The new exhibit “Common Ground,” featuring the work of artist Ann Strassman, is now on display in the Hammond Hall Art Gallery, part of the Fitchburg State University CenterStage arts and culture series. Strassman’s work has been featured in numerous solo exhibits in Massachusetts and beyond. The artist, whose creations include oils on canvas and acrylics on cardboard, has collected numerous accolades over the course of her career. “Painting is a visual art,” Strassman said. “Regardless of the motivation, emotion or trauma depicted by the artist, in the end the viewer must want to look at it. The marks on the surface must stand on their own. “Every person has an accumulation of experiences that make him different,” Strassman continued. “Each one will see a painting through eyes that are unique. Though the work remains stable the reactions to and explanations of the piece will be different. There may be signage, artists’ talks or critics that address the meaning of the work, but I believe it is necessary for the paint to be compelling on its own without explanation. There are no metaphors just the magic of paint.” The gallery exhibit is open to the campus community, and can be viewed online at https://players.cupix.com/p/Ec8U4BlI. Back to News

By Jordan Costa '21 College is much more than just going to class. The social and emotional well being of a student can be fulfilled by staying involved and connecting with peers. Aside from projects and papers, college offers hands on and experiential learning to students to further extend their involvement outside of the classroom. The Office of Student Development works tirelessly to keep the campus community engaged. Campus tours highlight the clubs and organizations available, along with the suggestion that students can start their own club if they don’t see one they like. “I think it’s more important than it’s ever been to get students together to have these social experiences,” said Nathan Emery, Fitchburg State’s Coordinator of Programs, Clubs & Organizations. “We’re trying  to take that virtual space and make it social.” Emery’s office keeps all board members up to date on what they can or cannot do during these challenging times, where early fall is typically the height of recruitment and kickstarting many of these programs. Keeping students involved is crucial at any given time, but now more than ever. This format of online or hybrid is new for many students and faculty, so having some kind of social outlet is comforting to students whose normal is looking different here on campus. Emery said research has shown that students who are involved in extracurricular activities have better success in their academic pursuits, and are more likely to graduate on time. Not only do these clubs provide more structure to students, but something to look forward to that they enjoy. “Everyone’s still in a testing phase about what works,” said Emery, noting that colleges and universities across the country are trying to adapt to a new way of operating clubs and organizations.   Kristen Laquidara, president of Fitchburg State’s Dance Club, has experienced first hand the challenges faced by COVID-19. Not only as a dancer but as a leadership role in the club, Laquidara has had to make difficult decisions and many adjustments to ensure some type of season would occur even if it looked a little different.   “This semester, since in-person classes cannot happen along with our winter showcase, we have leaned on our dance teachers to step up to transform their class into a virtual format this semester,” Laquidara said. “These classes are open to any and all dance club members as well as our dance club alumni. There will be no auditions held as these classes are solely just to keep our members dancing, work on our technique/flexibility, and just to have some fun while releasing all the stress added during this unpredictable semester.” Not only was making the call to hold classes virtual a tough transition but finding new ways to promote the club to recruit new members meant the e-board had to get creative.  “To draw the attention of prospective new dance club members, we had to advertise on social media - a lot,” Laquidara said. “Our public relations officer, Jumily Bourommavong, worked really hard on gathering every dance club photo she could find from our old Facebook group pages and shared them all on our main public Facebook page to advertise just how long Dance Club has been thriving at Fitchburg State and how we will never stop growing. Social media has been huge for us this year and even without having an in-person Rock the Block, we were still able to add 13 (and counting), new members, just from a virtual rock the block. We get new members daily added through Falconnect, but it has been harder this semester for sure from not having our typical in-person auditions to advertise as our weekly classes are what the club is all about, leading up to the annual showcase at the end of each semester.” With the many restrictions in place, the university’s annual “Rock the Block” had to be moved to a remote setting. Many clubs struggled where that is a great opportunity to recruit and really reach out to the student community who walks around the quad. Seeing faces, having conversations, and having an email sign up sheet is typically how students can get a good sense of what the club is like. Although it was not the same, the virtual version of this event still had similar objectives, to meet and be available for students if necessary. With social media being such a central part of students’ lives, these clubs and organizations can take full advantage of the platforms to promote and send out messages easily even though it was not exactly the same kind of interactions face facing spread out on the quad. Jalin Paulino Diaz, president of the Latin American Student Organization, stressed that although they are accommodating certain things to make their club run, it is certainly challenging.   “Thanks to professors and a lot of posting we were able to recruit a few people,” Diaz said. However, without the traditional Rock the Block recruitment event, she said the numbers were a lot smaller. “It's also harder to come up with ways to entertain people from a distance,” Diaz said. Student Government Association President Kerry McManus also described many challenges to keep students involved. Like many other organizations, SGA has struggled to recruit new members virtually, but she said the organization plans to keep students involved.  “We have a small organization currently and our structure encourages that we have small committees of our members who are assigned specific topics, tasks, or other such breakdowns,” McManus said. “This is something that can be in-person as these committees are very small. This is a nice sense of ‘normal’ for the organization to still be in person at times in a safe and socially distant way.” Staying present and available for students to get a hold of is crucial for SGA, she said. McManus stressed the importance of being readily accessible for students who may have questions and ultimately keeping everyone in the know and connected.  “One of our biggest priorities is remaining accessible to the student body as the governing organization of the students,” McManus said. “We have been pushing out information for general meetings and hosting virtual office hours at times that members are accessible to the student body for questions, comments, or concerns. Additionally, we have been putting a lot of information online via Falconnect or social media while also planning some virtual panels and events to remain visible and accessible to the student body.” Many colleges and universities across the nation have adapted to many challenges created by COVID-19. Social distancing guidelines and keeping in mind the protection and safety of the well being of students and faculty have restricted not only in-person classes, but also various sports, clubs, and organizations that keep the campus community engaged. As with most schools, Fitchburg State has overcome these obstacles and made many of these social opportunities possible for students to broaden their interests and stay involved virtually. Back to News

Fitchburg State University’s Engineering Technology program seniors will get support in the development of capstone projects thanks to a new Unitil Corporation sponsorship that will also help them to participate in the national Solar Decathlon competition. The sponsorship program will also support the Engineering Technology efforts to meet Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) standards.  “Applied learning is central to Fitchburg State’s philosophy, and this sponsored program will open doors of opportunity for our Engineering Technology students,” said Fitchburg State President Richard S. Lapidus. “We are grateful for Unitil’s support of our students and their endorsement of our vision for experiential opportunities that transcend the classroom.” Students in the Engineering Technology program present their capstone projects during the university’s annual Undergraduate Research Conference, traditionally held in April. The conference, which spans all university departments, is a forum for students to share research and creative work that is developed under faculty supervision. The university cancels day classes for the conference so all members of the campus community can take part. The Unitil funds will be used to provide support to the university’s efforts in meeting the ABET standards for continuous improvement. “We applaud Unitil's commitment to quality Engineering Technology programs, not only by this tremendous gift, but for their support for internships, career fairs, and membership on our advisory board,” said Engineering Technology Department Chair Dr. Sanjay Kaul. “By helping to ensure that our engineering technology program effectively prepares students to enter the profession, Unitil significantly complements Fitchburg State’s mission and vision,” said Dean of Business and Technology Keith Williamson. “The quality of tomorrow’s professional workforce is among the most frequently cited concerns by employers. Accrediting the university’s engineering technology programs assures Unitil and other employers that entry-level engineering technologists are job ready and prepared to meet the expectations of the profession. ABET accreditation also provides students specifically interested in energy engineering technology careers a way to assess the quality of the programs they are considering. The Engineering Technology Department serves approximately 190 students annually. Its degree programs in engineering technology and applied sciences and technology include concentrations in construction management, architecture, civil engineering technology, electronics engineering technology, energy engineering technology, and manufacturing engineering technology, as well as technology/engineering education. With an estimated 90% of graduates from these programs living and working within the region, this support will help to ensure a career-ready, highly skilled technological workforce in Central Massachusetts. In announcing the sponsorship support, Unitil said the agreement recognizes the company’s commitment to supporting the education of students in science, technology, engineering, and math and its dedication to the production of a well-trained workforce within the local Fitchburg and North Central Massachusetts community. Unitil has long recognized the value of an informed and collaborative role within the region. It is also a leading adopter of innovative energy efficiency technologies, to provide high-quality, reliable, and safe gas and electric distribution to its customers. Unitil’s sponsorship will also support Fitchburg State’s plans to enter the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon program. Launched in 2002, the contests inspire student teams to design and build highly efficient buildings powered by renewables, while also taking into consideration affordability, resilience, and occupant health. The winners are those teams that best blend architectural and engineering excellence with innovation in how their building interacts with the world around it. This sponsorship will provide students with the necessary materials to design and build prototypes that meet the criteria for the Solar Decathlon and smart sustainable building systems.  Back to News

Learn about Fitchburg State University’s in-person Master of Business Administration programs at a free virtual webinar at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28. The university’s School of Online, Graduate and Continuing Education offers MBA programs on campus, online or a hybrid of the two. The session on Oct. 28 will focus on the in-person offerings, including concentrations in accounting, management, and human resources management. The free session will offer guests a convenient way to learn about the MBA program concentrations and get answers to any questions. To register, go to https://admissions.fitchburgstate.edu/register/MBAwebinar2020. Back to News

The Center for Italian Culture (CIC) at Fitchburg State University will host a virtual book club for the 2020-21 academic year, with faculty members leading community discussions. The year’s programs begin at 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, with a discussion of some of history’s worst leaders led by Professor Daniel Sarefield of the university’s Economics, History and Political Science Department. Sarefield will talk about How to Be a Bad Emperor: An Ancient Guide to Truly Terrible Leaders by Suetonius, edited by Josiah Osgood. Join the discussion at https://meet.google.com/oyr-tydv-pdt or by calling in to 1-321-586-2493 and entering PIN 111 777 099#. Suetonius’ original book, written 2,000 years ago, presents briskly paced, darkly comic biographies of Roman emperors Julius Caesar, Tiberius, Caligula and Nero. The tales of these anti-role models show how power inflames leaders’ worst tendencies, causing almost incalculable damage. The book is presented in English, with the original Latin on the facing pages. The series will continue at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, when Professor Teresa Fava Thomas leads a discussion of Saving Italy: The Race to Rescue a Nation’s Treasures from the Nazis by Robert M. Edsel. The programs conclude at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 25, when Professor Rala Diakite of the Humanities Department leads a discussion of Clash of Civilizations over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio by Amara Lakhous. Back to News

For the second consecutive year, Fitchburg State University has been recognized for upward social mobility in U.S. News & World Report’s annual ranking of colleges and universities. The ranking among regional universities reflects Fitchburg State’s success in enrolling and graduating large numbers of economically disadvantaged students. “Access and affordability are at the very foundation of our mission,” Fitchburg State President Richard S. Lapidus said. “We are proud of our track record of creating opportunities for all students, and for helping them complete their studies and move forward with their lives and careers.” The methodology looked at students who qualified for Pell Grants, who typically come from households whose family incomes are less than $50,000 annually, though most Pell Grant money goes to students with a total family income below $20,000. Lapidus said the university’s success in creating upward social mobility is tied to the work Fitchburg State is continuing in its newest strategic plan, whose three pillars are educational justice, being a student-ready campus, and inclusive excellence. To learn more about the U.S. News & World Report rankings, please visit https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/regional-universities-north/social-mobility. Back to News

Members of the campus community gathered – six feet apart and wearing face coverings – for a Unity Rally in support of Black Lives Matter on Sept. 22. The program featured voices from the student body and administration, and included a shared commitment to fostering a safe and equitable university. The event was organized by Muhammad “Moose” Mahmood, a junior and member of the Falcons football team. He recounted experiences he had with police officers and wondered if their outcome would have been worse if he was Black. “Our Black community is in danger,” he said. “This isn’t breaking news, but it should be breaking hearts.” “We want to be heard,” said senior Kyle Colon, who served as master of ceremonies for the event. “We are tired of not being heard. Every day is another life than can be saved. We only move forward if we come together." Crystal Aneke, former student representative to the Board of Trustees, urged the audience to understand that systemic racism is real. “The color of one’s skin does not devalue their worth as a human being,” Aneke said. Dimitri Moore, a member of the Student Government Association, said he was aware of racism every day. “I wake up every day with the fear that I could be killed for the color of my skin,” he said. “I ask of you to listen. We all have our stories. Understand us as best you can.” University administrators joined the call for action. “All lives cannot matter unless Black Lives Matter,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Laura Bayless. “All lives cannot matter until trans lives matter. All lives cannot matter until LGBTQ lives matter. All lives cannot matter until Latinx lives matter. All lives cannot matter until people with disabilities’ lives matter.” “Fitchburg State is committed to educational justice,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Alberto Cardelle, explaining the university’s pledge to help all students succeed. “It takes all of us to get this done.” University Police Chief Michael J. Cloutier said the U.S. was founded on the principle that all men were created equal, yet there has been a devaluation of Black lives in our country. He also said it did not devalue others’ lives to pronounce that Black Lives Matter, including police officers. “As the university’s Chief of Police, I pledge my support to our black community, and also to those who took an oath to protect our way of life,” Cloutier said. “Our continuously intersecting lives will remain contentious, if we do not stop and take time to talk to one another. We must support each other if we are to dismantle racism.  Because true change can only be achieved through collaboration.”  The program ended with students and staff signing a pledge of inclusion. Back to News

Fitchburg State Professor Katherine Rye Jewell has been appointed co-chair of the College and Community Radio Caucus of the Library of Congress Radio Preservation Task Force, a federally mandated project created to support the preservation of the nation’s audiovisual infrastructure. Jewell, a member of the Economics, History and Political Science Department, has long explored college radio as a research subject and is currently working on a book on the topic. “It’s very exciting,” Jewell said. “I have so much respect for the people who are doing this work. I’ve been exploring in the archives for so long, and it’s exciting to come out and discuss what I’ve found.” Jewell, who was a college DJ herself, began exploring college radio as a research topic in 2014. “Within political history there has been a growing interest in taking media history seriously,” she said. With the task force, she hopes to engage in work that will increase educational opportunities and public outreach. “We’re in a moment where college radio still exists, in more forms than it did in the past, but it still has a very diverse implication,” Jewell said. From terrestrial broadcast signals to online streaming, the medium is evolving. The task force’s mission is to catalog, preserve, and write grants toward the maintenance of the U.S. audio-visual infrastructure. It features representatives from over 100 universities and 45 public, federal, and academic partnerships, and is a component of the National Recording Preservation Plan of the Library of Congress National Recording Preservation Board. Back to News

Learn about the educational opportunities available at Fitchburg State University when its School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education hosts a virtual open house at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3. Fitchburg State’s high quality, affordable graduate programs are available in part-time, full-time, online, evening or accelerated formats, so you can gain the skills you need to unlock your potential and realize your career goals. The free session will cover the admissions process, digital learning opportunities and other unique details that make Fitchburg State such a great place to continue your education. The School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education at Fitchburg State offers more than 45 graduate and undergraduate degree and certificate programs. Whether you’re looking for graduate school or undergraduate evening programs, this session can help get you to where you need to be. If you’re on the fence about a particular area of study, or just not sure where to begin, this is a great place to start.  Please visit https://admissions.fitchburgstate.edu/register/GradFall2020 to learn more. Back to News