News

Franklin Pierce dedicates new facility

(Rindge, NH) The President and Board of Trustees of Franklin Pierce University
announce the dedication of the College's newest academic facility, the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication. The 12,000 square foot facility, home of Franklin Pierce's mass communication department, was completed in January of 2002 and was formally dedicated on Thursday, May 23.
Photos taken at Fitzwater Center dedication
In addition to Marlin Fitzwater, participants in the celebration included George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States; Sam Donaldson, ABC News Anchor and Commentator; and Mike McCurry, Press Secretary to President Bill Clinton. A message was read from her Excellency Jeanne Shaheen, Governor of the State of New Hampshire, and Mr. Donaldson acted as the Master of Ceremonies for the event.

Marlin Fitzwater, a Trustee of the College since 1998, has been actively involved in planning for the new facility. "This Communication Center creates tremendous possibilities for the New England region," said Fitzwater. "Franklin Pierce University
has demonstrated its dedication to educating future generations of media professionals who can respond to the need for accurate and insightful reporting of world events."

The dedication also marks the successful completion of a campaign to raise more than $4.5 million dollars to provide for the construction of the Center and the renovation of the College's DiPietro Library. The campaign, which began in 1998, was a response to the College's need for a state-of-the-art teaching facility for its largest and growing major. "Over the last few years the College's enrollment has grown to a record number of students," explained Dr. George J. Hagerty, President of Franklin Pierce College. "Likewise, the interest in the mass communication program has increased to keep pace with an expanding and solid market for media professionals. The Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication will prove to be a magnet for students seeking industry-standard training in a hands-on and real life environment," he said.

With more than 3,000 invitations sent out, the May 23 event was attended by representatives from the educational, political, and media fields, as well as members of the business community and residents of the Monadnock Region. "This is an occasion that we would like to celebrate with all those who have made the Fitzwater Center possible and with those who support the educational mission of the College," said Hagerty. "We are most grateful to the donors who share our vision of an outstanding regional liberal arts college."

The event began at 3:00 p.m. with a procession of the College's faculty and distinguished guests in academic regalia, followed by the platform party of George H.W. Bush; Sam Donaldson; Marlin Fitzwater; Christopher J. Flynn, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Dr. George J. Hagerty; Mike McCurry; and Professor John Soares, Director of the Fitzwater Center. A ribbon cutting and festive display was held at 4:30 p.m., and refreshments and tours of the Fitzwater Center at 5:00 p.m.

Named for the only press secretary to serve two presidents, the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication was built above the College's DiPietro library and features a radio broadcasting studio (WFPC), community access television station (FPC-TV), audio production facility, online journalism lab, seminar rooms, writing and lecture rooms, and non-linear editing suites. The facility will also be the location of the College's Center for Applied Public Opinion Research which conducts accurate and internationally reported political polls. "The Fitzwater Center means much more to the region than the physical structure of the building," said Professor John Soares, Director of the Center. "I anticipate that this facility will be bustling with activity when it opens in the morning until it closes at night," said Soares. "Not only will there be conferences, guest scholars, and political debates," said Soares, "but I welcome the local communities to become involved in the programming and production of radio and television that is important and relevant to the region but which is not always picked up by other media outlets."

"The College and the surrounding communities have a very special relationship," said Dr. Hagerty, "our students work or volunteer their time in many of our local businesses, and the faculty and staff come from nearly every community in the area."