Framingham State University Alumni

☀️📚 Interested in history, politics, or media? Add Revolutionary Networks to your summer reading list!

Written by Professor Joseph Adelman, Revolutionary Networks offers a fresh perspective on the American Revolution by exploring the powerful role printers played in shaping political ideology and public opinion.

Drawing from extensive archival research, Adelman examines how newspapers, pamphlets, and other printed materials became tools for debate, mobilization, and political change during the Revolutionary era. Rather than acting as neutral messengers, printers used their commercial and political connections to influence what ideas spread and how they reached the public.

Perfect for readers interested in American history, political communication, and the power of media in shaping society. 📖✨

Fun fact: there are tunnels underneath FSU! 🔦👻

Back in 1901, tunnels were built beneath several campus buildings to help protect students from harsh New England weather. Winter provided little mercy for students, so the tunnels were used to keep them safe from storms and the cold. Peirce, Horace Mann, Crocker, and May Halls were all connected through these underground passageways.

According to an article in the student newspaper, The Gatepost, a spirit named "Nelly" has communicated via Ouija boards in Peirce Hall, alongside some other strange sightings. Spirits are said to travel through the tunnels between buildings! If you're interested, check out this article: https://loom.ly/x-ragB8

Today, the tunnels are closed due to safety concerns (officially shut down in the mid-1970s). In 2017, a large portion of the system was filled in during a state-funded underground utility upgrade, making any future student exploration impossible. As of 2026, what remains is used mainly for pipes and wiring management.

Happy National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day! Today we celebrate Ruth Graves Wakefield (Class of 1924) and her creation of the Toll House cookie. 🍪🎉

Ruth Graves Wakefield was an American chef, educator, and dietitian who is widely credited with inventing the chocolate chip cookie. In 1930, she and her husband opened the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts. In 1938, she changed dessert history by mixing chopped Nestlé chocolate into her dough and creating the Toll House Chocolate Crunch Cookie. She shared the recipe in her cookbook, Ruth Wakefield’s Tried and True Recipes, eventually even selling the recipe rights to Nestlé.

Struggling to keep up in today's fast paced world? This self-care guidebook, written by alumna Jenel Liston '13, is the PERFECT read for you! 🧘☮️

The guidebook, titled The Self-Care and Wellness Guidebook, provides readers with practical self-care strategies and guided reflection exercises designed to foster a more balanced and fulfilling life.

If you want to prioritize your mental health this summer, the book is available here ➡️ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H55ZTV4K ☀️

After 125 years as a women’s college, Framingham State welcomed its first male students in 1964, a milestone that marked the beginning of a new chapter in the University's history.

The transition sparked a range of reactions. Some students questioned the change, while newspaper coverage reflected many of the stereotypes and attitudes of the era. Despite the uncertainty, the campus community adapted and evolved.

By 1970, the University had fielded its first men's basketball team, followed by the launch of a 44-man football team just two years later. Today, men make up approximately 45% of the student body.

More than 60 years later, this moment reminds us how Framingham State has continued to grow and evolve while expanding opportunities for students. Our history reflects a community that has embraced change, broadened its reach, and remained committed to preparing generations of Rams for success. 🐏💛🖤

Student loan repayment continues to evolve, and many borrowers are navigating new changes—from shifts in repayment programs to the return of collections—while balancing the rising cost of everyday expenses.

If you're repaying student loans or simply want to better understand what's changing, this article offers a helpful overview of the current landscape.

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Student Loan Borrowers Face New Challenges - Framingham Alumni The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan established in 2024 enabled student loan borrowers to lower their monthly payments and offered a pathway to student loan forgiveness down the line.1 At the end of 2025, the U.S. Department of Education announced the SAVE repayment plan would be disconti...

Summer Reading Series ☀️📖

If you're looking for an inspiring read, ABILITIES by Framingham State alumna Michelle MacLean '18 is the graphic novel for you!

Inspired by her experiences as a special educator, MacLean wrote and illustrated ABILITIES to provide students with the opportunity to see themselves reflected in the stories they read. The novel follows twelve-year-old Shelby as she transitions to public middle school and forms friendships with classmates navigating dyslexia, ADHD, and autism. Together, the classmates face challenges, build confidence, and discover that their differences are strengths.

Through this heartfelt story, MacLean encourages young readers to embrace who they are, overcome obstacles, and recognize that friendship, courage, and determination are stronger than any label.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0jeR4aKh

Catch Riley McManus ‘26 — on NESN tonight at 7pm calling the Lowell Spinners’ game! ⚾️🎙️

Local duo grew up with Spinners, thrilled to land key intern roles Brendan McManus can’t wait to call Lowell Spinners’ game on NESN.

Hemenway Hall is a staple of modern education on campus...but who WAS Hemenway?

Mary Hemenway, born 1820, was a Bostonian philanthropist, education reformer, and historical preservationist. In 1898, a major financial donation from her estate helped establish the Department of Household Arts at what was then Framingham Normal School. This eventually evolved into the University's highly regarded Food Science, Nutrition, and Consumer Sciences programs.

Her impact went far beyond buildings and programs. Mary Hemenway used her own resources to support students, most notably funding the tuition and expenses of Olivia A. Davidson (co-founder of the Tuskegee Institute and wife of Booker T. Washington) so she could attend and graduate from Framingham.

When the building was completed in 1963, the University acknowledged that legacy by naming the space Mary Hemenway Hall. Today, it stands as a reminder of what generosity—and a belief in power of education—can build. 🍎🏫

Set sail with us for a Cape Cod tour and seafood lunch aboard the S.S. Lobster Roll on August 22nd! ⛵🦞

🎟️Tickets available at framingham.edu/alumni/events