February 27, 2026
Volume 94 • Issue 17
FSUgatepost.com
Maynard mayhem
Alexis Schlesinger / THE GATEPOST Assistant Vice President of Facilities & Capital Planning Ryan Hacker (front) assists students in moving a car from a snowpile in the Maynard Lot.
Framingham State announces partnership program with the UMass Chan School of Medicine By Izabela Gage Editorial Staff Framingham State has partnered with the T.H. Chan School of Medicine at UMass, located in Worcester, to offer a pathway program designed to prepare undergraduate, low-income, and first-generation students for entry into medical school. Dean of STEM Lauren Nolfo-Clements said the Baccalaureate MD Pathway Program was developed by UMass Chan several years ago and initially included only one partner institution, Worcester State University. She credited professors Aline Davis and Shelli Waetzig for bringing the opportunity to Framingham State, as they “were the ones who have been maintaining this relationship with UMass Chan.” According to the website, students apply to become medical scholars in their sopho-
more year. The program offers students a broad range of academic and clinical immersion opportunities, including book clubs, interactions with physicians and medical students, and observations at clinical sites at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Nolfo-Clements said the program includes two full summers of experiencing what medical school is like, beginning after a student’s sophomore year and continuing after their junior year. She said participants live on the UMass Chan campus during the summer sessions, and they are compensated, so they don’t have to stress about working a second job, “as many students do.” She added, “Over the course of the two years of the program, they get to take multiple practice MCATs, which are usually really expensive.” She said students meet with
mentors who review their test performance and provide guidance. “It’s a holistic program that really prepares students for what it’s going to be like to be in medical school, and also gives them the tools to succeed.” Waetzig said, “The prestige and proximity to Framingham State make the T.H. Chan School of Medicine at UMass incredibly desirable for our students to attend. … We were looking to increase opportunities for students to matriculate to UMass Chan. Dr. Aline Davis and I approached representatives at UMass about the possibility of creating a pathway for our students, and they were very receptive to including us in their already established BaccMD program.” Nolfo-Clements said what makes this program so unique is how UMass Chan “really wants to diversify the doctors who are moving through their programming and saying, ‘This
Women’s ice hockey defeats Amcats in program’s first playoff appearance By Izabela Gage Sports Editor In the MASCAC Quarterfinals, the fifth-seeded Rams made program history with their first-ever playoff appearance and win after scoring five goals in the third period to upset the fourth-seeded Anna Maria Amcats 6-2 Feb. 25. The Rams entered the playoffs with a conference record of 1-11 and an overall record of 5-20-1. Sophomore goaltender Lila Chamoun said winning in the playoffs is “an incredible feeling. After struggling last year for wins as a first-year program, it’s so awesome to see how far we’ve come.” Framingham started the action less than a minute after the
first puck drop. Sophomore Petra Cernicek took the first shot on goal, which was saved by Anna Maria’s goaltender, Emma Brewer, followed by a wide shot by sophomore Alyssa Tansek. The Amcats took over offensively in the following minute with two shots, both of which were stopped by Chamoun. After four shot attempts by the Rams, Anna Maria took nine shots on net in the following 3 minutes, but four were saved by Chamoun, three were blocked by the Rams’ defense, and two were wide. Following a blocked shot by the Amcats, the Rams were on the penalty kill. Sophomore Amy Tansek took possession of the puck and tried to net a shorthanded goal, but was stopped by Brewer. Following the successful penalty kill by Framingham, Anna
Maria took three back-to-back shots on net, but Chamoun stood tall in the net. The Amcats put the first point on the board with a minute-and-a-half remaining in the first period. The period wrapped up with four back-to-back shots by Anna Maria, three of which were saved by Chamoun, and one was stopped by freshman Katie Creath. The second period started with six saves by Chamoun and two by Brewer. Anna Maria was then put on the power play, in which one shot was saved by Chamoun, two were wide, and one was blocked. Back on even strength, AMC took four shots on goal, but FSU’s defense remained strong. See WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY Page 8
matters to us so much. We want to see that doctors actually represent the people that they’re serving so much that we will support them for two summers while they’re in college to show them the ropes.” She added, “Oftentimes, if you’re a first-generation college student, probably by definition, you’re not related to anyone who’s ever been into medical school or who’s ever gotten into healthcare. So to actually hear firsthand from current students and the faculty, and to really have that exposure and to be on campus and just be able to live there - that’s a major advantage.” Nolfo-Clements said, “Across the nation, most students take a gap year between when they get out of college and when they go to medical school. That’s typical.” But this program offers “a pathway where students could See UMASS PARTNERSHIP Page 5
News GPI pg. 2 STORAGE SPACE pg. 4
OP/ED WINTER BLUES pg. 6 CAMPUS CONVOS pg.6
Sports MEN’S BASKETBALL pg. 7 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL pg. 8
Arts & Features KUGELS pg. 9 DISCWORLD pg. 10 INSIDE: OP/ED 6 • SPORTS 7 • ART & FEATURES 9