Students in Biology and Chemistry Professor Dr. Michael Nosek's Cell Biology course hit the ground running in their first day of lab in the Antonucci Science Complex.  In this course, cellular and subcellular structure and function are covered. Major topics include membranes, cell organelles and biogenesis, energy metabolism, regulatory mechanisms, signal transduction, DNA structure and function, transcription and translation, cell cycle control, and cancer development. Laboratory experiments focus on current cell biology methodologies and instrumentation, and include spectrophotometry, cell fractionation, microscopy, electrophoresis and cell culture technologies.

Students in Dr. Robert Carr's Client Project Production course wasted no time and met with this semester's client, the Fitchburg Art Museum. After breaking into small groups and some initial strategizing, the class discussed their project, promotion of an upcoming exhibit,  with Curator Emily Mazzola, and Assistant Curator Sarah Harper of the Fitchburg Art Museum. 

Two of our simulation manikins "played" the same role today for team of our nursing students who were directed to take vitals, administer medications, explain procedures, and work through the simulation in real time. The Fitchburg State University Nursing Simulation Laboratory assists nursing students in learning critical thinking and clinical judgment skills in preparation for their healthcare careers. The “manikins” act as lifelike patient simulators, wherein instructors provide real-time feedback via a control center, giving students as close to a hospital scenario as possible. Fellow students watch as their classmates work through the simulation. All students and faculty debrief after the scenario.

President Donna Hodge and her Cabinet, AKA "The Donut Squad", loaded up the Donut Mobile and descended on campus to hand out doughnuts and connect with students, faculty and staff on this, the first day of class for the fall semester.

It was a perfect day for our State of the University Address and Fall Semester Picnic on the main quadrangle this morning. After  the presentation of years of service awards to Fitchburg State faculty, librarians and staff members, President Hodge delivered a State of the University Address. The program was followed by the Fall Semester Celebration Picnic. 

Associate Dean for Student Development Michael Kennedy introduced Krysta López, Program Coordinator for the Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness (CDI), and student leaders who facilitated the “I am Fitchburg State” panel discussion during fall orientation this morning and afternoon. Students spoke about their fears before getting to campus, overcoming challenges, managing the stresses of college life, and the sense of belonging they've found at Fitchburg State University.

Chief Michael Cloutier of the Fitchburg State University Police Department discussed Campus Safety. while Vice President for Student Affairs Laura Bayless, Dean of Students Tim St. John, and other members of the Student Affairs team discussed Building "Habits for Academic Success" in concurrent orientation sessions which were repeated to accommodate all of our newest Falcons. 

Before Student Orientation, University President Dr. Donna Hodge welcomed the newest Falcons this morning in the Holmes Dining Commons. Orientation Leaders unveiled their own welcome video and began orientation.

The Fitchburg State University Great Move In 2024 was capped off with the Falcon Nest BBQ. The new arrivals got to take part in an array of activities, and had one more chance to spend time with family before they left them in their new home.

It was all hands on deck this morning for the Fitchburg State University Great Move In 2024. This morning our athletic teams, staff, University Police, students, and more were spread out between Check-In at the Wallace Civic Center, and the dormitories on the main campus, all in the effort of making our newest Falcons move in process as smooth as possible. The Great Move In will be  capped off with the Falcon Nest BBQ this afternoon.