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.

The Boston Bruins Fan Fest Tour stopped at our Wallace Civic Center today with Bruins -centric fun for all ages. Activities included guest appearance by current and former Bruins players, Bruins mascot Blades and our own Freddy Falcon, interactive hockey games and exhibits, personalized equipment fittings for Learn to Play participants, and much more.

President Donna Hodge and her Cabinet, AKA "The Donut Party Crew", loaded up the Donut Mobile and traveled around 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 welcome remarks from Professor Laura Garofoli and Krysta Lopez-Acevedo, Faculty Awards, Emeriti Faculty, Staff Awards,
and Years of Service Awards were presented by the University Cabinet. Professor Christine Dee then presented the Student Ambassadors who received their green coats from President Hodge. Last but not least, President Hodge asked the Principals of Fitchburg High School, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, along with Superintendent of Fitchburg Schools an Fitchburg Mayor Sam Squailia to join her and Pam McCafferty, Assoc. Vice President for Institutional Research & Planning in the signing of a Direct Admissions Memo of Understanding between Fitchburg State University and the cities high schools. The program was followed by the Fall Semester Celebration Picnic.