Campus Currents

Inauguration Week is here, with a full schedule of events leading up to the Inauguration of Dr. Nancy S. Niemi as President of Framingham State University.

MONDAY, MAY 1ST
FSU Cooks with President Niemi: Learn. Cook. Eat.
Time: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Location: Hemenway Hall 209, space is limited, register here.
The Food and Nutrition Department and President Niemi are in the kitchen cooking up some fun! Join us for a special Inauguration Week session of FSU Cooks where the President will be baking chocolate chip cookies! Originally invented by FSU alumna Ruth Graves Wakefield, this perfected recipe comes from former FSU staff member and alumna Laurie Carr who famously made these cookies for colleagues and students during her 34 years of dedicated service here at FSU.

TUESDAY, MAY 2ND
Faculty Work in Focus: Expertise, Innovation, and Impact at Framingham State University
Time: 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Location: McCarthy Center Forum
Framingham State’s faculty are dynamic, engaging instructors, mentors, scholars and artists, and community members. We invite you to learn about the innovative ways in which four of Framingham State’s faculty are transforming the educational and professional experiences of students, their scholarly and creative fields of inquiry, and the MetroWest community. Luce Aubry (World Languages Associate Professor), Matt Moynihan (Mathematics Assistant Professor), Shadé Solomon (Education Associate Professor), and Sandra Rahman (Marketing Professor), have displayed unparalleled creativity, ingenuity, and determination as they have designed and brought to fruition new approaches to learning traditional subjects and new opportunities to explore previously unexplored questions, and as they forged new connections with MetroWest community partners. Please join us in learning about their efforts and how best to support them and those of others who, like them, are working to make our institution a vibrant one.

INAUGURATION DAY - FRIDAY, MAY 5TH
Procession and Inauguration Ceremony - Register
Time: 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Location: Dwight Performing Arts Center, Dwight Hall
Doors open at 9:15 a.m. Registered guests should be seated before the procession begins at 10:00 a.m.

Student Conference for Research and Creative Practice
Time: 10:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Location: McCarthy Center

Ram Jam-boree Campus Celebration/Sandbox
Time: 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Location: State Street (rain location: Richard C. Logan Gym)
The campus community is invited to celebrate with live entertainment, activities, games, music, and local food trucks.

The Society of Professional Journalists announced the Region 1 winners of the annual Mark of Excellence collegiate journalism contest on Saturday, and I am delighted to announce that The Gatepost won four awards. The Mark of Excellence awards honor the best of collegiate journalism. Region 1 is comprised of New England, New York, and the eastern mid-Atlantic states and the contest recognized material published during the 2022 calendar year.

Opinions Editor McKenzie Ward, a senior with a double major in English and History, won first place for General Column Writing. This is the second time Kenzie has won the Mark of Excellence General Column Writing award. She was first recognized by SPJ for columns she published during the 2020 calendar year.

News Editor Sophia Harris, a sophomore English major with a concentration in Journalism, won first place for General News Reporting for “small schools” (fewer than 10,000 students) for her article, “Massachusetts approves bill to allow medication abortion access in public universities,” published on December 9, 2022.

Associate Editor Emily Rosenberg, a first-semester senior majoring in Political Science with a minor in Journalism, was a finalist in Feature Writing for “small schools” for her article, “The golden era of college radio,” published on April 8, 2022.

Finally, The Gatepost was named one of two Region 1 finalists for the Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper for a school with fewer than 10.000 students. While this award honors the collective work of everyone on The Gatepost’s staff, their success would not have been possible without the effective and inspiring leadership of Leighah Beausoleil, a senior English major with a concentration in Journalism who has served as Editor-in-Chief since March, 2022.
The Society of Professional Journalists, founded in 1909, is the “nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior.”

Please join me in congratulating our Gatepost Mark of Excellence award winners!

Dr. Desmond McCarthy, Professor of English
Gatepost Advisor 

The Independent Association of Framingham State Alumni (IAFSA) announces that Professor Pamela Sebor-Cable will be the 12th recipient of its Touch the Future Award, which honors teachers who teach teachers. Those eligible have provided a framework for those who will teach, advanced knowledge in their subject, and provided inspiration and lasting motivation to students and/or associates.

Her students, and a former student, now FSU colleague, Dr. Laura Kane, nominated her. Dr. Kane wrote: “Professor Sebor-Cable has been a dedicated and passionate educator and mentor in the Fashion Design and Retailing Department for over 20 years and has made a tremendous impact on the lives of countless students and fellow teachers... ... [She] also demonstrates a commitment to the growth and well-being of those she mentors...and serves as a role model for positive behavior and attitudes.”

The Touch the Future Award includes a donation to benefit FSU students in an area of her choice. Please join in celebrating with Professor Sebor-Cable at the IAFSA Annual Meeting on Saturday, June 3rd, at 1:30 p.m. at Alumni House, 42 Adams Road. RSVP: office@alumnihouse.org.

Sunday, May 14, 1 to 2 p.m.
14 Vernon Street, Framingham, MA

Flowers have been a favorite subject for painters, sculptors, and photographers. Join us to look at the different artists who captured the beauty of flowers. Inspired by the beautiful floral art at the Danforth, we’ll show you how to make flowers with markers, pencils, and construction paper. From daisies to hyacinths, tulips to forget-me-nots, there’s no limit to the flowers you can make.

Drop into Art happens the second Sunday of every month. All sessions are held from 1 – 4 p.m. Admission is always free. Registration is not required — just drop in!

Questions? Contact Katherine Tako-Girard or call 508-215-5117.

Finals are around the corner, which means it's time to Pause for Paws.

Come relax with pet therapy dogs, and get some stress & sleep tips and free giveaways!

Monday May 1st, and Wednesday, May 3rd
Alumni Room, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.