Campus Currents

A group of 32 Chinese teachers from a top high school in China visited FSU last week during a trip to the United States to gain a better understanding of our schools and education system. The teachers were from Laiwu No. 1 High School in the Shandong Province, which has more than 10,000 students.

The school is a potential partner who may send students to U.S. universities, including Framingham State.

During a two hour visit, the group was greeted by Vice President for Enrollment and Student Development Lorretta Holloway and Jane Decatur from the International Education Office. They had the opportunity to tour campus and enjoy lunch at FSU. 

Congratulations to this year's Study Abroad Photo Contest Winners. The winning images are attached to this week's Campus Currents e-mail.

1st place – Jillian Goellner

-studied in Florence, Italy
-photo taken at the Amalfi Coast, Italy
-major: Psychology and Early Education
-YOG: 2019

2nd place – China Bigelow

-studied in Florence, Italy
-photo taken in Santorini, Greece
-major: Business Management
-YOG: 2019

3rd place – Pamela Santos

-studied in Queensland, Australia
-photo take in Byron Bay, Australia
-major: Criminology
-YOG: 2019

March 5, 2018 at 1:30 p.m.
Forum, McCarthy Center

The Hot Tamale Brass Band is a New Orleans style brass band from Boston, MA. Playing traditional New Orleans jazz, Dixieland and funky second line brass band music, they always add a tasteful and exciting element to any event. The festive sounds of the Hot Tamale Brass Band will make you feel like you're down in the Big Easy at Mardi Gras. The band features trumpet, trombone, saxophone, tuba and drums.

Join us for a special lecture with Dr. Bulent Batuman as part of the FSU Global Issues Lecture Series:

Houses, Mansions, Palaces – Negotiating Nation and Islam through Public Architecture
Monday, March 5, 5 to 7 p.m.
Heineman Ecumenical Center

Dr. Bulent Batuman is associate professor of Urban Design and Landscape Architecture at Bilkent University (Turkey) and Fulbright Visiting Scholar at Penn State University.

Islam Emerged as a political force across the Muslim World after the Cold War, particularly in the face of the increasing influence of neoliberalism. In this talk, Dr. Batuman will discuss the role state-led undertakings play in shaping the built environment to achieve nationalist representations referring to Islam. By focusing on new public architecture in countries such as Turkey, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Malaysia, the lecture will explore how Islam played a distinct political role in creating a national identity in empowering the nation-state.

Dr. Bulent Batuman teaches urban design and politics of modern urbanism in the Department of Urban Design and Landscape Architecture at Bilkent University. His latest book, New Islamist Architecture and Urbanism: Negotiating Nation and Islam through Built Environment in Turkey.

Tuesday, March 6, 3 to 6 p.m.
Hemenway Hall 305-313

Did you know there are human patient simulators living on the 3rd floor of Hemenway Hall? 

Did you know the manikins have pulses and heart beats?

Please join the Master of Science in Nursing students from the Application of Technology to Education course as they demonstrate the use of human patient simulators. Learn how simulation is being used in nursing education to improve the care given to patients. See the manikins breathing and talking as the students care for them. 

By Allison Wharton, publications intern

FSU Alumna Mary Brinkmann had never left the East Coast before deciding to teach English in Thailand for a year. She wanted to live in a different country, not just visit.

“I find myself always looking back on the experience. … It was the best decision I made,” she says.

On Feb. 27 in the Alumni Room, Brinkmann and fellow alumnae, Mary Nee and Avery Cook, spoke about working abroad post-graduation to an audience of 15 - most of whom where seniors looking for potential career paths.

The event was held by the Study Abroad office and the discussion was led by Assistant Director Jennifer Hyde.

There was also Amy Whitish-Temple in attendance, a representative from Academic Programs International (API), who spoke to the audience about the importance of travel and the multiple options the program provides including work opportunities ranging from a few weeks to a year as well as week-long volunteer trips.

Candidates can choose from a wide range of countries from Italy to Argentina. They do not need a teaching degree in order to teach conversational English, just a Bachelor’s Degree and fluency in the language.

After studying in Northern Ireland her sophomore year, Nee became passionate about travel and wanted to help others achieve their travel dreams. She currently works at Education First, helping international students obtain their Visas so they can work/study in the U.S.

“I help people from the other side,” of going abroad she said.

Cook studied in Prague during her time at FSU and returned shortly after graduating as an English conversation teacher and tutor, despite wanting to go into a film career.

“I bonded with my students. … It was very rewarding,” she said. She taught people from ages six to mid-40s.

Unlike Brinkmann, Cook’s experience with CIEE was more problematic. Unfortunately, she had issues getting her work visa and was in Prague illegally. “It was one of the hardest times of my life,” she said.

Cook and Brinkmann both experienced a lack of communication with colleagues.

Brinkmann recalled times she would sit in her classroom and no students would show up. She would then discover the students had the day off.

“I was so confused why people didn’t tell me the student wouldn’t come in. I could’ve been in air conditioning!” she joked.

The panelists were asked questions such as how they were able to fund the experience, living situations and other advice they wish they had.

Brinkmann said, “This is the freest you’ll ever be. Find a way to make it happen.”

Join us for two events during a special weekend honoring veterans!

Friday, March 23, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Grand Opening of FSU Veterans Center
Veterans Center, Crocker Annex

Saturday, March 24, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Veterans Community Collecting Event with Guest Speaker: Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans Services Francisco A. Ureña.
McCarthy Center Forum

Bring up to three items to be photographed or scanned, like old photographs, letters, postcards, medals, clothes, or other artifacts. These images will be archived and showcased
in the Framingham State digital repository. No weapons are allowed.

View a display of artwork from the collection; Dear Dearest Mother; Still-life Montages Composed From the Keepsakes of War Veterans, by Professor Leslie Starobin.

Friday March 16, 2018 at 5:30pm & 6:30pm

Habitat Earth
 
If you haven’t seen our fulldome film Habitat Earth yet, this is the perfect time! Spring is the season to get outside once again and appreciate the unique, interconnected ecosystem that you’re a part of. Habitat Earth will leave you with a deeper appreciation of these systems and the diverse life forms that populate them.

This event will also feature a live tour of our night sky with planetarium educator Mary MacDonald.

More info and pre-registration at: www.christa.org/FSUplanetarium

Monday, March 26, 7 p.m., McCarthy Center Forum

As part of Women's History Month, join us for a screening of the award-winning documentary STEP, which tells the true-life story of a girls’ high-school step team against the background of the heart of Baltimore. These young women learn to laugh, love and thrive – on and off the stage – even when the world seems to work against them. Empowered by their teachers, teammates, counselors, coaches and families, they chase their ultimate dreams: to win a step championship and to be accepted into college. 

To view the trailer and learn more, visit: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/stepmovie/

Framingham State will be hosting a free Citizenship Workshop for the community on Saturday, March 24, at 10 a.m., as part of Project Citizenship (projectcitizenship.org).

The effort is aimed at assisting people 18 years or older who have been legal permanent residents in the United States for at least five years (three years if married to a U.S. citizen) apply for permanent citizenship. Applicants should be able to read, write and speak basic English.

If you are interested in volunteering, or for more information, you should contact Dr. Patricia Sánchez-Connally at psanchezconnally@framingham.edu. You may also call 617-694-5949.

March 21, 2018
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
McCarthy College Center, Alumni Room

Please join us for our Spring semester event: Women, Connection & Wholeheartedness

The Women’s Affinity Group will be showing a TED talk, “The Power of Vulnerability”, given by Brené Brown, research professor at the University of Houston where she holds the Huffington Foundation – Brené Brown Endowed Chair at The Graduate College of Social Work. She studies courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy and her research focuses on authentic leadership and wholeheartedness in families, schools, and organizations. Discussion questions to follow the video. 

We will provide a light lunch of soup, salad, bread, fruit, dessert, coffee and tea.  The hour promises to be entertaining and enlightening!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any of the group members: Peg Charbonnier, Meghan Maxfield, Deborah Hogan, Jennifer Hyde, Nina Ricci, and Emily Abel.

"How Did You Get There?" Stories from Successful Upperclassmen Student Panel

Tuesday, March 6th, in the CIE
1:30pm to 2:30pm

Hosted by Advising!

CIE Community Conversation: Finding Your Purpose - Hosted by Student Tyri Hampton

Wednesday, March 7th, in the CIE
1:30pm to 2:30pm

Hope to see you there! For questions contact Chon’tel Washington at cwashington@framingham.edu.

Wednesday Employer Showcase Series, McCarthy Campus Center Lobby, 9:00AM – 5:45PM:

Employers showcase their organization every Wednesday in the McCarthy Center lobby by the Welcome Desk. Their goal is to network with FSU students and recruit students for full time or internship opportunities. Stop by their table in order to learn about new internships and job opportunities!

3/7/18

9:00 a.m.—noon: Care.com and Teotutor.com
noon—3:00 p.m.: Walker & United States Army

3/21/18

Noon to 3 p.m.: Health Drive Corporation & and Massachusetts Army National Guard

3/28/18

Noon—3:00 p.m.: Salmon Health and Retirement
3 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Abercrombie & Fitch

4/4/18

3:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m.: The Bridge of Central Mass.

4/18/18

Noon - 3 p.m.: RCS Learning

4/25/18

Noon– 6:00 p.m.: MetroWest YMCA Career Day

Avidia Bank Site Tour & Polished Professional Networking Event

Tuesday, March 20, 12:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.,

Avidia Bank, 270 Cochituate Rd., Framingham

Hear about the many opportunities in the banking industry beyond “teller” jobs, like Financial Technology jobs, Electronic Services, Marketing, Human Resources and more. Open to all majors. Preregistration required. Registration and transportation available on a first come, first serve basis. Contact the CSER Office at 205-626-4625.

Spring Job and Internship Fair

Wednesday, March 28,  4:30 p.m.– 6:00 p.m., MC Forum

Come to this great networking event! Full-time and Internship positions available.  Over 55 employers from the business, human services, non-profit, and STEM field’s will be featured. Bring your resume. Dress professionally. Log onto your RamTrack  account to view full list of organizations.

SAVE THE DATE: MERC Education Fair

Thursday, April 19,  9:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., at B.U.

Come to the largest education fair in New England -  Over 100 school systems and agencies attend!  Save the date for this annual recruiting event that brings together teaching candidates and school systems across the country for networking and job opportunities in public/private schools.

Register at: www.merccareerfair.com.

Free transportation leaving FSU at 9 AM and leaving from BU at 2 PM to return to FSU. Transportation pre-registration required. Call the CSER Office at 508-626-4625.

On Campus Interviews Week – April 23 through April 27, 2018, MC514

Employers and times to be announced. Pre-Registration is required through the CSER Office. Call 508-626-4625 for more information.

-Dr. Lucas Dietrich, a visiting lecturer in the English Department, has been awarded a William T. Buice III Scholarship from the University of Virginia's Rare Book School. The award will allow him to attend a week-long Rare Book School summer course at no cost. He plans to enroll in “The History of the Book in Antebellum America,” taught by UT-Austin’s Michael Winship and the Library Company of Philadelphia’s James Green.