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.

At Fitchburg Access Television (FATV), a frequent collaborator and partner of the university, during the recording of The Kushmerek Connection featuring Fitchburg State University alum State Representative Michael Kushmerek. In this installment, State Representative Michael Kushmerek talks with State Senator John Cronin where they discuss challenges and successes in the Senator's district.

Yesterday, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Franca Barricell welcomed our newest faculty to the Center for Teaching and Learning for the second day of their orientation. Following, that session with current faculty and staff, University Archivist Asher Jackson brought the faculty on a tour of campus, pointing out the rich history of Fitchburg State University.

Exercise and Sports Science students, who spent this summer in various internships, presented posters recapping their work to Exercise and Sports Science faculty at the North St. Exercise & Sports Science Center.

After a morning of training sessions, Chief of University Police Michael Cloutier invited our Residents Assistants, and Housing and Residential Services staff, to tour University Police facilities. Along with lunch and meeting the University Police staff, students and staff got to try out equipment, see what it's like to perform a sobriety test with "drunk" goggles, and so much more!