We are very excited to welcome our Incoming students for the fourth and final session of our Summer Orientation 2023 this morning. After ID photos and some general "housekeeping",  our newest Falcons, the Class of 2027  received boisterous welcome remarks from Associate Dean for Student Development Hank Parkinson, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Patricia Marshall, and Vice President for Student Affairs Laura Bayless in the Hammond Main Lounge. After introduction of our Orientation Leaders, groups ventured out to the quad for some ice breaker activities, then to a day full of information sessions and activities.

Fitchburg State University Admissions held their Second Annual College Search Kickoff and BBQ event today on campus. It was a perfect day for this event for rising Seniors and their families to learn more about not only Fitchburg State but the college search in general. Guests heard from admission counselors on what we look for in an application; tips on writing an essay; and were able to tour the campus. Afterwards, all were welcome to a BBQ and ice cream truck, and to network with each other and members of the university staff.

After a day full of activities and information sessions, students and their families met with the Deans in their selected majors as our Transfer Orientation 2023 wrapped up this afternoon.

Fitchburg State University professors Erin Rehrig and Eric Williams co-instructed a session titled Using Fluorescent Chemical Probes to Visualize Cells during the second day of the New England Association of Chemistry Teachers (NEACT) Summer Conference yesterday afternoon. In this hands-on workshop, participants experimented with different fluorescent probes to understand the chemical properties that make them excellent tools for visualizing the intra- and extra-cellular components of plant and animal cells for biochemical and biomedical research.

Yesterday, Fitchburg State University welcomed the New England Association of Chemistry Teachers (NEACT) for their 2023 (83rd Annual) Summer Conference. This year's theme is "Engaging Chemistry:  Hands on, minds on!"  After keynote address by  Dr. André K. Isaacs, associate professor of chemistry at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, attendees participated in a myriad of presentations.

Communications Media's Assistant Professor, Film and Video, Rachelle A. Dermer, and her crew of Communications Media, and other majors, are in production of the second season of the web series Balls of Tin. Balls of Tin season one tells the story of a film crew attempting to film a series about extreme mountain biking, but are stuck with a star who cannot ride very well. Professor  Dermer owns the production company postHysteria Productions, that produced season one, and now season two. It's an outstanding opportunity for our students to see what it's like to create a film project from the start to beginning, bottom to top. Watch Balls of Tin Season One here.

At a last week's “Defensive Training Friday”, the 6th Fitchburg State University Police Program's   Recruit Officer Course (ROC). They learned how to handle the escalation of hand-to-hand confrontation. They have now had over 70 hours of De-escalation/Use of Force training. This Friday is their practical test out where they must demonstrate proficiency in a series of skills in order to pass. Good luck to all the recruits!

This afternoon, Professors Elisabet Takehana & J.J. Sylvia of our Communications Media's Digital Media Innovation program discussed burgeoning topics in the realm of communications with the Fitchburg State University Upward Bound  Math and Science Summer Program students. Among the many subjects, AI and its implications were discussed.

Last week, the Fitchburg State University Center for Professional Studies' held week one of their Advanced Placement Summer Institutes (APSI). One of the courses, US Government and Politics, offered for the new and experienced teachers who wanted to learn how to teach the new AP course that recently went into effect.