April 10, 2026
Volume 94 • Issue 21
FSUgatepost.com
‘Croquet & Coquette’ at sunset
Onyx Lovely / THE GATEPOST (Left) Samantha Swenson, Emily Crossin, and Emma-Claire Vanderslice chatting over their tea at the Fashion Club Tea Party on April 8.
Nelson Peña de Jesús withdraws as commencement speaker By Dylan Pichnarcik Associate Editor Nelson Peña de Jesús, president of Nestlé USA’s Global Culinary Kitchen, has withdrawn as the 2026 Undergraduate Commencement keynote speaker, according to President Nancy Niemi. In an email sent to the University community, Niemi said Peña de Jesús withdrew after
expressing “concern that the attention surrounding his participation could distract from what should be a joyful and celebratory moment for the Class of 2026.” She added, “Our focus remains where it belongs - on honoring the achievements of our students and celebrating all they have accomplished.” University officials are now working to identify a new
speaker for the ceremony. Peña de Jesús was announced as the 2026 Undergraduate Commencement speaker in an email from Niemi on March 26. Following the announcement, students and community members expressed concern about the decision, including six individuals who wrote a letter to the editor of The MetroWest Daily News.
Beautiful Belle!
Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST (Left) sophomore Reese Neale and senior Meghan Johnston petting Belle, one of the therapy dogs at Fresh Check Day on April 8.
Community gathers at Fresh Check Day By Francisco Omar Fernandez Rodriguez
Arts & Features Editor
Fresh Check Day was hosted in the McCarthy Center forum on April 8. Several groups ran tables, including Wellness & Prevention, SEALS, the Counseling Center, and many more. Pamela Lehmberg, director of Wellness & Prevention, said Fresh Check Day is an annual fair about mental health. “It’s a way for people to increase their understanding of resources available on campus and locally,” Lehmberg said. The fair helps promote mental health and suicide prevention, she said. “It’s a way to destigmatize seeking help,” Lehmberg said. Nicholas Marinelli and Isabella Baldino, a program specialist and program coordinator from Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health, said they are part of the Fresh Check Day programs team. Marinelli said, “It’s a mental health awareness and suicide prevention program for college campuses.” They help students learn about the available resources for them, and they teach what are some of the “risk factors” students can identify in their peers, he said. See FRESH CHECK Page 12
INSIDE: OP/ED 6 • SPORTS 8 • ART & FEATURES 11
News GPI pg. 2 PAUL WELLER pg. 5
OP/ED SHOW UP pg. 6 POP INTO CULTURE pg. 6
Sports TRACK & FIELD pg. 9 SOFTBALL pg. 10
Arts & Features THE DRAMA pg. 11 HARRY STYLES pg. 11