Constitutional questions surrounding whether someone’s speech encouraging another person to take their own life is grounds for manslaughter will be among the issues debated by students in the American Moot Court Association’s Eastern Regional tournament, taking place Nov. 22 and 23 on the Fitchburg State University campus. The hypothetical case, inspired by actual cases that drew national attention, will be argued by 46 teams of students from 17 colleges and universities at the regional tournament. Winners will advance to the national tournament in January. Beyond the free speech issues of the case, the tournament will also have students arguing whether accessing an electronic device using its owner’s “face ID” without consent constitutes compelled self-incrimination, a 5th Amendment violation. Professor Paul I. Weizer of the university’s Economics, History and Political Science Department has coached the university’s Moot Court program since its inception. The program has a strong history of sending teams to advanced rounds of the national tournament, including high scores for students drafting legal briefs on the case before them. "Fitchburg State is honored to host the AMCA Eastern regional once again,” Professor Weizer said. “As we head towards our 25th year of moot court at Fitchburg State, it is always exciting to see how our students stack up against some of the best schools in the country.  We've had great success in this event. While the competition gets tougher every year, I'm confident our students will give a good account of themselves.” Alexia Perez-Lucas, majoring in political science with a concentration in international politics, was recruited to join Fitchburg State’s moot court team by Professor Weizer. “Based on my interests, he recommended that I get involved in Moot Court as a way to develop important skills and gain valuable experience in legal reasoning and public speaking,” she said. “Preparing for the Moot Court tournament was both challenging and rewarding. Preparation has involved extensive research, analyzing complex legal issues, and crafting persuasive arguments. The Fitchburg State team has spent hours reviewing cases, developing our strategies, and practicing oral presentations. Throughout this process, I gained a deeper understanding of legal processes and improved my ability to think critically on my feet.” Perez-Lucas, who is considering law school after graduating to further her passion for public service, said she is looking forward to representing Fitchburg State at the competition. “Knowing that we’ll be competing against some amazing teams from universities across the country is both inspiring and motivating,” she said. “I am eager to put everything I’ve learned into practice and showcase teh hard work my team and I have put into preparing. At the same time, it’s a bit nerve-wracking, but I am confident that the experience will not only challenge me but also help me grow as a public speaker and critical thinker. I hope we make the university proud.”  Learn more about the tournament, and view the full text of this year’s case problem, at https://www.amcamootcourt.org/about.

Professor Erin Rehrig, chair of Fitchburg State University’s Biology and Chemistry Department, has been selected for inclusion in the American Association of State College and Universities (AASCU) Department Chair Leadership Institute to be held in January and August in Washington, D.C. The new program is designed for current department chairs who serve at state colleges and universities and aspire to be dynamic, strategic, and empathetic leaders. Institute participants will gain a national perspective on the importance of the department chair in serving the institutional mission, leading with an equity mindset, delivering value and ensuring student success.  Rehrig joined the Fitchburg State faculty in 2011 and has been a full professor since 2023. Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge recommended Rehrig for consideration in the competitive program, citing her collaborative spirit, creativity, and commitment to academic excellence. “I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to participate in this unique professional development opportunity,” Rehrig said. “I’m encouraged by Dr. Hodge’s optimism about higher education, her supportive leadership style, and ‘let’s get to work mentality. My colleagues in the Department of Biology and Chemistry are caring, seasoned educators and I am looking forward to learning strategies that can best support them and the evolving needs of our students.” “Dr. Rehrig’s leadership has already proven to be a tremendous asset to the School of Health and Natural Sciences,” President Hodge said. “She has fostered an environment of open dialogue and teamwork within her department, prioritizing inclusive collaboration that aligns with our institutional mission to serve a diverse student body. Her dedication to bringing out the best in her colleagues is matched by her focus on student success, both in and out of the classroom.” President Hodge cited the care and intentionality Rehrig brings to her role as an educator.   “She approaches each interaction with her students with empathy, ensuring that they are not only challenged academically but also supported holistically,” Hodge said. “This approach is especially vital in the fields of biology and chemistry, where student success is driven by the kind of thoughtful mentorship that Dr. Rehrig exemplifies.”

The Fitchburg State University Community Orchestra and Concert Band will perform their fall concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 in Weston Auditorium, 353 North St. Admission is free and open to the public. The concert, “Music of Sun and War,” will feature music from the video games Skyrim and Celeste featuring guest pianists, Professor Jane Fiske and Cindy Schilling.  The Community Orchestra is led by Professor Hildy Schilling and the Concert Band is led by Professor Amy McGlothlin. Donations to the university’s Falcon Bazaar food and necessities pantry will be accepted at the door. Donors are encouraged to bring shampoo and single serving macaroni and cheese containers for the pantry. “We are excited to present this fall concert which will feature several guest artists and soloists as well as providing a donation spot for much needed supplies for our students,” McGlothlin said. To learn more about Fitchburg State’s offerings, including upcoming instrumental and choral concerts, please visit fitchburgstate.edu/music.

The Kendricken Memorial Lecture Series at Fitchburg State University will welcome artist Georgie Friedman for “Light, Video and Experiential Art” at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20 in room G19 of Hammond Hall. The talk is free and open to the public. A reception will follow the talk. Georgie Friedman's work combines science and research with the metaphoric and emotional. She bases her projects on a range of powerful atmospheric, oceanic, and geologic conditions including: hurricanes, space weather, sea level rise, glacier retreat, and volcanic activity. She travels and films on location, then digitally reframes the natural elements utilizing site-specific video installation, single and multi-channel videos, sound, photographic series, and sculptural elements, all to construct new experiences for viewers. In this talk, Friedman will present the evolution, research, and process behind creating a selection of her works from the last 14 years. The Kendricken Memorial Lecture Series is hosted by the university’s Communications Media Department. This lecture is funded by generous support from the Kendricken family and is named for the 2013 alumnus who died in 2014. Kendricken is remembered as an extraordinary individual, whose prodigious energy fueled a boundless curiosity. Foremost among his many passions were film, music, and literature. The lecture series brings in artists whose work and spirit resonate with Kendricken’s legacy to the Fitchburg State community.

Fitchburg State University celebrated Veterans Day with a ceremony honoring those who served and paying tribute to a fallen alumnus with the re-dedication of a memorial bench on the university quadrangle. U.S. Army First Lt. Theodore A. "Ted" Thompson, Jr., born on Sept. 11, 1942, graduated from Fitchburg State in 1966, where he was a member of the Esoteric Society fraternity. Lt. Thompson was killed in action in Vietnam on Sept. 8, 1968, just three days before his 26th birthday. Carol Cioffari, Lt. Thompson’s sister, recalled her brother and his calling to follow their father’s example by joining the service. “We were Army brats,” she said, joking that she was the “brat” and her brother was “the good kid.” “It’s something he grew up with,” Cioffari said. “Teddy was immersed in the military. It’s what he wanted to do.” Carol Cioffari recalled her brother's passion to serve his country. She recalled her brother as a gentle soul who loved his family and his country. “I didn’t really see him going into the service because he was so easygoing, but that is exactly what he wanted to do, to make his family proud,” Cioffari said. He went to officer’s training school after graduating from Fitchburg State and was commissioned as an officer, serving in the 101st Airborne Division. The family was nervous when he deployed to Vietnam, but were comforted by the knowledge he was pursuing a long-held desire to serve. When he was wounded in Spring 1968, she said, it was while trying to rescue another injured soldier. Lt. Thompson was hospitalized for a month with his injuries. “He wanted to get back to his men,” Cioffari said. “Like a true soldier, that’s what he wanted to do.” She recalled their father offering to intervene to get his son out of harm’s way. “My father made a phone call and said, ‘I know people in the Pentagon, I can get you a desk job until it’s time for you to come home,’” Cioffari said. “Teddy said, ‘I’ll never talk to you again if you do that, Dad. I’m going back into the field. It’s where I belong.’ And that is what he did, as soon as he was able.” Lt. Thompson was killed in action on Sept. 8, 1968, just three days before his 26th birthday. Cioffari said the family was comforted by reports that he didn’t suffer, but the loss is still keenly felt. “I know the way my brother was,” Cioffari said. “He probably would have done another tour of duty there and he would have gone back more than willingly, because of his love of country and loyalty and fight for freedom. His loss will never be forgotten.” A bench commemorating Lt. Thompson and his service was rededicated at the ceremony, installed near the entrance to Thompson Hall, which holds the university’s Veterans Center. University President Donna Hodge honored the student veterans and their contributions to the institution and the nation. President Hodge “At Fitchburg State, we are fortunate to count many veterans among us, individuals whose dedication to service continues to shape and strengthen our community,” Hodge said. “Today, we celebrate that Legacy of Loyalty and Service in several ways. We honor the service and sacrifice of millions of veterans and their families who have protected our country, here and abroad. We honor our Massachusetts veterans, whose commitment to duty has enriched our state. And we honor our local North Central Massachusetts veterans, including the many here on our campus, whose loyalty and service inspire us all.” Hodge recalled her own father and his service during the Vietnam War and how it forever changed him. “My father’s been gone 30 years now, felled by things much more generic than mortar fire or napalm, but I miss him every day, and I'm grateful he was willing and able to serve, and even more grateful that, like each of you, he made his way home. His legacy, like yours, is one of loyalty and service. “At Fitchburg State, we strive to be a university that welcomes all and celebrates the diversity and dedication of our community,” she continued. “Today, as we reflect on Veterans Day, let us honor the Legacy of Loyalty and Service that defines our veterans. You are the heart of Fitchburg State, and I am honored to stand with you every single day.” Andres Crespo, of Leominster, a senior studying business administration, spoke on behalf of the university’s student veterans. “Our service is full of moments of hardships and triumphs,” Crespo said. “Those who have, understand that freedom comes with a price and with that, a fire is instilled within us to be part of something bigger than ourselves.”  Crespo said seeing his father in uniform inspired him to join the military. “In that instant I knew I had no other purpose but to follow in his footsteps and serve with such dedication, courage and sacrifice as he did,” he said.  Two months after graduating high school in 2019, Crespo was in basic training at Fort Benning in Georgia. Throughout, he was grateful to receive regular letters from his proud father.  “During my training, the drill sergeants made it competitive for those who wanted an airborne contract,” Crespo said. “I knew that I had to do whatever I could to get this. I thought to myself, ‘I’ll get paid to jump out of planes with a weapon attached to my hip? Sign me up!’” Crespo won the contract and proceeded to airborne school, and at age 19 was an Airborne Infantryman. Andres Crespo “I graduated from Airborne School in November (of 2020) and came home for a couple of weeks to do hometown recruiting, and then afterwards I got to my unit mid-December,” he said. His break was cut short when the U.S. embassy in Iraq was attacked and he was ordered back for a rapid deployment. “A couple of days later I was on a plane to the middle east,” he said. “The unit and I were camped out around 30 miles north of Baghdad in Camp Taji. What is crazy about this is that when my father went to Iraq, he was also based in Camp Taji. That is how I knew that what I was doing was meant to be.” Another combat deployment followed in August 2021, as American forces were withdrawing from Afghanistan. “There is not much to say about that one since everyone knows what happened,” Crespo said. “It was the worst deployment I had, and let’s just say that I am very grateful for being here today. By the age of 20 I already had two combat deployments and I could not have done it without the support of my family, but I most certainly could not have done it without my brothers and sisters that served beside me. I am glad to have met my fellow veterans here on campus and to have them to simply converse with and share a coffee together. “The veteran support here has made everything easier for me personally and I truly appreciate every single one of them,” Crespo continued. “Each one of them has their own stories and I am happy that they share theirs with me. As we gather to honor our veterans, past and present, let us remember what this bench symbolizes and as everyone passes by: it allows them to reflect and pay their respects. This shows that we will never be forgotten and the appreciation towards those who have served.” Professor Sean Goodlett of the Economics, History and Political Science Department presided over the ceremony. “Today’s ceremony carries a lot of personal meaning for myself and my spouse, as well,” he said. “In our extended family we have numerous Veterans and active-duty service members – grandparents, parents, and cousins who served in the Army and Army National Guard, cousins serving in the Marines, an uncle in the Navy. They served in World War II, Vietnam, and the Gulf War, and now our own son has enlisted in the Navy. In short, as a family we value service to this country.” View additional photos from the event on the Burg Blog.

Fitchburg State University's Community Read of A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II by Sophia Purnell continues in November. There will be a book discussion at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6 at the Leominster Public Library, 30 West St. The program, sponsored by the Friends of the Leominster Public Library, will be facilitated by the library's local history and genealogy librarian Diane Sanabria. No registration required, and the event is free and open to the public. Next, the public is invited to "Writing Home to Fitchburg: A Reading of WWII Service Members’ Letters" at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 at the Fitchburg Historical Society, 781 Main St. A Woman of No Importance was chosen as a Best Book of the Year by NPR, the New York Public Library, Amazon, the Seattle Times, the Washington Independent Review of Books, PopSugar, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, BookBrowse, the Spectator, and the Times of London. In 1942, the Gestapo sent out an urgent transmission: “She is the most dangerous of all Allied spies. We must find and destroy her.” The target in their sights was Virginia Hall, a Baltimore socialite who talked her way into Special Operations Executive, the spy organization dubbed Winston Churchill’s “Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.” She became the first Allied woman deployed behind enemy lines and–despite her prosthetic leg–helped to light the flame of the French Resistance, revolutionizing secret warfare as we know it. Based on new and extensive research, Sonia Purnell has for the first time uncovered the full secret life of Virginia Hall–an astounding and inspiring story of heroism, spycraft, resistance, and personal triumph over shocking adversity. A Woman of No Importance is the breathtaking story of how one woman’s fierce persistence helped win the war. Learn more about the Community Read at fitchburgcommunityread.com.

A thriller about prejudice and its dark manifestations is the fall theater production from Fitchburg State University’s Communications Media Department. “American Underground,” written by Brent Askari and directed by university Professor Kelly Morgan, will be staged in November at the Wallace Theater for the Performing Arts at the McKay Complex, 67 Rindge Road. Admission is free and open to the public. In “American Underground,” playwright Brent Askari shines a spotlight on America’s history of constructing a societal Other. Just like the Irish, Italians, Jewish, Japanese and other waves of immigration before them; Muslims in Askari’s fictional, near-future America face persecution on a widespread, deadlier scale. The play follows Jeff and his family as their ethics and morals are put on trial when they decide to shelter Sherri, a Muslim-American hiding from the Government. Will freedom ring at the end of the story or will the more vulnerable members of our society become just another statistic?  “American Underground” is presented by Fitchburg State University’s Communications Media Department in association with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Fitchburg. There will be an audience discussion following the debut performance on Wednesday, Nov. 13, with Furqan Mehmud of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. “This play is about Islam and it gives us an opportunity to combat Islamophobia,” Mehmud said. “Hopefully it will make people aware of Islam and lead them to ask questions to combat the misinformation out there.” The production is being mounted with two full casts, composed of current Fitchburg State students as well as alumni, who will take the stage on alternating performances. The play will be performed at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13; Thursday, Nov. 14; Friday, Nov. 15; Wednesday, Nov. 20; Thursday, Nov. 21; Friday, Nov. 22; and Saturday, Nov. 23. There will also be matinee performances at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16; Sunday, Nov. 17; and Sunday, Nov. 24.

Fitchburg State University Professor Kisha Tracy’s book Heritages of Change: Curatorial Activism and First-Year Writing was recently a finalist for a national award recognizing excellence in open educational resources. Tracy, a member of Fitchburg State’s English Studies Department, was one of four finalists for the 2024 Open Education Global Award for Excellence in the category of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. While her book did not win first place, Tracy is proud to have the work recognized, along with illustrating Fitchburg State’s commitment to open educational resources (OER). “I am honored to have Heritages of Change named one of the top four open education resources for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the world,” Tracy said. “It means so much to have both my ideas and my students' work validated in such a way." Open Education Global is a non-profit organization supporting the development and use of free educational resources with a vision of expanding access to education and improving student success. Tracy’s book, which can be downloaded for free, was created for first-year writing students. The volume came about in response to the sensation that writers practice and research in a vacuum, when writing is essentially about communication. Heritages of Change: Curatorial Activism and First-Year Writing was conceived as a method for students to think about the social changes that were prevalent during the COVID years and remain important in their wake. Heritages of Change is a lens for thinking and writing about these ideas.  “Students have so much to say about the world around them,” Tracy said. “Thinking, researching, and writing about those ideas is not only significant for them, but also important for others to hear and read.” Fitchburg State is one of six Massachusetts institutions participating in the Remixing Open Textbooks through an Equity Lens (ROTEL) grant through the Department of Education. This project provides stipends for faculty to remix and/or develop accessible, intentionally inclusive open textbooks and other OER that reflect students’ local and lived experiences.

The Music Mega-Mix, Fitchburg State University’s showcase of bite-sized performances by its Community Orchestra, Concert Band, Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, and Modern Band will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22 in Weston Auditorium, 353 North St. Admission is free and open to the public. The ensembles consist of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members. The Community Orchestra is conducted by Professor Hildur Schilling. Associate Professor Jonathan Harvey conducts the Chamber Choir and Concert Choir, and the Concert Band and Modern Band are conducted by Associate Professor Amy McGlothlin. Learn more about the university's music offerings at fitchburgstate.edu/music.