Campus Currents

Celebrate Award Winning Children's Literature with Framingham State - at home! Thursday, November 5th. This year featuring Joseph Bruchac and Melissa Sweet.

Register Here

2020 Schedule

4:30 – 5:30 pm: The Pat Keogh Memorial Workshop, “What’s New in Children’s Literature?” with Cathryn Mercier

7 – 8:30 pm: The Mary Burns Memorial Lectures with Joseph Bruchac and Melissa Sweet

Joseph Bruchac

For over 40 years, Joseph Bruchac has been creating literature and music that reflect his indigenous heritage and traditions. He is a proud Nulhegan Abenaki citizen and respected elder among his people. He is the author of more than 120 books for children and adults. His best selling, Keepers of the Earth: Native American Stories and Environmental Activities for Children series, with its remarkable integration of science and folklore, continue to receive critical acclaim and to be used in classrooms throughout the country. His honors include a Rockefeller Humanities fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Writing Fellowship for Poetry, the Cherokee Nation Prose Award, the Knickerbocker Award, the Hope S. Dean Award for Notable Achievement in Children's Literature and both the 1998 Writer of the Year Award and the 1998 Storyteller of the Year Award from the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. In 1999, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas.

Melissa Sweet

Melissa Sweet has illustrated over 100 books as well as many toys, puzzles, and games for eeBoo. Her work has been in magazines, on greeting cards and as drawings on her living room walls. She has received numerous awards including two Caldecott honors: A RIVER OF WORDS: THE STORY OF WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS and for THE RIGHT WORD: ROGET AND HIS THESAURUS, both by Jen Bryant.

Melissa has written four books: CARMINE: A LITTLE MORE RED, a New York Times Best Illustrated book; TUPELO RIDES THE RAILS; BALLOONS OVER BROADWAY: THE TRUE STORY OF THE PUPPETEER OF MACY’S PARADE, a Sibert Award winner for informational books, an NCTE Orbis Pictus winner for outstanding nonfiction, and the Cook Prize for STEM picture book. Her most recent book, SOME WRITER! THE STORY OF E. B. WHITE was a New York Times Best Seller and garnered an NCTE Orbis Pictus award and a Boston Globe–Horn Book honor for nonfiction.

By Jared Graf, publications intern

Two highly respected authors and FSU professors discussed their latest books and detailed the writing process behind them at the virtual Linda Vaden-Goad Authors and Artists Series on Oct. 22.

Dr. Xavier Guadalupe-Diaz, sociology professor, spoke about intimate partner violence (IPV) in transgender relationships - the topic of his book “Transgressed.”

Published last October, the book tells stories of trans IPV survivors and documents them as they break free from the cycle of abuse.

Guadalupe-Diaz was inspired to write “Transgressed” due to the lack of research on IPV in trans relationships. “Really little work had addressed trans experiences,” he said. “The book allowed me to share more of the stories I heard from transgender survivors [of IPV].”

Research for the book involved interview-based data collection and written accounts from trans survivors of IPV. “After a year of recruitment - and being fairly well networked - I only ended up with 18 people,” Guadalupe-Diaz said.

Nevertheless, the diverse sample served as a major starting point in a field where little data existed, and it allowed Guadalupe-Diaz to identify commonalities between the victims he interviewed.

“Distinct from cisgender attacks, we see patterns of how abusers manipulate external hostilities against trans people to leverage power against their partners,” he said.

According to Guadalupe-Diaz, rates of partner violence are significantly higher among trans people. “Generally, over half of trans folks report experiencing some kind of partner violence within their lifetime,” he said.

Bringing awareness to and understanding some causes of IPV in trans relationships was the goal of “Transgressed,” and Guadalupe-Diaz did just that - as the book is considered “a ground-breaking examination of IPV,” and already has a second volume available.

“Now, we have this body of literature that we can summarize as the formal introduction to this emerging, growing subfield of IPV research,” he said.

Dr. Nicholas Racheotes, emeritus professor of history, joined Guadalupe-Diaz in presenting his own ground-breaking research, “The Life and Thought of Filaret Drozdov, 1782-1867 The Thorny Path to Sainthood.”

Racheotes’ book focuses on translating the ideas, thoughts, and actions of St. Filaret - the most historical figure in the religious world of 19th century Russia.

According to Racheotes, Filaret was extremely significant during the 1800s because he piloted educational reforms, preached influential sermons, and attempted to render the bible into Russian’s native language.

After decades of researching and translating documents about Filaret written in native Russian, Racheotes produced “The Life and Thought of Filaret Drozdov” - the first full length study of Filaret in the English language.

Writing this book forced Racheotes to “inquire deeply into the history of the Russian Orthodox Church in the 19th century.

“We have a figure who is crucial in the political and religious life of Russia, who has left lasting effects on Russian religiosity … who is so seminal a figure that he really did deserve the attention which I tried to give him among an English-speaking audience,” he said.

Racheotes ended his discussion by letting the audience know how much FSU impacted him during his 35-year tenure - saying the University welcomed him, inspired him, and supported his research.

“Having been away from the campus, it’s not ‘my Framingham’ as it used to be - but it is very much ‘my Framingham’ nonetheless.”

Join a panel discussion on Polarization in America, Civil Discourse & Freedom of Assembly, featuring Dr. John Ambacher and Dr. Vincent Ferraro.

To attend e-mail: communitystandards@framingham.edu

Monday, Nov. 2, 1:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the Office of Community Standards, the Bias Education Response Team, and the Center for Inclusive Excellence

Monday, Nov. 9, 7 p.m.

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIkdemppjwtGtMnTFuQwN4t8ln3pfM3aWSn

Just Mercy (2019) is an unforgettable story about Bryan Stevenson, a young African American lawyer challenging the Alabama legal system over its wrongful conviction of an innocent man sentenced to death. Based on a true story with phenomenal performances by Jamie Foxx and Michael B. Jordan, this is a must-see.

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 4:30 p.m.

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_m40xwduGSgiinyyYUsZnOA

Presented by Professor Leslie Starobin, “Looming in the Shadows of Łódź” weaves together film clips, photographs, and oral history narratives to reveal how memories and stories of the Shoah affect multiple generations of one family. Notably, the cinematographer, Ori Segev, is the grandson of Holocaust survivors. This event will be moderated by Professor of History, Lori Gemeiner Bihler.

The Chris Walsh Center for Educators and Families of MetroWest is pleased to announce two programs as part of National Epilepsy Awareness month. One of the center's undergraduate interns, Anni Xie, is organizing these events, and will also serve as a panelist as well to share her personal experiences with epilepsy. The events are free and open to the public.

Free Webinar: Children with Epilepsy and Seizures in the Classroom
Presenter: Susan Linn, the CEO of Epilepsy Foundation New England
Tuesday, November 10th, 12:30-1:30 PM

There are 17,000 young people living with epilepsy in MA, with seizure types that range from “staring spells” to convulsions. This presentation will cover epilepsy basics and help participants recognize seizures, understand the impact of epilepsy on students, and help participants respond to seizures with timely and appropriate care.

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/children-with-epilepsy-and-seizures-in-the-classroom-registration-123523063809

Free Panel Presentation: What’s It Like Having Epilepsy?
Tuesday, November 17th, 2:30-3:30 PM

The panelists will talk about how their experiences with epilepsy impact them on a day to day basis. They will talk about the challenges they faced, and how they manage them. They are willing to answer any of your questions regarding the epilepsy condition. There are 3.4 million people that live in the world with active epilepsy. Come hear about what it is like to have epilepsy and how you can help those with this condition.

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/panel-presentation-whats-it-like-having-epilepsy-registration-124464967067

Looking for an internship next semester?

Consider attending the Virtual Global Internships information session.

Monday, Nov. 9th, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Register at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdUiQt2BbSYVS0xF4sCtyvgOumsGcgFbPmpIttWZWxmIVDugw/viewform

Honoring the memory of Transgender People (TDoR) with a viewing of Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen

November 20th Webinar Session - 4:30 p.m. Pride Alliance, JRI-Glass Framingham and the Center for Inclusive Excellence Sign-up with your Framingham email address; you will receive a zoom link 30 mins prior to the start of the event: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Ld_xzK24KYwV3hD9kE_1O6fYzMBOLlFynBQxBFBuObQ/viewform?edit_requested=true

Phi Alpha Theta’s fall lecture:

“The People and the Electoral College: Presidential Elections in Historical Perspective,” a conversation with Rachel Shelden

This virtual event will be held on Monday, Nov. 9th at 4:30 p.m. E-mail Professor Joseph Adelman (jadelman@framingham.edu) to RSVP

In 1787, the drafters of the Constitution created a multi-step system for electing the President of the United States through a group of electors, who collectively have become known as the Electoral College. As designed in Article II, the system did not envision a popular vote for the nation's chief executive. Though elections have become more democratic in the centuries since, the vagueness inherent in the system created through the Constitution and its amendments, as well as federal law, has caused conflict and outcry numerous times in American history. In this conversation, we'll explore the historical development of presidential elections in particular through contested elections from 1800 to the early twenty-first century.

Rachel A. Shelden is Associate Professor of History at Pennsylvania State University and the Director of the George and Ann Richards Civil War Era Center. She is the author of Washington Brotherhood: Politics, Social Life, and the Coming of the Civil War (2013), which received honorable mention for the Wiley-Silver Prize for the best first book on the American Civil War and was a selection of the History Book Club.

The Independent Association of Framingham State Alumni (IAFSA) located at 42 Adams Road, Framingham is hosting a series of Coffee and Conversations. The series will continue November 19th with Kathy Hursen.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coffee-and-conversations-november-2020-tickets-122721235519

Kathy Hursen is a public health nurse and has done extensive research on the history of health related issues in the community. She has given presentations on the Framingham Heart Study, the Tuberculosis Study, and the Flu epidemic to many medical organizations and community groups. She will be relating her findings on the 1918 flu epidemic to the current crisis and Framingham State University. She is currently working with the Public Health Museum. Attendees are encouraged to engage in conversations after her presentation.

The Coffee and Conversations monthly series creates a forum for fellowship amongst FSC/FSU alumni and the larger community. Each session will showcase the accomplishments of one FSC/FSU alumni who will provide an overview of their work since graduating.

Virtual Employer Showcase Series, every Wednesday, on Zoom, 12:30-2:30pm, through 11/4/20.
The CSER Office traditional Wednesday Employer Showcase is currently a “virtual networking” platform, for hosting our Showcases on Zoom, through the end of the fall 2020 semester. As we are socially distancing and staying home, networking has never been more important. The Virtual Showcase gives students an opportunity to informally network with local employers who are hiring for full-time and/or internship opportunities, and also provides insight into the spotlighted company, offering advice on the trends in their market and industry.

Suitable Solutions Career Professionalism Virtual Program Mock Interviews, in November, with assigned mentors, on Zoom or by phone
Practice and receive feedback from professionals remotely. Zoom link provided by employer mentor.

Suitable Solutions Virtual Program Networking & Mocktail Mixer Graduation Ceremony, Thursday, 12/3, on Zoom, 4:00pm-5:00pm
Network virtually with employer partners while learning about proper networking techniques that help you stand out, from our Networking Navigator. Discover how to start and wrap up a conversation, or keep a conversation going, and more! https://zoom.us/j/963892238 - Register on Handshake or Ramlink to get the required password.

Former FSU employee and alumna Geri Keegan ’93 passed away in March after living with a diagnosis of the rare cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma, for 7 years. Geri was recognized for her advocacy on behalf of patients like herself, and known for her compassionate support of others with the disease. Geri’s daughters, Amy and Kim Balkus, are also both alumni. Geri worked at FSU for 14 years, much of that time with Dr. Helen Heineman. You can reach out to alumni@framingham.edu if you would like to send a note to the family.

-The Massachusetts Black and Latino Caucus has nominated English Professor Jennifer De Leon as a 2020 Massachusetts Latinx Trailblazer. Professor De Leon recently released her debut novel, Don't Ask Me Where I'm From, which tells the story of a first-generation American LatinX student and has garnered critical acclaim.

-Dr. Thomas Koshy, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, has two articles published recently. They are:

1) "Graph-theoretic Confirmations of Three Sums of Gibonacci Polynomial Products of Order 3," Journal of Indian Academy of Mathematics, 42:1 (2020), 17-27.
2) "Graph-theoretic Confirmations of Three Sums of Jacobsthal Polynomial Products of Order 3," Journal of Indian Academy of Mathematics, 42:1 (2020), 29-39,