Earlier this week,  Biology and Chemistry Department Chair Dr. Erin Rehrig hosted a gathering to celebrate the "retirement" of  Biology and Chemistry Professor Dr. Michael Nosek at the Liscotti Pavilion in the Antonucci Science Complex. After being presented with a certificate from Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Patricia Marshall on behalf of President Hodge and the Board of Trustees, Dr. Rehrig gave a basket of gardening tools from her and the rest of the Biology and Chemistry Department - of which he made good use of to serve cake. While Dr. Nosek has officially retired, he will remain with the university as an Adjunct Professor.

Students in Biology and Chemistry Professor Steven Fiedler's Physical Chemistry I1 Lab work on various experiment in the Antonucci Science Complex. The course explores the underlying principles of chemistry from a physical chemistry standpoint. Topics of discussion include kinetic theory, theories of the structure of matter, theory of solutions, electrochemistry, thermodynamics, spectroscopy and kinetics.

This afternoon, Photographer Atom Moore, a 2005 Fitchburg State alumnus, discussed the exhibition, “Second Nature,” during a gallery talk in the Fiorentino Foyer adjacent to the Sanders Administration Building gallery space. The works will be on display in the Sanders Administration Building throughout the 2024-25 academic year. Learn more about Atom Moore and the exhibit here.

This morning, members of our Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education gathered at the McKay Campus School with some of the second grade students they worked with to create artwork to celebrate Dot Day. Afterward, Kappa Delta Pi, and the Education Department, celebrated the day with dot-centric refreshments, discussions of the book The Dot by alumnus Peter Reynolds '83, a book raffle, and an opportunity to create their own dot art - "Make your mark and see where it takes you.". #KDPProud

Students in Communications Media Professor Kevin McCarthy's Intermediate Documentary course headed out to the Highland Ave. Plaza recently to get some hands-on experience with cameras and microphones. This course covers professional production techniques used in modern non-narrative production environments. In addition to achieving competency in lighting, exposure, composition and framing with video cameras, students master the basics of audio production both on location and in studio environments and the editing of the Documentary topic. Documentary genres explored include Documentary, Electronic News Gathering, Human Interest and Public Service Announcement Production.

Eric Budd Professor, Economics, History and Political Science Department (EHPS) hosted a panel discussion entitled Voting in America: The Process and Its Importance in the Hammond Main Lounge yesterday afternoon. Panelists Elizabeth McNiff, Fitchburg Assistant City Clerk, Joanna Bilotta, Fitchburg City Clerk, Derrick Cruz, Fitchburg Ward 6 City Councilor, Danette Day, Associate Professor, Education, Jacalyn Kremer, Dean, Gallucci-Cirio Library, Zachary Miner, Associate Professor, Sociology, and Kenneth Mackie, Assistant Professor, EHPS spoke with students and other attendees about the process and importance of voting.

A rotation of some of our third year nursing students got immersed in a hospital patient care check simulation for "patient" Michael Smith, under care for a post-operative abdominal surgery. Michael is not happy about his the ostomy he awoke with after surgery, is having nausea, pain, a seeping surgical would and needs his medications. 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 real-life simulation as possible. Fellow students watch as their classmates work through the simulation. All students and faculty debrief after the scenario.

Students in Theater Professor Mary Vreeland's  Acting 1 course got to try out their first attempt at improvisation. The scene involved a bus stop and a disputed seat. This course is an introduction to professional stage performance techniques. Students will learn how to build a character using techniques such as playing actions, status, physical transformation, improvisation, relaxation and script analysis.

Assistant Professor Xiaoying Meng works with students in her Virtual Reality Development course in our Gaming Design Program. This course introduces students to virtual reality (VR) development, the principles and history of VR and VR systems, as well as how this rapidly advancing medium can be used in interactive and narrative entertainment, education and training, art and film creation, and other content areas. Topics include 3D interaction and VR user interface types, haptics, human perception, social VR, telepresence, augmented reality (AR) and the philosophical and scientific implications of how virtual reality may inform and alter human perception of reality. Students will playtest and critique a variety of VR games and apps, and work individually and in groups to create VR projects.

This afternoon, Dr. Amy McGlothlin, Program Director for our Creative Arts Therapies program, and Dr. Jonathan Harvey, Program Director for our Creative Arts Enterprise program hosted a Meet & Greet and Information Session in the Conlon Fine Arts building. This gathering gave an opportunity for current majors to speak with faculty and other students in the programs, as well as an information session for current students interested in the programs.