Our newest Falcons, along with their families & friends, viewed multiple presentations and information sessions today as part of our Summer Orientation 2022. Presentations from University Police, Commuter Affairs, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Student Affairs, and Housing and Residential Services, among others, were all designed to ease the students into their new home here at Fitchburg State University. Students and their families even got a chance to win a prize in a Housing and Residential Services quiz.

This morning saw the last session in our Summer Orientation 2022 for Incoming first year students. Our newest Falcons, after registration, began the day with welcome remarks from Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Patricia Marshall, Vice President for Student Affairs Laura Bayless, and Associate Dean for Student Development Hank Parkinson. After introduction of our Orientation Leaders, groups ventured out to the quad for some ice breaker activities, campus tours, and then on  to a day full of information sessions and activities.

Jordan Geyster, ‘22 is currently working as a physical therapy aide and will be starting in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at the University of New England in the fall.

Fitchburg State has long embraced the importance of supporting the city beyond the borders of campus, and this summer that included some fresh paint and a lot of artistic expression.

Several Falcons played key roles in the design and creation of a series of major public art murals that were unveiled this summer. The Community Mural Institute led the effort, which supported 12 artists in the design and creation of pieces on large public facades in the heart of the city.

There was free admission to the Fitchburg Art Museum  during this past (8/4/22), and every, Intown Fitchburg First Thursday. Among exhibits that patrons were able to enjoy for free included two by Fitchburg State University alums Bridie Wolejko and Betsy Sawyer. Sawyer's exhibit entitled Big Book: Pages for Peace is the largest book in the world dedicated to the topic of peace. It is the product of a 12-year project begun in 2004 by middle school students from the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District and Sawyer, their dynamic teacher. Hypnagogia: Bridie Wolejko’s Mixed Media Fantasies are hand-crafted mixed-media collages and objects that create dream-like images, informed by her interests in myth, magic, horror, popular culture, surrealism, architecture, and nature.

Yesterday's  Intown Fitchburg First Thursday saw the Fitchburg Cultural Alliance's  grand opening of Main Street Studios at 675 Main Street which is housed in the Fitchburg State University Theater Block. The space will offer local artists affordable studio and art gallery space. Local figures, including Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatalie and University President Richard Lapidus, welcomed the new space with studio tours, refreshments, and music preformed by local performers.

Read more about the Main Street Studios here.

At today's Intown Fitchburg First Thursday, local Farmers offered fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs and cheese, artisan breads, locally made soaps and lotions, & handmade goods at Fitchburg's Upper Common. Farms at the market today included Sholan Farms, Fat Daddy's Apiary, Deer Creek Farm, Little Jimmy's Italian Ice, and more! The Farmer's Market takes place every Thursday 3 - 6 p.m. until October 27.

The Fitchburg State University Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT) met this morning in Percival Hall. Team members, including Dr. Hank Parkinson, Dean of Student Development, Rachel Graddy, Director of Disability Services, Jason Smith, Assistant Dean for Student Success for Academic Affairs, Dr. William Cummings, Director of Compliance and Title IX, and Junior Pena, Director of Student Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Programs (via zoom) discussed policies and procedures in an effort to improve the groups work and the overall Fitchburg State University community.