After a brief group meeting to assess what needs to be done as the end of the semester approaches, students in our game design program got back to work on their capstone projects in the IdeaLab which is located off-campus. The IdeaLab houses a state of the art studio space designed to promote applied work and create interaction between students, faculty and working professionals. Student groups are tasked with creating a game wherein students have the opportunity to work with developers from Rockstar New England as mentors, in addition to our faculty.

Students in Professor Kevin McCarthy's Multi-Camera Television Production course spent this morning's class at Fitchburg Access Television (FATV) doing a technical  run through in studio for their final production. 

The Fitchburg State University Dance Club held their annual Winter Showcase Friday night and Saturday afternoon to packed and boisterous audiences. Each performance was choreographed by a member of the club, and the performances were amazing!

President Hodge capped off International Education Week yesterday accepting the generous donation by fellow community member  Rollstone Bank & Trust. A big thank you to Rollstone Bank & Trust employees, customers, friends who donated time and energy to creating these baskets of basic necessities for our newest international students. Director of International Education Nelly Wadsworth, and a group of students were on hand to accept the "kindness kits."

Student teams from all over the country were checked in at the  Fitchburg State University Campus Center as the university once again hosts the American Moot Court Association's Eastern Regional Undergraduate Moot Court Qualifying Tournament. Student teams and coaches from as far away as California and Louisiana registered for the event. Event coordinator, Economics, History and Political Science Professor Paul Weizer, welcomed volunteer judges, as well as the competing teams. This competition will span this afternoon and all day tomorrow.

Director of International Education Nelly Wadsworth, and her staff, capped off this year's International Education Week with their International Education Week Flag Challenge & Awards. A poster with flags representing where our current international students have come from was placed in Hammond Hall and the Fitchburg State University community was challenged to test their knowledge by identifying the country and capital city of each nation. 

Tyler Sargent interviewed fellow senior film/video production students Derek Tirrell and Annabella Valle about their involvement in "Dangerous Delivery: 2 Day Shipping", a 20 minute slapstick comedy short film directed by Seth Rigby. Rigby explains that " The short film is about 'The Deliverer', a delivery worker who fights off those who want to steal packages, or just general evil-doings, using cartoonish methods". Seth enlisted Tyler to conduct the interview to ensure that Derek and Annabelle were comfortable and honest answering questions about the production.

In a cooperative effort between our Criminal Justice Program and our Housing and Residential Services students in Professor Michael S. McCutcheon's Criminal Investigation course were able to work crime scenes in an unoccupied suite in Aubuchon Hall. After Professor McCutcheon handed out the scenarios, students  broke into groups, assessed the scene, and began gathering evidence. 

Our nursing students were immersed in a respiratory distress scenario for a pediatric patient. The understandably upset mom was played by Nursing Program Professor Deborah Benes. 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.