Framingham State University - Dial Yearbook (Framingham, MA)

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SENICJR INVESTITURE At lnvestiture Convocation seniors are attired for the first time in their academic robes. The donning of academic attire calls to mind the revival of interest in leaming which took place in Europe in the eleventh and twebfth centuries when the custom of academic robing began in such medieval universities as Bologna, Paris and Oxford. In a ceremonial way Framingham State College seniors in this convocation join the ranks of countless thousands of students from these and other historic universities. Today, as in medieval times, academic robes serve as symbols of office or honor and as a reminder of the commitment and the rewards of academic life. Class of '86 president, Paul Murphy welcomed his fellow robed seniors and FSC faculty to the Investiture Convocation on September 23, 1985, extending a special welcome to new FSC president, Paul F. Weller and guest speaker Congressman Chet Atkins. In his remarks to the class, Murphy stressed the need for everyone's enthu- siasm and support to make it a successful year. Hlnvestitures signify a new beginning, a beginning of serious consideration of what comes after FSC, said President Weller in his first speech before students at FSC. Fell l 1' Rllrfit 'Wi was Who said we were camera shy? 4 The focus of Congressman Atkins' speech revolved around the idea that a college education is a tool, a prism through which you can look at the world and have some control over the direction of your life. Higher education is an investment not an expenditure. said Congressman Atkins as he pointed out that it would be up to such classes as ours to see that other people have the same opportunity for such education. After the convocation, members of the Class of '86 commented on their feelings. They expressed appreciation for the seriousness of the ceremony, but also felt it was the beginning of their best year at FSC.

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I ii 1' jlififfa. S. Christa Corrigan McAuliffe grew up in Framingham and received her Bachelor's Degree from Framingham State College in 1970. She lived in Concord, N.H. where she taught history. It was her interest in students that led her to apply for the position of first teacher in space. In the final competition, Christa ex- plained her hopes for the program. I want to de-mystify NASA and space flight, she said. The astronauts are not really con- necting with the average student in the classroom. I want students to see and understand the special perspective of space and relate it to them. Christa quickly earned the love of the nation with her enthu- siasm and zest for life. She was a pioneer in every sense of the word. People waited anxiously for Christa to teach from space, she was going to get her chance to humanize the technology of the space age. Everyone's hopes were shattered in the tragic explosion of the space shuttle Challenger. Christa and the six other astronauts on board were killed 75 seconds into their flight. A helpless nation I M y gl - Mmm . watched in fear, anger, and disbelief. Framingham State College suffered with the world. Christa had planned to speak at the graduation ceremonies in May. Great plans had been made for a welcome back ceremony. ln one devastating moment, everything was changedg F.S.C. had lost a hero. Christa McAuliffe was a tme hero. She was respected and admired by everyone. For Framingham State College students she was a promise of future accomplishments. She proved to all that the sky is no longer the limit. Chnsta's ideas and spirit will always live on at Framingham State College. As we are a part of her past, she will always be a part of our future. She has shown us how to reach for the stars. Christa will always hold a special place in the hearts of the class of 1986. In the words of her former student Jennifer LaPierre, we wish we had had the chance to say, Hi, Christa. We're with you all the way.

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