This morning, our Fitchburg State Police Academy Recruit Officer Course (ROC) had the profound privilege of hearing from Caitlyn Tarentino, sister of fallen Auburn Ma Police  Officer Ronald Tarentino Jr.

Officer Tarentino made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty on May 22, 2016, following a traffic stop. Caitlyn shared intimate stories of her brother’s life, his unwavering dedication to public service, and what it truly means to wear the badge with honor.

Moments like this remind our recruits of the sacred duty they are stepping into—and the legacy of bravery they are bound to uphold. Thank you, Caitlyn, for sharing Officer Tarentino’s story with our future law enforcement leaders.

Honoring service, sacrifice, and the badge.

Our newest Nursing Student cohort in the START STRONG; Your Nursing Journey Begins Here program spent this morning with tours of our Nursing Foundations Labs - where they will be spending a lot of time. Nursing faculty and current students took questions about the Nursing program and what to expect in their first year.

Our newest Nursing Student cohort in the START STRONG; Your Nursing Journey Begins Here program got a chance to see what a college level Anatomy & Physiology course was like with  Biology and Chemistry Professor John Ludlam. Learn more about the program here. 

This morning, the university  welcomed members of our newest Nursing Student cohort to campus for the START STRONG; Your Nursing Journey Begins Here program. After checking in, settling in the dorm, and breakfast, President Hodge welcomed the newest Falcons. Afterward, Nursing Program Professor Karen Beaton. along with current students and faculty, began an array of activities with the students.

Last week, the Fitchburg State University Police Department hosted an Active Attack Integrated Response (AAIR) course through ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training).

This intensive 16-hour, two-day program brought together regional police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and dispatchers to enhance tactical coordination during critical emergencies. The curriculum focused on integrated rescue task force concepts, unified command, and point-of-injury medical intervention.

Special thanks to the Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC), the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA), and ALERRT for facilitating this essential training. Inter-agency collaboration remains vital to ensuring the safety and preparedness of our campus and surrounding communities.

On Friday, families, friends, faculty, and staff gathered in the Hammond Main Lounge for our annual Upward Bound Academic Recognition Assembly. Together, they celebrated the incredible achievements, hard work, and dedication of our Summer 2026 Upward Bound scholars. Following the ceremony, everyone headed to the Falcon Hub to share lunch and celebrate a fantastic summer season. Congratulations to all of our scholars! 

Good food leads to great conversations. With the info sessions and campus tours in the books, our College Search Kickoff guests gathered to grab a bite, relax, and connect. Rising seniors and their families got to chat one-on-one with admissions counselors, current students, and university staff to get all their remaining questions answered in a fun, relaxed setting. Nothing brings the Falcon community together quite like a BBQ! Interested in touring campus or attending one of our many visit opportunities? Check out our Visit page.

Sun’s out, college search is ON! The Fifth Annual College Search Kickoff is in full swing here at Fitchburg State! It’s a beautiful day to welcome rising high school seniors and their families to campus to kickstart their college journey. After checking in, our guests got the inside scoop directly from our admissions counselors—covering everything from what we look for in an application to top tips for writing a standout essay. They even got to explore campus with a student-led tour. To wrap up an amazing morning, everyone is heading over for a sunny BBQ lunch and ice cream truck treats! Interested in touring campus or attending one of our many visit opportunities, check out our Visit page.

Our Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS) scholars kicked off their last day of the summer program with a special morning treat—a delicious Chartwells breakfast served by UBMS Director Nate Obin and their incredible program teachers in the Holmes Dining Common. A fun way to say thank you for all the hard work, curiosity, and energy these students brought to campus this summer.