Recorded in front of a live audience at Fitchburg State University on April 6th, 2023, Fitchburg Speaks: Stories about What Made Us Who We Are showcases true stories from the complex and rich lives led by members of the greater Fitchburg community. 

Sixteen storytellers took to the mic to generously share their stories about what made them who they are.  

Today, we feature five of those stories about formative experiences living alone in the wilderness, the search for balance, overcoming adversity, finding comfort in being one's true self, and a love story spanning 57 years, a peace corps deployment, and three strikes. 

• Dr. Steven Edwards, Fitchburg State Professor (2:54)
• Yer Yang, Communications Media / Graphic Design (8:08)
• Nadia Turovskiy, Rhythmic Gymnast, Dual Enrollment, Bolton MA (13:06)
• Elliot Zopatti, Communications Media / Technical Theater (17:18)
• Arthur E. Young, Peace Corps 1961 (21:34) 

Fitchburg Speaks was the culminating event from a year of programming inspired by the 2022-23 Fitchburg Community Read book, Trevor Noah's memoir Born a Crime.  This event was organized and sponsored by the Fitchburg Community Read Committee and its members.   

Host: Elliot Zopatti
Recording engineers: Matt Baier and Adam Fournier

Episode transcript available here.

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Perspectives is an ongoing series of Perseverantia -- featuring the voices and stories of the campus community, including alumni interviews; conversations with students, faculty, and staff; and features events.  The goal of Perspectives is to allow for in-depth exploration of the experiences and issues on the minds of those teaching, learning, and working at Fitchburg State University.

Click here to learn more about Perseverantia. Join us for programming updates on Instagram. Or reach out with ideas or suggestions at [email protected].

On today’s final episode of season 1 of FalconCast, our host Nikki interviews three Fitchburg State University film production students to gain a better understanding of the Communications Media  film/video production concentration and their capstone Advanced Cinema Production class.   

Director / Writer Sean-Michael Hibbert, Director of Photography Joey DiTavi, and actor Dave Appolon talk about the dedication that is necessary to create their film Silver Lining.

Thanks for listening to FalconCast!

This episode was produced by Nikki McToggart, Nate McKenna, and Keyloni Jackson as a part of the Spring 2023 Podcasting class at Fitchburg State University.

Episode transcript available here.

Click here to learn more about Perseverantia. Join us for programming updates on Instagram. Or reach out with ideas or suggestions at [email protected].

In this episode of Five with a Falcon, Paulina Torres, a class of 2023 graduate with a major in Geographic Science and Technology, talks about how her time spinning records on WXPL campus radio has helped her connect with fellow students and to her Mexican heritage, what it's been like to navigate college as a first generation student, and how her ideal DJ playlist features artists that meld both modern alternative music with traditional Latin American sounds (including two of her current favorite cumbia artists).

Tune in to Fitchburg State's WXPL through TuneIn -- or via 91.3 FM on your radio dial when in the Fitchburg area.

Episode transcript available here.

Perspectives is an ongoing series of Perseverantia -- featuring the voices and stories of the campus community, including alumni interviews; conversations with students, faculty, and staff; and features events.  The goal of Perspectives is to allow for in-depth exploration of the experiences and issues on the minds of those teaching, learning, and working at Fitchburg State University.

Click here to learn more about Perseverantia. Join us for programming updates on Instagram. Or reach out with ideas or suggestions at [email protected].

On today’s episode of FalconCast, Ryan Gallagher hands the mic over to his non-biological brother and fellow Class of 2023 graduate, Armando Libier.  Studying Technical Theater in the Communications Media department, Armando has been an active member of the Fitchburg State University community – serving as treasurer forthe Sigma Pi fraternity, building manager, tour guide, and freshman orientation leader.  Armando talks about his experience in Greek Life on campus and serving as a mentor to his non-biological brothers and incoming first year students.  

Thanks for listening to FalconCast!

This episode was produced by Ryan Gallagher and Dalicia Rodriguez as a part of the Spring 2023 Podcasting class at Fitchburg State University.

Episode transcript available here.

Click here to learn more about Perseverantia. Join us for programming updates on Instagram. Or reach out with ideas or suggestions at [email protected].

What is the deal with the network name?   How exactly do you pronounce it?

This  episode explores the persnickety pronunciation of the network name -- which is also Fitchburg State University's motto. 

Episode transcript available here.

Click here to learn more about Perseverantia. Join us for programming updates on Instagram. Or reach out with ideas or suggestions at [email protected].

On today’s episode of the FalconCast, our hosts Alexander Maggio and Logan Corrado interview Fitchburg State University student Dylan Mercier (he/him) and find out how to make college life easier by participating in the multitude of clubs and organizations offered on the Fitchburg State campus.  Dyan gives us a look into what made him interested in joining these clubs and the upside of participating in campus life. 

Dylan is a freshman at Fitchburg State University majoring in Biology with a health sciences concentration.  When not in class or studying, Dylan has found comradery in the Biology Club, the Smash Bros Club, and the Pokemon Club.

Thank you for listening to the FalconCast!

This episode was produced by Logan Corrado and Alexander Maggio as a part of the Spring 2023 Podcasting class at Fitchburg State University.

Episode transcript available here.

Click here to learn more about Perseverantia. Join us for programming updates on Instagram. Or reach out with ideas or suggestions at [email protected].

On today’s episode of FalconCast, our host Egan Wolford speaks with three Fitchburg State University student-athletes who share their unique journey through sports, academics, and life to becoming a Falcon at Fitchburg State.  Matt, Cole, and Julia offer insights into how they deal with "the pressure" of their sport, what it's like to chase their dreams while maintaining love for their sport, and what it's like to be a Falcon student-athlete.

Matt Aguirre (he/him) is a Junior football player for Fitchburg State University. Hailing all the way from Texas, he is a major motivator on the football team.  Julia Gauvin (she/her) is a Sophomore softball player for Fitchburg State University. She never thought she would play in college and now she leads the dominant Falcons softball team.  Cole Archambeault (he/him) is a Junior and one of the captains of the Fitchburg State University hockey team.  Cole grew up in the neighboring town of Lunenburg, MA and always felt like he might become a Falcon. 

Thanks for Listening to FalconCast!

This episode was produced by JJ Catalano, Alan Tadiello, and Egan Wolford, as a part of the Spring 2023 Podcasting class at Fitchburg State University.

Episode transcript available here.

Click here to learn more about Perseverantia. Join us for programming updates on Instagram. Or reach out with ideas or suggestions at [email protected].

On today’s episode of FalconCast, our hosts Max Eisenhaure and Matthew Baier interview Fitchburg State University student Marcus Phan and find out about the Building Manager job at FSU.  From his daily duties to kicking people out, and improving himself, Marcus gives us a look into what it means to be a Building Manager.

Marcus Phan (He/Him) is a junior student at Fitchburg State University studying film and on his way to breaking into the industry.  Currently, he works as a Building Manager at Hammond Hall, the campus epicenter for student activity.

Thanks for listening to FalconCast!

This episode was produced by Matt Baier, Max Eisenhaure, and Jackson Texeira as a part of the Spring 2023 Podcasting class at Fitchburg State University.

Episode transcript available here. 

Click here to learn more about Perseverantia. Join us for programming updates on Instagram. Or reach out with ideas or suggestions at [email protected].

On today’s episode of FalconCast, our hosts Nick Castillo and McKenzie Calvao interview Fitchburg State University student and Resident Assistant (RA), Caitlin Moriarty, and find out what it means to work as a undergraduate RA.  From difficulties with always being on the clock to the unique connections between the RA’s, Caitlin gives us a look into how she manages her lifestyle between school and work above it all.

Caitlin Moriarty (She/They) is a sophomore student at Fitchburg State studying education and on her way to becoming a teacher.  Currently, she works as a Resident Assistant for the Aubuchon Residence Hall and is soon to be the Assistant Resident Director of the building.  When not at work, she enjoys hanging out with friends, watching movies, and spending time with her dog, Karma.

For more information on being an RA or housing at Fitchburg State, visit their website or contact housing directly at [email protected].

Thanks for listening to FalconCast!

This episode was produced by McKenzie Calvao and Nick Castillo as a part of the Spring 2023 Podcasting class at Fitchburg State University.

Episode transcript available here. 

Click here to learn more about Perseverantia. Join us for programming updates on Instagram. Or reach out with ideas or suggestions at [email protected].

Matt Baier and Nikki McToggart introduce the inaugural season of FalconCast, a podcast that picks the brains of students at Fitchburg State University to explore their advice, adventures, and anxieties.

FalconCast was created, developed & produced during the spring semester 2023 by students in the Podcasting class at Fitchburg State University.  It is the inaugural series in season one of Perseverantia, Fitchburg State’s Podcast Network.

The FalconCast series producers are Matt Baier and Nikki McToggart.  Series Artwork by Nate McKenna.  Music supervision and Sound Mastering by Ryan Gallagher.  Transcriptions supervised and edited by McKenzie Calvao.  Episode Notes edited by Egan Wolford.

Season 1 Episode Producers include students from the Communications Media department:

• McKenzie Calvao & Nick Castillo (“RA Caitlin”)
• Matt Baier, Max Eisenhaure, & Jackson Texeira (“Building Blocks”)
• JJ Catalano, Alan Tadiello, & Egan Wolford (“Becoming a Falcon”)
• Logan Corrado & Alexander Maggio (“Clubs & Comradery”)
• Ryan Gallagher & Dalicia Rodriguez (“My Non Biological Brother”)
• Keyloni Jackson, Nate McKenna, & Nikki McToggart (“Silver Lining”)

Prof. Kevin McCarthy is the Podcasting course instructor and one of the executive producers of Perseverantia.  Questions or comments?  An idea for Season 2 of FalconCast or the Perseverantia network?  Please reach out.

Episode transcript available here.

Click here to learn more about Perseverantia. Join us for programming updates on Instagram. Or reach out with ideas or suggestions at [email protected].