This morning, President Donna Hodge welcomed State Senator John Cronin  and Fitchburg State alum State Representative Michael Kushmerek  to campus for a very special occasion: celebrating the outstanding victory of our Moot Court team.

Curtis P. Rodgers (C.P.R.) is in the Simulation Lab, so our nursing students were immersed in a code blue simulation. A “code blue” is defined as any patient with an unexpected cardiac or respiratory arrest requiring resuscitation and activation of a hospital-wide alert. A pause in the scenario allowed faculty to go in-depth in the scenario and allowed the students to work on their CPR skills; given immediate feedback from both the mannikin patient, and external devices. 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 acted as support staff and assisted the team through the simulation once the code blue alarm was initiated. All students and faculty debrief after the scenario.

Prior to today’s Board of Trustees meeting, Chief of Staff Matthew Bruun hosted a special faculty showcase in the Hammond Hall Main Lounge. Professors Joshua Spero and Christine Dee (Economics, History and Political Science) joined David Weiss (Criminal Justice) to highlight the innovative projects and research currently underway. The discussion focused on how faculty are driving innovation through cross-disciplinary projects.

Students in Biology and Chemistry Professor Emma Downs' General Chemistry II Lab work on an assignment in the Antonucci Science Complex. In this course, topics include chemical, acid/base, and solubility equilibria and chemical kinetics.

Economics, History and Political Science  Professor Christine Dee led a lively discussion in her American Revolutions course in Percival Hall. This course examines revolutions that shaped American society from 1754 to 1815. It considers how French and Indian War helped forge an American consciousness, the ways the American Revolution shaped Ideas about freedom and slavery in republican government and the Constitution, how the Haitian Revolution challenged these assumptions, and how Americans' reacted to it within the context of slavery's expansion and the Industrial Revolution. The course engages with historical sources, media representations of the past, and current scholarship to con­sider how these multiple revolutions were understood and influenced by varied groups, including Native Americans, African Americans, Immigrants and women.

Director of Admissions Tony Trodella welcomed students enrolled in Smith Vocational & Agricultural High School's Public Safety program to campus this morning to learn about our Criminal Justice (CJ) & Fitchburg State University Police Program. Criminal Justice Professor Michael S. McCutcheon led a Police Program/CJ info session and mock lesson with current student available to answer questions. Director of Admissions Tony Trodella then gave highlights of Fitchburg State University, including how to apply with a campus tour following. Last, but not least, was lunch at our Holmes Dining Commons before departure back to Northampton, MA. 

Nursing  students learn hoe to test blood sugar in their Nursing Foundations Lab. In this course,  emphasis is placed on professionalism, caring, communication, cultural considerations, spirituality, sexuality and health promoting activities. 

Education Professor Danette Day  held an exercise on day one of her Culturally Proficient Educator course where students interviewed and then introduced each other to the rest of the class. 

Yesterday afternoon, the Fitchburg Activities Board (FAB) hosted a a welcome-back to campus Coffeehouse Event Event in the Falcon Hub in the Hammond Building. With finals right around the corner. FAB gave students the opportunity to gather, play games, enjoy a snack, coffee, or a dirty soda all while enjoying a performance by Indie singer-songwriter Meggie.

Nursing  students learn  in-room patient care (cleanliness, moving, bed changing, etc) in their Nursing Foundations Lab. In this course,  emphasis is placed on professionalism, caring, communication, cultural considerations, spirituality, sexuality and health promoting activities.