Last week, students - with the assistance of  Engineering Technology Professor Wayne Whitfield, put the final touches on a project in their Engineering Design & Fabrication II class. This course studies mass production theory, systems and procedures in woodworking and residential construction, includes engineering design and leads to prototype development.

Yesterday afternoon, Communications Media Professors J.J. Sylvia IV and Kyle Moody moderated yesterday's Digital Media Innovation (DMI) Expo in Percival Hall. Presentations included the history of the Conlon Fine Arts Building and Holmes Dining Commons here on campus, as well as a 3D rendering project of Fitchburg in the 1890's and 2025. The event gave prospective and current students the opportunity to learn about the program, learn about the research and creative process behind their work, and meet faculty and students in DMI.

Alumni and Giving Staff were on hand in G-Lobby yesterday to offer students a respite during finals, offering a hot cocoa bar, some Fitchburg State University branded swag, and activities. Students were eager to get a boost and a break.

Students who've completed a Criminal Justice (CJ) internship gave presentations about their particular internships to Professor Eileen Kirk and other students. Here, a student spoke about her internship with the Mendon, MA police Department.

Lourdes Ramirez, Coordinator of Field Placements, Partnerships and Recruitment for Fitchburg State’s School of Education, Early College Dual Enrollment, Fernando Garcia-Rodriguez and Assistant Director of Admissions Eliezer Rivera a cohort of local high school students enrolled in The Future Educator Academy program to campus for a day of programming. Students completed a badge focused on topics in education; CPR- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation with Fitchburg State University Police Off. Emily Ramos, Peer Mediation and Conflict Resolution Techniques with School of Education Professor Emily Fournier, Career Planning & My Future Badge with Career Services and Advising Center Director Lindsay Carpenter Connors, and  Supporting Mental Wellness in the Classroom with Behavioral Sciences Professor Megan Krell, College Reading & Learning Association with Director of the Academic Coaching and Tutoring Center (ACT)  Kat McLellan, and more. 

Director of Upward Bound Math & Science Nate Obin welcomed President Donna Hodge toa discussion this morning as part of our Future Educator Academy. President Hodge discussed her own journey in higher education and took questions. Some of our Presidential Ambassadors, as well as our Dean of the School of Education,  Mojdeh Bayat and Economics, History and Political Science Professor Christine Dee were on hand to answer questions as well.  

Earlier this week, the Humanities Department and the Dean of Arts and Sciences sponsored the third and final open figure drawing session offered this fall. This was an open figure drawing session with no instruction. Newsprint, vine charcoal, and basic supplies were available and no experience required.

Yesterday afternoon, our Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness hosted a Coco with the PoPo - aka Fitchburg State University Police - outside the CDI Office in Hammond. Comfort dog Zara nosed out the cocoa in the most popular contest.

Students in Digital Media Innovation (DMI) Professor J.J. Sylvia's  Creative Coding class recently demonstrated their One Button Game MakeyMakey projects. Creative coding employs computer programming as a means of creative expression using algorithmic and generative art, data visualization, and storytelling techniques for applied projects. These skills are learned in the context of critical and cultural media studies and the digital humanities. 

Yesterday afternoon, the Communications Media Department hosted a celebration of Professor Bob Harris's long and impactful teaching career at Fitchburg State in the Conlon Film/Video Studio. Faculty, staff, students, and alumni stopped by to wish Bob a happy retirement, with many posing for an "old-school" portrait to commemorate the event.