Campus Currents

Campus Currents

A headshot of author Lois Lowry

 

Swiacki Children's Literature Festival Featuring Lois Lowry 

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026

The Swiacki Children's Literature Festival returns in 2026 with a day-long series of events celebrating the art and writing of children's literature. Expect a gallery exhibit featuring expert illustrators, a What's New in Children's Literature? workshop, a book sale sponsored by Silver Unicorn Bookstore, plus an evening dinner, lecture and book signing with Newbery Medal-winning author Lois Lowry (The Giver, Number the Stars). In-person and virtual registration now open at www.framingham.edu/sclf. 

Election Watch Party

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 - 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
McCarthy Center Forum

Don't forget to vote on Tuesday, November 3rd and then join the Department of Political Science, Law and Global Studies for an election watch party from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Forum. There will be pizza, refreshments and trivia! 

What's the Tea with Harlaxton?

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
1839 Room, McCarthy Center

Have you heard us talking about Harlaxton, but you can't quite figure out if you want to go? Need more information besides the “advertising material”? Then come to our Afternoon Tea in the McCarthy 1839 Room (next to the art gallery)!

Join the Office of International Student Services and Study Abroad and Rachel Wellborn, our Harlaxton rep, for actual tea (and coffee), scones, and cucumber sandwiches!

The basic Harlaxton info is below, but for all the tea on life at the castle, student activities, classes, ease of travel, the surrounding town AND MORE, come talk to Rachel!

Please note that this is a drop-in event, and you are welcome to stop by at any time between 11am and 2pm to grab a drink, a snack, and a chat. There will be no formal info session scheduled.

Are you in the FSU Honors program, OR you have a 3.0 GPA? Is your family not into the idea of you studying abroad, but you want a way to convince them? Why not study at Harlaxton College?

Harlaxton College is a beautiful manor/castle where you eat, sleep, and take classes. The best part? FSU professor Dr. Sandra Sanchez is coming, too! Dr. Sanchez will teach two FSU classes, and then you can take up to four additional classes at Harlaxton…you could even get ahead on your degree!

The total cost, to be announced soon, includes tuition, fees, housing, some day trips, AND meals (a lot of study abroad options do not include meals)! Students can also use their financial aid and apply for additional scholarships.

The minimum amount of students required for the program is 10.

Careers in Public Service Week

Nov. 2 to Nov. 6th, 12:30 to 2:30
McCarthy Center Lobby

Stop by the McCarthy Center 3rd floor lobby during the week of November 2nd to the 6th to connect with local, state, and federal government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Each day, representatives from two organizations will be available to share information about their organizations, career opportunities, and ways you can get involved.

NECHE Open Listening Session and Exit Report

Tuesday, Nov. 3rd, McCarthy Center Forum
Listening Session: 10:30 to 11:20; Exit Report: 11:30 to Noon (available on zoom)

The NECHE listening session is for all students, faculty, and staff to share their experiences, institutional strengths, and areas of weakness to the visiting team. 

Afterward, the visiting team will share their exit report/findings to the campus community. 

Green Workforce Event

By Sarah Daponde, publications intern

Framingham State strives toward sustainability all year, but during Massachusetts’ annual STEM Week, these efforts came into the spotlight.

In a job fair style, FSU invited a variety of businesses and corporations dedicated to improving the environment to table in the McCarthy Forum on Oct. 21.

Justinne Greenwood, the communication and event manager at the Christa McAuliffe Center and the Metrowest STEM Education Network said this was a “career awareness event where students can just explore, without any pressure, what careers are available for them and what pathways they can take to achieve those careers.”

She said this event was organized by the Office of Education to target high school and college students.

Haley Boccuzzi, program manager at Abode Energy Management, said “Events like this are important because they allow the next generation that are interested in clean energy to see what's really out there.”

Stacy Kinnaly, executive director of Geothermal Drillers Association, said she believes events like this are wonderful. “Not just to help people understand what geothermal heating and cooling is, but then to elaborate on the job opportunities,” she added.

She believes Framingham State, and the McAuliffe Center in specific, are leaders in environmental awareness.

Eversource, Massachusetts Green Energy Center, MathWorks, SolectEnergy, and more businesses also tabled at the event.

Year-round, FSU maintains environmental consciousness with their Climate Action Plan, as well as their Green Initiative club. Solar panels, recycling bins, and sensor-controlled lawn sprinklers are featured across campus to help with these goals.

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