- University and Christ Church choirs present music of HaydnThe ongoing collaboration between the Fitchburg State University and Christ Church choirs continues this month with “The Heavens are Telling: The Music of Franz Joseph Haydn” at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 28. The concert will be held at Christ Church, 569 Main St. Admission is free with a $10 donation suggested at the door. The collaborative arts event combines university and community musicians, featuring music for voices and orchestra by renowned classical composer Franz Joseph Haydn. "It is always a joy and a privilege to bring together the musicians of Fitchburg State Choirs and Christ Church, and we are very excited to continue our long-term collaboration with this upcoming springtime show," said Associate Professor Jonathan Harvey, who will conduct the concert. There will also be an open rehearsal for this show at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18 at Christ Church. The open rehearsal will be presented as part of the city's 01420 Week festivities. Admission to the open rehearsal is free. To learn more about Fitchburg State’s choral and instrumental ensembles, please visit fitchburgstate.edu/music.
- University dedicates new biotechnology laboratoryFitchburg State University celebrated the dedication of its new biotechnology research lab on Wednesday, April 10. From left, Dean of Health and Natural Sciences Jennifer Hanselman, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Patricia A. Marshall, Susan Templeton of State Sen. John Cronin’s office, Fitchburg Mayor Samantha Squailia, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Vice President of Education and Workforce Programs Ryan H. Mudawar, University President Richard S. Lapidus, Biology and Chemistry Department Chairman Michael Nosek, and Biology and Chemistry Department Professor Erin Rehrig. Fitchburg State University dedicated its new biotechnology research laboratory this week during a daylong celebration of its investment in life sciences that included presentations by students and career networking opportunities. University President Richard S. Lapidus welcomed guests including representatives from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, MassBioEd and Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives, as well as local elected leaders who celebrated the impact of the laboratory and what it represents. (See more photos from the event on the Burg Blog.) The laboratory, located in the Antonucci Science Complex, was created by a grant worth nearly $750,000 from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MSLC), a quasi-public economic development and investment agency with a mission of supporting the growth and development of the life sciences in Massachusetts. “The laboratory’s equipment provides state of the art tools for hundreds of students in our STEM programs, who are guided by our dedicated faculty to develop skills and prepare for rewarding careers in the state’s fast growing life science industry,” President Lapidus said. “I thank our generous partners for investing in Fitchburg State’s students and their boundless potential.” MLSC Vice President of Education and Workforce Programs Ryan H. Mudawar said the new laboratory emerged from discussions with Fitchburg State faculty two years ago about their needs and aspirations for students in their disciplines. “That’s why the MSLC was created, to transform life sciences education,” said Mudawar. “We cannot continue to be a global leader if we don’t have a workforce development pipeline. You are the future of this industry.” The program, organized by the university’s School of Health and Natural Sciences and the office of Dean Jennifer Hanselman, included presentations by students who participated this academic year in paid research opportunities supported by a grant from the Moderna Charitable Foundation. Adama Bangura '24 Adama Bangura, a senior from Boston majoring in biology, worked with faculty mentor Dennis Awasibsah and fellow research scholars Zachary Desir and Jack Gangemi on a project exploring the efficacy of antimalarial drugs. Bangura said the research focus resonated with her as her family is from Africa, where malaria remains a potent concern. “Studying this is near and dear to my heart,” she said. Bangura, who like the other research participants was paid a stipend through the grant, said she learned new techniques and equipment through the project. “This experience has made me think a little differently about my career path,” she said. She is exploring graduate school options and is considering medical school. Stephanie Pelletier '24 Stephanie Pelletier, a senior from Ashby majoring in biology with a concentration in biotechnology, worked with faculty mentor Eric Williams and fellow research scholars Ahmed Mustafa, Cyan Neglawi, Melanie Mejia and Steven Basaistegui on a project modeling muscular dystrophy in cell culture. Pelletier said working on the project was educational and provided her with valuable perspective as she prepares to enter the workforce after graduation. “I’m really thankful to have this experience under my belt,” she said. “I won’t be starting from scratch.” Following the ribbon-cutting and tour, the day’s programs included a panel talk and career networking session with industry professionals that was presented in partnership with MassBioEd. (See photos from the panel and networking session on the Burg Blog.)
- RESCHEDULED: Drag Show will benefit scholarship fundThe Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) at Fitchburg State University will present its 17th annual benefit drag show at 7 p.m. Friday, May 3, an event designed to entertain, enlighten, and share a great cultural experience with the community. (The event was originally scheduled for April 4 and rescheduled because of inclement weather.) The “Dancing Queens” drag show will be held at the Athletics and Recreation Center, 130 North St., Fitchburg. Proceeds from the show will support the LGBTQ Student Scholarship at Fitchburg State. The program is labeled as New England’s largest and oldest drag show. This year’s program will feature dancing and cabaret-style performances by 7 stage performers including Anita Cocktail, Destiny Boston, Jada Pinkette Fox, Abby Cummings, Lady Sabrina and Roxy Brooks, with Raquel Blake to be the Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening. DJ Scotty P will spin the tunes for the show, during which a major announcement will be made. The highly anticipated Drag Race, with students from the university, will crown a Drag Queen and a Drag King. “It is a thrill and honor to be able to advise this club for 23 years,” said Associate Director of Student Development Shane Franzen, who has organized the show since its inception. “Their commitment to change, education, and camaraderie is overwhelming. This show is a culmination of a year’s worth of hard work. With the negative rhetoric that the LGBTQ+ community faces every day, this show is such an important way for our students and Fitchburg State Community to combat such hate. We are very excited, ecstatic to be honest, to be able to make a major announcement at this year's show as a way to make change in the lives of our students and the Fitchburg community.” This event is for audiences aged 18 and over. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for the public. Tickets can be purchased at the door the night of the show, or online at https://secure.touchnet.net/C20743_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=94&SINGLESTORE=true. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. before the 7 p.m. showtime
- Students learn leadership, life lessons from hockey great Shawn ThorntonShawn Thornton, at far right, discusses his career with student interviewers (from left) Trenton Skaggs, Samuel Rennick and Toivo Kramer. When two-time Stanley Cup-winning hockey player Shawn Thornton was invited to campus this spring to discuss his grueling journey to the pinnacle of the National Hockey League, three members of the Fitchburg State Falcons ice hockey team were thrilled to be selected to moderate the discussion. Toivo Kramer, a junior studying economics; Samuel Rennick, a junior studying construction management; and Trenton Skaggs, a sophomore studying business administration, found themselves at first starstruck by their famous guest, but quickly grew comfortable with the “normal guy” they found themselves meeting. (See more photos from the event on the university's Burg Blog.) Thornton’s talk at Weston Auditorium was preceded by a dinner with members of the hockey team and student ambassadors from the School of Health and Natural Sciences and the School of Business and Technology. The three moderators are also part of the student ambassador group. “Meeting Shawn Thornton was, first of all, extremely inspiring,” said Kramer. “It was very nice to meet someone who has achieved so much, and is royalty in Boston, not only be so humble but just a pleasure to be around. He was very down to earth and just a normal guy.” Rennick, who grew up a fan of the Bruins (and all Boston sports teams), said it was Thornton’s willingness to share credit for his success that struck a nerve. “His stories were cool to hear, but the one part that stood out to me was his grandmother's importance in his life,” Rennick said. “He talked about how after games or fights she’d be on the side waiting to congratulate him and slide him $20. Now this story may not have been the one that stood out to everyone, but for me, it hit home. I’ve been playing hockey at Fitchburg State for three years now and my grandmother is by far my biggest fan. She’d show up and watch me play and she’d even come sit next to me in the stands while I was scratched and watch the team play. I bring this up because Shawn had a dream of playing hockey, but he never once took credit for his success.” Instead, Rennick continued, he was impressed with how Thornton credited his wife for helping him get his life on track, as well as his grandmother. “Meeting Shawn Thornton the Bruin was absolutely incredible, but meeting Shawn Thornton the person was something I won’t take for granted. I want to thank (Dean of Health and Natural Sciences and Dean of Business and Technology) Jennifer Hanselman for the opportunity she gave us all.” “It was truly an honor and privilege to be able to meet and talk to Shawn Thornton, whose upbringing and personal achievements I once dreamt of when I was a kid,” said Skaggs. “To hear his stories of adversity and perseverance, whether in business or his hockey career, was truly inspiring and motivational as I head into the next chapter of my life." Shawn Thornton recently authored a memoir about his experiences in professional hockey, and is also president and director of The Shawn Thornton Foundation that he created to help find cures for diseases close to his heart, specifically Parkinson's and cancer. Thornton answered students’ questions with candor and good humor, talking about his role as an enforcer on the ice and the all important willingness to put in the work to perform at a high level over his 20-year career. Upon getting called up to the NHL after playing 600 games in the minors, Thornton recalled being exhausted by workouts and practice. “I’d literally just tell myself, you can go back to the minors, or you can be tired.” He was also quick to credit good luck with playing a role in his journey. “My dream was to play in the NHL and hold a Stanley Cup over my head,” he said. “It was never a goal.” Thornton ultimately became the only player in professional hockey history to begin his career after expansion and play in over 700 NHL games and 600 American Hockey League games. He is the only player this century to record 10 fights, score 10 goals and win the Stanley Cup in the same season. The students valued the life lessons Thornton shared. “I understand that I will not play in the NHL, but his message of hard work and discipline to reach your goals is what inspired me,” said Kramer. “You only get to live this life once, so why not work as hard as you can and try to achieve your dreams and goals. If you don't succeed, as long as you try your hardest you can walk away knowing you did the best you can.” “This experience with Shawn was awesome, but I think the biggest thing I took from this is to appreciate life, the grind it takes, and never give up,” said Rennick. “It made me appreciate where I am a lot more. Not that I don’t already appreciate playing hockey here, but sometimes we take these days in college for granted. We don’t realize we are living somebody’s dream, whether it's our own or the younger kids who come to watch us play. It’s really just lit a fire inside of me to be completely honest. I want to be better and more hard-working after our interaction with Shawn.” “His comments on working hard and fighting his way through adversity really resonated with my own experiences, because the world is so competitive that he emphasized the mindset and the determination that is required to compete and perform at a high level,” Skaggs said. “He mentioned talking about the 2011 Bruins that everyone found their niche or role on the team, which is critical for a successful organization because everyone contributes their skill level in order to pursue their ultimate goal. Some of the takeaways from our conversation is that no matter what you are going into whether sports, business, or life in general, hard work and learning never stops. Being able to capitalize on opportunities and make the most of your time will help contribute to your success as a person and a businessman.”
- Presidential finalists named(Note - This press release has been modified to reflect the departure of a fourth finalist for the presidency). Three finalists have been named for Fitchburg State University’s next president. The candidates, selected in a nationwide search, will visit the university campus in the coming weeks to meet with campus constituencies including open forums with the general public. The university’s Board of Trustees will vote on the next presidential appointment and submit the name to the state Department of Higher Education for final approval. The next president will succeed Dr. Richard S. Lapidus, Fitchburg State’s 11th president, who has led the institution since 2015. The finalists will each spend two days on campus meeting with students, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as open sessions for external constituents. The finalists, in order of their scheduled campus visits, are: Dr. Karim Ismaili, Executive Vice President and Provost at Bridgewater State University. The public forum for Dr. Ismaili will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 11 in Ellis White Lecture Hall in Hammond Hall. Dr. Mark Overmyer-Velázquez, Dean and Chief Administrative Officer at the University of Connecticut-Hartford. The public forum for Dr. Overmyer-Velázquez will be at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 in Ellis White Lecture Hall in Hammond Hall. Dr. Donna Souder Hodge, Vice President of Operations & Advancement at Colorado State University, Pueblo. The public forum for Dr. Souder Hodge will be at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 23 in Ellis White Lecture Hall in Hammond Hall. The national search was led by a committee appointed by the Board of Trustees earlier this year, chaired by Trustee Eric A. Gregoire, himself a 2011 graduate of the university. The search committee included representation from the campus and community and worked with executive search firm WittKieffer to identify candidates for the post. “The opportunity to lead Fitchburg State generated substantial interest and today I'm proud to report the recommended finalists each embody the characteristics required of our next president,” Gregoire said. “These accomplished academic leaders come from diverse backgrounds and impressive experiences that distinguish themselves and with an understanding of our special role as a regional comprehensive university prepared to lead Fitchburg State to a dynamic and bright future. There are substantial opportunities and significant challenges the next president will contend with but they will be forging ahead with a campus and broader community energized by the opportunity to work together ensuring Fitchburg State will flourish for the benefit of our students present and future.” Additional information on the search may be found at fitchburgstate.edu/presidential-search.
- University to dedicate biotechnology labFitchburg State University will cut the ribbon on its new biotechnology research laboratory and host a panel discussion on the present and future of the life sciences in Massachusetts on Wednesday, April 10. The biology and chemistry laboratory investments were made possible by a $750,000 grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. The event will include poster presentations by undergraduate students who have engaged in research sponsored by the Moderna Charitable Foundation. The day’s programs will conclude with a MassBioEd networking event for undergraduate students and industry professionals. The programs will be held in the university's Antonucci Science Complex at 333 North St. The events start with a ribbon-cutting at 2 p.m., followed by a panel discussion at 3:15 p.m. and the career fair at 4 p.m. “We are excited to celebrate the opening of this new laboratory space and to share the research performed by our undergraduate students,” said University President Richard S. Lapidus. “These life-changing opportunities and resources were made possible by generous support from our partners, and we are thrilled to show them the impact of their gifts.” The grant-funded laboratory equipment will serve all biology and chemistry students, as it will be incorporated into all aspects of the curriculum, from introductory core classes to upper-level electives and independent research. The modernized equipment will give faculty the ability to train students in some of the most sought-after biotechnology skills. Students will also be better prepared for workplace experiences, including internships. In addition, the grant will also serve students taking the newly formed data analytics minor, allowing Fitchburg State to develop new coursework to diversify its offerings and attract more students to this growing field. The research grant, facilitated by the university’s Biology and Chemistry Department, targets traditionally underserved populations to engage students in mentorship and high-impact practices as an undergraduate research community. The program is designed to help students navigate a post-COVID higher education landscape by increasing the retention and graduation rates of traditionally underserved populations. Receiving a stipend and academic credit, the student research fellows will work 10 hours per week, receiving one-on-one mentorship and instruction on cutting-edge techniques in their fields of interest. Participating students are paired with faculty mentors to conduct credit-bearing research. The students in the program are paid for all aspects of their work, including performing experiments in the lab, analyzing data, preparing for weekly presentations, and career development activities. At the end of the Spring 2024 semester, the 12 students in the inaugural cohort will present their work at the university’s annual Undergraduate Conference for Research and Creative Practice on April 18, as well as a statewide research conference.
- Tasting event will explore cultural exchange of food between Italy and U.S.Renowned author Fred Plotkin will guide a tasting tour of the scambio - the exchange of food between Italy and America - at Fitchburg State University’s Center for Italian Culture dinner at 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 12 in Hammond Hall. The program is presented as part of the center’s yearlong series Nuovo Mondo, exploring a century of migrations to and from Italy. Plotkin, co-author of Rick Steves' Italy for Food Lovers, will discuss how American corn made its way into Italian polenta and how a popular sandwich on the streets of Palermo turned into a classic of New Orleans. Guests will savor enduring mealtime customs and wine pairings as they learn about the cross-cultural influences of food. Plotkin has long been a Fitchburg State favorite, appearing in person and online to curate and lead appetizing and entertaining tasting tours of Italian regions and traditions. Plotkin will be remote for this event, but will be guiding the discussion and tasting in real-time. Tickets for Scambio are $55, inclusive of paired wine, and may be purchased online. Additional wine and beer will be available for purchase at the event on April 12.
- Fitchburg State earns Military Friendly designation for 2024-25Fitchburg State University announced that it has earned the 2024-2025 Military Friendly® School designation. Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. The rankings measure institutions’ ability to meet thresholds for retention, graduation, job placement, repayment, persistence, and loan default rates for all students, and specifically for student veterans. Fitchburg State has been designated a Military Friendly® institution every year since 2015. “We are proud of our ongoing designation as a Military Friendly institution,” Fitchburg State President Richard S. Lapidus said. “The designation reflects our continuing commitment to students who are pursuing academic degrees after serving our country. We are honored to engage in this work, and appreciate the valuable experiences these students contribute to our campus environment.” More than 150 student veterans are enrolled at Fitchburg State this semester. For more information about the university’s student veteran programs, visit fitchburgstate.edu/veterans. About Military Friendly ® Schools The Military Friendly ® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com. About Fitchburg State University Fitchburg State University public institution located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, dedicated to integrating high-quality professional programs with strong liberal arts and sciences studies. Founded in 1894, the university has more than 30 undergraduate programs and 22 master’s programs.
- Nuovo Mondo series continues with screening and discussion with filmmakerThe Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University will continue its 2023-2024 programming series, Nuovo Mondo: A Century of Immigration from and to Italy, with a series of film screenings that focus on recent immigration to Italy from diverse perspectives. Admission to the screenings, all of which will be held in Ellis White Lecture Hall in Hammond Hall, is free and open to the public. The events will also include a virtual workshop in April for those interested in applying for Italian citizenship. The film series continues at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2 with Maka (2023), which tells the story of Geneviève Makaping's life in Italy and perilous migration journey. The Cameroonian-Italian anthropologist and writer is the first black woman to serve as the editor of a newspaper in Italy. Inspired by Makaping's book Reversing the Gaze, the film offers a poignant reflection on displacement, identity, and belonging. Filmmaker Simone Brioni Following the screening, Associate Professor Kevin McCarthy of the Communications Media Department will facilitate a virtual question and answer session with the film’s writer, Simone Brioni. The center will also host a virtual workshop on applying for Italian citizenship at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 16. Information on signing up for the forum, presented by the Vermont Italian Cultural Association, will be posted to the CIC’s programming page at fitchburgstate.edu/nuovo-mondo.
- Former Bruin Shawn Thornton to speak on April 8Shawn Thornton, the former Boston Bruin who played on two Stanley Cup-winning National Hockey League teams, will speak about his life during an appearance at Fitchburg State University on Monday, April 8. Thornton, currently a senior vice president with the Florida Panthers, will present "Fighting My Way to the Top" at 7 p.m. Monday, April 8 at Weston Auditorium, 353 North St. Admission to the talk is free and open to the public. The discussion will be moderated by Fitchburg State students Toivo Kramer, Samuel Rennick and Trenton Skaggs, all of whom are student ambassadors for the university’s School of Business and Technology as well as members of the Fitchburg State Falcons ice hockey team. Thornton played professional hockey for 20 years, concluding his playing career as a member of the Panthers on April 8, 2017. A two-time Stanley Cup champion (2007, 2011), the native of Oshawa, Ontario, appeared in 705 NHL games with the Panthers (2014-15 to 2016-17), Boston Bruins (2007-08 to 2013-14), Anaheim Ducks (2006-07) and Chicago Blackhawks (2002-03 to 2005-06) recording 102 points (42-60-102). During his playing career with the Panthers, Thornton became the only player in professional hockey history to begin his career after expansion and play in over 700 NHL games and 600 American Hockey League games. He is the only player this century to record 10 fights, score 10 goals and win the Stanley Cup in the same season. He founded the Shawn Thornton Foundation in 2013 and serves as its president and director. The Shawn Thornton Foundation is dedicated to helping find cures for diseases close to his heart, specifically Parkinson's and cancer. Through his foundation, Thornton holds an annual “Pucks and Punches for Parkinson's” golf event and does charitable work throughout Boston and South Florida. Thornton joined the Florida Panthers executive staff on June 1, 2017, after playing three seasons with the club over his 20-year professional hockey career. His memoir, “Fighting My Way to the Top,” was published in 2021. The talk on April 8 is sponsored by Fitchburg State’s Office of the President, Office of the Provost, Office of Student Affairs, and the School of Business and Technology.
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