This morning, on this National Coffee with a Cop Day, the Fitchburg State University community had the chance to meet with Chief Michael Cloutier and members  of the Fitchburg State University Police as they hosted Coffee with a Cop in the Falcon Hub. Fitchburg State University Police therapy dog Officer Zara was there as well. The mission of Coffee with a Cop is to break down the barriers between police officers and the citizens they serve.

Yesterday afternoon, The Center for Faculty Scholarship held a Faculty Book Launch in the The Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library Archives. English Studies Professor  Kisha Tracy  discussed her newest book, Medieval Disability Heritage: The Museum Exhibition Reimagined. 
 

Engineering Technology Professor Nirajan Mani  brought students in his surveying course out to Mara Village. This course introduces the principles and practice of surveying. Surveying and use and care of surveying instruments, such as measuring tape, engineer’s level, theodolite, and total station. It includes horizontal and vertical measurements, layout, traverse, area computations, analysis, and adjustments of systematic and random errors, stadia surveying, and mapping.  

Students in Biology and Chemistry Professor Billy Samulak's Chemistry for Health Sciences Lab work on an assignment in the Antonucci Science Complex. This course is designed specifically for nursing and exercise sports majors and includes the study of selected topics from general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry. 

This morning, students in our at our Adult Learning in the Fitchburg Area (ALFA) program were at Fitchburg Access Television (FATV) podcast studio for their Build-A-Podcast course. This hands-on course introduces participants to the fundamentals of podcasting, from idea development to recording and sharing a finished episode. Students will learn how to use the Fitchburg Access Television podcast studio, explore storytelling techniques, and gain basic audio editing and graphic design skills. By the end of the course, participants will have created and shared their own short podcast project with the option to share their work on FATV’s public channel. 

 Our third-year Nursing students got a simulation experience today in the Nursing Simulation Laboratory. After going over the scenario and treatment, teams entered the room where Nursing Simulation Lab Director Ian Murray reprised the role of James Irons, a recovering alcoholic who may have relapsed and ended up in the hospital. James is complaining of itching from bed bugs, and seeing a squirrel in the room.

Yesterday afternoon, Selma Martey, Coordinator of Student Belonging in our Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness, and the Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Board Members welcomed attendees to the annual LGBTQ+ Flag Presentation and Flag Raising at Alumni Plaza in honor of LGBTQ+ History Month.  

Students in Biology and Chemistry Professor Ronald Krieser's genetics lab conduct a gel electrophoresis experiment in the Antonucci Science Complex. Gel electrophoresis, a laboratory technique used to separate DNA, RNA, or protein fragments based on their size and electrical charge. It involves applying an electric field to a gel matrix, causing the negatively charged nucleic acids to migrate. Smaller fragments move faster through the gel, leading to their separation and analysis, often visualized using a fluorescent dye. 

Professor and Chair of the Engineering Technology Department Nirajan Mani introduced Mark Franciosi, RBEC, RRC, RWC, REWC, REWO, Director of Technical Services at Polyglass and a 1996 graduate of Fitchburg State University's Construction Technology as part of the department's Industry Guest Speaker Series. He presented Waterproofing in Critical Building Areas: Below-Grade & Elevated Decks - Applications, Typical Technologies, and Key Challenges to students in Conlon 201A. With more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry, Mr. Franciosi has built expertise in project management, product development, building enclosure consulting, forensic investigations, and expert witness services. Throughout his career, Mark has worked closely with contractors, architects, consultants, and building owners to improve building enclosure performance and durability. A Registered Building Enclosure Consultant (RBEC) through IIBEC, Mark is an active participant in numerous industry organizations and a published author on building enclosure and constructionrelated topics.

Yesterday, Biology Prof.  Christopher Picone  and the BioChem Club headed out for their annual Rindge Road cleanup. Hands-on science goes beyond the lab—it’s about taking care of the environment right in our own backyards. Shoutout to the team for giving back and keeping our local community clean and beautiful.