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Campus News

“Ramsey” Is Sworn in as FSU’s First-Ever K9 Comfort Dog

Officer Ramsey, an English Labrador retriever, was officially sworn in as Framingham State University’s first-ever comfort K9 during a special ceremony on July 6. Still just a puppy, Ramsey is assigned to Cpl. Shawn Deleskey, a 9-year veteran of the FSU Police Department. The pair are currently training together at Animal Assisted Therapy Services in Worcester in order to become certified as a comfort canine and handler.

“Officer Ramsey will be a true asset to the Police Department,” said Police Lt. Martin Loughlin. “Once trained, he will be utilized to handle our most sensitive situations.”

Ramsey will join officers on calls to provide comfort to the victims of crimes and to assist people dealing with a mental health crisis.

“Mental health is becoming a big issue on college campuses,” says Cpl. Deleskey. “Dogs don’t see race or gender, so they can help break down barriers and put people at ease during stressful situations.”

Deleskey says he is an animal lover who volunteered to do research on a comfort dog program.

“This is a wonderful thing for our community,” FSU President Nancy Niemi said during the ceremony. “Welcome to the fRAMily, Ramsey. I hope we bring you as much joy and comfort as you bring us.”

“Dogs don’t see race or gender, so they can help break down barriers and put people at ease during stressful situations.”

— Cpl. Shawn Deleskey, FSU Police Department

Campus News

McAuliffe Center Leads Urban Heat Mapping Project

With the increasing regularity of extreme weather and climate-related hazards across MetroWest, the City of Framingham and Towns of Natick, Ashland and Holliston have identified extreme heat and higher temperatures as a top hazard to vulnerable residents in their communities.

Framingham State University’s Christa Corrigan McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning will be working over the next year to help these communities better understand the hazard of extreme heat thanks to its successful application to be part of the

2023 National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) Urban Heat Island Mapping Campaigns. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has provided funding to Climate Adaptation Planning and Analytics (CAPA) Strategies to support campaigns for communities in 2023.

The McAuliffe Center’s proposal is one of just 18 selected in 14 states across the country and in one international city.

Data collection around a 100-square-mile area in MetroWest will take place over the summer using mobile and stationary sensors. That data will then be used to create urban heat island (UHI) maps and potentially identify overlaps among UHIs and

disadvantaged demographics in Framingham and MetroWest communities.

“This is a great opportunity to increase awareness of Urban Heat Islands in Framingham and MetroWest,” says Dr. Irene Porro, director of the McAuliffe Center. “We will be able to share evidence of the overlap between health, social and UHI issues to help generate policy recommendations to promote long-term, equitable solutions.”

Dietetics Student Laurie
Richards-Farnsworth

Campus News

FSU Student Wins Statewide Dietetics Award

Framingham State University student Laurie Richards-Farnsworth is the 2023 recipient of the Massachusetts Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Outstanding Student award.

This past spring, she graduated from the University’s 4+1 Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CPD), which provides students with the opportunity to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in just five years, saving time and money.

“I’m thrilled and honored to receive this award,” says Richards-Farnsworth. “The people I see in this major are all very intelligent and driven, so it was pretty shocking to get statewide recognition.”

Framingham State is the only college in Massachusetts to offer a 4+1 CPD, which is crucial as the Commission on Dietetic Registration will begin requiring a master’s degree in order to take the national dietitians exam starting in 2024.

“I am in one of the last classes that isn’t required to get a master’s degree to take the exam, but my professors encouraged me to enroll in the 4+1 program

because the profession will get much more competitive once everyone is required to earn their master’s degree,” says Richards-Farnsworth. “I completed my bachelor’s degree in 2022 and now have earned my graduate degree.”

Professor Halcyon Mancuso (right) is the inspiration, funder and director of the Mancuso Humanities Workforce Preparation Center.

Campus News

Mancuso Humanities Workforce Preparation Center Celebrates Grand Opening

The number of students studying the humanities in the United States continues to shrink, despite the fact that the skills humanities majors gain—including writing, communication, critical thinking, problem solving and multicultural understanding—are increasingly sought after by employers.

This disconnect has occurred in part because the traditional humanities curriculum has not done enough to demonstrate to students the value of the education they are gaining, while connecting it directly to career

competencies, according to Dr. Paula Krebs, executive director of the Modern Language Association.

Dr. Krebs served as the keynote speaker at the official opening of the Mancuso Humanities Workforce Preparation Center last spring, which was created specifically to promote the value of the humanities for developing vibrant thinkers, engaged citizens and skilled professionals.

“No student should have to wonder what they can do with a degree in our fields,” Krebs said. “We need to make sure undergraduates understand the value of the education they are getting in their fields, and we need to be specific. We have to name and measure it.”

The Mancuso Center was developed and funded by English Professor Halcyon Mancuso as a new resource at Framingham State University to promote the benefits of a humanities education and help students launch successful careers.

“Our students and families come to FSU with very big expectations that a college degree will help pave the way for a fulfilling career and life,” Mancuso said during the event.

The Center offers three key initiatives to achieve that goal—a faculty fellowship program, a career-readiness initiative and a student internship program.