Recently, Provost Patricia Marshall welcomed those gathered in the Presidents' Hall for English Studies Professor Elise Takehana who presented her Harrod Lecture "Database and Algorithm as Literary Infrastructure", after an introduction by Acting English Studies Department Chair Lisa Gim.

In the lecture, Dr. Takehana discussed the conflicts and overlaps between storytelling and data analysis by exploring examples in experimental literature, interactive fiction, portraiture, and quantitative approaches to studying language and literature. The talk offered several reflections on the nature of human expression in the age of big data and how that might color what we think of as "human."

Students in Earth and Geographic Sciences Professor Reid Parsons' Earth Systems Science class test the affect of temperature on ocean current in their lab. This course gives students a holistic view of Earth and the spatial relationships between its physical, chemical, geological, and biological systems. Students are taught  fundamental scientific principles of physical geography and discuss human-earth interactions. 

As the semester reaches its mid-point, the always popular therapy dogs paid a visit to campus yesterday afternoon, Students got a little break from classes, tests and projects by spending a little time with Daisy, Moka, Penny, and  Fitchburg State University Police's own Odin in the Hammond Main Lounge.

This Afternoon, Our Women's History Month celebration continued with a Women in Law Enforcement panel discussion in the Falcon Hub. The Criminal Justice Club hosted this panel discussion with four female-identified individuals working in law enforcement: Chief Cara Rossi (Ashland PD), Lt. Alfreda Cromwell (Shirley PD), Mental Health Clinician and Co-Responder Jennifer Previti (Tufts University Police Dept.), and an alumna of Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course 4th ROC. After introductions from Criminal Justice Club Faculty Advisor Kathrine Hazen and Police Program Academy Director Lisa Lane, attendees got to hear about their career paths and unique experiences in a profession that is only 13% female.

Students in Biology Professor Christopher Picone General Biology II Lab are studying invertebrate anatomy, In this particular lab, the invertebrates  being studied are worms and lobsters. 

Yesterday afternoon, the Fitchburg State University Career Services and Advising Center sponsored a Campus Wide Career Fair in the Athletics and Recreation Center. This fair, with over 50 local businesses in attendance, was for students from all majors and all class years. Students were strongly encouraged to attend and take this opportunity to connect with employers from a variety of industries. Click here for a complete list of participating employers.

Our Women's History Month celebration continued with this afternoon's performance of the female led Myanna Jazz Quartet. Attendees enjoyed their funky soul and jazz in performance in the Falcon Hub.

Students in Professor Danielle Wigmore's Exercise Physiology II course ascertain baseline statistics for their experiment to record possible physiological affects of beet root supplement after two weeks. The subject is given the supplement and instructions on dosage. The course is designed to cover physiological response to acute exercise and chronic adaptations to exercise. This part of the multi-phased lab based course examines the  cardiovascular system, respiratory system, and the impact of different environmental conditions on exercise responses and capacity. It also introduces research methods in exercise science.

The saga of Kevin Bell continues. This time, Kevin has an issue in a simulated rehab facility wherein he needed to be transported to the ER - this involved two separate scenarios. Our Nursing Simulation Laboratory assists nursing students in learning critical thinking and clinical judgment skills in preparation for their healthcare careers. The “manikins” act as lifelike patient simulators, wherein instructors provide real-time feedback via a control center, giving students as close to a hospital simulation as possible. Fellow students watch as their classmates work through the simulation.

Earlier this week, the Fitchburg State University Business Administration Business Honors Society and panelists John Crawley, Michael Greenwood, and John Lohmann discussed and provided insights into their Professors' Paths to Success. This was a great opportunity for students to gain insight and perspective from experienced business professionals.