hug from his wife, Lisa. 

 

A former president of Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire, Birge is from Lee. He was selected as the college's 12th president in 2015 out of 178 applicants. He holds a doctorate in leadership studies from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., a masters of education in guidance and counseling from Plymouth (N.H.) State University and a bachelor's in elementary education from Westfield State University.

 

He'd joked at his investiture that he'd had no calling to be a college president — too difficult, too demanding and fraught with financial pressures. But, he "discovered that the role of president is much more life giving than anyone who hasn't been a president can realize."

 

Birge's led the college through some difficult years recently, as the pandemic and a drop in enrollment has affected not only MCLA but other small colleges throughout the region. He's leaving with enrollment on the rise, new programs in place and the institution on strong financial footing. 

 

"Despite the real challenges of being a college president, these last few years, I found a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity to serve MCLA as its 12th president," he said. "Some days are filled with responsibility, responsibilities that are unenviable, but on most days, I am reminded of how consequential our work is together, and that the outcomes we want for our students are worth all of the hard work."

 

Afterward, Birge said he hadn't spent long considering retirement and had come to the conclusion with his wife.

 

"I think really, it came to a head earlier this year when two of our daughters had children," he said. "So we have two granddaughters. So at that time, I think Lisa and I both started thinking it would be nice to spend a little time. And frankly, I think 42 years is enough for anybody."

 

It will be up to the new Board of Trustees to begin the search for a new president. The 11-member board's weclomed five new trustees this summer plus a new student trustee. Three new members were appointed last summer, including new Chair Buffy Lord.

 

Lord said the new board of trustees had met for orientation last month and that she was "very excited" at their enthusiasm and collaborative discussions.

 

The board will engage a search firm and establish a search committee consisting of faculty, staff, students and alumni. 

 

"We've launched a five-year strategic plan. We will successfully complete the most ambitious fundraising campaign in recent years by year's end, a slate of new trustees begins this fall, and as I noted, MCLA is on stable financial ground," Birge said. "All of these things make MCLA a very attractive presidency, and I suspect there will be a very strong pool of candidates to consider."

 

Over the next nine, he said he will be working the board to bring some projects to fruition and continue working toward other goals. 

 

"The big one is to roll out our strategic plan. I'm very excited about that. It has lots of really important work for us to accomplish. We, of course, want to continue to make expand our commitment diversity, equity, inclusion, so that's going to be a primary responsibility for all of us," he said. "I think that while we've had some increases in enrollment this year, we're still not where we need to be, and I want us to keep growing there, and think we've got the right team in admissions to do that, and frankly, trying to enjoy all the great things that happen here."