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NEWS:

WSC to host Public Forum on Creative Economies in Central Mass


Author of The God Gene,
Dr. Dean Hamer, to Speak at WSC

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NOTEWORTHY:

Bruce Cohen (History & Political Science) chaired sessions in October at both the New England Historical Association and the Northeast Popular Culture Association.

Judy Jeon-Chapman (Languages/Literature) gave a presentation at the National Alpha Mu Gamma Convention at Fairfield University on October 17. Alpha Mu Gamma is the National Honor Society for the study of world languages. Professor Jeon-Chapman is also the faculty advisor for the Theta Rho Chapter at WSC. The PowerPoint presentation was titled "Resurrection of the Château de Ventadour: The Pottiers' Dream and Invitation." The Pottiers' dream is described below, and the invitation to help them realize their dream is extended to French-speaking volunteers with a passion for the Middle Ages and desire to restore a medieval treasure.

If you are drawn to all things medieval, and 12th century castles in particular, you would appreciate the restoration project on-going since 1968 when Pierre Pottier, an award-winning expert in medieval restoration, acquired the Château de Meyras, known as the Château de Ventadour, in the province of Ardèche in France. In 1969 Mr. Pottier founded the Association de Sauvegarde et de mise en valeur du château fort de Ventadour, and, together with master masons, carpenters and an international fleet of devoted volunteers, Pierre and his wife, Françoise, have managed what many thought impossible: the resurrection of an important 12th century castle in Ardèche which, ruined and overgrown, had been threatened with demolition because authorities feared that its crumbling stones might fall on the departmental highway below. Having seen it in its dilapidated state years back, and having read about the on-going restoration work overseen by the Pottiers, Professor Jeon-Chapman hiked up to the castle and found the Pottiers hard at work preparing for the arrival of this summer's volunteers. They personally conducted a lengthy tour of the castle, its chapel and the grounds, and spoke freely about their work. Professor Jeon-Chapman's PowerPoint Presentation presented photographs taken during that visit with the Pottiers in May, 2009.

After 40 years of restoration, the massive Château de Ventadour has been resurrected on the heights overlooking the confluence of the Ardèche River and the Fontaulière River, yet much work remains.

The Pottiers are inviting serious and hard-working individuals interested in the Middle Ages to live, learn and work in the Château de Ventadour for several weeks or months during the summer.

Sudha Swaminathan and Frank Lamelas (Physical and Earth Sciences) presented a mini-talk titled "Physics in Art: Discussion of An Old Woman Praying by Nicholas Maes." The talk was given in the 17th Century European Gallery in the Worcester Art Museum, as part of the Professors' Night program on November 5. Attendees included museum staff and faculty from local colleges and universities.

From November 4th through November 7th, Professors John Tahiliani and Jeff Cohen (Criminal Justice) attended and presented papers at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Criminology in Philadelphia, PA. Professor Tahiliani presented a paper titled "An Exploratory Study of Human and Social Capital and Their Influence on Police Confidence in India." This paper is currently under review for publication in the International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice. Professor Cohen organized a panel titled "Integrating Service Learning into Criminology/Criminal Justice Courses." In addition, Professor Cohen presented his paper ?Integral Gender: A New Vision for the Study of the Gender-Crime Relationship.? This paper is currently in manuscript form and will be submitted for publication in Feminist Criminology.

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AROUND CAMPUS:

Fuller Foundation Trustees Praised for
Support of Theater's Transformation
Kimberly Brothers-Caisse, Institutional Advancement


Fuller Foundation Trustee Mark Fuller unveils a plaque commemorating the Foundation's support for the newly renovated Fuller Theater.


On opening night of Worcester State College Theatre's production of "Bus Stop" last Thursday, trustees of the George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation were praised for enabling the transformation of the historic playhouse/lecture hall in the Administration Building into a state-of-the-art educational theater.

The Fuller Foundation provided a $500,000 grant for new amenities such as catwalks, new sound system, assistive listening devices, winches above the stage, box seating, a control booth, light board, design studio, scene shop, costume shop, a small green room, and smart classroom technology.

"Your generosity has made a tremendous difference for our theatre program," said President Ashley." It is a milestone in the history of Worcester State College and this theater."

Alumni attending opening night of the play as part of the Alumni Tiffany Gates Society event especially appreciate the theater's transformation, she noted. So many alumni have worked on theater productions over the years. It also has served as a lecture hall and, for a time, a place where students gathered for attendance and assembly every morning.

"With the support of the Fuller Foundation, this theater is now equipped for the 21st century," President Ashley said.

Foundation Trustee Mark Fuller shared the history of the Fuller Foundation with the audience. "George had in mind all along that whatever he had over and above what he needed would be given back to the Worcester community, and that is what has happened," he said.

"Let me tell you, the transformation that has occurred here, especially in the last 10 years, is extraordinary, it's just amazing," he added.

"I want to thank the Board, President Ashley, the faculty, the staff, the students, and the community at large for all they have done to move Worcester State College forward. It is a privilege to be here this evening," Fuller added.

In addition to Mark Fuller, his wife, Jan, mother, Joyce, and cousin David Hallock attended the unveiling and dedication of The Fuller Theater and first performance in the newly renovated theater.

"To reopen this theater as The Fuller Theater is a fitting tribute not only to the Fuller Foundation's incredible support of theatre education here, but also to their willingness to assist Worcester State in meeting various needs of our students and faculty," said Tom McNamara, vice president of Institutional Advancement.

Designer and Associate Professor of Theatre John Hood also pointed out that theatre students are now learning stagecraft with equipment and acting in an environment similar to what they will encounter in the professional theaters once they graduate.


Theater Production Draws Over 500

The inaugural production in the newly renovated Fuller Theatre of BUS STOP, William Inge's heart-warming romantic comedy, was a smashing success. Worcester State Theatre put on three other performances over the weekend to near sell-out crowds of over 500 attendees.


Photo Gallery of Recent VPA Events

Click here for a photo gallery of the theatre performance, theatre dedication, chorale reunion concert and faculty art exhibit.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Presentation on Workplace Violence
The College Police department (Chief Naughton) and Academic Affairs (AVP Lori Dawson) invite all faculty and staff to attend a presentation on Workplace Violence on Tuesday, November 17. It will be held in the Blue Lounge from 11:00 a.m. - Noon. This presentation will include a twenty minute film and discussion to follow for approximately 40 minutes. All supervisors are strongly encouraged to allow employees to attend one of these sessions.

Travel to Spain - May 2010
Independent Study "Travel to Spain: Art, Culture and Lifestyle of Madrid and Andalucía"

Travel to Spain for 10 days this coming May 2010 (May 17-May 26) with a new WSC Faculty-led Program and EF Tours, and receive 3 credits.

The program includes visits to Madrid, Toledo and the southern Andalusia region (Seville, Cordoba, Granada and Costa del Sol), and it is a great opportunity to learn about Spanish culture, art, and architecture, among many other things. The approximate cost of the program is $2400, and it includes round trip airfare, 8 hotel nights, breakfast and dinner daily, and entrance tickets to all scheduled visits (museums, cathedrals, Alhambra palace, etc.).

This trip is the final part of an Independent Study, anyone interested will need to sign up for the course Independent Study "Travel to Spain: Art, Culture and Lifestyle of Madrid and Andalucía"

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TRANSITIONS:

Welcome to...

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WSC IN THE NEWS:

College Town
Telegram & Gazette
Opening night for Worcester State College's production of "Bus Stop" on Thursday was the dual celebration of a dedication ceremony and christening of the renovated and newly named Fuller Theater.


The six Readiness Centers and the primary partners
iBerkshires.com
Central Massachusetts Readiness Center: Fitchburg State College, Massachusetts Elementary School Principals' Association and Worcester State College. ...


WSC celebrates grant to theater
Telegram & Gazette
The Fuller Theater...will be dedicated at Worcester State College tonight. ...


Meter Money
Telegram & Gazette
This year Worcester State College installed a 100-kilowatt-per-hour solar array on its Learning Resource Center. The large array will not power the entire ...

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THIS WEEK:
www.worcester.edu/calendar

Tues., Nov. 17

Faculty Art Exhibit
on display
Ghosh, 1st Floor
3-5 p.m.

Ice Hockey vs.
Plymouth State Univ.
Horgan Rink
400 Oxford St. North
Auburn, Mass.
5:30 p.m.

Women's Basketball
vs. Springfield
Gymnasium
7 p.m.



Wed., Nov. 18

Dr. Dean Hamer -
"The Gay Gene and
the God Gene"
Student Center,
Blue Lounge
11:30 a.m.

ArtWorks - A public
forum on Creative
Economies in
Central Mass.
Ghosh, Room 102
4:30 - 6 p.m.



Thurs., Nov. 19

Faculty Art Exhibit
on display
Ghosh, 1st Floor
3-5 p.m.



Fri., Nov. 20

Women's Basketball
vs. Becker
Gymnasium
7:30 p.m.



Sat., Nov. 21

Ice Hockey vs.
Framingham State
Horgan Rink
400 Oxford St. North
Auburn, Mass.
7 p.m.