Girl Scouts receive $15K for ‘It’s a Girls World’  

Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) announces the continued investment by the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation through a $15,000 grant in support of “It’s A Girls World,” one of the community based programs it offers.

The after-school program engages Hampden County girls in grades K-6 in STEM, financial literacy, and health and personal wellness topics.

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is a collection of engaging, challenging, and fun activities for girls to develop a strong sense of self, display positive values, seek challenges, learn from setbacks, form and maintain healthy relationships, and learn to identify and solve problems in their community.

The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation supports a variety of nonprofit organizations seeking to improve the quality of lives for those living in Hampden County.

Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts serves nearly 6,000 girls in grades K-12 with more than 3,000 adult volunteers in 186 towns and cities in central and western Massachusetts.

Northampton men’s, coed fall softball leagues

NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting teams for its Men’s and Coed Fall Softball Leagues. The deadline for all fees, rosters and a signed player conduct form is Wednesday, Aug. 28 by 4 p.m.

Each team will play a 10-12 game regular season followed by double elimination playoffs. League play starts after Labor Day and will continue through early November. For more information, or to request an information packet, contact Northampton Parks & Recreation at 413-587-1040, stop by the office at 100A Bridge Road or visit northamptonma.gov/recreation.

Holyoke launches Historic Sign Plaque Program

HOLYOKE — The Holyoke Historical Commission, in collaboration with Holyoke High Dean Campus Carpentry Shop, has launched a Historic Plaque Sign Program aimed at preserving and celebrating the rich history of the city.

The program will provide plaques for residential properties that hold significant historical value, allowing residents and visitors to learn about the historical homes that have influenced city neighborhoods.

People interested in participating in the program can find applications at holyoke.org/historic-plaque-program/

For questions, contact the Historical Commission at HHCC@holyoke.org.

WNE awarded $500K to establish pharmaceutical engineering degree

SPRINGFIELD — Western New England University (WNE) is the recipient of a $500,000 grant to establish an interdisciplinary Master’s in Pharmaceutical Engineering degree program. The grant was announced by the Healey-Driscoll administration as part of an overall $13.1 million awarded through the Massachusetts Life Science Center (MLSC).

The new program will take advantage of university strengths in pharmaceutical sciences within the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and mechanical and biomedical engineering within the College of Engineering.

The degree will provide a comprehensive education in the biopharmaceutical industry with a unique focus on the transformative field of Advanced Therapeutic Medicinal Products (ATMP). ATMPs are medicines for human use based on genes, cell or tissue engineering.

The new degree builds on both colleges’ reputations of advancing scientific knowledge, allowing students the opportunity to learn from faculty and other researchers who are widely recognized for their contributions to the fields of pharmaceutical and engineering sciences. Students with a BS degree in sciences, engineering, mathematics, or pharmacy sciences with a desire to enter the field of biotechnology, biomanufacturing, bioprocessing, biopharma, and cell and gene therapy are eligible to apply. Enrollment is slated to begin in the late fall 2024 semester.