Features

Liberal and Interdisciplinary Studies Assistant Professor Rita Mookerjee’s first full-length collection of poetry, False Offering, published by JackLeg Press in Nov. 2023, addresses topics ranging from religion to pop culture staples to being a person of color growing up in a rural part of Pennsylvania. Mookerjee has studied African literature, post-colonial literature, women’s and gender […]

The messages appeared by the hundreds across Facebook, online and in handwritten notes. Messages of gratitude. Well wishes and good luck. And so many memories of the ways Tara Hancock MS ‘06, during her 18 years in Alumni Relations at Worcester State, has made a difference to students, alumni, and her colleagues. “Wouldn’t have been […]

Worcester native John J. Lynch ’98 has been following the call to write for the big screen since he was kid. His latest short film is gaining attention as it shows in film festivals around the country. Story and photos by Nancy Sheehan John J. Lynch took a gamble on an idea close to his […]

Researchers find consumers are less likely to engage with this fast-spreading technology when they anticipate feeling embarrassed. By Nancy Sheehan You’re searching online for a pain relief remedy. A friendly little chatbot pops up with a smile and announces: “Hi there, I’m Emma. I’ll be happy to help you find the perfect hemorrhoid cream for […]

New LGBTQ+ academic award named for alumni leaders and awarded to accomplished graduating senior and digital animator Griffin Weber. By Deborah Alvarez O’Neil Photos by Matt Wright ’10 In the make-believe world of YouTube show Excellent Entities, the endearing little characters undertake some outrageous hijinks and more than a bit of troublemaking as they vie […]

Al Pettway ’94 still holds the record as Worcester State’s leading all-time basketball scorer. Now, he’s got another historic win to his name: Coach of the 2023 Massachusetts Division I State Basketball Champions North High. On March 19, 2023, Worcester State alumnus and the university’s all-time leading basketball scorer Al Pettway made local history (again!) […]

On June 1, members of the community gathered at Belmont Street School for the unveiling of the Sarah Ella Wilson portrait. In a moving address, Vice Principal Tiana Phillips ‘06, who led the effort to restore the portrait, honored Sarah’s life and legacy. Here are remarks: Today, we gather here to honor a remarkable individual […]

When a long forgotten portrait of the longtime Worcester educator and community leader was discovered at Belmont Community School, Worcester’s education and arts community came together to restore the artwork and honor her life’s work. By Rebecca Cross Photos by Matt Wright ’10 A few years ago, Assistant Principal Tiana Phillips ’06 was rooting around […]

As students begin to travel again for study abroad, they are appreciating the life-changing experiences it can offer. By Rebecca Cross Seven weeks into Gabby DeAngelis’s spring 2020 semester abroad in the Czech Republic, the COVID-19 pandemic reached Eastern Europe. Within just a few days, a curfew was in place, restaurants shuttered, shops shut down. […]

A Cape Verdean-American first-generation college graduate, Dianne Langford James inspires present and future generations to break cycles that hold them back from achieving their dreams. By Deborah Alvarez O’Neil Photos by Matt Wright ’10 Dianne Langford James ’03 stepped onto the stage at Worcester State University before an audience of more than 100 high school […]