This is actually the first and only part, but I’m going to make a Godfather reference at least once here.

Skimming through the digital archives of the library, I came across the Saxifrage of 1930, which is easier to identify as an old yearbook. It’s called saxifrage after the wild flower that grows in the cracks of stone. What? You don’t skim through old periodicals for a thrill? It was an accident, but it was curious to scroll back eighty years without even leaving the library. So now that I’m the Marty Mcfly of my generation, let’s move forward.

It was Weather War I. I was just a boy.

DAY 1

Monday, January 26th, 2015.

11:23pm

Flakes are seen scouting the campus, and it’s clear their attack is imminent. Mini-fridges have been stocked, blankets have been unfolded for emergency Netflix binges, and with classes canceled the residents of Fitchburg State await their greatest opponent yet—doom.

When I find a song I really like or put together a mix of music, there’s nothing I want more than to show it off to absolutely everyone. Although, running up to people and shoving headphones in their ear does not go over well. I won’t admit that I’ve tried, but okay I have, and it’s not a good idea. Luckily for me, I can scratch this particular music itch with ease. WXPL is the Fitchburg State radio station, and what that means is that Fitchburg State students (hey, that’s you) can rule the airwaves around campus.

Getting an hour block of radio time is as easy as showing up to a meeting.

Where did you complete your academic studies?

I completed my undergraduate bachelor of science in mathematics (with minors in dance and computer programming) at Springfield College in 2006. I completed my graduate degrees (both Master of Science and PhD) in mathematics at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C.

What are your research interests?

They hang out sometimes, just catch up with one another, but we reap all the benefits of this friendship. One of these benefits is Theater on Tap.

This past Saturday I went snowboarding with the Outdoor Adventure Club at Wachusett Mountain. I was timid because I anticipated everyone on the trip to be a snowboarding prodigy, and I would be a puddle of slush in comparison. I layered up like some family party dessert, and we embarked on a pretty short ride up to the mountain. I arrived at the lodge by the foot of the trails, and I started to get really excited. The downside of the day would be eating snow in front of my girlfriend and other friends, but I yearned for even some infinitesimal level of triumph. Regardless of skill, everyone seemed to have had a great time, and surprisingly I was kind of good at it. In terms of Olympic snowboarding, I’d settle for bronze.

I don’t mind biding my time and pushing things off, I’m pretty skilled at it actually, but it was plain stupid to miss this deal.  

My name is Brian Lombardi, and I am a sophomore at Fitchburg State University. I’m majoring in English Studies with a concentration in Professional Writing. That wasn’t quite the attention grabbing start, but at least I’m not a complete stranger anymore. I transferred to Fitchburg in the fall from North Shore Community College. I chose community college right out of high school, and told everyone the objective was to save money, but to be honest it was essentially my unfortunate harboring of laziness.

Going to classes at North Shore felt empty, and the campus was filled with little more than passing people, none too amiable or eager for friendship. I was just an average guy moving between plot points. My heart wasn’t in it, and I wondered if it was because I didn’t have the full college experience. I finally nerved up and decided to reach out to a university that could give me the experience I yearned for.

I had visited Fitchburg a few times, and the application didn’t spike my stress levels, so I applied—and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

It is that time at Fitchburg State when everyone is in two frames of mind. One of those mindsets is that winter break is right around the corner and the holidays are on the horizon. The other mindset is academic panic attack as finals approach just as quickly. With both of these ideas in the same space, it makes for a very exciting time at the university.

I've written before about how important and exciting an Open House is in the college selection process. It helps you see the campus as well as the opportunities that are available to you. Fitchburg State just finished the last open house of the year but that doesn't mean there aren't chances to see everything the university can offer you. In this blog post, I'm going to talk a little bit about how I came to Fitchburg State!

This past week, the Center For Diversity And Inclusiveness took over our art gallery in Hammond to set up their own exhibit. It was an a very important display of photographs that really took people by surprise. The photographs showed some of the intolerance and prejudice that our students had endured in their lives. This powerful show really provoked a lot of good discussion about how we as a university can stop this.