Fitchburg State’s School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education (SGOCE) held its second annual Graduate Education Celebration on April 3, highlighting the accomplishments of its students and faculty.

The university has more than 3,000 students in graduate classes this semester, being taught by approximately 200 faculty members, according to SGOCE Dean Becky Copper Glenz, who presided over the celebration. Of those students, 80% are taking classes entirely online.

“That number keeps going up,” she said. “We’ve seen a lot of growth in graduate education over the last five years, and that’s a national trend.”

She cited surveys that show those with graduate degrees have higher salaries, enjoy more job opportunities, and report greater job satisfaction than their counterparts without advanced studies.

Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Patricia Marshall presented the second annual graduate adjunct faculty award to Dr. Margaret O’Hearn-Curran, chair of the dyslexia and reading specialist program. 

O’Hearn-Curran’s students and colleagues praised her commitment to ensuring all children learn to read and described her as an inspiring, hard-wroking and dedicated teacher who continues to make an impact on all those lucky enough to study with her, Marshall said.

“We are indeed fortunate to have you here at Fitchburg State,” Marshall said.

O’Hearn-Curran recalled being recruited to Fitchburg State in 1995 and said the university’s teacher candidates and graduate students continue to make an impact on students at the local and state level. “I am very proud to be part of this university,” she said.

The celebration continued with a panel discussion on the value of graduate school, in which faculty members Jescah Apamo-Gannon (from the Education Department), David Weiss (from the Behavioral Sciences Department) and student Mary Nankya (pursuing a master’s degree in computer science) shared their own experiences.

Matthew Bruun