Susan Rosa, education professor, was recognized with the Joel D. Miller Award in June at the annual retired educators luncheon, held at Hammond Hall.

The Miller Award was established in 1955 in honor of the state senator and member of the Board of Education, who is considered one of the three founders of the State Normal School in Fitchburg (which was later known, of course, as Fitchburg State). Miller Hall is also named after him. The award is given to an educator who has demonstrated originality in their profession, given unselfish devotion to the profession and exerted an influence for good among their students.

Nick Wilson has always entertained dreams of being a history teacher, and figures a good way to learn about it is to live it. So he’s spending six months this year in the Czech Republic, studying its language, history and environment.

“Travel is something I plan to do because there’s no better way to learn than to go there, see it, and interpret it for yourself. I hope that by the time I’m 30 I will have lived on each continent.” Europe is the second continent he’s seen (after North America). “So, only five more.”

Kerry Alcott of Groton also completed her distinguished Falcon career this spring, but not before setting a number of records as a member of the women’s softball team.

Alcott originally enrolled at Westfield State, but transferred to Fitchburg State two years into her career.

“A lot of factors influenced my decision to transfer, among them was the school’s amazing special education program,” Alcott said. “I also played softball against Fitchburg State and witnessed an incredible team atmosphere and I very much wanted to be a part of that.”