A Talented FSU Alum Wins a National Award

I am endlessly impressed by how many talented and exceptional people graduated from Frostburg State University. We have a lot of great alumni out there who work on interesting projects.

John Tobiason, who received a B.F.A. degree from Frostburg State University in 2002 and is now a Multimedia Designer at the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), recently received top honors at the 7th Annual American Business Awards. John was awarded the Stevie Award for Public Relations Production of the Year, which recognized GPO's video on the printing of the official photograph of President Barack Obama. John was the videographer and editor for the video. More than 2,600 entries nationwide were submitted in 40 categories. Congratulations to John!

To learn more about FSU alumni, click here.



I am honored to be recognized for being part of a video showcasing GPO ... I want to thank the mentors I had at both Bel Air High School and Frostburg State University for inspiring me in my art and graphic design classes. Those classes helped me realize my dream of working in the graphic design field.

- John Tobiason

Working with the Local Community

Frostburg Area Ambulance Service President Wayne Lewis (Frostburg State Class of '64), right, and FAAS volunteer Susi Jolley demonstrate the squad's new bloodborne pathogen protective suits, which were purchased with the help of a community fund drive and donations from Frostburg State University and the FSU Foundation Inc. They are joined by Bernard J. Davisson II, center, FSU vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the FSU Foundation.

To learn more, click here.

Economy a Reason to Build New Career Opportunities

It’s understandable that you might feel afraid about what’s going to happen to your job when you hear about layoffs and companies filing for Chapter 11 every day. But beyond all of these alarming headlines is a bigger story that we all need to hear. And that is a story of innovation, change and redefining where we are with our dreams of success and our ideas about what really brings us happiness. When you’re surrounded by risk and uncertainty, it’s a good time to assess your own situation. It’s a moment to dream big-- you have nothing to lose by trying something new.

Getting a college degree is a great way to take action and go after something important to you. Maybe you’ve always wanted to get on a different career path. Perhaps you like your job, but you’re interested in learning new skills that will boost your income and potential for promotion.

I want to encourage all of you to take advantage of the many ways Frostburg State University can help you become someone who is going to define what kind of world we live in. Click here to hear more information on this issue in my latest broadcast of The President's Dispatch. And check out the links below to discover ways to work on a college degree:

FSU's Summer Session 2009

Graduate Study at FSU

Prospective Students

“The President’s Dispatch" is a regular program that gives me an opportunity to do a radio address about how FSU is addressing important issues that affect our campus and local area. You can check it out by tuning into WFWM on Fridays at 5:30 p.m.

Celebrating Our Graduates' Futures

Frostburg State University celebrated its 134th Commencement Ceremonies on Saturday, May 16. As part of the festivities, I made a point of highlighting the many special accomplishments of several of our graduates during my remarks. You can read more about these notable graduates and their positive experiences they had at FSU by reading my speeches for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences ceremony and the College of Business and the College of Education.

FSU also honored the lifetime accomplishments and service of Cumberland, Md., native Woodward D. Pealer by granting him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences ceremony. The University also bestowed the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award on Quincy Crawford, Class of ’65, a leader in the financial services field, founder of First Financial Group and fervent supporter of FSU, during the College of Business and College of Education commencement. Learn more about these honored friends and supporters of the University here.

All in all, it was a great day that made many new memories and acknowledged our graduates' time at FSU. Congratulations to the Class of 2009. We look forward to keeping in touch with all of you as you enjoy a new relationship with our institution as alumni.

FSU Recognizes Chinese Students with Ceremony

Frostburg State University celebrated its 16 students from China last night with a Recognition Ceremony at the University's Osborne Newman Center. The students were presented with certificates in honor of their achievements; they have spent the past academic year studying at FSU as part of a partnership with Hunan Normal University. Several Chinese students and members of the FSU administration highlighted how special the experience has been for everyone involved in remarks offered during the ceremony. To learn more about FSU's work in China, click here.

Our Budget Situation, Post-Legislative Session …

FSU faculty, staff and students, state representatives, FrostburgFirst, the City of Frostburg and various artists welcomed Maryland's Department of Business and Economic Development officials at a reception recognizing Frostburg's Arts and Entertainment District designation on May 6 at the newly established Mountain City Traditional Arts building, located at 25 E. Main St. Photograph was taken by Steve Sullivan, a Frostburg artist who creates a variety of ceramic works.

I wanted to let you know the results of the Maryland General Assembly’s legislative session and how those results will affect Frostburg State University. The session ended in April, and I’d now like to bring you up to date on where we stand in relation to the state budget.

I recently discussed the economy during “The President’s Dispatch,” my regular show on WFWM Public Radio that you can hear on Fridays at 5:30 p.m. EST. Please click here to listen to my latest broadcast that gives the community an up-to-date report on the state budget and FSU’s ongoing projects in economic development that benefit Western Maryland and the region.

And speaking of the latest projects in economic development, I attended a wonderful event last night, a celebration of Frostburg’s Arts and Entertainment District designation at Mountain City Traditional Arts, located at 25 E. Main Street. This is one of many promising ventures I hope to see happen on Main Street as we all work toward bringing economic vitality to the area, and celebrate our unique and vibrant cultural community.

The 2009 H1N1 virus, or "swine flu"

Hello,

I know many of you are concerned about the recent outbreak of the 2009 H1N1 virus.

I would like to share the following links with you as useful references:

Key facts about the 2009 H1N1 virus from the CDC

The Allegany County Health Department

Helpful links from the American College Health Association

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency

FSU's Brady Health Center

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene

To ensure we are reaching all of our contacts and campus communities, FSU has finally launched its own official Facebook group, where in addition to our other communication outlets, we will post regular information about the 2009 H1N1 virus and other relevant events.

Finally, I'd like to share the following video with you from the CDC:

Thank you.