Campus Currents

March 26, 2018

Image of STEP the Movie promotional poster

Film Screening: STEP the Movie - TONIGHT

Monday, March 26, 7 p.m., McCarthy Center Forum

As part of Women's History Month, join us for a screening of the award-winning documentary STEP, which tells the true-life story of a girls’ high-school step team against the background of the heart of Baltimore. These young women learn to laugh, love and thrive – on and off the stage – even when the world seems to work against them. Empowered by their teachers, teammates, counselors, coaches and families, they chase their ultimate dreams: to win a step championship and to be accepted into college. 

To view the trailer and learn more, visit: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/stepmovie/

Inaugural Olivia A. Davidson, Voices of Color Lecture Series: Angie Thomas

April 2, 2018, 7 p.m.
Dwight Performing Arts Center

Register via Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inaugural-olivia-a-davidson-voices-of-color-lecture-series-angie-thomas-tickets-42245315877

Angie Thomas is the bestselling author of young-adult novel The Hate U Give. A relevant and perfectly timed piece which highlights the stark socio-political and racial atmosphere in America today. Inspired by the #BlackLivesMatter Movement, she addresses police violence, racism, and activism through the lens of a teenage girl. The book is in the works to be made into a movie

Inclusion shouldn’t be a lottery

By Allison Wharton, publications intern

The scene opens with a man typing on a laptop. The image melts into an animation of a painting of multiple scenes, from touching a branch, to roller skating. It is accompanied by a recitation of a poem entitled “Swoon” by DJ (Deej) Savarese which reads, “My senses always fall in love/they spin, swoon/ they lose themselves in one another’s arms.”

The documentary, Deej tells the story of DJ, who is a nonspeaking autistic, and follows his journey through graduating high school and the accompanying fear of attending Oberlin College with a disability.

A screening of the film, as well as a Q&A with DJ, was held on March 21 in the Forum as part of the Arts & Ideas Series.

DJ was abandoned as a child and entered the foster system before finding Emily and Ralph Savarese. Several parts of the film are dedicated to DJ expressing his love for his family, who were in attendance. 

DJ communicates in the film via a text-to-voice synthesizer. Another person, usually his mother Emily, will hold his hand as he types in order to “regulate his nervous system.”

A main objective of the film for DJ was to show that because an individual is nonverbal, it does not mean they cannot read or write. He mentions several times that he wants to break barriers and free those who are oppressed by their disabilities.

“Being included is every kid’s right. Inclusion shouldn’t be a lottery,” he said over a flashback of playing with friends when he was a child.

Several of his poems were featured in the film. He addressed his love of poetry and how it allows him to “gain control of [his] emotions. … It is my native language. I love the melody of words.”  

After answering several questions about poetry, DJ asked the audience, “What will you do to go forward to help nonverbal?”

Disability/Access Services Coordinator Vikky Angelico said she hopes to encourage faculty to get more creative with how they communicate with the nonverbal students.

“It is always important to hear everyone’s voice,” Angelico said. She also hopes to continue to do similar events in the future.

Sociology professor Holly Pearson saw DJ at a Disabilities in Education conference last summer and knew she needed to share his story with FSU.

She said, “It was an amazing opportunity to hear his story and share it with the community. Hopefully is starts a discussion.”

Authors and Artists Series: Steve Moysey

Wednesday, March 28, 4:30 p.m., Heineman Ecumenical Center

Steve Moysey: The Road to Balcombe Street - The IRA Reign of Terror in London

Dr. Moysey's critically-acclaimed book on the Irish Republican Army 1974-1975 terrorist campaign in London is a gripping true story. Equally compelling and untold is the story behind the writing of the book and its journey toward the big screen. He will be joined via Skype during the talk by film producer Rebecca Brown, who will discuss creating a film based on the book.

Europe's Soft Underbelly? ED & US Security Interests in the Western Balkans

March 29th, 2018, 4:30 p.m.
McCarthy Center, Alumni Room

Dr. Jasmin Mujanović, a researcher and consultant for a variety of international NGOs, government development agencies, and monitoring organizations, argues instead that the Balkans are on the cusp of a historic socio-political transformation. In his new book, Hunger and Fury: The Crisis of Democracy in the Balkans (published by Hurst Publishers in January 2018), Dr. Mujanović draws on a wide variety of sources, with a unique focus on local activist accounts, he argues that a period of genuine democratic transition is finally dawning, led by grassroots social movements, from Zagreb to Skopje.  Rather than pursuing ethnic strife, these new Balkan revolutionaries are confronting the 'ethnic entrepreneurs' cemented in power by the West in its efforts to stabilize the region since the mid-1990s.

Sustainability Day 2018

McCarthy Dining Commons
Tuesday, March 27 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Join us for yummy food samples and chances to win raffle prizes while learning about different sustainable projects aimed to better our community. No swipe required to get into the dining hall during the time of the fair!

Thank you,
Wise Up to Waste group

Women Making History Now

As part of Women's History Month, Framingham State will once again honor Women Making History Now during an event on Thursday, March 29th, at 4:30 p.m., in the McCarthy Center Forum.

The event was created in 2016 to honor women in the region who are local leaders making a positive and transformative impact on their communities. This year's honorees are:

Dr. Yvonne Spicer, Mayor of the City of Framingham

Marguerite Simpson-Lackard, teacher at Walsh Middle School in Framingham

Rosalin Acosta, Massachusetts Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development

Dana Neshe, Chief Risk Officer of the Middlesex Savings Bank and President of the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation.

Ilma Paixao, general manager at Langer Broadcasting Group, advocate for local Brazilian community

Dr. Lorretta Holloway, Vice President of Enrollment and Student Development at Framingham State University.

Science on State Street

Saturday, April 21, 2018
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Don't miss the 4th Annual Science on State Street event! This year's science festival will feature:

-Lot of interactive exhibits
-Free planetarium shows
-Dynamic STEM presentations
-Fun for kids, teens and adults
-Plenty of free parking
-Food available for purchase

Learn more at http://christa.org/science-festival/

Exploring Mars' Past with Dr. John Grant

Saturday, April 21, 2018, Noon
DPAC

This year's Science on State Street festival features a special talk with Dr. John Grant from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: Exploring Mars' Past, the epic journey of the Spirit, Opportunity, and Curiosity Rovers.

Dr. Grant brings his passion for Mars geologic history, and 14 years of exploration and discovery as a member of the Mars rover science teams, to the Science on State Street festival stage.

Learn more at: http://christa.org/science-festival/

Accepted Student Receptions

A reminder that our two Accepted Student Receptions this year are scheduled for Saturday, April, 7th and Saturday, April 14th.

Anyone with questions should contact Admissions.

FSU Bakealong: Gruyere-Stuffed Crusty Loaves

The next FSU Bakealong is scheduled for Friday, April 13, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Hemenway Hall 209.

All ingredients and advice will be provided for making a classic yet easy whole wheat bread and the group will demo King Arthur's March bakealong recipe for Gruyere-Stuffed Crusty Loaves.

To reserve a spot, e-mail cwickham@framingham.edu. Sponsored by the Food and Nutrition Department.

Upcoming Events Sponsored by Career Services

Wednesday Employer Showcase Series, McCarthy Campus Center Lobby, 9:00AM – 5:45PM:

Employers showcase their organization every Wednesday in the McCarthy Center lobby by the Welcome Desk. Their goal is to network with FSU students and recruit students for full time or internship opportunities. Stop by their table in order to learn about new internships and job opportunities!

3/28/18

9:00 a.m.—Noon: Teotutor & ACV ENVIRO
Noon—3:00 p.m.: Salmon Health and Retirement
3 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Abercrombie & Fitch

4/4/18

Noon to 3 p.m.: U.S. Army and Renewal by Anderson
3:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m.: The Bridge of Central Mass. & Work Opportunities Unlimited

4/11/18

9:00 a.m.—Noon: Care.com
Noon—3:00 p.m.: Walker and Caviccio Greenhouses, Inc

4/18/18

9:00 a.m. – Noon: Robert Half Staffing
Noon - 3 p.m.: RCS Learning

4/25/18

9:00 a.m.—Noon: Santander
Noon– 6:00 p.m.: MetroWest YMCA Career Day

Spring Job and Internship Fair

Wednesday, March 28,  4:30 p.m.– 6:00 p.m., MC Forum

Come to this great networking event! Full-time and Internship positions available.  Over 55 employers from the business, human services, non-profit, and STEM field’s will be featured. Bring your resume. Dress professionally. Log onto your RamTrack  account to view full list of organizations.

MERC Education Fair

Thursday, April 19,  9:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., at B.U.

Come to the largest education fair in New England -  Over 100 school systems and agencies attend!  Save the date for this annual recruiting event that brings together teaching candidates and school systems across the country for networking and job opportunities in public/private schools.

Register at: www.merccareerfair.com.

Free transportation leaving FSU at 9 AM and leaving from BU at 2 PM to return to FSU. Transportation pre-registration required. Call the CSER Office at 508-626-4625.

On Campus Interviews Week – April 23 through April 27, 2018, MC514

Monday, April 23: TBA
Tuesday, April 24: Securitas 10: 00 a.m.— Noon
Wednesday, April 25: Santander 12:30 p.m.—2:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 26: TBA
Friday, April 27: TBA

Pre-Registration is required through the CSER Office. Call 508-626-4625 for more information.

Notable Accomplishments

-Framingham State Physics and Earth Sciences Professor Vandana Singh was recently interviewed for an article in WIRED on her popular science fiction writing and new book of short stories, Ambiguity Machines and Other Stores. You can view the interview at the following link: https://www.wired.com/2018/03/geeks-guide-vandana-singh/

-A documentary titled Days of Division that was created by students in Professor Robert Johnson’s documentary filmmaking course was recently featured in an article in the Lowell Sun. http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_31741662/school-and-community-divided

-Professor Karen White, RD, Department of Food and Nutrition, will receive the Global Center of Excellence Award from the Boroughs Family Branch YMCA on April 26th.  The center is recognizing White’s collaboration with the Y in placing FSU Coordinated Program in Dietetics students for internships, as well as her work as a nutritionist for Hannaford’s, and volunteer activities for the YMCA for the continued betterment of the community through nutrition education over many years.

Upcoming events

Women's Lacrosse vs Fitchburg State

Saturday, March 30, 2024

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Maple Street Field

Organized by: Athletics

Baseball vs Albertus Magnus

Monday, April 1, 2024

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Bowditch Field Athletic & Cultural Complex

Organized by: Athletics

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