The 13 members of the 8th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) at Fitchburg State were sworn in as police officers on Friday September 12, 2025 before an audience of family, friends, elected leaders and public safety professionals. All of the graduates of our groundbreaking program have already been hired by police departments across the state. As President Donna Hodge told the assembled graduates and audience, “This academy is more than a program, It is a promise. A promise that public higher education and public safety can work hand in hand. A promise that innovation and integrity can meet in the same training ground. A promise that Massachusetts can lead the nation in preparing those who serve and protect." Read the full article here.

Director of Early College Dual Enrollment, Fernando Garcia-Rodriguez an Assistant Director of Admissions Eliezer Rivera were at Fitchburg High School where they worked with students at the orientation for their Fundamentals of Marketing course taught in Spanish. The purpose of the Early College Initiative is to create and maintain partnerships connecting our state’s districts and high schools with our state’s colleges in order to give thousands of Massachusetts students, especially first-generation college-goers, access to college completion and career success.

Director of Bands & Creative Arts Therapies Program Director, Professor Amy McGlothlin was on hand as Percussion Instructor Lydia Lucas ran try outs for our drumline, a new addition this fall outside of Landry Arena. This group will perform at Home Football games, other university sporting events, pep rallies, community outreach events, local parades and other campus wide events.

This morning President Hodge, Fitchburg State University Police Chief Michael Cloutier, members of the University Police, Military and Veteran Services Director Nolan Buck, university faculty and staff, local dignitaries, and more joined with Fitchburg Fire Department (FFD) at their North Street Headquarters, adjacent to the university, to commemorate lives lost during the attacks on 9/11/2001. The ceremony was held at the 9/11 memorial outside Fire Department headquarters - a piece of a steel beam from the North Tower of the World Trade Center anchors the memorial.

 Cillea Houghton a writer, storyteller and 2015 Fitchburg State University graduate visited Dr. Robert Carr's Marketing Communication course yesterday to discuss a project she will be working on with the class. The Marketing Communications class is going to help her produce the first issue of the No One Is Listening Journal, which is centered around the theme of peace, in addition to a Pay It Forward challenge that connects to the theme of the issue. No One Is Listening is a new media platform Cillea founded with the mission to connect people across cultures through the power of voice. This will be accomplished through 3 pillars: On the Page (written and print pieces), In the World (live events) and On the Screen (video content). Cillea discussed her journey as a Writer from second grade, to High School, through Fitchburg State University, Nashville and now Italy.

This afternoon, Student Development held Rock the Block XXVI on Highland Ave & on the Main Quad. Rock the Block gives students a chance to connect with over 150 Clubs, Organizations, Departments and Non-Profits. There are a plethora of activities, including rock climbing, dinner, club demonstrations, free stuff, and so much more!

This morning, School of Education Professor Danette Day welcomed Honors Program students to her Current Events & Service Learning course. The course combines analysis of political and social issues with practice in the form of service learning oriented toward these issues.

Criminal Justice Professor Dr. David Weiss went over the lesson plan for his Domestic Terror & Hate Crime in the McKay Campus School this morning. This course introduces students to the variety of extremist groups within the United States and examines their history, nature, extent and dangerousness. It also explores hate crime, a relatively new responsibility of the criminal justice system. Students will look at the social construction of hate crime and issues concerning its enforcement.

Director of Bands Creative Arts Therapies Program Director, Professor Amy McGlothlin's Jazz Band class's first day in Conlon Fine Arts. Among their first assignments is to suggest at least two pieces of music for the group to perform Learn more about our Music Programs here.

Communications Media's Assistant Professor, Photography Concentration, J Flynn began his Advanced Photo Editing course this morning in the Conlon Fine Arts building. After some "housekeeping" the students jumped right into coursework. Advanced Photo Editing is an advanced level course that provides students with more sophisticated digital still image acquisition, scanning systems and digital format exchange. Additionally, post-camera image manipulation and the rudiments of color management are covered for the successful translation to screen display technologies and ink printing processes to prepare the student for a modern approach to the integrated use of photography in video display and ink-based print systems.