News

University holds 123rd Commencement Exercises
Fitchburg State held its 123^rd commencement exercises in May, conferring more than 800 undergraduate and graduate degrees over two ceremonies. The graduate commencement ceremony was the largest in the institution’s history, reflecting the growth of online programs that brought graduates from more than 20 states as well as Canada and Africa. At the undergraduate ceremony on Saturday, May 18, Fitchburg State alumnus Steven D. Borges, executive vice president and chief executive officer of Nypro Healthcare, addressed 650 graduating students and thousands of guests. He described his transformative educational experience at the university, which he entered uncertain about where his path would take him. “Fitchburg State provided me, and each of you, an extensive life tool box that you can leverage as you go forward,” Borges said. “Just as you’d take a hammer from a tool box to hang a picture, build a dog house or do a project in your home, your next step in building your own path is to decide how best to utilize the tools in your personal tool box and all the hard work you have done to get here today. Your education has set you up for a life that is yours. Yours to enjoy, yours for growth, yours to decide what direction you take, and, ultimately, where that path takes you.” For Borges, that path ultimately led to Nypro Healthcare, an approximately $2.5 billion operation with over 25 manufacturing sites across the globe. He offered graduates seven lessons to take away from his speech. Build a foundation upon which to learn; select a process for moving forward in your life and career; don’t settle; push the boundaries of risk versus reward; serve others; lean on those who love you, and in turn be there for them; and follow your heart. “In doing these seven things, you can anticipate success and misses, challenges and opportunities, and among all of it, you can expect pride and growth to be the best Fitchburg State alumni, and the best person you can be,” he said. President Lapidus presented Borges with the President’s Medal in recognition of his service to Fitchburg State. Also at the undergraduate ceremony, President Lapidus presented university Trustee Anna M. Clementi an honorary doctorate in recognition of her contributions to the campus community. As co-founder of the university’s Center for Italian Culture and through ongoing philanthropic support of other local institutions, Clementi and her family have enriched the lives of students past, present and future. At the graduate commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 16, the Graduate Student Leadership Award was presented to Christine Foote-Lucero, a forensic nurse examiner from Loveland, Colo., who completed a master’s degree in forensic nursing. Foote-Lucero, who had never set foot in New England prior to her graduation trip, saluted the students and their loved ones for the sacrifices made in pursuit of their advanced degrees. “The central message that I would like to pass along to you today is the importance, reward, and indeed responsibility, of using your unique talents and energy to make a positive impact on your community,” she said. “And by community, I mean that in the broadest of terms; this could be your family, work place, neighborhood, place of worship, or simply a stranger you meet during the course of your day. If all you learned here were the skills needed to advance in your career and enjoy a comfortable living, then you have failed. As Winston Churchill once stated, ‘We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.’” Back to News
Forge Theater Lab presents The Lowell Offering in June
The Forge Theater Lab presents a staged reading of a new play, The Lowell Offering, on June 14 and June 15 at 7:30 PM in Kent Recital Hall in the Conlon Fine Arts Building, 367 North St. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $3 - $10 and open to the public. The staged reading will be followed by a talk back session with the playwrights, Fitchburg State alumnus Andy Bayiates ’97 and Genevra Gallo-Bayiates. The Lowell Offering is a historical drama about the lives of women who worked in the Lowell mills at the start of the industrial revolution. In 1840 a group of factory workers began publishing the world’s first magazine written solely by women; it was called “The Lowell Offering.” This is the story of the magazine’s editor, Harriet Farley, and a labor activist, Sarah Bagley—and the rise and fall of their friendship, the magazine, and Lowell’s “Mill Girl” culture. He and co-writer Genevra found the story compelling because many families in the region have a connection to the mills and the inspiring efforts of the mill women to better themselves and the lives of their fellow workers. Although it is a historical drama, it touches on issues that are still poignant today. “The world is always struggling with a battle between caution and change,” says Andy Bayiates, “You see right now, especially on the left, a battle between incrementalism and revolution. The Lowell Offering is a story about two people who generally want the same things, but disagree on how to get them and so rather than helping each other, they wind up enemies.” This play is the final reading in a series of four new plays written or co-written by Fitchburg State alumni and presented by The Forge Theater Lab. This new company was founded by Fitchburg State Professor Kelly Morgan and several university alumni with a mission to develop new works. Learn more on their website, www.theforge.ink. The Lowell Offering is directed by alumna Kelly Stowell ‘07. The cast of includes Fitchburg State alumni Charles Amaral ‘08, Sharon Bernard ’99, Jack Crory ’07, Samantha deManbey ‘12, Nina DiRusso ’18, Joanna Karamanou ’97, Jen Knight ‘89, along with Lowell actress Kayla Schenk. Back to News
Fundraising project will activate Mill Street downtown
MassDevelopment and the civic crowdfunding platform Patronicity have launched a new Commonwealth Places campaign with the Fitchburg State University Foundation and Reimagine North of Main to activate Mill Street, a remote alleyway in downtown Fitchburg. The organizations will transform the concrete road into a unique, temporary park using low-cost, flexible design solutions like movable astroturf, planters, and modular decking, which can serve as seating or a music venue. The park will feature murals and other works of public art, and decorative window treatments will be placed on nearby buildings. Organizers will also make available a street cart where vendors can sell their food and goods, enabling entrepreneurs to take advantage of increased foot traffic. “MassDevelopment looks forward to supporting the Fitchburg State University Foundation and Reimagine North of Main in their efforts to activate Mill Street,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Lauren Liss. “This project will transform an underutilized alleyway into a destination and entrepreneurial opportunity in downtown Fitchburg, increasing foot traffic for local businesses and adding vibrancy to this important Gateway City.” If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $40,000 by June 30 at midnight, the project will win a matching grant with funds from MassDevelopment’s Commonwealth Places program. Learn more and donate to Activate Mill Street at www.patronicity.com/fitchburg. “We are grateful to have the continued support of MassDevelopment in Fitchburg’s downtown,” said Fitchburg Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale. “There are many exciting projects in the pipeline—such as the Theater Block, City Hall, the Fitchburg Arts Community, and the Library Redevelopment—but these projects take time. Placemaking projects like Activate Mill Street are a great way to build some low-cost, short-term wins towards that long-term change, and continue the momentum that is pushing Fitchburg, and its downtown, in a positive direction as a vibrant center for arts and culture.” Commonwealth Places is a collaborative initiative from MassDevelopment and Patronicity that leverages public support for placemaking projects through crowdfunding and a matching grant from MassDevelopment. The program engages residents in the development of strategic projects in their towns and cities. In November 2018, MassDevelopment announced $500,000 in funding for the third year of the program, which has supported successful campaigns across the Commonwealth, from Northampton to Hyannis. Communities, nonprofits, and other entities can learn more about these successful projects, donate to ongoing campaigns, and apply at www.massdevelopment.com/commonwealthplaces. The project will take place within Fitchburg’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) District. TDI is a separate MassDevelopment program designed to accelerate economic growth within focused districts in Gateway Cities. The program works with cross-sector partnerships to engage community members in actionable planning, implement local economic development initiatives, and spur further public and private investment. MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, works with businesses, nonprofits, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2018, MassDevelopment financed or managed 384 projects generating investment of more than $4.1 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are estimated to create or support 10,994 jobs and build or rehabilitate 830 housing units. Back to News
Alumni theater group presents reading of new play May 25
A staged reading of a new play, “Good Grief,” written by Fitchburg State University alumna Mary Darling ’14 will be presented at the university 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 25 at Kent Recital Hall in the Conlon Fine Arts Building, 367 North St. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $3 to $10 and open to the public. The staged reading will be followed by a talk back session with the playwright. “Good Grief” follows recovering addict Maggie as she deals with the sudden loss of her younger brother. It explores a journey of loss, recovery, and hope in the age of social media. This performance is not recommended for children under age 14. This is the third of four new plays written by Fitchburg State alumni that will be presented this spring. A staged reading is a presentation of a play in which actors read from a script, but have rehearsed the scenes to help the audience imagine what the play would look like in a full production. This series of staged readings will be presented by The Forge Theater Lab, founded by Fitchburg State Professor Kelly Morgan and several university alumni with a mission to develop new works. Learn more on their website, www.theforge.ink. Playwright Mary Darling graduated Fitchburg State in 2014 and has since gone on to write, act, and direct throughout Massachusetts. She said she decided to write the play “because I feel like grief is a universal experience, however, I think the way it is handled varies.” The play is a project Darling has been working on for two years and draws on several interviews with people who had suffered a great loss in their lives. “Good Grief” is directed by Noah Dawson ’14, with dramaturgy by Erik Nikander ’16. The cast includes current Fitchburg State students Ken Roberts ’20 and Steven Beck ’20, and Fitchburg State alumni Charles Amaral ‘08, Jen Knight ‘89, Brittany Messuri ‘18, along with local actors Kayla Schenk and Leeann Monat. Back to News
High school students compete in Haskins Mathematics Competition
Three hundred students from 13 area high schools recently visited the Fitchburg State University campus to take part in the 39^th annual Elizabeth Haskins mathematics competition. Students tested their skills in a challenging exam and attended sessions exploring different facets of the discipline with university faculty and students. The highest score logged at the competition was by competition newcomer Nicholas Thornton, a 10^th grader at the Bromfield School in Harvard. First, second and third-place winners were selected in each grade. For grade 10, Thornton came in first; Maxwell Strazdus came in second; and Vivian Liu came in third. All attend the Bromfield School. For grade 11, Elizabeth Toll of the Bromfield School came in first; Kirsten Sjoberg of Groton-Dunstable Regional High School came in second; and Nathan Haberle of Nashoba Regional High School came in third. For grade 12, Dylan Han of Groton-Dunstable came in first; Benjamin Strazdus of the Bromfield School came in second; and Kevin Yu, also of Bromfield, came in third. Here are two sample problems from the contest: How many ways can the letters in “mathematics” be rearranged to a unique word (sequence of letters)? 11! (b) 8! (c) 11!/8 (d) 11!/8! (e) 8!/8 The correct answer is (c); the symbol 8! means 8 times 7 times 6 times 5 times 4 times 3 times 2 times 1. For example, 4! means 4 times 3 times 2 times 1 or 24. Here is another sample problem: How many ordered pairs of positive integers satisfy the equation 20 x + 19 y = 2019? (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6 (d) 8 (e) 10 The correct answer is (c). Participating schools in this year’s contest were Auburn, Bromfield, Clinton, Fitchburg, Groton-Dunstable, Gardner, Hudson, Leominster, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, Narragansett, Nashoba, Worcester North, and Sizer. The contest is named for Elizabeth Haskins, a Fitchburg State mathematics professor who retired in 1978 and passed away in 2004. Back to News
Spring 2019 Commencement honorees announced
Fitchburg State University will celebrate the contributions of students and community members at its upcoming 123^rd commencement exercises in May. At the undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18, Nypro Executive Vice President and CEO Steven D. Borges '90 will deliver the commencement address. Borges will also be awarded the President’s Medal at the ceremony in recognition of his service. Additional honorees will include: Honorary Degree Recipient - Anna Maria Clementi Anna Maria Clementi has been a leader and philanthropist in her community for decades, giving of her time and talent in the service of education and cultural enrichment. She is one of the founding members of the Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University, currently serving as its president. For 20 years, the CIC has promoted the language and culture of Italy through a continued array of exceptional cultural programs and activities on campus and in the community, and has also enabled students and faculty to travel to Europe through scholarship support. She traces her ancestry to Corfinio, Aquila in the province of Abruzzo. Her passion for all things Italian includes her family foundation’s sponsorship of an annual dinner at Fitchburg State where the cuisine and wines of different regions are highlighted in a professionally guided culinary tour. Her contributions to the Fitchburg State community includes two terms on its Board of Trustees, where she is currently vice chair. She was a strong and early supporter of the university’s efforts to launch a local “Bridges Together” program that connects generations to create educational opportunities. The effort has touched more than 200 local pupils and continues with the university’s Adult Learning in the Fitchburg Area program. Clementi has also been active with the Fitchburg Art Museum for more than 30 years, where she currently serves on the board and chairs its education committee. She has been a strong proponent of the partnership between the museum and Fitchburg State, guided by her belief that the university must prepare students to be global citizens who can embrace other cultures, beliefs and values. Clementi completed Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Italian Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in French Studies at Boston College. A proud mother and grandmother, she lives in Lunenburg. Valedictorian - Madison Medina Madison Medina is graduating at the top of her class after a collegiate career of distinction in the classroom and on the playing field. The New Hampshire native came to Fitchburg State to enroll in its groundbreaking Police Program, a rigorous five-year course of study whose graduates complete two degrees and certification to serve on municipal police departments across Massachusetts. Medina will begin the 17-week police academy two days after finishing her bachelor’s degree. At Fitchburg State, she also enrolled in the university’s Honors Program, completing a challenging series of courses and seminars that emphasized proficiency in writing and research. She has shared her work at the university’s Undergraduate Conference on Research and Creative Practice and is a member of Alpha Phi Sigma, the criminal justice honor society. In addition to her academics, Medina has been a standout athlete with the Fitchburg State Falcons, competing with distinction as a member of both the women’s soccer and softball teams. Earlier this spring she was inducted into the National College Athlete Honor Society in recognition of her academic achievements. Following this summer’s police academy, Medina will return to Fitchburg State this fall to complete her master’s degree in criminal justice in preparation for a career in law enforcement. Graduate Student Leadership Award - Christine Foote-Lucero Christine Foote-Lucero has been a licensed registered nurse in Colorado for 17 years, with a focus on critical care. For the past decade, she has worked as a forensic nurse examiner (FNE) and currently manages the FNE team at the University of Colorado Hospital (UCH) in Aurora, Colo., where she developed a robust FNE orientation program as well as education and training for on-going FNE performance based competencies, clinical skills exemplars, and high fidelity simulations. Her clinical experiences as a forensic nurse have included death investigation and correctional nursing, as well as sexual assault, intimate partner violence, physical assault, strangulation, elder abuse, child abuse, and human trafficking. She is board certified as a sexual assault nurse examiner for adults, adolescents, and pediatrics. In addition, she is a board certified emergency nurse. She has worked in professional nursing development and is a certified instructor for the emergency nurses’ association, teaching ENPC and TNCC, as well as a guest lecturer for the Denver College of Nursing. She has presented at both state and national conferences on a variety of forensic and trauma topics. She is a member of International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN), local sexual assault response teams, local human trafficking task force, Emergency Nurses Association, American Nurses Association, Academy of Forensic Nurses, and the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants. She is also serves as the secretary for the Colorado State IAFN Chapter and was formerly the member-at-large. Back to News
Ramos named one of state’s 29 Who Shine
Alexander Ramos Jr. of Leominster will represent Fitchburg State University when the Commonwealth of Massachusetts celebrates "29 Who Shine" in its public higher education system at a ceremony at the Statehouse on Friday, May 3. Ramos, graduating in May with a degree in political science, has distinguished himself as a standout scholar and leader throughout his time at Fitchburg State, starting as a high school student when he began dual enrollment courses on campus. He immediately impressed university faculty with his talent and intellect, and continued to excel over the rest of his time at the university, being named to the Dean’s List and President’s List in recognition of stellar academic performance. He is a Commonwealth Honors Scholar who represented the university with distinction as a member of its nationally recognized Moot Court team. Ramos' service to the university community includes welcoming prospective students as a tour guide in the Admissions office and working as an orientation leader to help new students become acclimated to life at Fitchburg State. His advocacy for fellow students continued with his elected service as representative to the Student Government Association and then as student representative to the university’s Board of Trustees. He was also appointed to represent students on Fitchburg State’s All University Committee (which evaluates changes to curriculum, academic policies and student affairs), where he served as vice chair. Ramos has also contributed to the strong connections between the university and wider community, interning first in the office of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale, where he researched proposed legislation and analyzed ordinances passed by the local City Council. He also attended political events and assisted the mayor’s chief of staff with constituent services. In his senior year, Alex interned in the office of U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, where he assisted with constituent services. In addition, he organized a public affairs program for local access television, providing informed student perspectives on local and national issues of the day. Ramos will be joined at the 29 Who Shine ceremony Friday by faculty mentor Paul I. Weizer, a member of the university's Economics, History and Political Science Department. "Dr. Weizer has consistently gone above and beyond in his support of my personal and professional aspirations, from advising me on what classes to take to prepare for law school to counseling me about whatever hardships I encountered," Ramos said. "I am forever indebted to him for his guidance and teachings." Back to News
Legacy of War on Terror explored at May 1 discussion
The legacy of the War on Terror will be explored with talks and film screenings at Fitchburg State University on Wednesday, May 1. “Remembering Fallujah: Repairing Memory, Rebuilding Communities and Restoring Justice” will be held at 4 p.m. May 1 at Ellis White Lecture Hall in Hammond Hall, 160 Pearl St. Admission is free and open to the public. The Iraqi city of Fallujah has become an epicenter of geopolitical conflict, where foreign powers and non-state actors have repeatedly waged war in residential neighborhoods with staggering humanitarian consequences. The impact of this event will be explored with a screening of the award-winning animated film Le Parfum d’Irak and a community discussion of the aftermath of the siege of Fallujah. Panelists will include Le Parfum d’Irak director Feurat Alani; anthropologist Kali Rubaii, author of “Counterinsurgency and the Ethical Life of Material Things in Iraq’s Anbar Province;” and U.S. Marine veteran and scholar Ross Caputi, who earned the Graduate Student Leadership Award at Fitchburg State when he completed his master’s degree in 2016. Caputi, now in a PhD program, is author of the book The Sacking of Fallujah: A People’s History. The program is hosted by the English Studies Department and co-sponsored by the Center for Conflict Studies. It is presented in collaboration with the College of Humanities & Fine Arts at UMass Amherst. Back to News
Campus hosting mathematics conference May 31 to June 1
The Spring 2019 sectional conference of the Northeast Section of the Mathematics Association of America will be held at Fitchburg State on May 31 and June 1. The Mathematical Association of America (MAA) is the largest professional society that focuses on undergraduate mathematics education. Its members include university, college, and high school teachers; graduate and undergraduate students; pure and applied mathematicians; computer scientists; statisticians; and many others in academia, government, business, and industry. The mission of the MAA is "to advance the mathematical sciences, especially at the collegiate level." The mission of the Northeastern Section (NES) is to advance the mission of the MAA on a regional level…provide professional development and networking activities for Section members and mathematics students [in the northeast]; and promote discussion and action on issues affecting mathematics teaching, learning, and research in the region. Invited speakers for this conference are:Meredith Greer (this year's Battle's Lecturer), Bates College will speak on “Discovering Mathematics Through Epidemiological Models” Chad Topaz, Williams College will speak on will speak on “Diversity Through a Data Science Lens” Shelly Jones, CCSU will speak on “Teaching Mathematics for Social Justice: Using Culturally Relevant Pedagogy as The First Step” Carol Schumacher, Kenyon College (and Vice President of the MAA) will speak on “Art forgery, differential equations, and swindling Herman Göring. Registration is available at the conference website. Back to News
Choral, instrumental ensembles present spring concerts
Fitchburg State University’s instrumental and choral ensembles will present their spring concerts in April and May, giving audiences free evenings of entertainment. The university orchestra and concert band will present their spring performance at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 30 in Kent Recital Hall in the Conlon Fine Arts Building, 367 North St. The Fitchburg State Community Orchestra will perform classical and pop music, featuring student violinists as soloists. The Concert Band will perform music based on folk songs and mythology, featuring the collegiate premiere of “Nyx” by Brandon Nelson. The orchestra and band will join together to perform “Italian Folk Festival.” The events continue at 7 p.m. Monday, May 6 when the university’s choral groups present “Showtime,” featuring music from the stage and screen, at Weston Auditorium, 353 North St. The concert will feature music connected to film and theater, from opera choruses to show tunes, and Shakespearean settings to vocal jazz, spanning the 1500s to the 21^st century, according to Professor Jonathan Harvey, who will conduct the choral show featuring voices from university students and faculty. “We’re especially excited to be performing a piece by Massachusetts-based composer Gregory W. Brown, who has come and worked with the choir as we prepared his piece,” Harvey said. “It’s a setting of some drinking songs from Shakespeare, and it is a brilliant and hilarious musical depiction of drunkenness, with kazoos.” The concerts continue at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, with the spring jazz performance will be offered at Kent Recital Hall in the Conlon Fine Arts Building, 367 North St. To learn more about the university’s musical offerings, please visit fitchburgstate.edu/music. Back to News