Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
UAPB, Arkansas State Partnership Prepares Future Agricultural Educators to Address Teacher Shortage in Arkansas Delta
PINE BLUFF, Arkansas, Nov. 14 -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff posted the following news:
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UAPB, Arkansas State Partnership Prepares Future Agricultural Educators to Address Teacher Shortage in Arkansas Delta
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is partnering with Arkansas State University (A-State) to prepare a new generation of agricultural educators, addressing a shortage of qualified teachers and the underrepresentation of African American educators in agricultural education programs across the Arkansas Delta.
Supported by a U.S. Department of Agriculture National ... Show Full Article PINE BLUFF, Arkansas, Nov. 14 -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff posted the following news: * * * UAPB, Arkansas State Partnership Prepares Future Agricultural Educators to Address Teacher Shortage in Arkansas Delta The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is partnering with Arkansas State University (A-State) to prepare a new generation of agricultural educators, addressing a shortage of qualified teachers and the underrepresentation of African American educators in agricultural education programs across the Arkansas Delta. Supported by a U.S. Department of Agriculture NationalInstitute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) Capacity Building Grant, the initiative brings together faculty expertise from both universities to help five UAPB Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) students pursue careers in agricultural education.
The students - Timothy Wallace, Khylah Cross, Milton Cowan, Christie Wilson and Michael Bean Jr. - are currently completing coursework and are scheduled to begin student teaching in spring 2027.
The initiative also represents an effort to reestablish a pathway for preparing agricultural education teachers at UAPB, where the agricultural teacher education program has been inactive for more than a decade.
Dr. Nina Lyon-Bennett, professor and assistant dean for academics in UAPB's School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences, said the project seeks to address both the broader shortage of agricultural educators and the need for greater diversity in the profession.
Dr. Bennett pointed to research documenting declining enrollment in agricultural education programs at 1890 land-grant institutions, contributing to program closures and fewer teacher education graduates. She said these trends have limited opportunities to prepare educators who can introduce students from diverse backgrounds to careers in agriculture.
According to the project's grant proposal, a 2022 national agricultural education supply-and-demand study found no African American school-based agricultural education teachers in Arkansas. The proposal also cited eight unfilled agricultural education teaching positions in Arkansas during the 2021-22 academic year.
Dr. Bennett said the shortage has also contributed to the closure of numerous high school agricultural education programs in the Delta region over the past three decades.
The partnership seeks to address these challenges by combining UAPB's teacher preparation curriculum with A-State's specialized expertise in agricultural education. Dr. Bennett said the collaboration creates an opportunity for both universities to strengthen their capacity to prepare future agricultural educators.
Dr. Nina Crutchfield, assistant professor of agricultural education in A-State's College of Agriculture, said the collaboration provides students with resources and professional preparation from both institutions.
"The USDA-NIFA Capacity Building Grant has given the faculty at UAPB and A-State the opportunity to do more together than we could ever do apart," Dr. Crutchfield said. "The students in the program are getting to take advantage of faculty expertise at two universities, rather than having to choose between them."
Through UAPB's MAT program, participants receive preparation in classroom instruction, while A-State provides agriculture-specific curriculum training, opportunities to engage with agricultural education professionals and additional support as students enter the profession.
Dr. Bennett said the grant also provides scholarships covering tuition and fees, tutoring to help students prepare for the Praxis examination and financial assistance with examination costs.
She said these resources are intended to reduce financial barriers that might otherwise prevent students from completing the program and obtaining teaching licensure.
For Cross, the path to becoming an agricultural educator began with an unexpected discovery during her undergraduate studies at UAPB.
Initially interested in pursuing a career in nursing or orthopedic medicine, Cross changed direction after a conversation with a UAPB professor introduced her to the range of opportunities available in agriculture. She subsequently switched her major to agricultural business.
As she continued her studies, Cross developed an interest in sharing what she had learned with younger students.
"Students hear a lot about careers in medicine, criminal justice and other fields, but agriculture does not always receive the same attention," Cross said. "I want to help change that by introducing students to agriculture at an early age and showing them that it offers so many opportunities beyond farming."
Cross hopes to introduce students to careers involving agricultural science, business, technology and food production while encouraging them to explore opportunities they may not have previously considered.
For fellow MAT student Christie Wilson, agricultural education represents an opportunity to return to a field she studied nearly three decades ago while beginning a new professional chapter.
Wilson graduated from UAPB in spring 1997 with a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics. She subsequently built a career in retail management, spending more than 25 years in the rent-to-own industry before leaving her final management position in August 2025.
Encouraged by a relative who had pursued a career change into education, Wilson began exploring opportunities to become a teacher. Through contacts at UAPB, she learned about the MAT program and saw a way to combine her agricultural background with a new career.
Wilson hopes to draw on her management experience to create a classroom environment that encourages creativity and independent thinking.
She said the MAT program is providing the instructional tools and classroom management preparation she needs to develop an engaging curriculum for future students.
While Cross and Wilson have taken different paths toward agricultural education, both hope to help students recognize the opportunities available in an industry central to Arkansas' economy.
Dr. Crutchfield emphasized that qualified agricultural educators can play an important role in introducing young people to careers that allow them to contribute to their home communities.
"Secondary agricultural educators are the key to showing youth in the Arkansas Delta that the agriculture industry is a viable career option," she said.
She noted that agriculture offers opportunities in fields ranging from plant breeding and machinery design to biology, entrepreneurship and natural resource management.
As the five MAT students prepare for student teaching in spring 2027, the partnership aims to strengthen the pipeline of qualified agricultural educators while introducing future generations of Arkansas students to the possibilities of careers in agriculture.
"My journey has shown me that sometimes you discover your purpose in something you never originally planned to do, and I hope to help my future students discover their own passions and opportunities through agricultural education," Cross said.
Pursuant to 7 CFR Section 15.3, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences, 1890 Research and Extension Programs, offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy, or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Original text here: https://uapbnews.wpcomstaging.com/2026/11/13/uapb-arkansas-state-partnership-prepares-future-agricultural-educators-to-address-teacher-shortage-in-arkansas-delta/
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UAPB, Arkansas State Partnership Prepares Future Agricultural Educators to Address Teacher Shortage in Arkansas Delta
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is partnering with Arkansas State University (A-State) to prepare a new generation of agricultural educators, addressing a shortage of qualified teachers and the underrepresentation of African American educators in agricultural education programs across the Arkansas Delta.
Supported by a U.S. Department of Agriculture National ... Show Full Article PINE BLUFF, Arkansas, Nov. 14 -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff posted the following news: * * * UAPB, Arkansas State Partnership Prepares Future Agricultural Educators to Address Teacher Shortage in Arkansas Delta The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) is partnering with Arkansas State University (A-State) to prepare a new generation of agricultural educators, addressing a shortage of qualified teachers and the underrepresentation of African American educators in agricultural education programs across the Arkansas Delta. Supported by a U.S. Department of Agriculture NationalInstitute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) Capacity Building Grant, the initiative brings together faculty expertise from both universities to help five UAPB Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) students pursue careers in agricultural education.
The students - Timothy Wallace, Khylah Cross, Milton Cowan, Christie Wilson and Michael Bean Jr. - are currently completing coursework and are scheduled to begin student teaching in spring 2027.
The initiative also represents an effort to reestablish a pathway for preparing agricultural education teachers at UAPB, where the agricultural teacher education program has been inactive for more than a decade.
Dr. Nina Lyon-Bennett, professor and assistant dean for academics in UAPB's School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences, said the project seeks to address both the broader shortage of agricultural educators and the need for greater diversity in the profession.
Dr. Bennett pointed to research documenting declining enrollment in agricultural education programs at 1890 land-grant institutions, contributing to program closures and fewer teacher education graduates. She said these trends have limited opportunities to prepare educators who can introduce students from diverse backgrounds to careers in agriculture.
According to the project's grant proposal, a 2022 national agricultural education supply-and-demand study found no African American school-based agricultural education teachers in Arkansas. The proposal also cited eight unfilled agricultural education teaching positions in Arkansas during the 2021-22 academic year.
Dr. Bennett said the shortage has also contributed to the closure of numerous high school agricultural education programs in the Delta region over the past three decades.
The partnership seeks to address these challenges by combining UAPB's teacher preparation curriculum with A-State's specialized expertise in agricultural education. Dr. Bennett said the collaboration creates an opportunity for both universities to strengthen their capacity to prepare future agricultural educators.
Dr. Nina Crutchfield, assistant professor of agricultural education in A-State's College of Agriculture, said the collaboration provides students with resources and professional preparation from both institutions.
"The USDA-NIFA Capacity Building Grant has given the faculty at UAPB and A-State the opportunity to do more together than we could ever do apart," Dr. Crutchfield said. "The students in the program are getting to take advantage of faculty expertise at two universities, rather than having to choose between them."
Through UAPB's MAT program, participants receive preparation in classroom instruction, while A-State provides agriculture-specific curriculum training, opportunities to engage with agricultural education professionals and additional support as students enter the profession.
Dr. Bennett said the grant also provides scholarships covering tuition and fees, tutoring to help students prepare for the Praxis examination and financial assistance with examination costs.
She said these resources are intended to reduce financial barriers that might otherwise prevent students from completing the program and obtaining teaching licensure.
For Cross, the path to becoming an agricultural educator began with an unexpected discovery during her undergraduate studies at UAPB.
Initially interested in pursuing a career in nursing or orthopedic medicine, Cross changed direction after a conversation with a UAPB professor introduced her to the range of opportunities available in agriculture. She subsequently switched her major to agricultural business.
As she continued her studies, Cross developed an interest in sharing what she had learned with younger students.
"Students hear a lot about careers in medicine, criminal justice and other fields, but agriculture does not always receive the same attention," Cross said. "I want to help change that by introducing students to agriculture at an early age and showing them that it offers so many opportunities beyond farming."
Cross hopes to introduce students to careers involving agricultural science, business, technology and food production while encouraging them to explore opportunities they may not have previously considered.
For fellow MAT student Christie Wilson, agricultural education represents an opportunity to return to a field she studied nearly three decades ago while beginning a new professional chapter.
Wilson graduated from UAPB in spring 1997 with a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics. She subsequently built a career in retail management, spending more than 25 years in the rent-to-own industry before leaving her final management position in August 2025.
Encouraged by a relative who had pursued a career change into education, Wilson began exploring opportunities to become a teacher. Through contacts at UAPB, she learned about the MAT program and saw a way to combine her agricultural background with a new career.
Wilson hopes to draw on her management experience to create a classroom environment that encourages creativity and independent thinking.
She said the MAT program is providing the instructional tools and classroom management preparation she needs to develop an engaging curriculum for future students.
While Cross and Wilson have taken different paths toward agricultural education, both hope to help students recognize the opportunities available in an industry central to Arkansas' economy.
Dr. Crutchfield emphasized that qualified agricultural educators can play an important role in introducing young people to careers that allow them to contribute to their home communities.
"Secondary agricultural educators are the key to showing youth in the Arkansas Delta that the agriculture industry is a viable career option," she said.
She noted that agriculture offers opportunities in fields ranging from plant breeding and machinery design to biology, entrepreneurship and natural resource management.
As the five MAT students prepare for student teaching in spring 2027, the partnership aims to strengthen the pipeline of qualified agricultural educators while introducing future generations of Arkansas students to the possibilities of careers in agriculture.
"My journey has shown me that sometimes you discover your purpose in something you never originally planned to do, and I hope to help my future students discover their own passions and opportunities through agricultural education," Cross said.
Pursuant to 7 CFR Section 15.3, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences, 1890 Research and Extension Programs, offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy, or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Original text here: https://uapbnews.wpcomstaging.com/2026/11/13/uapb-arkansas-state-partnership-prepares-future-agricultural-educators-to-address-teacher-shortage-in-arkansas-delta/
Russell Sage Board of Trustees Announces Renewal of President Matthew Shaftel's Contract Through 2031
TROY, New York, Nov. 14 -- Russell Sage College issued the following news:
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November 10, 2026
Russell Sage Board of Trustees Announces Renewal of President Matthew Shaftel's Contract Through 2031
The Russell Sage College Board of Trustees has announced the contract renewal of President Matthew Shaftel for a five-year term, extending his appointment at Russell Sage through 2031.
Shaftel joined Russell Sage in July 2024 and has since led the college through historic growth, an ambitious new strategic plan, record fundraising, and a transformative merger with Albany College of Pharmacy and ... Show Full Article TROY, New York, Nov. 14 -- Russell Sage College issued the following news: * * * November 10, 2026 Russell Sage Board of Trustees Announces Renewal of President Matthew Shaftel's Contract Through 2031 The Russell Sage College Board of Trustees has announced the contract renewal of President Matthew Shaftel for a five-year term, extending his appointment at Russell Sage through 2031. Shaftel joined Russell Sage in July 2024 and has since led the college through historic growth, an ambitious new strategic plan, record fundraising, and a transformative merger with Albany College of Pharmacy andHealth Sciences to create Russell Sage University in fall 2027.
He has been serving as the interim president of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences until the merger receives final regulatory approval and he takes the helm at Russell Sage University.
"Matt's leadership has been transformative at Russell Sage," said Russell Sage College Board of Trustees Chair Caroline Leavitt DeCota. "His energy, vision, and experience have moved the college from stability to growth, and the excitement he's created at the college and in the community is palpable. The trustees are grateful for his leadership during this historic chapter and are thrilled to have him with us for five more years."
The college has received two $10 million gifts since Shaftel's arrival, achieved its largest enrollment in 25 years, and raised its profile across the state and nation.
Shaftel serves as a trustee for the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities in New York and vice chair of the board for New American Colleges & Universities. He is co-chair of the Capital Region Higher Ed Alliance, a coalition of 16 private and public colleges and universities and the Capital Region Chamber, aimed at increasing college attainment to spur economic growth and community wellness. He is a frequent speaker at local, state, and national conferences.
"Russell Sage aligns deeply with my values: access to education at all stages of life, a relentless commitment to student success, and innovative teaching and learning that leads to strong career outcomes," Shaftel said. "I am deeply grateful to the board for its confidence, and to a leadership team, a group of dedicated employees, and community partners who make this work a joy. My partner, Dr. Jen Murphy, and I have been embraced by this community, and the Capital Region has become a place we love. The best part of this job is that the work is never finished, and I can't wait to keep building Russell Sage with this team."
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Original text here: https://www.sage.edu/news/russell-sage-board-of-trustees-announces-renewal-of-president-matthew-shaftels-contract-through-2031/
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November 10, 2026
Russell Sage Board of Trustees Announces Renewal of President Matthew Shaftel's Contract Through 2031
The Russell Sage College Board of Trustees has announced the contract renewal of President Matthew Shaftel for a five-year term, extending his appointment at Russell Sage through 2031.
Shaftel joined Russell Sage in July 2024 and has since led the college through historic growth, an ambitious new strategic plan, record fundraising, and a transformative merger with Albany College of Pharmacy and ... Show Full Article TROY, New York, Nov. 14 -- Russell Sage College issued the following news: * * * November 10, 2026 Russell Sage Board of Trustees Announces Renewal of President Matthew Shaftel's Contract Through 2031 The Russell Sage College Board of Trustees has announced the contract renewal of President Matthew Shaftel for a five-year term, extending his appointment at Russell Sage through 2031. Shaftel joined Russell Sage in July 2024 and has since led the college through historic growth, an ambitious new strategic plan, record fundraising, and a transformative merger with Albany College of Pharmacy andHealth Sciences to create Russell Sage University in fall 2027.
He has been serving as the interim president of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences until the merger receives final regulatory approval and he takes the helm at Russell Sage University.
"Matt's leadership has been transformative at Russell Sage," said Russell Sage College Board of Trustees Chair Caroline Leavitt DeCota. "His energy, vision, and experience have moved the college from stability to growth, and the excitement he's created at the college and in the community is palpable. The trustees are grateful for his leadership during this historic chapter and are thrilled to have him with us for five more years."
The college has received two $10 million gifts since Shaftel's arrival, achieved its largest enrollment in 25 years, and raised its profile across the state and nation.
Shaftel serves as a trustee for the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities in New York and vice chair of the board for New American Colleges & Universities. He is co-chair of the Capital Region Higher Ed Alliance, a coalition of 16 private and public colleges and universities and the Capital Region Chamber, aimed at increasing college attainment to spur economic growth and community wellness. He is a frequent speaker at local, state, and national conferences.
"Russell Sage aligns deeply with my values: access to education at all stages of life, a relentless commitment to student success, and innovative teaching and learning that leads to strong career outcomes," Shaftel said. "I am deeply grateful to the board for its confidence, and to a leadership team, a group of dedicated employees, and community partners who make this work a joy. My partner, Dr. Jen Murphy, and I have been embraced by this community, and the Capital Region has become a place we love. The best part of this job is that the work is never finished, and I can't wait to keep building Russell Sage with this team."
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Original text here: https://www.sage.edu/news/russell-sage-board-of-trustees-announces-renewal-of-president-matthew-shaftels-contract-through-2031/
Niagara College Pledges Support for Military-connected Learners
WELLAND, Ontario, Nov. 14 -- Niagara College issued the following news release:
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Niagara College pledges support for military-connected learners
November 13, 2026
Niagara College has officially joined the Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium (CMVF3C), affirming its commitment to supporting active Canadian Armed Forces personnel, veterans, reservists and their immediate family members.
By signing the consortium's national Guiding Principles, NC joined a growing network of Canadian postsecondary institutions - including 48 colleges and universities, plus eight ... Show Full Article WELLAND, Ontario, Nov. 14 -- Niagara College issued the following news release: * * * Niagara College pledges support for military-connected learners November 13, 2026 Niagara College has officially joined the Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium (CMVF3C), affirming its commitment to supporting active Canadian Armed Forces personnel, veterans, reservists and their immediate family members. By signing the consortium's national Guiding Principles, NC joined a growing network of Canadian postsecondary institutions - including 48 colleges and universities, plus eightadditional institutions through the Association of Atlantic Universities agreement - committed to adhering to shared principles and standards of support.
For military-connected learners, membership means the College is making it easier for them to navigate institutional systems, access campus support and services, advance recognition of prior military education and training, and pursue postsecondary credentials.
The initiative supports an existing community at the College with well over 100 students currently enrolled who have self-identified as military connected learners through the application process.
As part of its consortium commitment, NC is working toward a specialized Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) framework designed to assess and recognize prior military training. Initial pathways will focus on in-demand vocational trades slated for rollout by early 2027, with additional vocational professions to follow. In addition, NC offers a variety of online programs that offer accessible learning opportunities for service members and military families.
"Joining this national consortium represents a meaningful step forward in how we serve those who dedicate their lives to serving our country and their families," said NC President Sean Kennedy. "Coming just days after Remembrance Day, this commitment serves as a timely reminder of our responsibility as educators. Our goal is to ensure that active personnel, veterans and their families feel welcome, understood and championed from the beginning of their NC journey through to graduation."
The CMVF3C - enabled through collaboration with the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans Affairs Canada, and Military Family Services - fosters knowledge sharing, data exchange, and evidence-informed best practices across postsecondary institutions in Canada. Through its membership, NC contributes its existing engagement with CAF partners, regional partnerships, and defence-related educational initiatives to the national network - supporting applied research, innovation, and workforce development that advance Canada's broader defence, security and sovereignty priorities.
The consortium is military member, veteran and family-centric, collaborative, evidence-based, culturally competent, trauma-informed, and strengths-based.
"We are delighted to welcome Niagara College's continued commitment to the Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium," said Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, Co-Chair of CMVF3C. "Niagara College is demonstrating how postsecondary institutions can translate their commitment to military-connected learners into meaningful action through education, partnerships, and institutional support.
"By connecting these local efforts through a national network, we can strengthen opportunities for those who serve, have served, and their families, while contributing to Canada's broader workforce development, defence readiness, and national resilience."
To assist military-connected learners with navigating admissions, accessing services and exploring credit transfer options, NC has launched a dedicated webpage at niagaracollege.ca/enrolmentservices/military/.
The partnership was celebrated during a signing ceremony at the Welland Campus on November 13. Attendees included representatives of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, Welland Mayor Frank Campion (recently appointed Niagara Region Chair) and St. Catharines MPP Jennie Stevens.
For more information about the CMVF3C, visit https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/cmvf3c/home.
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A leader in applied education, Niagara College offers diploma, bachelor degree, post-graduate and apprenticeship programs at specialized campuses in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Welland. Consistently ranked among Canada's top research colleges, NC is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world that provide students with important hands-on-experience. NC welcomes students from across Niagara, Ontario, and around the world who are studying in in-demand programs that support key sectors and industries in Niagara and beyond, with graduates making important contributions in all corners of our community. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.
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URL: Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium
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Original text here: https://www.niagaracollege.ca/blog/2026/11/13/niagara-college-pledges-support-for-military-connected-learners/
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Niagara College pledges support for military-connected learners
November 13, 2026
Niagara College has officially joined the Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium (CMVF3C), affirming its commitment to supporting active Canadian Armed Forces personnel, veterans, reservists and their immediate family members.
By signing the consortium's national Guiding Principles, NC joined a growing network of Canadian postsecondary institutions - including 48 colleges and universities, plus eight ... Show Full Article WELLAND, Ontario, Nov. 14 -- Niagara College issued the following news release: * * * Niagara College pledges support for military-connected learners November 13, 2026 Niagara College has officially joined the Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium (CMVF3C), affirming its commitment to supporting active Canadian Armed Forces personnel, veterans, reservists and their immediate family members. By signing the consortium's national Guiding Principles, NC joined a growing network of Canadian postsecondary institutions - including 48 colleges and universities, plus eightadditional institutions through the Association of Atlantic Universities agreement - committed to adhering to shared principles and standards of support.
For military-connected learners, membership means the College is making it easier for them to navigate institutional systems, access campus support and services, advance recognition of prior military education and training, and pursue postsecondary credentials.
The initiative supports an existing community at the College with well over 100 students currently enrolled who have self-identified as military connected learners through the application process.
As part of its consortium commitment, NC is working toward a specialized Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) framework designed to assess and recognize prior military training. Initial pathways will focus on in-demand vocational trades slated for rollout by early 2027, with additional vocational professions to follow. In addition, NC offers a variety of online programs that offer accessible learning opportunities for service members and military families.
"Joining this national consortium represents a meaningful step forward in how we serve those who dedicate their lives to serving our country and their families," said NC President Sean Kennedy. "Coming just days after Remembrance Day, this commitment serves as a timely reminder of our responsibility as educators. Our goal is to ensure that active personnel, veterans and their families feel welcome, understood and championed from the beginning of their NC journey through to graduation."
The CMVF3C - enabled through collaboration with the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans Affairs Canada, and Military Family Services - fosters knowledge sharing, data exchange, and evidence-informed best practices across postsecondary institutions in Canada. Through its membership, NC contributes its existing engagement with CAF partners, regional partnerships, and defence-related educational initiatives to the national network - supporting applied research, innovation, and workforce development that advance Canada's broader defence, security and sovereignty priorities.
The consortium is military member, veteran and family-centric, collaborative, evidence-based, culturally competent, trauma-informed, and strengths-based.
"We are delighted to welcome Niagara College's continued commitment to the Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium," said Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, Co-Chair of CMVF3C. "Niagara College is demonstrating how postsecondary institutions can translate their commitment to military-connected learners into meaningful action through education, partnerships, and institutional support.
"By connecting these local efforts through a national network, we can strengthen opportunities for those who serve, have served, and their families, while contributing to Canada's broader workforce development, defence readiness, and national resilience."
To assist military-connected learners with navigating admissions, accessing services and exploring credit transfer options, NC has launched a dedicated webpage at niagaracollege.ca/enrolmentservices/military/.
The partnership was celebrated during a signing ceremony at the Welland Campus on November 13. Attendees included representatives of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Lincoln and Welland Regiment, Welland Mayor Frank Campion (recently appointed Niagara Region Chair) and St. Catharines MPP Jennie Stevens.
For more information about the CMVF3C, visit https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/cmvf3c/home.
* * *
A leader in applied education, Niagara College offers diploma, bachelor degree, post-graduate and apprenticeship programs at specialized campuses in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Welland. Consistently ranked among Canada's top research colleges, NC is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world that provide students with important hands-on-experience. NC welcomes students from across Niagara, Ontario, and around the world who are studying in in-demand programs that support key sectors and industries in Niagara and beyond, with graduates making important contributions in all corners of our community. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.
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URL: Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium
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Original text here: https://www.niagaracollege.ca/blog/2026/11/13/niagara-college-pledges-support-for-military-connected-learners/
Harvard Medical School: AI-Assisted Imaging Method Advances 150-Year-Old Technique for Studying Tissue
BOSTON, Massachusetts, Nov. 14 (TNSjou) -- Harvard Medical School issued the following news:
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AI-Assisted Imaging Method Advances 150-Year-Old Technique for Studying Tissue
Unprecedented view of lipids could help uncover new features of disease, aging
By Laura Castanon
November 13, 2026
At a glance
* HMS researchers have developed NoR-AI, a tissue-imaging pipeline that combines a custom microscopy method with AI-powered image analysis to capture fine details that existing histopathology methods miss.
* NoR-AI provides unprecedented levels of detail and the ability to observe lipids, ... Show Full Article BOSTON, Massachusetts, Nov. 14 (TNSjou) -- Harvard Medical School issued the following news: * * * AI-Assisted Imaging Method Advances 150-Year-Old Technique for Studying Tissue Unprecedented view of lipids could help uncover new features of disease, aging By Laura Castanon November 13, 2026 At a glance * HMS researchers have developed NoR-AI, a tissue-imaging pipeline that combines a custom microscopy method with AI-powered image analysis to capture fine details that existing histopathology methods miss. * NoR-AI provides unprecedented levels of detail and the ability to observe lipids,which are typically removed during tissue preparation.
* The work could help researchers uncover new features associated with aging and disease and provide a basis for faster, more detailed clinical evaluation of tissues.
The future of federally funded research at Harvard Medical School -- supported by taxpayers and done in service to humanity -- remains uncertain. Learn more (https://hms.harvard.edu/research/threats-research-funding-harvard-medical-school).
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For centuries, researchers and clinicians have used microscopes to study the causes and effects of disease on tissues and help make diagnoses -- the practice of histopathology. While the microscopes have certainly improved, scientists still rely on tissue preparation approaches that distort subtler features and entirely remove lipids and water-soluble materials. The result is an incomplete and imperfect view that cannot capture lipid data and other details that may be relevant to disease.
Researchers in the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School have developed a new imaging pipeline that overcomes these limitations and provides an unprecedented look into tissues.
The work could help researchers uncover new features associated with aging and disease and provide a basis for faster, more detailed clinical evaluation of tissues.
The pipeline, named NoR-AI, combines a custom microscopy method with AI-powered image analysis to capture high-quality, quantitative images that include lipids alongside proteins and water content. The technique requires little to no pre-processing of tissues and can be completed in 30 minutes, as compared to several days for traditional biopsy analysis.
In a federally funded study published Nov. 5 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers used NoR-AI to identify previously unrecognized fine-scale changes in a mouse model of acute kidney injury.
"We're able to see into cells and tissue in ways that nobody could before," said senior author Marc Kirschner, the John Franklin Enders University Professor of Systems Biology at HMS. "We can tell how much protein, how much lipid, how much water there is in these tiny little volume elements. And if you look at the larger picture, we can see unbelievably beautiful structures and cells all the way through the tissue."
A new look at kidney damage
NoR-AI builds on an imaging process called normalized Raman imaging, or NoRI, developed by co-first author Seungeun Oh while she was a postdoctoral researcher in the Kirschner Lab. (Oh now runs her own lab at the University of California, San Diego.)
NoRI creates images using stimulated Raman scattering, a technique that measures how light changes as it interacts with different tissues. NoRI then computationally corrects for light-scattering effects that can interfere with the measurements pathologists and other researchers want to make.
In NoR-AI, the clear, quantitative images provided by NoRI are then analyzed by a convolutional neural network -- a type of AI-powered image analysis. Because the NoRI images are so detailed, the neural network can pick out fine-scale distinctions that other methods miss.
"The problem with applying these neural networks to traditional histology images is that they have to see through so much noise to resolve features," said co-first author William Trim, research fellow in systems biology in the Kirschner Lab at HMS. "With NoRI there's no noise. It's just the clean tissue, as it was in the body."
With as few as two or three NoRI images of mouse kidneys, the neural network was able to identify three distinct tubule types; classify anatomical regions; and determine the sex of the mouse based on lipid and protein distribution in the tubules.
In collaboration with Joseph Bonventre, the HMS Samuel A. Levine Distinguished Professor of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, the team also tested NoR-AI with a mouse model of acute kidney injury, capturing changes in lipid and protein organization over 25 days post-injury. They were able to characterize and quantify several known features of acute kidney disease and uncover new aspects of kidney damage and repair that had not been observed before, including how lipids are lost and gained in different areas over time.
"We have information in these NoRI images that hasn't previously existed," Trim said. "It can only be seen using NoRI combined with a neural network."
"You wouldn't have the lipid data without NoRI, and you wouldn't spot these tiny changes without the neural network," he said.
Uncovering the role of lipids
Although the team used the kidney as a proof of principle, NoR-AI has the potential to uncover new features and improve diagnostic precision in other tissues as well. Kirschner, Trim, Oh, and their colleagues are already using NoR-AI to investigate preclinical models of colon, liver, and prostate cancers and plan to expand into diabetic kidney disease and other areas.
NoR-AI can also tell the difference between different types of lipids, such as cholesterol, saturated fats, and unsaturated fats, making the tool potentially useful for deepening understanding of these lipids' roles in inflammation and immune system response.
"Lipid is the terra incognita of histology," Kirschner said. "But in the cases we're looking at, we're starting to see that the lipid amounts and distribution change significantly. That's got us and a lot of other people excited."
* * *
Original text here: https://hms.harvard.edu/news/ai-assisted-imaging-method-advances-150-year-old-technique-studying-tissue
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AI-Assisted Imaging Method Advances 150-Year-Old Technique for Studying Tissue
Unprecedented view of lipids could help uncover new features of disease, aging
By Laura Castanon
November 13, 2026
At a glance
* HMS researchers have developed NoR-AI, a tissue-imaging pipeline that combines a custom microscopy method with AI-powered image analysis to capture fine details that existing histopathology methods miss.
* NoR-AI provides unprecedented levels of detail and the ability to observe lipids, ... Show Full Article BOSTON, Massachusetts, Nov. 14 (TNSjou) -- Harvard Medical School issued the following news: * * * AI-Assisted Imaging Method Advances 150-Year-Old Technique for Studying Tissue Unprecedented view of lipids could help uncover new features of disease, aging By Laura Castanon November 13, 2026 At a glance * HMS researchers have developed NoR-AI, a tissue-imaging pipeline that combines a custom microscopy method with AI-powered image analysis to capture fine details that existing histopathology methods miss. * NoR-AI provides unprecedented levels of detail and the ability to observe lipids,which are typically removed during tissue preparation.
* The work could help researchers uncover new features associated with aging and disease and provide a basis for faster, more detailed clinical evaluation of tissues.
The future of federally funded research at Harvard Medical School -- supported by taxpayers and done in service to humanity -- remains uncertain. Learn more (https://hms.harvard.edu/research/threats-research-funding-harvard-medical-school).
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For centuries, researchers and clinicians have used microscopes to study the causes and effects of disease on tissues and help make diagnoses -- the practice of histopathology. While the microscopes have certainly improved, scientists still rely on tissue preparation approaches that distort subtler features and entirely remove lipids and water-soluble materials. The result is an incomplete and imperfect view that cannot capture lipid data and other details that may be relevant to disease.
Researchers in the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School have developed a new imaging pipeline that overcomes these limitations and provides an unprecedented look into tissues.
The work could help researchers uncover new features associated with aging and disease and provide a basis for faster, more detailed clinical evaluation of tissues.
The pipeline, named NoR-AI, combines a custom microscopy method with AI-powered image analysis to capture high-quality, quantitative images that include lipids alongside proteins and water content. The technique requires little to no pre-processing of tissues and can be completed in 30 minutes, as compared to several days for traditional biopsy analysis.
In a federally funded study published Nov. 5 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers used NoR-AI to identify previously unrecognized fine-scale changes in a mouse model of acute kidney injury.
"We're able to see into cells and tissue in ways that nobody could before," said senior author Marc Kirschner, the John Franklin Enders University Professor of Systems Biology at HMS. "We can tell how much protein, how much lipid, how much water there is in these tiny little volume elements. And if you look at the larger picture, we can see unbelievably beautiful structures and cells all the way through the tissue."
A new look at kidney damage
NoR-AI builds on an imaging process called normalized Raman imaging, or NoRI, developed by co-first author Seungeun Oh while she was a postdoctoral researcher in the Kirschner Lab. (Oh now runs her own lab at the University of California, San Diego.)
NoRI creates images using stimulated Raman scattering, a technique that measures how light changes as it interacts with different tissues. NoRI then computationally corrects for light-scattering effects that can interfere with the measurements pathologists and other researchers want to make.
In NoR-AI, the clear, quantitative images provided by NoRI are then analyzed by a convolutional neural network -- a type of AI-powered image analysis. Because the NoRI images are so detailed, the neural network can pick out fine-scale distinctions that other methods miss.
"The problem with applying these neural networks to traditional histology images is that they have to see through so much noise to resolve features," said co-first author William Trim, research fellow in systems biology in the Kirschner Lab at HMS. "With NoRI there's no noise. It's just the clean tissue, as it was in the body."
With as few as two or three NoRI images of mouse kidneys, the neural network was able to identify three distinct tubule types; classify anatomical regions; and determine the sex of the mouse based on lipid and protein distribution in the tubules.
In collaboration with Joseph Bonventre, the HMS Samuel A. Levine Distinguished Professor of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, the team also tested NoR-AI with a mouse model of acute kidney injury, capturing changes in lipid and protein organization over 25 days post-injury. They were able to characterize and quantify several known features of acute kidney disease and uncover new aspects of kidney damage and repair that had not been observed before, including how lipids are lost and gained in different areas over time.
"We have information in these NoRI images that hasn't previously existed," Trim said. "It can only be seen using NoRI combined with a neural network."
"You wouldn't have the lipid data without NoRI, and you wouldn't spot these tiny changes without the neural network," he said.
Uncovering the role of lipids
Although the team used the kidney as a proof of principle, NoR-AI has the potential to uncover new features and improve diagnostic precision in other tissues as well. Kirschner, Trim, Oh, and their colleagues are already using NoR-AI to investigate preclinical models of colon, liver, and prostate cancers and plan to expand into diabetic kidney disease and other areas.
NoR-AI can also tell the difference between different types of lipids, such as cholesterol, saturated fats, and unsaturated fats, making the tool potentially useful for deepening understanding of these lipids' roles in inflammation and immune system response.
"Lipid is the terra incognita of histology," Kirschner said. "But in the cases we're looking at, we're starting to see that the lipid amounts and distribution change significantly. That's got us and a lot of other people excited."
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Original text here: https://hms.harvard.edu/news/ai-assisted-imaging-method-advances-150-year-old-technique-studying-tissue
Gettysburg College: Ron Perisho's Generosity Inspires Gettysburg's Next Generation of Scholars
GETTYSBURG, Pennsylvania, Nov. 14 -- Gettysburg College issued the following news:
* * *
Ron Perisho's generosity inspires Gettysburg's next generation of scholars
Nov 13, 2026
Through Ron Perisho's generosity, Gettysburg College students are transforming historic photographs and artifacts into public exhibitions. Exploring Lincoln and Civil War history, students gained research skills, curatorial experience, and confidence while bringing America's past to life in Schmucker Art Gallery.
By Corey Jewart
Photographs Michael Aaron '26 had known since childhood lay spread across tables in Gettysburg ... Show Full Article GETTYSBURG, Pennsylvania, Nov. 14 -- Gettysburg College issued the following news: * * * Ron Perisho's generosity inspires Gettysburg's next generation of scholars Nov 13, 2026 Through Ron Perisho's generosity, Gettysburg College students are transforming historic photographs and artifacts into public exhibitions. Exploring Lincoln and Civil War history, students gained research skills, curatorial experience, and confidence while bringing America's past to life in Schmucker Art Gallery. By Corey Jewart Photographs Michael Aaron '26 had known since childhood lay spread across tables in GettysburgCollege's Special Collections. Now, he and fellow curator Maddie Ulman '26 were deciding how visitors would encounter these rare images in Schmucker Art Gallery.
"Never did I think I would not only see them in person, but be shuffling them around, choosing between them, holding all of them, and picking where they will go on a wall," Aaron said.
That opportunity grew from collector Ron Perisho's generosity. Through donated photographs, loans of additional artifacts, and time spent sharing his expertise, Perisho has helped Gettysburg students become researchers and curators of American history.
Their work is on display in two exhibitions presented as part of America's 250th celebration: "A Great and Truthful Medium: Photography at Gettysburg and Beyond," co-curated by Aaron and Ulman, and "Uncle Abe: The Common Image of the Uncommon Man," curated by Devon Szczepkowicz '27.
A passion shared
Perisho's passion for photography began while watching his father document 4-H activities in Illinois and grew as he studied with Ansel Adams. His career as a civil and geotechnical engineer drew him to landscape and railroad photographs by Timothy O'Sullivan and A.J. Russell, then to their Civil War work. His first Civil War acquisition was O'Sullivan's famous "Home of a Rebel Sharpshooter," taken in July 1863 at Devil's Den in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
After four decades in California, Perisho settled in Gettysburg, where he connected with the late Peter Carmichael, director of the Civil War Institute. Together, they opened opportunities for students to explore history through Perisho's unique and extensive collection.
Perisho recalls expressing his purpose simply: "I want to work with the students. What can we do?"
That simple idea grew into class trips to Perisho's house to view his collection, examine prints in the very spot where they were taken on the battlefield, and receive expert advice on the curation of one-of-a-kind exhibits on campus. Additionally, the College has acquired hundreds of Gettysburg Battlefield photographic works from Perisho's collection.
Selections from Ron's collection have been displayed in exhibitions at notable museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery of Art, and other institutions across the country. Now here at Schmucker Art Gallery, visitors have the rare experience of seeing see all five of O'Sullivan's "Harvest of Death" prints displayed together as well as Samuel Corlies's "Earthworks on Culp's Hill, Gettysburg Battlefield, Ambulance in Distance."
Ulman first met Perisho when he shared photographs in History Prof. Emeritus Michael Birkner's '72, P'10 United States history class. Their connection grew through the Civil War Institute's summer conference and culminated in the recent exhibit.
"Ron's mentorship has taught me so much about Civil War photography and photography as a broader medium," Ulman said. "I will always appreciate his generosity and his eagerness to work with Gettysburg College students."
Looking through the lens
Perisho encourages students to approach photographs as historical evidence. During battlefield outings, he asks groups to compare images with the landscape and with one another. A distinctive blanket, a rock formation, or a distant building can reveal connections between photographs and help establish where a camera stood.
"If it was written, we'd be tearing it apart about who wrote it and everything," Perisho said. "We need to be doing the same thing with the photographs."
In Schmucker Art Gallery, that attention to evidence becomes public interpretation. "A Great and Truthful Medium" examines how photography documented Gettysburg and influenced remembrance of the battlefield. The "Uncle Abe" exhibit explores how popular representations of Lincoln shaped his enduring place in American memory.
Szczepkowicz of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, a history major with minors in public history and English, pursued the Susan '77 and Joseph'75 Biernat Internship through Special Collections to put public history ideas into practice. Director of Special Collections and College Archives Carolyn Sautter and Director of Schmucker Art Gallery Sarah Kate Gillespie provided guidance as Szczepkowicz learned to articulate and advocate for ideas.
"Being allowed to interact directly with these pieces of history made a deep impression upon me. I felt like a true historian," Szczepkowicz said.
Shaping tomorrow's scholars
The student curators selected items for display, developed interpretations, and considered how to communicate with visitors. Donor-funded internships, such as the Biernat Internship and the Philip Warman Internship Fund, supported much of their work. This fall, Ava Prickman '28, who previously worked as the Biernat intern and helped inventory the collection, and Szczepkowicz have led public tours through the exhibits.
Aaron, a history and anthropology double major from Clarion, Pennsylvania, also credited faculty and staff mentorship. His first-year seminar with Gillespie introduced him to museum exhibition work, and co-curating alongside Ulman brought his undergraduate experience full circle. He is currently pursuing a master's in public history at the University of South Carolina.
Ulman also helped process Perisho's collection with guidance from College Archivist Amy Lucadamo in Special Collections. The history major from Moorestown, New Jersey, is now pursuing a master's in library science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a concentration in archives and records management.
"Through this opportunity, I feel prepared to curate an exhibit using archival materials and to engage in outreach with the larger public," Ulman said.
Perisho finds inspiration in that growth. Among his favorite photographs is an image of students on the battlefield, smiling as they explore historical scenes with 3D viewing boards.
"They have great insights, and just remarkable enthusiasm," he said. "It just picks you up to go with them for a day and see their light bulbs go off as to what they're seeing."
Visit these unique exhibitions in Schmucker Art Gallery during "Lincoln at Gettysburg: Shall Not Perish" activities, Nov. 16-20. Admission is free and hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. On Dedication Day, Nov. 19, hours will be extended to 6 p.m. with both Prickman and Szczepkowicz leading tours beginning at 4:30 p.m.
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Original text here: https://www.gettysburg.edu/news/ron-perishos-generosity-inspires-gettysburgs-next-generation-scholars
* * *
Ron Perisho's generosity inspires Gettysburg's next generation of scholars
Nov 13, 2026
Through Ron Perisho's generosity, Gettysburg College students are transforming historic photographs and artifacts into public exhibitions. Exploring Lincoln and Civil War history, students gained research skills, curatorial experience, and confidence while bringing America's past to life in Schmucker Art Gallery.
By Corey Jewart
Photographs Michael Aaron '26 had known since childhood lay spread across tables in Gettysburg ... Show Full Article GETTYSBURG, Pennsylvania, Nov. 14 -- Gettysburg College issued the following news: * * * Ron Perisho's generosity inspires Gettysburg's next generation of scholars Nov 13, 2026 Through Ron Perisho's generosity, Gettysburg College students are transforming historic photographs and artifacts into public exhibitions. Exploring Lincoln and Civil War history, students gained research skills, curatorial experience, and confidence while bringing America's past to life in Schmucker Art Gallery. By Corey Jewart Photographs Michael Aaron '26 had known since childhood lay spread across tables in GettysburgCollege's Special Collections. Now, he and fellow curator Maddie Ulman '26 were deciding how visitors would encounter these rare images in Schmucker Art Gallery.
"Never did I think I would not only see them in person, but be shuffling them around, choosing between them, holding all of them, and picking where they will go on a wall," Aaron said.
That opportunity grew from collector Ron Perisho's generosity. Through donated photographs, loans of additional artifacts, and time spent sharing his expertise, Perisho has helped Gettysburg students become researchers and curators of American history.
Their work is on display in two exhibitions presented as part of America's 250th celebration: "A Great and Truthful Medium: Photography at Gettysburg and Beyond," co-curated by Aaron and Ulman, and "Uncle Abe: The Common Image of the Uncommon Man," curated by Devon Szczepkowicz '27.
A passion shared
Perisho's passion for photography began while watching his father document 4-H activities in Illinois and grew as he studied with Ansel Adams. His career as a civil and geotechnical engineer drew him to landscape and railroad photographs by Timothy O'Sullivan and A.J. Russell, then to their Civil War work. His first Civil War acquisition was O'Sullivan's famous "Home of a Rebel Sharpshooter," taken in July 1863 at Devil's Den in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
After four decades in California, Perisho settled in Gettysburg, where he connected with the late Peter Carmichael, director of the Civil War Institute. Together, they opened opportunities for students to explore history through Perisho's unique and extensive collection.
Perisho recalls expressing his purpose simply: "I want to work with the students. What can we do?"
That simple idea grew into class trips to Perisho's house to view his collection, examine prints in the very spot where they were taken on the battlefield, and receive expert advice on the curation of one-of-a-kind exhibits on campus. Additionally, the College has acquired hundreds of Gettysburg Battlefield photographic works from Perisho's collection.
Selections from Ron's collection have been displayed in exhibitions at notable museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery of Art, and other institutions across the country. Now here at Schmucker Art Gallery, visitors have the rare experience of seeing see all five of O'Sullivan's "Harvest of Death" prints displayed together as well as Samuel Corlies's "Earthworks on Culp's Hill, Gettysburg Battlefield, Ambulance in Distance."
Ulman first met Perisho when he shared photographs in History Prof. Emeritus Michael Birkner's '72, P'10 United States history class. Their connection grew through the Civil War Institute's summer conference and culminated in the recent exhibit.
"Ron's mentorship has taught me so much about Civil War photography and photography as a broader medium," Ulman said. "I will always appreciate his generosity and his eagerness to work with Gettysburg College students."
Looking through the lens
Perisho encourages students to approach photographs as historical evidence. During battlefield outings, he asks groups to compare images with the landscape and with one another. A distinctive blanket, a rock formation, or a distant building can reveal connections between photographs and help establish where a camera stood.
"If it was written, we'd be tearing it apart about who wrote it and everything," Perisho said. "We need to be doing the same thing with the photographs."
In Schmucker Art Gallery, that attention to evidence becomes public interpretation. "A Great and Truthful Medium" examines how photography documented Gettysburg and influenced remembrance of the battlefield. The "Uncle Abe" exhibit explores how popular representations of Lincoln shaped his enduring place in American memory.
Szczepkowicz of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, a history major with minors in public history and English, pursued the Susan '77 and Joseph'75 Biernat Internship through Special Collections to put public history ideas into practice. Director of Special Collections and College Archives Carolyn Sautter and Director of Schmucker Art Gallery Sarah Kate Gillespie provided guidance as Szczepkowicz learned to articulate and advocate for ideas.
"Being allowed to interact directly with these pieces of history made a deep impression upon me. I felt like a true historian," Szczepkowicz said.
Shaping tomorrow's scholars
The student curators selected items for display, developed interpretations, and considered how to communicate with visitors. Donor-funded internships, such as the Biernat Internship and the Philip Warman Internship Fund, supported much of their work. This fall, Ava Prickman '28, who previously worked as the Biernat intern and helped inventory the collection, and Szczepkowicz have led public tours through the exhibits.
Aaron, a history and anthropology double major from Clarion, Pennsylvania, also credited faculty and staff mentorship. His first-year seminar with Gillespie introduced him to museum exhibition work, and co-curating alongside Ulman brought his undergraduate experience full circle. He is currently pursuing a master's in public history at the University of South Carolina.
Ulman also helped process Perisho's collection with guidance from College Archivist Amy Lucadamo in Special Collections. The history major from Moorestown, New Jersey, is now pursuing a master's in library science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a concentration in archives and records management.
"Through this opportunity, I feel prepared to curate an exhibit using archival materials and to engage in outreach with the larger public," Ulman said.
Perisho finds inspiration in that growth. Among his favorite photographs is an image of students on the battlefield, smiling as they explore historical scenes with 3D viewing boards.
"They have great insights, and just remarkable enthusiasm," he said. "It just picks you up to go with them for a day and see their light bulbs go off as to what they're seeing."
Visit these unique exhibitions in Schmucker Art Gallery during "Lincoln at Gettysburg: Shall Not Perish" activities, Nov. 16-20. Admission is free and hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. On Dedication Day, Nov. 19, hours will be extended to 6 p.m. with both Prickman and Szczepkowicz leading tours beginning at 4:30 p.m.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.gettysburg.edu/news/ron-perishos-generosity-inspires-gettysburgs-next-generation-scholars
Caltech and Broadcom Gather to Map the Quantum Future
PASADENA, California, Nov. 14 -- The California Institute of Technology issued the following news:
* * *
Caltech and Broadcom Gather to Map the Quantum Future
November 13, 2026
A symposium at Caltech's new Ginsburg Center featured talks on "quantum intelligence," the future of computing, and more
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What is the future of computation? Will quantum computers help advance AI tools, or, conversely, will AI help build tomorrow's quantum computers? These were just some of the topics bandied about at the third annual Caltech-Broadcom Technology symposium.
The gathering was part of a larger partnership ... Show Full Article PASADENA, California, Nov. 14 -- The California Institute of Technology issued the following news: * * * Caltech and Broadcom Gather to Map the Quantum Future November 13, 2026 A symposium at Caltech's new Ginsburg Center featured talks on "quantum intelligence," the future of computing, and more - What is the future of computation? Will quantum computers help advance AI tools, or, conversely, will AI help build tomorrow's quantum computers? These were just some of the topics bandied about at the third annual Caltech-Broadcom Technology symposium. The gathering was part of a larger partnershipbetween Caltech and the tech giant Broadcom--a company that specializes in semiconductor and infrastructure software, and is best known for providing advanced silicon and connectivity solutions for AI data centers, smartphones, and the internet. The goal of the five-year collaboration, begun in 2023, is to advance quantum science research and discoveries that could lead to new technologies and applications. The collaboration, which has funded 26 Caltech researchers to date, includes the new Broadcom Quantum Laboratory, housed within the Institute's recently opened Allen and Charlotte Ginsburg Center for Quantum Precision Measurement.
The Caltech-Broadcom symposium kicked off with remarks from Caltech's 10th President, Ray Jayawardhana, the Sonja and William Davidow Presidential Chair and professor of astronomy.
"Quantum science has deep roots here at Caltech, starting with Richard Feynman's early vision of quantum computing and continuing through pioneering experiments in quantum entanglement and teleportation," he said. "Our faculty have defined, and continue to define, the frontier of this remarkably exciting field. With a thriving research ecosystem across campus and its vicinity, we are poised to lead the next great advances in quantum science and technology."
"I'm convinced that the future of quantum is being shaped right here in Pasadena," Jayawardhana added.
The conference was the first ever to be held in the Ginsburg's modern first floor symposium room. Like other design elements of the building, the ceiling of the symposium room was inspired by science: Curved slats of wood interact like waves to represent the wave-like nature of fundamental, or quantum, particles such as photons and electrons. The building was funded by several donors, including Broadcom. The center is part of a broader network of quantum researchers and engineers extending from Caltech's campus to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which Caltech manages for NASA.
At the building's June 2026 dedication ceremony, Broadcom's Charlie Kawwas, president of the company's semiconductor solutions group, spoke about the tech giant's interest in quantum technologies: "As you probably all know, AI is dominating every discussion today, especially with my children and also my employees," he said. "However, when we look beyond AI, and we take a look at the long-term horizon, especially for technologies that we can turn into products, we truly believe that the potential of quantum computing is even greater, deeper, and more disruptive than AI."
The symposium's first panel discussion focused largely on the future of computation and how it will shape both Broadcom's technologies and scientific research at Caltech. Hirosi Ooguri, the Kent and Joyce Kresa Leadership Chair of the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy and the Fred Kavli Professor of Theoretical Physics and Mathematics at Caltech, moderated the panel. He began by presenting a custom-made sculpture to Kawwas in recognition of Broadcom's generous support. The piece showcases an engraved 3D glass picture of the Ginsburg building resting on a base that includes a portion of a 1920s wall from the time of Caltech's founding along with wood from a 400-year-old Engelmann oak that predated the campus.
"We created this piece to commemorate the new building and its history," Ooguri said. "The Ginsburg Center image is engraved in it, representing that we are manipulating light to look into the inner workings of objects." Kawwas replied that the piece was "very special because my father was a carpenter."
In addition to Ooguri and Kawwas, the panel included three Caltech professors: John Preskill, the Richard P. Feynman Professor of Theoretical Physics and the Allen V. C. Davis and Lenabelle Davis Leadership Chair of the Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM); Manuel Endres, professor of physics; and Andrei Faraon (BS '04), the William L. Valentine Professor of Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering and the Fletcher Jones Foundation Director of the Kavli Nanoscience Institute. All three scientists are members of the Caltech quantum computing spinoff Oratomic, which has raised $775 million in venture capital to build a working neutral-atom quantum computer within the decade.
The panelists discussed connections between AI and quantum computing, the challenges in scaling up AI and quantum computing systems, and the future of education for the next generation. Kawwas began his remarks by saying "Today, we are in the era of agentic AI," in which AI agents carry out multiple tasks on their own. Agentic AI, he said, calls for data centers made up of heterogeneous processors. Heterogeneous processors consist of a combination of central processing units (CPUs), custom accelerator processing units (XPUs), and graphics processing units (GPUs)--and, in the future, quantum processing units (QPUs). These are the brains of a computing system, Kawwas said, whereas the connections between them can be thought of as muscles and veins. Connections between processors will be crucial in the future, he noted.
"Today's AI clusters are in the hundreds of thousands of XPUs or GPUs, and the hardest thing to scale is networking, the connectivity," Kawwas said. "Connectivity will be critical, not just for agentic AI to scale but on the quantum side too, especially photonic connectivity. I think we should collaborate more there, and I believe it will be critical for the next five years."
A third crucial element in computation is orchestration, and this falls to software. "We'll need more and more capable software to orchestrate these very complex systems," Kawwas said.
Though quantum computers are not yet fully realized, the researchers said that new advances in correcting errors, which arise as a natural consequence of the fragile nature of quantum bits, or qubits, mean that quantum computers are coming soon. "We expect dramatic progress in quantum error correction over the next couple of years," Preskill said. "Once we have those capable machines, the application space will expand dramatically."
Scientists are excited by the promise of not only applications but by fundamental research, noted Preskill. "We'll be especially interested in using [quantum computers] for scientific exploration: creating states of matter we've never had access to, discovering their properties, which will lead to broader applications," he said. "We're also excited about quantum technology in measurement science--to be able to measure things we never could before, for scientific discovery and eventually broader uses."
The panel's conversation also covered the hot topic of quantum plus AI, which refers to the idea that AI could improve the development or operations of quantum computers, or, conversely, that quantum computers might help improve AI.
Endres says that he and his team have been using AI for experimental design and control. "That is very helpful and is accelerating progress tremendously. I think AI will play a huge role in realizing fault-tolerant, utility-scale quantum computers, which is what we want."
Faraon discussed the importance of tapping into infrastructure already in place for AI when the time comes to ultimately scale up quantum computers. "That's not only the computing power but also the interconnects. Interconnecting quantum computers is a daunting optical engineering challenge that relies on scaling the way we coherently transmit information over fibers. Generally, capitalizing on proven technology like optical fibers and silicon photonics, things that scale, will be very important for building the next generation of useful quantum computers."
Robert Huang (PhD '24), an assistant professor of theoretical physics and a William H. Hurt Scholar at Caltech who is also a member of Oratomic, gave a talk later in the day on "quantum intelligence," which is akin to AI but would emerge from quantum computers instead of the classical ones in use today. One of his goals is to demonstrate, through the field of quantum information theory, what kinds of problems a quantum computer might or might not be able to solve compared to classical machines. In one recent study, he and his colleagues demonstrated that a small quantum computer could in theory learn from massive amounts of classical data, such as gene-sequencing data, using much less memory than a classical machine would require.
"Nature is not classical, so if you want to create intelligence that truly understands nature, we had better make it quantum mechanical," Huang said.
Ooguri's last question for the panelists centered on educating the next generation of quantum engineers and scientists. "How should an institution like Caltech, and a company like Broadcom, prepare students and the workforce for this increasingly interdisciplinary future?" he asked.
Kawwas sees multidisciplinary knowledge as key. "With agentic AI leading into quantum, we won't only ask people to be the best chemist, the best electrical engineer, or the best mechanical engineer," he said. "What I'm seeing a lot of need for, at least at Broadcom, is multidisciplinary knowledge in our engineers. Because of your size, Caltech is very well set up to lead in that space." Preskill agreed, pointing out that the very building they were seated in was designed to bring together separate groups working on different aspects of quantum science. "It's a big reason we built this building, the Ginsburg Center," he said. "We're confident it will ignite the discussions and collaborations that broaden the educational experience."
Later in the day, other talks were given by Caltech and Broadcom speakers. The event also featured breakout sessions and tours of the Caltech laboratory of Maria Spiropulu, the Shang-Yi Ch'en Professor of Physics at Caltech, and of JPL facilities.
Written by Whitney Clavin
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Original text here: https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/caltech-and-broadcom-gather-to-map-the-quantum-future
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Caltech and Broadcom Gather to Map the Quantum Future
November 13, 2026
A symposium at Caltech's new Ginsburg Center featured talks on "quantum intelligence," the future of computing, and more
-
What is the future of computation? Will quantum computers help advance AI tools, or, conversely, will AI help build tomorrow's quantum computers? These were just some of the topics bandied about at the third annual Caltech-Broadcom Technology symposium.
The gathering was part of a larger partnership ... Show Full Article PASADENA, California, Nov. 14 -- The California Institute of Technology issued the following news: * * * Caltech and Broadcom Gather to Map the Quantum Future November 13, 2026 A symposium at Caltech's new Ginsburg Center featured talks on "quantum intelligence," the future of computing, and more - What is the future of computation? Will quantum computers help advance AI tools, or, conversely, will AI help build tomorrow's quantum computers? These were just some of the topics bandied about at the third annual Caltech-Broadcom Technology symposium. The gathering was part of a larger partnershipbetween Caltech and the tech giant Broadcom--a company that specializes in semiconductor and infrastructure software, and is best known for providing advanced silicon and connectivity solutions for AI data centers, smartphones, and the internet. The goal of the five-year collaboration, begun in 2023, is to advance quantum science research and discoveries that could lead to new technologies and applications. The collaboration, which has funded 26 Caltech researchers to date, includes the new Broadcom Quantum Laboratory, housed within the Institute's recently opened Allen and Charlotte Ginsburg Center for Quantum Precision Measurement.
The Caltech-Broadcom symposium kicked off with remarks from Caltech's 10th President, Ray Jayawardhana, the Sonja and William Davidow Presidential Chair and professor of astronomy.
"Quantum science has deep roots here at Caltech, starting with Richard Feynman's early vision of quantum computing and continuing through pioneering experiments in quantum entanglement and teleportation," he said. "Our faculty have defined, and continue to define, the frontier of this remarkably exciting field. With a thriving research ecosystem across campus and its vicinity, we are poised to lead the next great advances in quantum science and technology."
"I'm convinced that the future of quantum is being shaped right here in Pasadena," Jayawardhana added.
The conference was the first ever to be held in the Ginsburg's modern first floor symposium room. Like other design elements of the building, the ceiling of the symposium room was inspired by science: Curved slats of wood interact like waves to represent the wave-like nature of fundamental, or quantum, particles such as photons and electrons. The building was funded by several donors, including Broadcom. The center is part of a broader network of quantum researchers and engineers extending from Caltech's campus to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), which Caltech manages for NASA.
At the building's June 2026 dedication ceremony, Broadcom's Charlie Kawwas, president of the company's semiconductor solutions group, spoke about the tech giant's interest in quantum technologies: "As you probably all know, AI is dominating every discussion today, especially with my children and also my employees," he said. "However, when we look beyond AI, and we take a look at the long-term horizon, especially for technologies that we can turn into products, we truly believe that the potential of quantum computing is even greater, deeper, and more disruptive than AI."
The symposium's first panel discussion focused largely on the future of computation and how it will shape both Broadcom's technologies and scientific research at Caltech. Hirosi Ooguri, the Kent and Joyce Kresa Leadership Chair of the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy and the Fred Kavli Professor of Theoretical Physics and Mathematics at Caltech, moderated the panel. He began by presenting a custom-made sculpture to Kawwas in recognition of Broadcom's generous support. The piece showcases an engraved 3D glass picture of the Ginsburg building resting on a base that includes a portion of a 1920s wall from the time of Caltech's founding along with wood from a 400-year-old Engelmann oak that predated the campus.
"We created this piece to commemorate the new building and its history," Ooguri said. "The Ginsburg Center image is engraved in it, representing that we are manipulating light to look into the inner workings of objects." Kawwas replied that the piece was "very special because my father was a carpenter."
In addition to Ooguri and Kawwas, the panel included three Caltech professors: John Preskill, the Richard P. Feynman Professor of Theoretical Physics and the Allen V. C. Davis and Lenabelle Davis Leadership Chair of the Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM); Manuel Endres, professor of physics; and Andrei Faraon (BS '04), the William L. Valentine Professor of Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering and the Fletcher Jones Foundation Director of the Kavli Nanoscience Institute. All three scientists are members of the Caltech quantum computing spinoff Oratomic, which has raised $775 million in venture capital to build a working neutral-atom quantum computer within the decade.
The panelists discussed connections between AI and quantum computing, the challenges in scaling up AI and quantum computing systems, and the future of education for the next generation. Kawwas began his remarks by saying "Today, we are in the era of agentic AI," in which AI agents carry out multiple tasks on their own. Agentic AI, he said, calls for data centers made up of heterogeneous processors. Heterogeneous processors consist of a combination of central processing units (CPUs), custom accelerator processing units (XPUs), and graphics processing units (GPUs)--and, in the future, quantum processing units (QPUs). These are the brains of a computing system, Kawwas said, whereas the connections between them can be thought of as muscles and veins. Connections between processors will be crucial in the future, he noted.
"Today's AI clusters are in the hundreds of thousands of XPUs or GPUs, and the hardest thing to scale is networking, the connectivity," Kawwas said. "Connectivity will be critical, not just for agentic AI to scale but on the quantum side too, especially photonic connectivity. I think we should collaborate more there, and I believe it will be critical for the next five years."
A third crucial element in computation is orchestration, and this falls to software. "We'll need more and more capable software to orchestrate these very complex systems," Kawwas said.
Though quantum computers are not yet fully realized, the researchers said that new advances in correcting errors, which arise as a natural consequence of the fragile nature of quantum bits, or qubits, mean that quantum computers are coming soon. "We expect dramatic progress in quantum error correction over the next couple of years," Preskill said. "Once we have those capable machines, the application space will expand dramatically."
Scientists are excited by the promise of not only applications but by fundamental research, noted Preskill. "We'll be especially interested in using [quantum computers] for scientific exploration: creating states of matter we've never had access to, discovering their properties, which will lead to broader applications," he said. "We're also excited about quantum technology in measurement science--to be able to measure things we never could before, for scientific discovery and eventually broader uses."
The panel's conversation also covered the hot topic of quantum plus AI, which refers to the idea that AI could improve the development or operations of quantum computers, or, conversely, that quantum computers might help improve AI.
Endres says that he and his team have been using AI for experimental design and control. "That is very helpful and is accelerating progress tremendously. I think AI will play a huge role in realizing fault-tolerant, utility-scale quantum computers, which is what we want."
Faraon discussed the importance of tapping into infrastructure already in place for AI when the time comes to ultimately scale up quantum computers. "That's not only the computing power but also the interconnects. Interconnecting quantum computers is a daunting optical engineering challenge that relies on scaling the way we coherently transmit information over fibers. Generally, capitalizing on proven technology like optical fibers and silicon photonics, things that scale, will be very important for building the next generation of useful quantum computers."
Robert Huang (PhD '24), an assistant professor of theoretical physics and a William H. Hurt Scholar at Caltech who is also a member of Oratomic, gave a talk later in the day on "quantum intelligence," which is akin to AI but would emerge from quantum computers instead of the classical ones in use today. One of his goals is to demonstrate, through the field of quantum information theory, what kinds of problems a quantum computer might or might not be able to solve compared to classical machines. In one recent study, he and his colleagues demonstrated that a small quantum computer could in theory learn from massive amounts of classical data, such as gene-sequencing data, using much less memory than a classical machine would require.
"Nature is not classical, so if you want to create intelligence that truly understands nature, we had better make it quantum mechanical," Huang said.
Ooguri's last question for the panelists centered on educating the next generation of quantum engineers and scientists. "How should an institution like Caltech, and a company like Broadcom, prepare students and the workforce for this increasingly interdisciplinary future?" he asked.
Kawwas sees multidisciplinary knowledge as key. "With agentic AI leading into quantum, we won't only ask people to be the best chemist, the best electrical engineer, or the best mechanical engineer," he said. "What I'm seeing a lot of need for, at least at Broadcom, is multidisciplinary knowledge in our engineers. Because of your size, Caltech is very well set up to lead in that space." Preskill agreed, pointing out that the very building they were seated in was designed to bring together separate groups working on different aspects of quantum science. "It's a big reason we built this building, the Ginsburg Center," he said. "We're confident it will ignite the discussions and collaborations that broaden the educational experience."
Later in the day, other talks were given by Caltech and Broadcom speakers. The event also featured breakout sessions and tours of the Caltech laboratory of Maria Spiropulu, the Shang-Yi Ch'en Professor of Physics at Caltech, and of JPL facilities.
Written by Whitney Clavin
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Original text here: https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/caltech-and-broadcom-gather-to-map-the-quantum-future
Butler University Welcomes Blue V, the Next Generation of Its Beloved Live Mascot Program
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Nov. 14 -- Butler University issued the following news:
* * *
Butler University Welcomes Blue V, the Next Generation of Its Beloved Live Mascot Program
By: Courtney Tuell
November 13, 2026
There's a new top dawg at Butler University.
Butler officially introduced Blue V, a red fawn English bulldog puppy, as the fifth mascot in its celebrated Live Mascot Program on Friday, November 13. Born August 17, 2026, Blue V succeeds Butler Blue IV, who is retiring after nearly seven years representing the University. The transition also marks a new chapter for the Live Mascot ... Show Full Article INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Nov. 14 -- Butler University issued the following news: * * * Butler University Welcomes Blue V, the Next Generation of Its Beloved Live Mascot Program By: Courtney Tuell November 13, 2026 There's a new top dawg at Butler University. Butler officially introduced Blue V, a red fawn English bulldog puppy, as the fifth mascot in its celebrated Live Mascot Program on Friday, November 13. Born August 17, 2026, Blue V succeeds Butler Blue IV, who is retiring after nearly seven years representing the University. The transition also marks a new chapter for the Live MascotProgram, with Butler graduate April Kirts '26 stepping into the role of handler.
Blue V was born in Sorento, Illinois, to breeder Rachel Garde of Dog Gone's Bulldogs. His parents, Rory and Diva, welcomed a litter of six male puppies. Members of Butler's University Marketing team traveled to Illinois in October to meet the litter and select the next Bulldog to represent the University.
Among the six puppies, one in particular caught the team's attention.
Referred to as "Boy #2" by the team charged with choosing the next live mascot, the future Blue V stood out for his easygoing, affectionate personality and playful energy. He also seemed particularly interested in Kirts, frequently staying close to his future handler as the team spent time getting to know the puppies.
"He was playful and easygoing, but what stood out was how comfortable he seemed with everyone," Kirts says. "He was curious, affectionate, and full of personality. He also seemed to know exactly what to do when we brought out the camera. We knew he would be a great fit for Butler."
Blue V officially joined Kirts in Indianapolis on November 1 and will continue a tradition that has connected generations of Butler students, alumni, and fans.
More than a job
For Kirts, becoming Blue V's handler represents an opportunity to give back to the University that helped shape her own college experience.
A native of Evergreen Park, Illinois, Kirts graduated from Butler in May 2026 with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Strategic Communication: Public Relations and Advertising. A lifelong dog lover, she grew up with family pets and was drawn to Butler's Live Mascot Program even before enrolling as a student.
"Learning about Blue before I chose Butler made the University feel more welcoming," Kirts said. "Having a dog around makes everything a little more fun and approachable. Blue has a special way of bringing people together, and I'm excited to help continue that tradition."
During her four years at Butler, Kirts gained hands-on experience covering major sporting events, including the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend, 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend, and 2026 Men's Final Four. She credits those opportunities, along with the relationships she developed through Butler's College of Communication, with helping her find a home in Indianapolis.
Her path to the mascot program began with a simple text message from Butler professor and mentor Bob Schultz, who asked whether she liked dogs and was passionate about Butler. Her response was immediate: "Yes and yes."
As Blue V's handler, Kirts will oversee his daily care, training, public appearances, and engagement with the Butler community. She also hopes to build on the program's national visibility, using Blue's personality and social media presence to introduce prospective students and fans to the University.
"Blue is often someone's first introduction to Butler," Kirts says. "I want to help people across the country experience the same sense of community and belonging that I found here. It's a privilege to be part of this program and share the joy Blue brings with others."
Changing of the collar
Blue V's arrival follows the retirement of Butler Blue IV, who was introduced in January 2020 and has served as the University's live mascot through nearly seven years of campus celebrations, athletic events, and community appearances.
Under the care of handler Evan Krauss '16, MS '23, Blue IV became a familiar face to Butler fans across the country. His tenure included serving as the honorary "Mayor of March" during the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, starring as a puppy in the 2021 Netflix documentary Dogs, and traveling with the men's basketball team on its Big Dawgs Tour. Blue IV also visited hundreds of prospective and admitted Butler students and developed a robust social presence with more than 300,000 followers.
Krauss, who first joined the Live Mascot Program as a Butler student working with longtime handler Michael Kaltenmark '02, MS '16, helped expand the program's social media presence and strengthen its connections with students, alumni, and fans.
Blue IV will continue living with Krauss, his wife, Kennedy, and their two sons in Westfield, Indiana.
Kirts said Krauss has played an important role in preparing her for the transition.
"Evan has built an incredible foundation for this program, and I'm grateful for his mentorship," Kirts said. "His dedication to Blue and Butler has made a lasting impact, and I'm excited to build on everything he has accomplished."
From campus tradition to national spotlight
Butler's connection to the bulldog dates to 1919, when a bulldog named Shimmy wandered into the offices of The Butler Collegian. A cartoon of Shimmy appeared on the front page of the next issue, helping establish the bulldog as the University's mascot.
While unofficial live mascots appeared throughout the decades, Butler established its official Live Mascot Program in 2000. Since then, four Butler Blues and their handlers have transformed the program into one of the University's most recognizable traditions.
Blue I and handler Kelli Walker '91 laid the foundation for the program. Blue II and Kaltenmark became nationally recognized during Butler's back-to-back NCAA Men's Final Four appearances in 2010 and 2011. Blue III, affectionately known as Trip, helped bring the program into the digital age, while Blue IV expanded its social media reach and developed a distinctive personality of his own.
Through these efforts, Butler's Live Mascot Program has come into the national spotlight, earning coverage from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, ESPN, ABC News, and CBS Evening News. The program has also appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and its story reached a global audience in 2021 through the opening episode of the Netflix docuseries Dogs, Season 2, which chronicled the transition from Blue III to Blue IV.
Now, with Blue V and Kirts beginning their journey together, the next generation of this beloved tradition is ready to make its own mark.
* * *
Original text here: https://stories.butler.edu/butler-university-welcomes-blue-v-the-next-generation-of-its-beloved-live-mascot-program/
* * *
Butler University Welcomes Blue V, the Next Generation of Its Beloved Live Mascot Program
By: Courtney Tuell
November 13, 2026
There's a new top dawg at Butler University.
Butler officially introduced Blue V, a red fawn English bulldog puppy, as the fifth mascot in its celebrated Live Mascot Program on Friday, November 13. Born August 17, 2026, Blue V succeeds Butler Blue IV, who is retiring after nearly seven years representing the University. The transition also marks a new chapter for the Live Mascot ... Show Full Article INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, Nov. 14 -- Butler University issued the following news: * * * Butler University Welcomes Blue V, the Next Generation of Its Beloved Live Mascot Program By: Courtney Tuell November 13, 2026 There's a new top dawg at Butler University. Butler officially introduced Blue V, a red fawn English bulldog puppy, as the fifth mascot in its celebrated Live Mascot Program on Friday, November 13. Born August 17, 2026, Blue V succeeds Butler Blue IV, who is retiring after nearly seven years representing the University. The transition also marks a new chapter for the Live MascotProgram, with Butler graduate April Kirts '26 stepping into the role of handler.
Blue V was born in Sorento, Illinois, to breeder Rachel Garde of Dog Gone's Bulldogs. His parents, Rory and Diva, welcomed a litter of six male puppies. Members of Butler's University Marketing team traveled to Illinois in October to meet the litter and select the next Bulldog to represent the University.
Among the six puppies, one in particular caught the team's attention.
Referred to as "Boy #2" by the team charged with choosing the next live mascot, the future Blue V stood out for his easygoing, affectionate personality and playful energy. He also seemed particularly interested in Kirts, frequently staying close to his future handler as the team spent time getting to know the puppies.
"He was playful and easygoing, but what stood out was how comfortable he seemed with everyone," Kirts says. "He was curious, affectionate, and full of personality. He also seemed to know exactly what to do when we brought out the camera. We knew he would be a great fit for Butler."
Blue V officially joined Kirts in Indianapolis on November 1 and will continue a tradition that has connected generations of Butler students, alumni, and fans.
More than a job
For Kirts, becoming Blue V's handler represents an opportunity to give back to the University that helped shape her own college experience.
A native of Evergreen Park, Illinois, Kirts graduated from Butler in May 2026 with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Strategic Communication: Public Relations and Advertising. A lifelong dog lover, she grew up with family pets and was drawn to Butler's Live Mascot Program even before enrolling as a student.
"Learning about Blue before I chose Butler made the University feel more welcoming," Kirts said. "Having a dog around makes everything a little more fun and approachable. Blue has a special way of bringing people together, and I'm excited to help continue that tradition."
During her four years at Butler, Kirts gained hands-on experience covering major sporting events, including the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend, 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend, and 2026 Men's Final Four. She credits those opportunities, along with the relationships she developed through Butler's College of Communication, with helping her find a home in Indianapolis.
Her path to the mascot program began with a simple text message from Butler professor and mentor Bob Schultz, who asked whether she liked dogs and was passionate about Butler. Her response was immediate: "Yes and yes."
As Blue V's handler, Kirts will oversee his daily care, training, public appearances, and engagement with the Butler community. She also hopes to build on the program's national visibility, using Blue's personality and social media presence to introduce prospective students and fans to the University.
"Blue is often someone's first introduction to Butler," Kirts says. "I want to help people across the country experience the same sense of community and belonging that I found here. It's a privilege to be part of this program and share the joy Blue brings with others."
Changing of the collar
Blue V's arrival follows the retirement of Butler Blue IV, who was introduced in January 2020 and has served as the University's live mascot through nearly seven years of campus celebrations, athletic events, and community appearances.
Under the care of handler Evan Krauss '16, MS '23, Blue IV became a familiar face to Butler fans across the country. His tenure included serving as the honorary "Mayor of March" during the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, starring as a puppy in the 2021 Netflix documentary Dogs, and traveling with the men's basketball team on its Big Dawgs Tour. Blue IV also visited hundreds of prospective and admitted Butler students and developed a robust social presence with more than 300,000 followers.
Krauss, who first joined the Live Mascot Program as a Butler student working with longtime handler Michael Kaltenmark '02, MS '16, helped expand the program's social media presence and strengthen its connections with students, alumni, and fans.
Blue IV will continue living with Krauss, his wife, Kennedy, and their two sons in Westfield, Indiana.
Kirts said Krauss has played an important role in preparing her for the transition.
"Evan has built an incredible foundation for this program, and I'm grateful for his mentorship," Kirts said. "His dedication to Blue and Butler has made a lasting impact, and I'm excited to build on everything he has accomplished."
From campus tradition to national spotlight
Butler's connection to the bulldog dates to 1919, when a bulldog named Shimmy wandered into the offices of The Butler Collegian. A cartoon of Shimmy appeared on the front page of the next issue, helping establish the bulldog as the University's mascot.
While unofficial live mascots appeared throughout the decades, Butler established its official Live Mascot Program in 2000. Since then, four Butler Blues and their handlers have transformed the program into one of the University's most recognizable traditions.
Blue I and handler Kelli Walker '91 laid the foundation for the program. Blue II and Kaltenmark became nationally recognized during Butler's back-to-back NCAA Men's Final Four appearances in 2010 and 2011. Blue III, affectionately known as Trip, helped bring the program into the digital age, while Blue IV expanded its social media reach and developed a distinctive personality of his own.
Through these efforts, Butler's Live Mascot Program has come into the national spotlight, earning coverage from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, ESPN, ABC News, and CBS Evening News. The program has also appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and its story reached a global audience in 2021 through the opening episode of the Netflix docuseries Dogs, Season 2, which chronicled the transition from Blue III to Blue IV.
Now, with Blue V and Kirts beginning their journey together, the next generation of this beloved tradition is ready to make its own mark.
* * *
Original text here: https://stories.butler.edu/butler-university-welcomes-blue-v-the-next-generation-of-its-beloved-live-mascot-program/