Campus Spotlight

“Orientation is going very smoothly. I think it has been helpful to the freshmen. They have been interacting a lot and creating friendships,” says Kevin Sheehan, ’11, a math major and one of the Black and Gold leaders helping the class of 2012 prepare for the new life at FSC they will begin in September.

Every day for the past two weeks groups of the incoming first-year class have been on campus. They are learning about college programs, registering for the fall and getting to know the campus. “Orientation has been really helpful. It has given me a good impression of the school,” says Kristen Flanagan, a math major.

Through ice-breaking activities and social events at orientation the students make friends and feel less anxious. “Before I came here, I was nervous. Now I am really excited to start—I can’t wait for the summer to be over!” says Leigh Kumpe, biology. “I think Framingham State College is a good match for me and they are doing a lot to make the transition into college easier.”

“The best part of orientation was the student-life skits,” says Ritchelly Sampaio, computer science, referring to a program item that is successful in breaking down barrriers. “They were so funny!” Above, four students spell out the word “CASA” in their skit.

Sampaio is one of many incoming students excited about September: “Besides getting an education at FSC, I am looking forward to playing sports and living the college life.”

“Orientation has been very successful,” says Black and Gold leader Josiah Curtis, ’09, politics. “They are a fun group of kids to work with.” Orientation is coordinated by Marjorie Hewitt with First-Year Programs Director Ben Trapanick, staff and student leaders.

The improvement of public education in Massachusetts continues to be a priority for many. Educators, parents, students and others from the region gathered at FSC in the College Center Forum Monday evening, June 2, seizing an opportunity to pose their questions and concerns to Governor Deval Patrick.

Click for photos of the event.

For the past 18 months the governor has held public forums on education around the state as part of his Readiness Project which aims to strengthen the quality of instruction and access throughout the system.

This meeting was the last in the series. The recommendations for the project are due to be made public later in June.

“Revel in your accomplishments and enjoy this beautiful day,” said the Honorable Barbara Gardner, ’82, chair of the board of trustees, addressing master’s graduates at FSC’s first-ever graduate commencement Sunday, May 25.

“All of you sitting here today hold in your hands the ticket to your future,” the speaker at the graduate commencement, Chancellor Patricia Plummer,’69, told the graduate students. Plummer is a former FSC faculty member and associate academic vice president.

Three undergraduate history majors, Saigayan Kugabalasooriar, Katherine Jillette, and Sean Holt here reflect the happiness of students at both ceremonies. Click for a slideshow of the day’s events.

At the undergraduate commencement the speaker, Mr. Robert Maresca, president of the Bose Corporation, told the graduating class their “people education” was just beginning. What is now important, he said, “is the ability to get on with people and have them respect your input.”

Dr. Marguerite Mahler of the Modern Languages Department was named the Distinguished Faculty Member for 2008. “She is an excellent representative of a faculty who care about their students,” said Academic Vice President Robert Martin in presenting her.

Maresca was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree and Dr. Philip Dooher, former vice president for enrollment management, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

The 2008 valedictorian was Emma Abby, a geography major with a concentration in environmental studies who was the 2007-08 president of the Green Team. Next year she will study in the master’s program at the Center for Sustainability Studies at Lund University in Sweden.

The part-time student with the highest academic achievement was June B. Hudnall, a fashion design and retailing major.

Six hundred and eighteen bachelor’s degrees were awarded and four hundred and sixty one master’s degrees.

The spring semester and academic year are quickly drawing to a close but the fiscal year does not end until June 30, 2008. There is still time for faculty and staff to make a donation to the college. It’s not the amount you give but the act of giving that matters.

The hard work you do every day directly contributes to the success of the college. Please also support our educational mission by making a gift to the Framingham State College Foundation Legacy Fund.

A united commitment from within the college community shows outside constituents—alumni, corporations, and foundations—that Framingham State is a good investment. Our support leads to more support from others.

You can designate your gift to benefit scholarships in general or a particular scholarship fund. You may also give in memory of or in honor of a special individual. Click for information about giving.

Please join us in making a gift to Framingham State College before June 30, 2008, and thank you in advance for your generosity.

Energetic walkers and runners competed in the final Art Doyle Road Race Saturday, May 10. Alice Doyle of ITS, who has organized the event for the past six years in honor of her late husband, former Academic Vice President Arthur Doyle, is leaving the college.

Doyle is seen above at the race, back row left, with her son Jay, daughter-in-law Heather, granddaughter Alevia, age 7, and grandson Glennie, age 4.

“I loved being a part of an event that brought our college community of so many wonderful and caring friends together to remember and honor Art’s memory,” said Lois Oak, the administrative assistant for several Hemenway Hall academic departments.

Oak took first place among the walkers with a time of 40:25 minutes. The male winner was Daniel Canella, son of Associate Dean of Admissions Liz Canella, in 40:38 minutes.

In the runners’ race, the men’s winner, Christopher Williams, completed the course in 20:05 minutes and Jessica Henderson, the women’s winner, in 22:50 minutes.

Registration fees, scholarship donations, and a raffle for beautiful theme baskets traditionally donated by departments on campus raised $6,383 for the Art Doyle Scholarship.