Play at Mount Holyoke recalls tough days at male-dominated MIT

When you hear the name Larry Summers, assorted descriptions may come to mind. Economist. Former Harvard University president. United States Treasury Secretary under Bill Clinton and economic adviser to Barack Obama. Outspoken. Controversial.

Artistic muse? Not so likely.

South Hadley fire district asks Mount Holyoke to increase donation

SOUTH HADLEY - Mount Holyoke College is being asked to increase its annual donation to Fire District 2 seven-fold, as district officials grapple with the rising cost of providing services.

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

Alan Bloomgarden of Mount Holyoke named to state commission

SOUTH HADLEY - Gov. Deval Patrick has appointed Alan Bloomgarden, coordinator of the Community-Based Learning Program at Mount Holyoke College, to a Special Commission on Civic Engagement and Learning.

Amherst College artist, ESPN team up on drawings for Heisman show

AMHERST - Now here are some unusual teammates.

The sports network ESPN recently hired an Amherst College artist to create drawings of 30 college football players as part of its production of the 77th Heisman trophy presentation earlier this month.

Smith, Mount Holyoke help increase women leaders in public service

NORTHAMPTON - It is only fitting that Smith and Mount Holyoke colleges are playing a major role in a new U.S. State Department initiative to boost the number of women leaders in public service worldwide. As Smith President Carol T. Christ points out, the Northampton college and its sister colleges, including Mount Holyoke in South Hadley, have been educating women for leadership since the end of the 19th century. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will officially launch the project and give a keynote speech at a colloquium in Washington, D.C., today, with more than 100 students, faculty and alumnae from Smith and Mount Holyoke expected to attend.

• Click here for the Women in Public Service Project

Delegation from China tours local institutions