For nearly two centuries, Framingham State University has carried a simple yet profound call to action: Live to the Truth. First adopted in the mid-1800s by President Cyrus Peirce, the motto captured the spirit of a bold new institution - one founded to expand public access to education and prepare teachers of integrity for a growing nation. Though elegantly phrased for its time, its power endures. Today, it speaks more urgently than ever.

In an era marked by misinformation, uncertainty, and profound social change, truth is no longer something we can take for granted. It must be examined, defended, and lived with intention. 

Live to the Truth now anchors a renewed institutional narrative that connects the University’s longstanding mission with the values that define our community today: equity, social justice, academic excellence, curiosity, authenticity, and the unwavering belief that education must serve the public good. 

A Motto Reborn for This Moment 

The language of truth resonates differently in the 21st century. For our students - many the first in their family to attend college - “truth” is personal: discovering who they are, finding their voice, and staying grounded amid competing pressures and expectations. For our faculty, truth is intellectual: teaching students to think critically, evaluate information responsibly, and engage with complexity rather than avoid it. And for our institution, truth is moral: confronting inequities, honoring the lived experiences of every member of our community, and upholding our responsibility as a public university to broaden opportunity and strengthen democracy. 

Truth as a Commitment to Equity and Justice 

As we began incorporating the motto more intentionally into our messaging this year, it quickly became clear that Live to the Truth naturally aligns with the foundational principles of social justice. To live to the truth is to acknowledge inequity, to listen to voices long unheard, and to work toward a more just and inclusive community. 

At FSU, students see this in action every day: 

• In the Center for Inclusive Excellence, where community, identity, and belonging take center stage.
• In classrooms where faculty challenge students to question assumptions, analyze bias, and consider the ethical dimensions of their fields. 
• In undergraduate research and creative projects that examine immigration, environmental sustainability, public health, racial justice, and educational equity. 
• In student leadership, volunteer service, and civic engagement that link truth to empathy. 

The motto becomes a lens through which students understand their role in the world: not just to know truth, but to build truth, defend truth, and embody truth. 

A Motto for the Next 185 Years 

Reinvigorating Live to the Truth is not a branding exercise. It is a reaffirmation of who we are and who we aspire to be. 

We honor our history not by standing still, but by evolving with clarity and conviction. Live to the Truth continues to guide us - rooted in the past, resonant in the present, and ready to shape our future.