Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater State University
Soon Enough the Flowers Will Bloom Again
As we soon approach mid-March 2026, the center of Bridgewater truly doesn't look anything like it will look when spring finally arrives.
Although the deep snow is finally melting, it will be a while before the town's center looks like the image above.
As a reminder, we share a video of the town center recorded when the flowers bloomed, as they will again a few weeks hence.
Lest we forget . . .
President Clark, in his most recent message to the university community, wrote:
If you walk past Boyden Hall, you will notice the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag flying to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The war in Ukraine is unfortunately one of many armed conflicts in our world. While we are flying Ukraine’s flag, I am also thinking of the war in the Middle East, civil wars in several African nations, and widespread gang violence in Haiti, to name just a few examples.
In moments like these, I am reminded of the profound words of young Martin Richard who made a now infamous poster proclaiming, “No more hurting people – Peace.” Martin was killed in the Boston Marathon bombings, an act of violence that hit all too close to home.
While the conflict in Ukraine may seem more remote, Bridgewater State students, faculty and staff made a tangible difference through what we do best: education.
We welcomed Ukrainian college students through the efforts of the Minnock Institute for Global Engagement and the BSU group "Educators United for Ukraine."
Additionally, Bridgewater students taught young Ukrainian refugees through our international student teaching program.
I am grateful to Educators United for Ukraine for their resolute commitment to forging partnerships and providing meaningful assistance. They are truly putting BSU’s values into action. Flying Ukraine’s flag is a poignant and important representation of those values.
As Dr. Polina Sabinin, a professor of mathematics, remarked, “The raising of the flag reflects Bridgewater State University’s commitment to global engagement, academic freedom and human dignity.”
Alumna Christina Brennan, '20, G '26, Takes
New Approach to Teaching of Physics
We're grateful to Ms. Heather Harris Michonski, G '26, senior communications manager in the university's Office of Enrollment, Marketing and Communications,
authored an article about Alumna Christina Brennan and we share highlights here:
In one classroom at South Shore Regional Vocational Technical School, physics lessons rarely stay on the page for very long. There, Christina Brennan, ’20, G’26, teaches beyond the textbooks, giving students the opportunity to dive right in.
"My teaching is a little different than your typical classroom. The projects we do are very hands-on and applicable. I try not to do anything just based out of a book; I want them to have a real-world experience,” said Christina, who earned a physics degree from BSU and is now enrolled in the graduate physical science teaching degree program.
Her methods work. Some of her students recently advanced to the finals of the PACK Challenge to represent the South Shore -- one of only six schools nationwide to earn a spot at the national engineering and manufacturing competition.
As both an educator and a Bridgewater State student, being able to see her education play out in her career is exciting, says Ms. Brennan.
When transferring to BSU in her junior year, she specifically received support from Dr. Thomas Kling of the Department of Physics.
In fact, she says she found the entire physics department to be exceptional, often making time for students beyond office hours. She remains in close contact with many of her professors, who have continued to mentor her in her graduate
studies.
Memory lane: As BSU Celebrated its 100th Anniversary, a Film was Made of a Visit by Governor Saltonstall
With thanks and appreciation to Dr. Orson Kingsley, head of BSU's Office of Archives and Special Collections, we share a film recorded in June, 1940, as then Bridgewater State Teachers College celebrated its 100th anniversary.
The picture above, taken from the film, shows Governor Saltonstall arriving behind Boyden Hall.
As Dr. Kingsley wrote on the web page archives, "The first 39 seconds show Governor Saltonstall and his entourage, limousine, and State Police motorcycle escort. Footage of the academic procession follows, showing the new graduates, faculty, and guests leaving the Horace Mann Auditorium to take their places outside the Administration Building.
"From 01:07 to 01:14 in the film, President John J. Kelly is standing on the right of a group of four men. A trumpet call from the entrance doors of the Administration Building precedes a procession of members of the Junior Class down the steps of the building. A second trumpet call precedes the procession of the 1940 graduates, who take their position standing in rows on the steps of the Administration Building. The graduates are conducted in a song, which is followed by several unidentified speakers.
"The final footage is of the graduates arrayed in a circle on the quadrangle, surrounded by a larger circle of members of the Junior Class, followed by graduates, friends, family, and spectators intermingling."
Dr. Kingsley added that the main address that day was given by Arthur L. Gould,
BSU Class of 1900, then superintendent of the Boston Public Schools.
To see the film, please click on the link below (if you view on a mobile device - as opposed to a desktop or laptop computer - see and click on the square when it appears in order to view the film):
https://vc.bridgew.edu/media_sel/6/
Above is a photo of Dr. Madhavi Venkatesan of Northeastern University's Department of Economics (formerly on the faculty at BSU) who was the featured speaker at the March 4, 2026, luncheon and meeting of the university's Retired Faculty Club. Dr. Venkatesan spoke on the subject of economics and sustainability projects and how those affect local communities.
This concludes the report for Monday, March 9, 2026