This morning saw the first session in our Summer Orientation 2022 for Incoming first year students. Our newest Falcons, the Class of 2026, began the day with welcome remarks from Associate Dean for Student Development Hank Parkinson, Vice President for Student Affairs Laura Bayless, and Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Catherine Canney. After introduction of our Orientation Leaders by Joseph Flanagan, groups ventured out to the quad for some ice breaker activities, then to a day full of information sessions and activities.

The Center for Italian Culture (CIC) at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships and programming with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11.

The CIC, founded with a major gift by the late Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio of Fitchburg State’s Class of 1938, has been a fixture on the university campus for over 20 years. Throughout its history, the center has sponsored programs that celebrate Italian contributions to Western civilization and supported study abroad scholarships that let university students and faculty explore the wider world.

Fitchburg Massachusetts' Mayor Stephen l. DiNatale and Chief of Police Ernest F. Martineau stopped by the Wallace Civic Center this morning for the AXON Roadshow to learn about cutting edge products in the field of protection. They, along with students in our Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) got a chance to try virtual reality training, fire off the latest in taser technology, drone piloting, and so much more.

Our Office of Student Development Student Orientation Leaders, who are on campus preparing for orientation sessions for our newest Falcons, The Class of 2026, took a tour of Fitchburg, MA yesterday with Associate Director of Student Development, Commuter and Volunteer Affairs Shane Franzen acting as Tour Guide. The trip included many points of interest including the Fitchburg Art Museum, Flat Rock Wildlife Sanctuary, Game On, Dean Hill Cemetery (The Rev), and Cogshall Park. Other points of interest like shopping, restaurants, and local landmarks were pointed out during the drive. The tour was capped of with ice cream at Country Pizza.

Rebecca Hess '22 is putting her customer service and political science skills to work.

"My political science simulations taught me communications and management skills. Even if I don’t agree with you, I can understand your position so we can try to meet in the middle."

As a newly-minted university graduate, Rebecca Hess ‘22 has already made a career out of constituent service.

The Leominster native enrolled at Fitchburg State University four years ago because she wanted to stay local while pursuing a college degree in political science, and planned to keep working part-time.

“As soon as I turned 16, I had a job,” said Hess, who counts Chuck E. Cheese and Barnes & Noble among her prior posts. 

Those jobs weren’t glamorous, but Hess learned a lot about customer service from the daily interactions with patrons. “I had years of interacting with so many different types of people,” she said. “What I’ve learned is you can’t be taught those skills without having that experience in customer service.”

Our Office of Student Development Student Orientation Leaders, who are on campus preparing for orientation sessions for our newest Falcons, The Class of 2026, were given a presentation by Jonathan Harvey, Hildur Schilling, and Amy McGlothlin of our Music Department as part of the days training sessions and activities. The presentation stressed the importance of music in student's lives and what Fitchburg State University has to offer. Dr. Harvey noted that a recent study showed that over 70,000,000 Americans participate in a music ensemble - roughly the same number involved on some athletic endeavor.

Last week, The Caterpillar Lab of Marlborough, NH presented to third grade classes at McKay Arts Academy. The Caterpillar Lab fosters a greater appreciation and care for the complexity and beauty of our local natural history through live caterpillar educational programs, research initiatives, and photography and film projects. The Lab believes that an increased awareness of one’s local environment is the foundation on which healthy and responsible attitudes towards the broader natural systems of this world is built. 

Our Office of Student Development Student Orientation Leaders are on campus preparing for orientation sessions for our newest Falcons, The Class of 2026. This afternoon, Associate Dean for Student Development Dr. Hank Parkinson described, and then refereed a rousing game of OmniKin Ball on our Quad. Incoming first year students will participate in an overnight summer orientation session. Learn more about our Orientation Leaders, and our Summer Orientation Sessions here.

Students in the he Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) learned Identification and Interrogation techniques from Behavioral Sciences Assistant Professor Michael S. McCutcheon. Learn more about our Criminal Justice Program here.

Yesterday afternoon saw the launch of the Michael Vincent Addorisio Collection, a new exhibit and online collection celebrating the life and legacy of a fallen World War II sailor from Fitchburg. The Michael Vincent Addorisio (Addorizzi) Family Collection, including 93 letters, postcards, and medals, depicting a military life that was tragically cut short while serving on the USS Reid during World War II. The collection is curated by the fallen sailor’s niece, Rose Anne Addorisio, and is preserved in the library archives through a collaboration with the university’s Center for Italian Culture (CIC). Ms. Addorisio is a member of the CIC’s board.