More than 10 Fitchburg State University faculty are in Shanghai, China this summer to teach Chinese students as part of a new university collaboration with the AUIA International Summer School. Fitchburg State President Richard S. Lapidus (front row, far right) and Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs Alberto Cardelle (front row, third from right) attended the opening ceremony. Approximately 90 Chinese students enrolled in more than 40 American universities, including one student from Fitchburg State, will be taking these summer courses at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics between July 1 and Aug. 2. The faculty will be teaching courses in art, business, economics, history, Japanese, mathematics, philosophy, physics, psychology and speech. Fitchburg State and AUIA signed an agreement in December creating the partnership. Chinese students typically want to spend the summer at home to keep their English language skills sharp and to catch up on academic credits. Next year, more Fitchburg State students will be able to take advantage of the international partnership and will benefit from new planned scholarships. Back to News

Fitchburg State recently welcomed a production crew from Hulu’s “Castle Rock” television show, filming scenes that will air as part of the streaming program’s upcoming second season. The crew took over the swimming pool in the university Athletics and Recreation Center, which was used for an underwater sequence set in a lake (no spoilers, here, about who was in the scenes filmed on campus). The series is largely set in the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine, and takes inspiration from the stories of author Stephen King. While the finished scene may only span a few seconds of screen time, crews set up the scene for days in advance. Among those working on the production was Mark Casey of Ipswich, a 1984 Fitchburg State graduate. Casey – who also worked on season one of “Castle Rock” – is a rigging gaffer, helping set up lights for the production. Casey said he has been fortunate to work steadily in his chosen field since graduation, helped largely by the state’s tax incentive program that has lured many film and television productions. “Castle Rock” has been filming around the state its entire run, with production offices in Devens. “Fitchburg State has greater representation on most film crews in this state than Emerson or Boston University,” Casey said, noting there were several other alumni just on the “Castle Rock” crew. Tori Weeks’ 19 was among those who got an up-close look at the filming. The Centralia, Wash. Native graduates in December with a degree in Communications Media with a concentration in film and video, and has worked for the past two years as a lifeguard in the Athletics and Recreation Center. Over the days of setup and filming, Weeks observed about 20 hours of the production. “I was very fascinated considering I’ve never seen a professional television crew work before,” she said. “It was interesting comparing what they were doing to what I’ve learned and experienced here at Fitchburg State through the film program. Everyone on the crew was super friendly.” Savanah Hippert ’20, majoring in English studies with minors in theater and graphic design, also got a close look as a student supervisor at the Recreation Center. “Being a part of workshops in theater classes, it’s cool to see the filmmaking side of things,” she said. “To see something of this scale is very cool, especially in a pool.” Recreation Services Director Brad Cohrs said it was a pleasure to have the crew on campus. “They were very professional but also very open to letting us into their world,” he said. “It was a privilege to see them in their environment.” The premiere date for season 2 of “Castle Rock” has yet to be announced, but production is continuing in and around Central Massachusetts. Back to News

The ideaLab at Fitchburg State University will host a community “hackathon” to discuss the activation of downtown Fitchburg. The event will be held in the ideaLab at 717 Main St. from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 20. A hackathon is an event where community members come together to solve an issue, creating or sharing the tools and resources to get the job done. This event hopes to develop ideas surrounding placemaking and tactical urbanism, including low-cost, temporary changes to the built environment intended to improve local neighborhoods and city gathering places. Following in the footsteps of the Activate Mill Street project, this event will focus on the activation of downtown Fitchburg. Attendees will have a chance to generate new ideas and solutions through an energizing, fun collaborative process that has impact. “Our first hackathon at the ideaLab will bring together residents and stakeholders in Fitchburg to share ideas and create some attainable solutions for how to strengthen public space in the city to build stronger community connections between people and the places they live and work.” — Joshua Croke, representing the ideaLab at Fitchburg State University This event is free and open to the community. Registration is highly encouraged; sign up at fitchburgidealab.com. Back to News

Fitchburg State University, Mount Wachusett Community College, Fitchburg High School, Leominster High School, Sizer School and Gardner High School will launch a new early college high school program that will give students an opportunity to earn 12 college credits while still in high school. The Early College Designation was among several announced on June 13 by Gov. Charlie Baker during an event at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston. The colleges and areas high schools collaborated to develop the North Central Massachusetts Early College Academy. The academy will build upon early college programs already in existence at the member schools, creating an overarching model that incorporates their best practices and expands the number of students who can be accommodated. The program is designed to serve students who are first-generation, low-income and otherwise under-represented in higher education. “This collaboration will open doors of opportunity for high school students across the region and will give them the tools to persist and succeed in college,” Fitchburg State President Richard S. Lapidus said. “This designation creates a new pathway for area students to accelerate their education and begin college courses in high school,” Mount Wachusett Community College President James Vander Hooven said. “We are fortunate to have such strong local partners and I look forward to expanding the opportunity for early college to more students.” The academy’s curriculum pathways will initially include liberal arts; health care; business/computer information; biology; industrial technology/engineering; and environmental and earth science. Through the academy, students will be able to attain college credits and credentials prior to graduation, moving them towards a certificate, associate’s and/or bachelor’s degrees. This work will ultimately result in a cohesive public education strategy that bridges high school and higher education for youth in North Central Massachusetts, and will serve as a framework for expansion across the region. The program provides college exposure to students early in high school who otherwise may not have considered higher education an option. Those barriers will be addressed during the program, facilitating successful degree program completion and opening students to career opportunities that may not have imagined for themselves. Under the Early College Designation put forth by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE) and Board of Elementary & Secondary Education (BESE), approved designated early college programs in Massachusetts will provide equitable access; guided academic pathways; enhanced student support; relevant connection to career; and effective partnerships. Back to News

Studying abroad is more than just a life-changing experience. It provides essential perspective for today’s global citizens while offering a unique and personalized experience for your resume. All students at Fitchburg State have the opportunity to study abroad through our short-term faculty-led programs, partner exchange universities, or provider-led programs. Here are some highlights of the faculty-led programs that have run so far in 2019: Spring Break 2019 Faculty-Led Heart of Europe Program This “Heart of Europe” trip is part of our “Europe Today” Political Science/History course, and also expands our partnership with European students and faculty at Rhine-Waal University. Students from both campuses participate in workshops on US-European relations and develop a cooperative university-to-university research project.  Students also decompress with Europe’s wonderful café culture, and touring such significant, historic, and monumental European sites as the International Court of Justice, Anne Frank House, Rhine-Waal University, the German state Parliament in Northwest Rhineland, the Worringen 1288 battlefield, the European Union, Jagiellonian University, Wieliczka Salt Mine, Oskar Schindler’s Factory, and Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. Tropical Ecology Course to Costa Rica Sixteen of our students have recently returned from Costa Rica on a “Tropical Ecology” course led by Professor Chris Picone. Students experienced first-hand what they learned previously in the classroom, traversing rainforests, cloud forests, dry forests, and agricultural systems. They also participated in a sustainable service-learning project while engaging with the local community. Spring Break 2019 Global Public Health Program to Costa Rica Professor Deborah Benes and Professor Deborah Stone led a group of twelve nursing students to San Jose to learn and compare the Costa Rican Health Care System with our own. This "Global Public Health" course had students observe the impacts of social, cultural, physical, political, and economic determinants of health as analyzed in a global context. The group assisted in pediatric and geriatric health care clinics, heard from medical professionals, were exposed to medical Spanish, participated in a community health care, and more. Summer 2019 Faculty-Led program to Italy Twenty students are currently in Verona, Italy with Professors Daniel Sarefield and Peter Laytin. The “Life in The Roman City” and “Italian Vision” courses allow students to spend one month exploring aspects of ancient Roman society and gain control of the photographic medium. Summer Game Design Program to Japan Game Design students are currently in Japan with Professor Jon Amakawa as part of the “Game and Arts in Japan” course, which explores contemporary arts and culture in Japan with an emphasis on the three pillars of Japan’s modern culture: video games, anime and manga. These contemporary art forms are examined within the context of the country’s tradition of design, visual arts and culture in order to gain a better understanding of Japanese game art aesthetics. No matter your major, the Office of International Education is always available to discuss incorporating study abroad opportunities into a student’s academic studies. Students and parents can check the Office of International Education website for the most up to date information on all of our programs abroad. Specific questions can also be directed to the office via email or by calling 978.665.3089. Back to News

Newly-signed agreements between Bristol Community College, Middlesex Community College, Mount Wachusett Community College and Quinsigamond Community College will guarantee students’ seamless admission to Fitchburg State University’s baccalaureate nursing programs. The collaborations will help the state meet the Massachusetts Action Coalition goal of having 66 percent of the state’s nurses hold a B.S. in Nursing degree by 2020, and 80 percent by 2025. “These agreements will help students achieve their academic and professional goals while supporting the state’s public health objectives,” said Fitchburg State President Richard S. Lapidus. “Our public higher education institutions will continue to look for productive collaborations.” “This agreement is a win for students and the communities they will serve as nurses. It creates a clear path from an Associate’s Degree in nursing at a community college to a Bachelor’s Degree while being able to work in the field,” said MWCC President James Vander Hooven. “This is a fantastic example of what the strong relationship between MWCC and Fitchburg State University can accomplish for our communities and students.” “Providing Bristol’s students with seamless admission to Fitchburg State’s baccalaureate nursing programs is an exciting extension of our mission to bridge access to critical healthcare education for high-paying career opportunities in our region,” said Bristol Community College President Laura L. Douglas. “The college is excited to provide students with innovative learning resources from both institutions, while promoting a college-going culture in our local communities.”   “Middlesex is pleased to work with a tremendous public higher ed partner like Fitchburg State University on a much needed ASN to BSN transfer program,” said Middlesex Community College President James C. Mabry. “This program is both a great opportunity for community college students, but also helps expand the pipeline for high quality health care professionals that are in great demand across the state.” “This agreement will allow our nursing students to easily and seamlessly matriculate to a four-year nursing degree program at Fitchburg State,” said Quinsigamond Community College President Dr. Luis G. Pedraja. “At QCC, we are constantly working to facilitate ways for our students to fulfill their all of their educational goals, through articulation agreements with both private and public four-year institutions.” The agreements were created with support from a Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Nursing & Allied Health grant. The project is expected to produce at least 18 additional students a year with the bachelor’s degree. Participating students will be guaranteed acceptance to Fitchburg State when they sign up for their first year of community college and will be placed in contact with the university’s admissions and continuing education offices. They will be allowed to transfer up to 88 credits (including 39 from the nursing major) from the sending community college. Application fee and essay requirements will also be waived for participating students. Fitchburg State’s baccalaureate nursing options include in-person and online programs, as well as a program tailored to LPNs seeking to complete their BS in Nursing degrees. Back to News

The university recently held its third annual Celebration of Faculty Excellence, recognizing faculty members on the attainment of tenure and promotion, as well as conferring the institution's signature awards for teaching, research and service. The Contributions to the Graduate Program Award was presented posthumously to Professor Joseph E. McAloon of the Business Administration Department. McAloon died suddenly earlier this spring and will be remembered by the university community for his dedication to his students and the program. The online Master of Business Administration program flourished under McAloon's stewardship. The Vincent J. Mara Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to Professor Randy Howe of the Communications Media Department.  The Faculty Award for Service was presented to Professor Eric Budd of the Economics, History and Political Science Department. The Faculty Award for Research and Scholarship Award was presented to Professor Kisha Tracy of More information on the award winners, including videos about their contributions, can be found here. Back to News

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

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