April 16, 2021

Page 1

Volume 89 • Issue 22

FSUgatepost.com

April 16, 2021

University to hold Ram Graduation Walk

Optional in-person experience will take place in June By Ashley Wall Editor-in-Chief Framingham State University will hold an optional in-person Ram Graduation Walk in the Dwight Hall Performing Arts Center (DPAC) June 2-5 to celebrate the Classes of 2020 and 2021. The walk from the Athletics Center to DPAC will provide a face-to-face celebration for graduates and up to four guests in addition to the virtual commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 23. According to Meg Nowak Borrego, dean of students and Commencement Committee member, the University wanted to “offer the opportunity for in-person recognition for students who are seeking this experience while maintaining COVID commencement protocols.” These protocols include capacity limits involving no more than six hands out flyers in the thletic enter pril for the guests per graduate, social distancing udea la e secretary of O guidelines such as staying 6 feet apart group’s “Reintroducing SOCA” Zoom event, which was held the following day. and requiring the use of masks, hygiene protocols such as sanitizing and hand washing, and increased cleaning and disinfecting. Nowak Borrego said students contacted the University and indicated tire on June 30. Najjar has been the By Soren Colstrup they were looking to participate in dean of Graduate Studies since Jan. Staff Writer an in-person event to commemorate 15, 2013, and for the last two years, their achievements. he has been the dean of Graduate After nearly 40 years of dedicaShe said, “We understand this apStudies and Continuing Education. tion to teaching, learning, and servproach is not our traditional ceremony Ellen Zimmerman, interim proing in his community, Yaser Najjar at the DCU Center but hope that bevost and vice president for Acaannounced his retirement as dean tween the virtual College Award Cerdemic Affairs, said, “I have known of Graduate Studies and Continuing emonies, virtual Senior Toast on May Dr. Najjar for many years, both as a Education at FSU. 21, and the Virtual Commencement respected faculty colleague and as Najjar said, “I made my retireCeremonies on May 23, as well as the ment decision in early March and a fellow administrator in Academin-person on-campus graduate walk informed the Provost, Dr. Ellen Zim- ic Affairs. As dean, Dr. Najjar has in June, that our students will feel recbrought many positive innovations merman, whom I report to.” ognized and celebrated for their time to graduate studies at FSU. Najjar, who began teaching at FSU spent earning their degree at Framin September 1987, will officially reingham State University.” See RETIREMENT page 7 According to FSU President F. Javier Cevallos, the walk will be a moment for families and friends to cheer on their graduates as they have their names called, walk across the stage, and move their tassel. used by athletic trainers tending to By Maia Almeida The idea of holding a walk came student athletes. Staff Writer from looking at fellow public state In previous years, the Dance Team universities, according to Katie Hewould use these two rooms from Before the pandemic, there was bert, executive assistant to Cevallos never a time the Athletic Center 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through and Commencement Committee chair. was empty with sports games taking Thursday nights. This year, the team Hebert said, “[The Commencement place in the gym, students working has only been able to use DPAC on Committee] felt a grad walk offered out in the weight room, and in the Monday and Tuesday nights from students what they wanted most in an aerobics or multipurpose room - the 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. in-person experience while keeping The Dance Team hosts an annuDance Team would meet. within the strict guidelines the state al show at the end of each semester, This year, the Dance Team can be set for us. found in the Dwight Performing Arts showcasing the choreography they “Worcester State and Salem State Center (DPAC) with members spread have created. This semester, there are doing outdoor, drive-through verout across the auditorium doing are only eight dances, when normalsions, but Fitchburg offered an indoor ly there are around 25. their best to rehearse. element which we liked, so we The rooms in which the Dance Team once practiced are now being See RAM GRADUATION WALK pa e See DANCE TEAM page 16

Dean of Graduate Studies Yaser Najjar announces retirement

Dance Team looks to the future

Donald Halsing / THE GATEPOST

News ENGLISH WRITING STUDIOS pg. 4-5 THE FRESHMAN DISCONNECT pg. 6

Opinions

HONORED TO LOVE ME pg. 10 CAMPUS CONVERSATIONS pg. 11

Sports

MEN’S LACROSSE pg. 12

Arts & Features IDOLIZING POLITICIANS pg. 14-15 ‘WYNONNA EARP’ pg. 17

INSIDE: OP/ED 10 • SPORTS 12 • ARTS & FEATURES 13


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