Last evening, the Fitchburg State University community held its Annual Lighting of the Campus. Prior to the lighting, faculty, staff, and students gathered at Alumni Plaza near Thompson Hall for refreshments, games, conversation, and more. A procession then made it's way down Highland Ave. to the Highland  Plaza for the Annual Lighting of the Campus. After a welcome from Director of Presidential Events Shane Franzen, and remarks from Student Government Association (SGA) President Michael Burns and  President Hodge, the two led the crowd in a countdown to the lighting of the campus.

Our  Office of Student Engagements Commuter Affairs recently hosted a morning Tai Chi & Tea. Sifu Gary LaChapelle of  New England Kung Fu led the session. Tai chi is a Chinese martial art that combines slow, gentle movements with controlled breathing and a meditative state of mind to promote health and relaxation.

Students in Communications Media Professor Kevin McCarthy's Multi-Camera Television Production course were at Fitchburg Access Television (FATV) to put the final touches on their multi-camera production. FATV. Executive Director of FATV, Nathan Glenny was on hand to offer his input to the class.

Students in Biology and Chemistry Professor Ronald Krieser Genetics Lab extract DNA  at the Antonucci Science Complex. In this course, basic principles of biological information processing are examined including Mendelian inheritance, sex determination, chromosome cytogenetics, linkage, recombination and genetic mapping, mutagenesis, molecular genetics and gene-enzyme relationships, and quantitative inheritance. Learn more about our School of Health and Natural Sciences here.

On Wednesday, Nov. 12 @ 7pm, the Communications Media Department will begin the run of  its Fall theatrical production of  the timely romantic drama, “Stop Kiss” by Diana Son at theTheater for the Performing Arts in the McKay Complex at 67 Rindge Road. Admission is FREE and open to the public. “Stop Kiss” is set in New York City in 1998. Callie is a traffic reporter who has grown tired of New York City. Sara is a fresh face from St. Louis, hoping to make a difference as a school teacher in the Bronx. Both women have boyfriends, but as their friendship develops into something more, they begin to question what they really want in life. Their first kiss provokes a violent attack that transforms their lives in surprising ways. Read more about the production here.

Yesterday, Fitchburg State University Military and Veteran Services Director Nolan Buck hosted a Veterans Day Celebration in the Hammond Main Lounge. After welcoming remarks from Economics, History and Political Science Professor Sean Goodlett and a rendition of the National Anthem by Creative Arts Therapies Major Autumn Hughes, Air U.S. Force veteran Prudence Mecha and U.S. Army veteran Kirsten Perham  spoke of their experiences as student veterans. President Donna Hodge then shared how her experience as the daughter and granddaughter of veterans  shaped her life. Dean of Student Engagement Timothy St. John. welcomed Retired National Guard Paratrooper, Fitchburg State University alum and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) volunteer Patrick Donnelly who surprised President Hodge with the Seven Seals Award. The Seven Seals Award is presented in recognition of significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and supports the ESGR mission.

On Friday, Assistant Professor Karen DeAngelis of the university’s Education Department led a group of our Education students, who are members of the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, in an activity in third-grade classrooms at McKay Elementary School. The students read the book "Veterans - Heroes in our Neighborhood"  and then had the elementary students write letters of gratitude to local veterans for their service.  These letters will be distributed to veterans during Veterans Day activities at the Fitchburg Armory, the Veterans Hospital in Bedford,  MA, as well as a local assisted living facility. Student Veteran Jacob Chandler, an Army veteran with a deployment to Afghanistan, was among the Education majors.

Yesterday, Director of Admissions Tony Trodella welcomed gests to our School Counselor/Partners Program Breakfast in the Hammond Main Lounge. After remarks from President Donna Hodge and Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Success Pamela McCafferty, Student Engagement Dean of Students Timothy St. John. moderated the first of two Student Experience Panels with representatives from our Student Support Services. More information sessions followed along with campus tours. Check out our Admissions & Aid page to learn more and set up a visit.

Yesterday afternoon, Chartwells Dining hosted a Teaching Kitchen session in G-Lobby. Students got to sample, and get recipes, directions, and dorm friendly appliances to make nutritious meals with ingredients available at the Fitchburg State University Falcon Bazaar Food Pantry. The minestrone soup was a big hit!

Director of Upward Bound Math & Science Nate Obin gave welcoming remarks and introduced Keynote Speaker, and First Generation Student, Dustin Hodge for our celebration of First Generation Day in the Hammond Main Lounge. Director of TRIO Student Support Services Elizabeth Swartz served as moderator for two First Gen panels; one consisting of current students, the other faculty and staff who all shared their experiences as a first generation college student.