VOLUME 80 NUMBER 15 F e b r u a r y 1 0 , 2 0 1 2 GATEPOST@FRAMINGHAM.EDU

Framingham State Universi tys independent s tudent newspaper s ince 1932

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Pg. 10

The GaTeposT

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Editorial:

Pg. 13

Last Friday, a ribbon-cutting ceremo-ny marked the grand opening of the new Honors Programs facility, located at 22 Adams Rd., behind North Hall.

Carolyn Maibor, the director of the Honors Program, opened the ceremony quoting Winston Churchill, who once said, We shape our buildings but also afterwards, our buildings shape us.

On this auspicious occasion, said Mai-bor, it is worth considering how our new building will contribute to the continuing growth and development of the Honors

Program.According to Maibor, the Board of

Higher Education designated the Fram-ingham State University Honors Program as a Commonwealth Honors Program. She also said that in the fall, We welcomed not only our largest, but our most talented and accomplished class.

to experience the new First-Year Honors Seminar, in which the students worked closely with some of FSUs most innova-tive faculty exploring fundamental ques-tions of human existence.

The new facility, said Maibor, not only provides a larger space than the previous

one, located in Foster Hall, but offers a better, brighter space, more conducive to studying, socializing, collaborating, hold-ing events and welcoming prospective students and their families.

contains connects her more directly to Honors students, making her more ac-cessible for everything from simple ques-tions about requirements to brainstorming about thesis topics, as well as providing her the opportunity to give her input on extracurricular activities, course offerings and other initiatives.

In creating a gathering place for the

FSU graduated 548 undergraduate and graduate students at the schools Winter Commencement last Saturday in DPAC.

Held in conjunction with the ceremony

began last Friday.The graduate and undergraduate students

in this room represent a tremendous collec-tion of brainpower, talent and perseverance, said Vice President for Academic Affairs Linda Vaden-Goad at the beginning of the ceremony, following the Invocation from FSU Catholic Chaplain Hai Ok Hwang and the singing of the National Anthem by Class of 2012s Barbara Pierre.

Dr. Thomas Koshy, professor emeritus, gave the commencement address. A math-ematics professor at FSU since 1970, Koshy has written distinguished books on the sub-

Graduates walk

in FSUs

second Winter

Commencement

ceremony

Honors students welcome new buildingGraduates line up to walk across the stage of the Winter Commencement.

- Continued on page 6

In November, Gov. Deval Patrick signed An Act Relative to Gender Identity - a bill that protects transgendered individuals from discrimination in the areas of housing, edu-cation, employment and credit. The bill also

list of hate crime laws.After six years of lobbying, the transgen-

der community helped make Massachusetts the 16th state to pass the bill. The law has

equality to protect all people, regardless of their gender identity.

Im glad we live in such a liberal state that legislation like this gets passed, so we can set an example for all the other states, said Kristie Bezreh, president of the Pride Alliance, formerly known as the Ten Per-cent Alliance and Allies.

Bezreh also commented on a federal

State transgender

civil rights bill

approved

- Continued on page 5

By Heather Waxman

STAFF WRITER

The symphony is, quite simply, posh. The setting is luxurious, the people exude class, and there is a calm tangible civility. Particularly on a night when fashion and music collaborate.

Last Thursday was one such night - when fashion designers were inspired by composer Claude Debussy for the Boston Symphony Orchestras fourth annual fash-ion competition.

Every year, the Boston Symphony Or-chestra challenges non-professional de-signers to create a formal garment inspired

by a selected composer.-

signs to the faculty of their schools, who

the BSO. This year, there were around 40 entries from surrounding schools. Out of

were Framingham State students.Seniors Amanda Simonelli and Kaitlyn

Gonfrade were both selected to be in the top 11.

They called me and when I found out, I felt very privileged, Simonelli said. It meant something to me that what I de-signed meant something to someone else.

... Its something I strive for in all my de-signs.

The designers were asked to research Debussy, as well as listen to his music and draw their inspiration from it.

Gonfrade said of her design, I really wanted to design something that not only was inspired by Debussys body of work,

created ... details that were used during the impressionist movement.

Simonelli said, When listening ... it evokes a visual experience that displays

Fashion design students showcase work at Symphony HallBy Kate Carignan

STAFF WRITER

- Continued on page 9

- Continued on page 3

By Krin Radock

INTERIM NEWS EDITOR

Tom Kelley named Coach

of the Year

By Zack Comeau

EDITORIAL STAFF

Sports:

LGBT rights at a crossroads

Pg. 7

Photo courtesy of Rob Carlin Photography

GP: Please provide a brief summary of your rsum

and educational background.

I have a bachelors degree in art history and biology.

Boston and that got me really interested in design, so I went for my masters in landscape architecture, and then I worked as a city planner for about 16 years. Then, I had an opportunity to go to graduate school and take another path and use my planning experience with ur-ban design and apply it toward teaching other students.

GP: Why did you decide

to teach geography?

I thought it was a really

many aspects of human

background in planning because I teach some of the planning courses here at Framingham State. It combines so many differ-

-ogy and the study of poli-

travel is essentially part of the job of being a geogra-pher. GP: What was your best

experience in college?

I think it was getting to know people from all over the place and really getting to know different perspec-tives on life. I am still friends with my college friends decades after. Its a really great experience to have close friends living in the dormitory. GP: What classes do you teach?

Introduction to Human Geography and World Regional Geography - those are both intro level courses. I teach two regional courses. I teach a Europe course - Europe is my region of specialty - and I also teach the Russia course. And then I teach some of the planning classes. I teach Planning Methods, and right now, I am teaching Community Development, which is really exciting. GP: What is your favorite part of your job at FSU?

I would have to say being in contact with the students. I know you hear this all the time, but its true. Getting to know students pretty well because the classes are small. When you walk across campus, you always see

people you know, and thats very familiar and comfort-ing. And getting to watch people grow and blossom in four years.

GP: Are you currently working on any projects?

Yes. I am working on a book proposal and a whole bunch of different things. I have been studying tourism

I go there and essentially, I am a tourist in these places and I am looking at how the communist party is rep-resented to tourists and how they retrospectively look back and say, This is what we were like at this period in time. I am also working on a smaller, more local

project, which is the geographical change in the leather tanning indus-try. Peabody was a center for leather tanning, as well as other cities in the North Shore, and I am looking at the geographical changes over a period of about one hundred years. GP: What is your favorite aspect of

FSU?

Id have to say the students and teach-ing. Being in the classroom is so en-ergizing. Its so great to hear peoples comments and questions and get people involved in discussions, and to have these small classes where this is really possible is a really wonder-ful thing. GP: Do you have any hobbies?

I do. Im kind of a food person. I also garden, which also ties in with the food thing, and because of my back-

ground in landscape architecture, I really like to make my place attractive and welcoming. I also read, too. I do a lot of reading!

GP: Do you have any advice for students?

College is one of the few times in your life when you have the opportunity to try new things without any po-tential downside. Yeah, you might get a bad grade in a course that you didnt relate to, but 10 years from now, when you look back, you wont even remember. Trying new things and meeting different kinds of people that you might not have met in your past and expanding your horizons is what I think college is really about. There is always the pressure to study more and do more homework, but there are so many other activities on the campus - concerts, plays and sporting events. I would encourage students to get out and get involved in these activities.

2 February 10, 2012News

Gatepost InterviewJudith Otto

Geography Professor

Gatepost Archives

EDITORIAL BOARD

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Police Logs

Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012

00:49 Suspicious Activity - Larned Hall. Traced ID alarm sound at Larned Hall.

Monday, Feb. 6, 2012

23:52 Investigation - OConnor Hall. Rave tipline message received/underage drinking.

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012

21:25 Suspicious Activity - Maple Parking Lot 2. Report of suspicious vehicle in lot.

Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012

13:48 Motor vehicle complaint - Maynard Parking. Shuttle bus accident.

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By Crystal Hederson

STAFF WRITER

3February 10, 2012 News

New Honors House provides space, amenities - Continued from page 1entire Honors community, said Maibor, this home will help shape us into an even more dynamic program, fostering the fel-lowship which both supports and inspires.

Maibor said President Timothy Flana-gan has been an enthusiastic supporter

as president, and was instrumental in the programs bid to join the Commonwealth Honors Program.

Maibor added that when the team from the Commonwealth Honors Program re-turned from their meeting with Flanagan to assess FSUs Honors Program, they were so impressed by his investment that they asked her if he was for real, and Maibor said she was very pleased to report he was.

Maibor also credited Vice President Linda Vaden-Goad as a champion of the Honors Program, enabling and encourag-

-ings and many, many e-mail exchanges and off-the-cuff conversations, she has been a generous mentor, sharing her in-sights and creative energy.

Dean of Admissions Jeremy Spencer, said Maibor, has been a wonderful part-ner to the Honors Program. With his staff, Maibor said Spencer was instrumental in the programs growth last fall. Also, Spen-cer is a new member of the Honors Coun-cil, and according to Maibor, is continu-ing to help us think about our recruitment efforts and future growth.

Maibor acknowledged Assistant Direc-tor Dr. Paul Bruno, who began working in the program this fall, for making his mark felt through new programming initiatives, as well as the programs new Administra-tive Assistant, Katelyn Christopher. I al-ready dont remember what I did without [her], she said.

Maibor also expressed her gratitude to Director of Facilities Warren Fairbanks, Assistant Director of Facilities Maureen Fowler and the rest of their staff. I think Warren is second only to my husband in the number of harassing emails hes re-ceived from me over the last six months, she said, inducing laughter from the crowd of administrators and Honors students.

Historically, there have always been places - the Agora, the stoa, the Lyceum, the yeshiva - where learned persons have gathered to think great thoughts, said Maibor. As you will see in a couple of minutes, Facilities, in refashioning this house into an accessible, modern space while maintaining its warmth and charac-ter, has given such a home to us.

Vaden-Goad also spoke at the ceremo-ny. She referred to Maibor as a true lead-er and one we all want to follow.

The Honors Program, she said, is a rigorous degree path designed for incred-ibly bright and highly motivated students. While all of the academic programs at FSU are designed for such students, she said Honors courses draw further upon stu-dents analytical and creative talents.

The faculty and staff, said Vaden-Goad, have done a wonderful job growing the program in recent years. This new home, she said, will help build on those efforts

space.I cant think of a better location for the

program than here, apparently next to our Backyard and North Hall, our beautiful new residence hall, she said.

Flanagan, the last to speak, welcomed the Honors Program to the neighborhood, as he and his wife, Nancy live just down the street. Well be able to keep an eye on the activities of the Honors Program and the comings and goings of the students,

he said.Flanagan recognized the Honors stu-

dents in the crowd, and dedicated the new house to them, because, he said, it is re-ally about the students.

Flanagan acknowledged the efforts of the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Barbara Gardner, President of the FSU Foundation Kevin Foley, and members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors Ralph

Flanagan also thanked his executive team, without whom, he said, he wouldnt get anything done.

According to Flanagan, in the Dec. 7, 2007 edition of The Gatepost, there is a picture of the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Honors Lounge in Foster Hall. He remembers Bridget ODonnell, the then president of the Honors Program Student Association, being in that picture, and wondering how she came from North Carolina to Framingham State. According to Flanagan, she was interested in fashion design, but also wanted a school with solid liberal arts and strong Honors programs. She graduated in May 2010, but with a de-gree in mathematics.

sub-environments are what the Honors Program offers to highly motivated, very talented students like ODonnell.

I cant think of a better or wiser invest-ment that a university can make than to in-vest in supporting Honors students because they give so much back to the institution, he said.

Flanagan said he told ODonnell that

down payment on the investment the university was expected to make in the Honors Program.

I actually think the juxtaposition of the beautiful new residence hall sort of envel-

oping its arms around the small little niche we call the Honors House makes a really nice statement about the value we attach to the program, he said.

According to Maibor, the director since 2007, the Honors Program has implement-ed new requirements for Honors students.

students were required to take a freshman Honors seminar, which Maibor said had four sections this past fall two focused on justice, one focused on bioethics and another on monsters. All different, all very interesting and all interdisciplinary, said Maibor, adding that the seminars are mostly discussion-based.

They are a great opportunity for these students to read some interesting texts and have some great discussions, she said.

Maibor said the program requires stu-

Honors students can take an upper-level class at the 300 or 400 level for their ma-jor as a contract course. These students take the regular course, but work out an ar-rangement with the faculty member for ad-ditional work they do one-on-one with the instructor - a research project, or an en-hanced version of a research project if the class is already required to complete one.

According to Maibor, Honors students cannot take a course in their majors at the 100 or 200 levels as an Honors course.

However, the QPA requirements for the Honors Program did not change de-spite FSUs admission into the Common-wealth Honors Program. Students still need to maintain a QPA of 3.0 through their freshman and sophomore years, and a 3.25 through their junior and senior years. Students also need a minimum of a B in

each Honors class.For admission into the Commonwealth

Honors Program, an application of about 50 pages was submitted, which Maibor called an extensive self-study.

They wanted to know about the goals of the program, what kinds of classes we offered, extracurriculars, how students are brought in, how they apply and funding, she said. The questions they ask you to answer in the application cover all aspects of the program.

In addition to the application, the Com-monwealth Program sent a three-member team of directors from other Honors Pro-grams to visit Framingham State and as-sess its program last spring. According to Maibor, the team met with herself, Fla-nagan, Vaden-Goad, students, the Honors Council and faculty.

It was a long day, said Maibor, add-ing that the visit included a tour of the old Honors Center.

The Commonwealth Council then voted

to approve the designation, which is then brought before the Board of Higher Educa-tion. Maibor and Vaden-Goad spoke at the Board of Higher Education meeting and the program was approved.

-monwealth Honors Program, said Maibor, is that graduating seniors are designated Commonwealth Honors Scholars. Starting this past fall, all incoming Honors students are given a scholarship which is tied to en-rollment in the Honors Program, and is re-newable each year given that they remain eligible and active in the program.

students from other schools enrolled in an Honors Program with membership in the Commonwealth Honors Program are auto-matically admitted into FSU, even if those schools are community colleges. We will be actively recruiting those students, she said. It just makes it easy for them to come here.

Approximately 180 students are en-rolled in the program, said Maibor, who said the new initiatives started this fall will hopefully result in higher program completion rates in four years. She said that while changes have been made over the last few years, the program will need to wait a few years to see whether those initiatives are successful.

In the fall of 2010, there were only 129 students enrolled in the Honors Program, Maibor said.

At the end of last year, Maibor said the school was awarded a grant from the Cher-yl Spencer Memorial Foundation which will be used to award scholarships to help seniors working on their thesis projects.

According to Maibor, the Honors Pro-gram is moving toward eliminating hybrid

courses that the program has traditionally offered. FSU, she said, is looking to offer more and more Honors-only classes.

This past semester, the program has been offering general education Honors courses, some of which are Honors-only. Students really like those classes - faculty too, Maibor said. Our goal is to move in that direction, away from dual-enrolled classes.

Another important goal, said Maibor, is to increase program completion rates. Some students, she said, have to drop out of the program because they dont main-tain the required QPA or dont take the re-quired number of Honors courses. Others have to drop out because they dont com-plete the Honors thesis. Those are things we can help, said Maibor.

Honors students graduated in 2011, and 14 graduated in 2010.

The new Honors House on Adams Road behind North Hall.

Alexis Huston/The Gatepost

- Continued on page 6

Students take part in cutting the ribbon for the new house.

Alexis Huston/The Gatepost

February 10, 20124 News

First-ever Winter Festival a success

At this Tuesdays Dec. 7 SGA meeting, senators accepted amendments for new club constitutions, granted three budget increase requests and one travel and con-ference request.

The Human Rights Action Commit-tee (HRAC) and SGA, itself, requested amendments to their respective constitu-tions. Both amendments were passed.

SGA amended its constitution to require requests to be brought before senate and FinCom only. In the past, e-Board would vote independently and was excluded from voting in senate, explained Parliamentar-ian and E-Board Member Elizabeth Cam-eron.

in policies.SGA also added the responsibility of

membership recruitment and retention to its publicity chair, the position currently held by Carly Granville.

FSU Ski and Snowboard Club came forward with a budget increase request of $2,080 for a trip to Wachusett Mountain. This amount will pay for lift tickets, which range from $45-58, for the students attend-ing the trip, reducing the cost to students to around $10 out of pocket. The motion passed unanimously.

The FSU Human Rights Action Com-mittee and Active Sociologists Club both

came forth with separate budget increase requests for $60 each. They explained that this will pay for the police detail for their Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (L.E.A.P.) event featuring drug policy ac-tivist Jack Cole. The event will discuss the War on Drugs from a police perspective and will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Both motions passed unanimously.

The FSU Pride Alliance came forth with a travel and conference request that was cut to $2,038.40 before it was passed. Bruce said that the clubs initial request was for one advisor and 12 students to at-tend a conference, but had to be cut to only allow one advisor and four students so as to comply with policies set in place.

The Black Student Union (BSU) pre-sented its travel and conference report in the form of a PowerPoint presentation and an activity for senate members. Bruce said, I think they did a really good job. They asked us questions to show us what they learned, which was unique because a lot of clubs dont do that.

In other news:

The Open Administrators Forum will be held Wednesday, Feb. 15 in DPAC.

SGA will sponsor two blood drives this semester on Monday, March 26 and Wednesday, April 11.

The Bone Marrow Drive will take place on Wednesday, April 18.

SGA amends constitutionBy Kathleen McDonough

INTERIM NEWS EDITOR

Students and faculty participated in -

end. After discontinuing the lighting of the

Tree of Hope in December, administra-tors decided instead to hold a festival in conjunction with this years Winter Com-mencement.

Events began on Friday with the Honors House ribbon-cutting ceremony at the site of the new house behind North Hall on Ad-

North Hall Backyard, the Black Student Unions (BSU) spoken word poetry event in the Forum, the SUAB-sponsored semi-formal dance at the Framingham Sheraton, and a Ski Club-sponsored trip to Wachusett Mountain.

SUAB President Nikki Curley said the dance was a hit.

We sold out of tickets, everything went smoothly and the food was delicious!

Mitch Kelley, Semi Chair, said, Every-thing went really well. It was a great suc-cess and everyone had a good time.

The professional photography available at the semi was also popular with dance-goers. There were three different green screen background options corresponding with the Las Vegas theme - a sphinx and Reno or Vegas signs, and there was always a line, said Curley.

Ski Club President Kendall Valente said the ski trip was a success as well.

The trip was so good! Twenty people went, just like the last trip. And even if conditions arent great, the younger kids who get to the mountain after school leave by eight, and then we have the whole mountain to ourselves.

On Saturday morning, Winter Com-mencement was held in DPAC. The fac-ulty and staff vs. students basketball game and free throw competition followed that afternoon in the Athletic Center Gym. Stu-dents triumphed 49-39. Bingo, usually sponsored by SUAB was held in the Fo-

rum and was sponsored instead by the FSU Alumni Association.

A Moonlite Breakfast began at 10:00

of two Movie Madness double features was played later that night in DPAC, be-ginning with Moneyball followed by The Hangover Part 2.

A Jazz Brunch in the Dining Commons

station XM channel #67 - Real Jazz was played, and southern food, such as sweet potato pie, corn bread, hush puppies, okra and tomatoes, black-eyed peas and fried

Director of Dining Services Ralph Eddy said, in an email, While participating in the planning of the super Winter Festival weekend, we saw an opportunity to kick off Black History Month with a jazz brunch. The menu was centered around

traditional soul food as well as some not-

which is gaining a great deal of exposure as of late. While some guests were hesitant to

try dishes like hush puppies with red eye gravy or the stewed okra, those that did had good things to say.

In the afternoon, a family fun day was held in the Forum. The event was coor-dinated by Student Involvement and Lead-ership Development (SILD), with tables highlighting some of FSUs clubs and or-ganizations and featuring kid-friendly mu-sic from WDJM.

Many of the clubs offered crafts and oth-er activities to visiting children, the Dance Club played limbo, freeze dance, and per-formed to Winter Wonderland, and there were also baby animals brought in for the day by Tonya Dokulil from Animal Craze, a traveling farm out of Winchendon, MA.

John Savage, a freshman and member of the Wildlife Club, said, Overall, fam-ily fun day was a big success. The kids seemed like they had a lot of fun, especial-

ly with the [stuffed] squirrel. There was some good pin the tail on the penguin or raccoon action going on. Everyone had a good front for the kids.

Secretary of the Anime Club Blake Bartko said, There were a lot of kids, and they seemed to have a good time making origami - especially the kind that makes noise.

The Ski Club had two options for crafts:

with Poland Springs Aqua Pod bottles and glitter, and SUAB had materials to make foam door hangers and also offered color-ing pages.

SILD Administrative Assistant Jill Hay-ward said she thinks this years family fun day was a success.

fun day. This year, our interns helped co-ordinate the event - they chose the theme, winter carnival, to go along with the Win-ter Festival.

The baby animals drew students as well - we drew more students than ever, and made the best of our time during the hour the animals were here. Even with the other events going on, we drew a lot of people to the event.

The second Movie Madness double feature showing of Puss in Boots and Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part - I was

Festival event, the showing of the Super Bowl was held in the forum.

Rita Colucci, chief of staff and gen-eral counsel, who helped plan the festival, said in an e-mail, Overall, I think the fes-tival was a success. Colder weather and

make it feel more winterish, but clearly, there was nothing we could do about that. The events that had low turnout were the movies and the football viewing, so if we were to do a winter festival next year, we wouldnt repeat those events.

President Timothy Flanagan said, The Winter Festival was an excellent weekend of events and a great way to celebrate Win-ter Commencement weekend. I really ap-preciate the time and hard work that many people around campus put into planning and conducting the events.

By Krin Radock

INTERIM NEWS EDITOR

Families decorate snowmen at SGAs family fun day table.

Krin Radock/The Gatepost

courts rejection of Californias Proposi-tion 8 on Tuesday. Seven states out of 50. Were almost there! she said.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found the proposition, which banned gay marriage in the state, to be unconstitutional this week.

Despite Republican back-lash, Bezreh believes there is promise for the future of the LGBT community. Were for-tunate to live in a more liberal state, but I dont think [Repub-licans] are going to get much support anyway, said Bezreh. Thankfully, our country is progressing.

Carly Burton, director of public policy and politi-cal affairs at Mass Equality, a grassroots organization that advocates for equal rights in the LGBT community, said,

time in 2007, so it has been discussed and worked on for a while now. It is really his-toric legislation.

The act was originally called The Transgender Equal Rights Bill before it passed through the judiciary commit-tee, said Burton. Opponents referred to it as the Bathroom Bill as a result of the issue surrounding whether transgen-dered people should be able to use the public restroom of their choice.

I think [Mass Equality] and the transgender community has done a good job in educat-ing the public and the legisla-ture about who transgendered people are, said Burton. As more people feel comfortable coming out and revealing who

-commodation protections might be slightly easier.

According to Burton, Mass Equality has been working toward showing the public and the legislature that transgendered indi-viduals have more public accommodation obstacles than strictly bathrooms. There

are also issues concerning stores, public

With the exception of the transgender community, all protected classes in non-discrimination statutes have public accom-

modations, said Burton, so the passage of this bill without public accommodations is unique.

Mass Equality worked with State Rep-resentative Tom Sannicandro, Senator Kar-en Spilka and Representative Chris Walsh in getting the bill passed.

Transgendered students are protected

Rita Colucci, chief of staff and general counsel. The plan covers the entire campus community, from students to employees to

vendors.

been active on this campus since 2007, and gender identity has been protected here on campus. So I think we were a little bit ahead of the game on this one, said Co-lucci.

Under the plan, if an individual feels as though he or she are being discriminated against because of their gender identity, he or she can go to Human Resources and

an investigation to determine whether the policy was vio-lated.

There have been no com-

transgender community since

action plan went into effect, said Colucci.

Kim Dexter, assistant di-rector for Residence Life, said, Luckily, weve been in a little bubble here. We dont think about the world outside of us all the time, so its nice that we can kind of make this issue a little bit more known.

Dexter hopes the bills passing will help closeted transgendered students feel comfortable expressing their identities.

I think these small victo-ries will slowly build aware-ness within the community and hopefully make it a safer place for students who iden-tify themselves as transgen-dered, said Dexter.

Angelique Bouthot, a freshman, said, Ive always been active in gay rights, so Im really excited to hear the bill passed.

Kristen OBrien, a senior, said, I think its something that needed to take effect be-cause [transgendered people are] still widely discriminated against across the country.

Caileen Norris, a senior, said, I think thats awesome. I think [the bill] makes a lot of sense.

Colucci says the bill is ef-fective in bringing to light an

issue that wasnt necessarily at the fore-front.

Hopefully, it makes people stop and wonder, Does it matter which gender someone holds themselves out as? At the end of the day, were all people.

5February 10, 2012 News

State transgender civil rights bill approved- Continued from page 1

Are you interested in learning valuable

job tips?WHAT: Presentation by Ted Woo, Chief for Public Affairs at Customs

and Border Protection (Department of Homeland Security, Boston)

WHEN: Wednesday, February 15th, 1:30 2:20

WHERE: McCarthy Center 309

Ted works very closely with many federal law enforcement agencies. In this presentation, he will identify

courses students should take to prepare for working in these agencies, reveal the inside scoop of what em-

ployers are looking for, and provide tips about how to build the best possible resume for federal employment.

He will also discuss interview techniques and how to make good use of career fairs.

Teds advice will serve you well even if you dont know for sure that you want to

work in government law enforcement.

This is an event you wont want to miss!

Abner Cavalcanti/The Gatepost

Students graduate in FSUs second Winter Commencement ceremony

ject of mathematics, including Catalan Numbers with Applications and Fibo-nacci and Lucas Numbers with Appli-cations, which won the Association of American Publishers New Book Award in 2008.

He has also had 125 articles published in academic journals including The Mathe-matical Gazette, The College Mathematics Journal and The Journal of Recreational Mathematics. He is a peer-reviewer for Mathematics Magazine and The American Mathematical Monthly.

He has received the Distinguished Fac-ulty of the Year Award, the Commonwealth Citation for Outstanding Performance, the Distinguished Service Award, and was named to the 2007 edition of 2,000 Out-standing Intellectuals of the 21st Century and the 2006-07 edition of Great Minds of the 21st Century.

Koshy addressed the students, their families and faculty, emphasizing the im-portance of working for pleasure.

Contrary to what you may think, it does not matter a great deal what you ma-jored in, he said.

He used New York Times Columnist Thomas Friedman as an example.

In the early 1970s at the University of Minnesota, he majored in Arabic and Middle Eastern studies. Many of his peers thought he was mentally imbalanced. Af-ter two years, he transferred to Brandeis, and graduated in military training studies.

Koshy said that today, Friedman is a widely read and highly respected journal-ist who has won three Pulitzer Prizes for journalism.

Koshy also described his passion for mathematics and the important role receiv-ing an education played in turning that pas-sion into a life-long career.

Search for a job you enjoy doing. Love what you do. Always, always wel-come challenges. They will pave the way for new opportunities.

Before the conferral of degrees by Chair

of the Board of Trustees Raymond Bou-langer, President Timothy Flanagan joked,

Vaden-Goad awarded the bachelor of arts degrees, Vice President of Enrollment and Student Development Susanne Conley awarded the bachelor of science degrees, Associate Vice President for Academic Af-fairs and Dean of Graduate and Continu-ing Education Scott Greenberg awarded the masters degrees, and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Ellen Zim-merman, along with faculty representing the universitys graduate programs assisted

with the hooding of masters degree recipi-ents.

Ralph Eddy, 96, vice president of the Framingham State University Alumni As-sociation Board of Directors, and director of Dining Services, welcomed the gradu-ates as the associations newest members.

We hope that you will return to cam-

pus and proudly represent your class, your major and your institution, he said.

After the undergraduate and graduate students alike moved their graduation cap tassels from right to left, signifying their

gathered for a reception in the Athletic Center gym.

Allison Abbruzzese, who graduated with a B.S. in business and information technology, and was among the students to graduate Magna Cum Laude, said, It was a great day and the ceremony went really well.

Marice Rocha Tang, who graduated with a B.S. in biology, enthusiastically ex-claimed, It feels amazing!

Denise Courtney, who graduated with an M.S. in food and nutrition, said, Im excited for the next step in my life. Fram-ingham State provided me with a great base for creativity and great work skills.

Im very proud.Michelle Cunningham, athletics admin-

istrative assistant, whose daughter, Brenna Cunningham, graduated with an M.E. in literacy and language, said, I thought the commencement ceremony was wonder-ful.

Carlos Canto, who graduated with a B.A. in economics, said graduating feels Awesome!

Raeven Fuller, who graduated with a B.A. in psychology, said with a sigh, Its [graduating] the most relaxing feeling and nerve-wracking experience, because now you have to make it on your own.

Her mother, Maureen Fuller, said, We waited so long for this! Raeven has worked really hard and were very proud of her.

Bob Sabatino, father of Laura Ann Sa-batino, who graduated with a B.S. in busi-ness administration, said, It [the com-mencement ceremony] was simply perfect. It was run perfectly. The president spoke well. Id like to congratulate all the gradu-ates and their parents also. The university

done a lot and Id recommend it to anyone. I wish everyone the best.

Internship Coordinator for Career Ser-vices, Dawn Ross, said, I thought the ceremony was awesome. It was well-or-ganized and the quickest one Ive ever at-tended. There was enough seating, and it was well attended. Im very happy for the graduates.

Eddy said, It was a wonderful day. Were very proud of the graduating stu-dents.

Vaden-Goad said, Congratulations [to the graduates]. Make this an impor-tant moment in your life where you make things change in powerful ways. Were proud of and excited for you.

Flanagan said, Im very proud - whether you graduated with a bachelors or a masters degree. They [the graduates] put a lot of time and effort into their work here. We look forward to hearing about their work.

- Continued from page 1

Barbara Pierre sings the National Anthem

at Winter Commencement.

February 10, 20126 News

New Honors House provides space, amenities

Dean of Admissions Jeremy Spencer,

enrolling Honors students despite raised admission standards. When scheduling the

was about 50. However, the program had 97 Honors students enroll this past fall.

The new Honors house, said Maibor, opened for students last Monday so they could come and see it and get comfortable

Jan. 27.The old Honors Lounge only had two

rooms connected by a hallway, said Mai-bor, which was not enough room.

According to Dale Hamel, executive vice president, the total cost for the new Honors House was $226,186, including renovations, interior painting, card access, window shades, interior signage and furni-ture.

Additional work was performed on the facility but was included as part of the ar-rangement with the contractors for North Hall that used 22 Adams Rd. as their con-struction trailer to reduce costs of that project, said Hamel. The universitys portion of the costs came from College Operations.

According to Director of Facilities War-

ren Fairbanks, major improvements to the building were made, including necessary

-sible and ADA compliant. Other improve-

electrical system, telephone and data ser-vice and an exterior ramp.

Jess Thomas, a sophomore Honors stu-dent, said he thinks the Honors House is a great addition to the program. Meetings at the old Honors Lounge, he said, were too

at the most.The program has gotten much better

over the last year and you can tell they are trying to make it a big deal, and I think they are doing a great job of it and taking care of the Honors students, he said. It makes being in the Honors program more worth it knowing that the administration cares about us.

Meghan Foden, also a sophomore Hon-

ors student, said she is proud to be a part of the Honors Program. It is a lot of work, but it is an honor to be a part of the pro-gram, she said.

Foden said that with the new Honors House, she may try to go to the Honors Center more often.

Jess Ahearn, a junior Honors student, said she has already been to the new Hon-ors House to study. It is a lot less dis-tracting than the library, she said, adding that she lives in Linsley Hall and there are many distractions in the dorm.

Im really excited for any future events theyre planning on having there. I love that its an older building that is being put to good use, said Ahearn.

Scott Shea, a junior Honors student, also acknowledged the importance of being recognized by the Commonwealth Honors Program. Its pretty cool, he said. We get state recognition, whereas before, it wasnt a state-recognized program.

Derek Pietras, a senior Honors student, said he is very pleased with the new Hon-ors House, and that it is much bigger than the old lounge.

Of the admission into the Common-wealth Honors Program, Pietras said the

We work hard, so its nice that we get the recognition we deserve, he said.

- Continued from page 3

Professor Maibor speaks at Honors House ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Alexis Huston/The Gatepost

Kelsey Loverude/The Gatepost

ARTS & FEATURES

Decotations light up the cafeteria

February 10, 201216

Unlikely signs of spring appear

around campus.

This week in picturesThis week in pictures

Krin Radock/Gatepost Krin Radock/Gatepost

Alexis Huston/Gatepost

Alexis Huston/Gatepost

Alexis Huston/Gatepost

SUAB brings Las Vegas to the