@Framingham State
June 2012
FSU Celebrates Commencement and
Reunion Weekend
Perfect weather greeted friends, families, alumni and graduates during a beautiful Commencement and Reunion Weekend in May.
Festivities kicked off on Saturday, May 19, with the Alumni General Assembly and celebration of the Golden Anniversary Class of 1962.
President Timothy J. Flanagan used the occasion to announce a $500,000 pledge from the Independent Association of Framingham State Alumni (IAFSA),
in support of scholarships and other special projects.
“We are extremely grateful for this generous commitment from IAFSA,”
Framingham State President Timothy Flanagan said.
“We are genuinely excited about this collaboration that will advance our common goal of supporting Framingham State’s students and faculty.”
Alumni Achievement Awards were also presented during the General Assembly to Edward Carr `96, `06G, Dr. Irene Foster `87, `88G,
Susanne McIvor `62, `69G, and Kathleen Roberts `37.
On Sunday, May 20, thousands of people came to campus to celebrate the 2012 Commencement ceremonies.
The theme of this year’s Commencement was “Food, Hunger and Nutrition.”
Several of the state’s leaders in the fight to end hunger and improve adolescent nutrition urged Framingham State’s Class of 2012 to use their talents to help others.
“Do for others in whatever way fits you best,” said undergraduate commencement speaker Catherine D’Amato, the president and CEO of the Greater Boston Food Bank.
“Give your time, give your money, give your talent. No gift is too small.”
D’Amato, whose organization provides more than 31 million pounds of food each year to local pantries,
said she was inspired to become a food banker by her immigrant parents, who owned a restaurant when she was young and never turned away beggars.
“Food is a common language,” said D’Amato, who received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University during commencement.
“It offers comfort and safety. It brings people together. It provides fuel for our body and it powers our mind.”
While commencement was primarily about celebrating the next generation of highly educated young people who will drive the Massachusetts economy,
the two loudest cheers of the day came in recognition of the accomplishments of a pair of older residents.
During the graduate ceremony, Ralph Pfeiffer received a standing ovation as he accepted his Master of Education in History at the age of 90.
Pfeiffer also received his bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Framingham State in 2006, at the age of 84.
“Mr. Pfeiffer is truly a model for lifelong learning,” said Scott Greenberg, the associate vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education.
The other deafening cheer of the day came during the undergraduate ceremony, when Framingham State President Timothy J. Flanagan presented a special service award to Edith Brown, who works as a cashier in Framingham State’s dining commons.
This year, Brown celebrated her 25th anniversary working at Framingham State, as well as her 90th birthday.
Other special guests included graduate commencement speaker Dr. Patricia Luoto `76G, professor of Food & Nutrition and director of the FSU John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition;
Carolyn Mugar, executive director of Farm Aid and recipient of an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree; and 2012 Citizen Laureate award recipients Paul Mina, president and CPO of the United Way of Tri County; and Katie Millett `78, executive director of the Office of Nutrition, Health and Safety Programs at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Your gift makes a real impact at
Framingham State
There have been a lot of stories in the news recently discussing the cost of higher education and keeping a college education accessible to all qualified students.
At Framingham State University, we’re strongly committed to making a high quality education accessible to all of our students.
Your gift of any amount to the FSU Annual Fund helps us fulfill that mission.
As Brian, FSU Class of 2013, recently told us, “I was able to attend Framingham State because of the financial assistance I’ve received.
My professors are both knowledgeable and caring, and I have discovered new interests I don’t think I would have pursued without the individual support and financial help I have had the last three years.”
Help us open new doors for our future leaders, with your gift before the end of our fiscal year on June 30.
Thank you!
Massachusetts Honors Framingham State Student
Framingham State graduating senior Sarah Ferguson was among 29 public higher education students from around the state honored by Governor Deval Patrick in May for their outstanding achievements in the classroom.
“Sarah’s story reminds us all of the power of education to transform lives,” Governor Patrick said during a ceremony at the State House. “Investing in our students is exactly how we invent a brighter future for Massachusetts.”
Around 250 people gathered at the State House on May 10 for the 2nd annual 29 Who Shine awards honoring 29 outstanding graduates of Massachusetts’ 29 public college and university campuses.
Ferguson, a member of the Framingham State Honors Program, is a Biology major with a pre-medical concentration and a minor in Biochemistry.
She has excelled in the science lab during her time at Framingham State, mastering complex techniques in several different areas including DNA extraction and purification,
cloning, enzyme isolation, molecular modeling, ultraviolet spectrophotometry and analytical biotechnology. During her junior year,
Ferguson performed an Independent Study in Cancer Biology on the topic of “Treatment for Resistant Cancers.”
She recently completed her Honors Thesis on “The Role of Medical Examiners in Today’s Society.”
“Sarah’s work in the science labs at Framingham State is a perfect example of the level of innovation and research going on between our students and faculty,”
President Timothy Flanagan said. “She is hardworking, thoughtful and driven – qualities we look for in all of our students.”
Outside the classroom, Ferguson serves as a Supplemental Instruction Leader at Framingham State’s Center for Academic Support and Advising (CASA).
In this role, she creates study sessions for a class of 70 students to help them achieve academic success in introductory level Chemistry courses.
She is also a Student Admissions Representative, a Biology Subject Tutor and a Peer Mentor.
Massachusetts Higher Education Commissioner Richard M. Freeland said the 29 Who Shine demonstrate the high caliber of students in the state’s public higher education system.
“As we recognize the achievements of 29 outstanding students, we also draw attention to the quality of our 29 public college and university campuses,
which are united by a common vision of our most fundamental educational role:
to provide Massachusetts with the best educated citizenry and workforce in the nation,” Freeland said.
The Office of Development and Alumni Relations is pleased to publish
@ Framingham State, our e-newsletter to keep alumni and friends of Framingham State connected to the University.
Each e-newsletter features information about upcoming events on campus.
The University will continue to mail the biannual alumni magazine, as well as individual e-mails about specific events throughout the year.
We hope you find this e-newsletter helpful and engaging.
We would like your feedback and comments. Email us at alumni@framingham.edu
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Upcoming Events:
Alumni Red Sox Outing
Thursday, June 7, 2012
5 p.m. Pre-game Reception at Jillian's, Boston
7 p.m. Boston Red Sox v.
Baltimore Orioles
Limited seating available
Call 508-626-4687 for ticket details
Rams 2012 Booster Club Golf Tournament
Monday, June 18, 2012
10 a.m. shotgun start
Highfields Golf
& Country Club
Grafton, MA
Please contact Robert Walmsley in the Office of Development & Alumni Relations at
(508) 626-4687
or Carey Eggen in the Office of Athletics at
(508) 626-4565
Save the Date:
Alumni Lobster Roll Cruise
on Cape Cod
Friday, July 27, 2012
Lobster Roll sunset dinner cruise departs Sesuit Habor.
Boarding begins at 6:00 p.m.
Cruise begins at approximately
6:30 p.m.
$55 per person
Register by calling the Office of
Alumni Relations
508-626-4687 or
email alumni@framingham.edu
Annual Alumni Trip to Tanglewood
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Bus departs FSU campus at
10:00 a.m. sharp
Show begins at 2:30 p.m.
Section 4 seating: $85.00
Section 11 seating: $45.00
Event pricing includes picnic lunch, luxury motor coach transportation, concert admission and a $10.00 donation toward student scholarships.
Register by calling the Office of
Alumni Relations
508-626-4687 or
email alumni@framingham.edu
Alumni Red Sox Outing
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
5 p.m. Pre-game Reception at Jillian's, Boston
7 p.m. Boston Red Sox v.
LA Angels of Anaheim
Limited seating available
Call 508-626-4687 for ticket details
Now Is The Time
June 30 is fast approaching.
Now is the time to make your gift to Framingham State.
There are three easy ways to give:
Online: Make your gift securely online at:
www.framingham.edu.
By Phone: You can give with a credit card by calling 508-626-4012.
By Mail: Use the pre-addressed reply envelope from the March Annual Fund mailing, or send your check to:
FSU Office of Development
and Alumni Relations
100 State St.
P.O. Box 9101
Framingham, MA 01701
Alumni E-Survey
All FSU alumni are invited
to complete an e-survey,
to provide feedback and
advice as Framingham State
prepares to undertake its
first-ever comprehensive campaign.
Click on the following link, to go
to the e-survey:
FSU Alumni E-Survey
Please complete the survey by Friday June 15, 2012.
Any questions about the e-survey
may be addressed to Eric Gustafson at
508-626-4668 or
egustafson1@framingham.edu
FSU Development and Alumni
Relations Team
Eric Gustafson
Executive Director
Robert Walmsley
Assistant Director of
Alumni Relations
Mark Veligor
Major Gifts Officer
Amy Luoto
Advancement Services Specialist
Nina Ricci
Administrative Assistant
Contact us:
508-626-4012
alumni@framingham.edu
FSU Communications Team
Daniel J. Magazu
External Relations Coordinator
Luis Rodriguez
Graphic Designer
Contact us:
508-626-4539
Check Out Framingham
Athletics
Here
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