Franklin Pierce University is turning 60 this year, and all of its annual events are going to be included in the celebrations, according to Director of Communications Kathryn Grosso Gann — including the upcoming academic showcase and Fitzwater Honors.
“We have wonderful events throughout the year that showcase the work by our students, by our faculty, by our staff – things that we want to show off,” said Grosso Gann. “When we looked to see how we can make this a yearlong celebration, well, the best thing to do is to celebrate the best of us.”
“Pierce@60” is the university’s name for the celebration, which started with events in January and February. The next event is the academic showcase, set for April 19 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
According to university librarian Paul Jenkins, one of the organizers for the event, the 13th annual showcase will follow much the same pattern as previous years, with students and faculty taking an all-day break from classes to present on research and a variety of academic topics. The only difference is that this year’s theme will focus on the school itself.
“We’ll have a number of presentations about the history of the institution, including a history of athletics,” Jenkins said. “I think that will be exciting for people, because one thing we can all get together on is sports teams.”
Other topics will include a history of anthropology at Franklin Pierce, and a panel of university staff discussing change they have seen at the school and what the school means to them. Including staff was important, Jenkins said, as they are sometimes neglected in these events.
After the showcase comes the April 29 Fitzwater Center Honors. It’s especially exciting this year, according to Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication Director Kristen Nevious, because it is also the 20th anniversary of the Fitzwater Center on campus. Additionally, center namesake Marlin Fitzwater will be attending to celebrate the honorees.
“There was absolutely no question that we would be focused on the pandemic response of our honorees,” said Nevious. One of these honorees is Lori Shibinette, director the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, who will receive the Fitzwater Medallion for Leadership in Public Communication.
“They led us, the state, through the pandemic. They did a marvelous job in an unprecedented situation,” said Nevious.
Another honoree will be the Granite State News Collaborative, a consortium of media, education and community partners that includes the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript, which will receive the first Fitzwater Medallion for Public Service.
Also included will be student honorees Kaitlyn Acciardo and Paul Lambert, who will receive Fitzwater Medallions for Contributions to the Public Discourse. Nevious said both students are heavily engaged in civic discourse and journalism, and have covered political events and worked with polling operations.
“I admire them both for their engagement in their country, and I know that they will both continue that work after graduation,” Nevious said.
For information and schedules, visit franklinpierce.edu.