History came full circle last Thursday in the  Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library, as the Fitchburg State community gathered to rededicate the Children’s Literature Collection to Professor Emerita Lillian A. Tater. The ceremony, held on April 30, took place exactly 50 years to the day after the original 1976 dedication, marking a poignant milestone in the university’s English Studies heritage.

Yesterday afternoon, our SEAM (Student Education Association of Massachusetts) chapter hosted an incredible panel in Percival 108. Alumni middle and high school teachers from our local community stopped by to share the "real deal" about life in the classroom.

From navigating daily challenges to those "lightbulb moments" that make it all worth it, our future educators walked away with a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Huge thanks to our panelists for giving back to the next generation of teachers!

The Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library hosted a Fitchburg State Community Read panel discussion, “A Novel Idea: Rethinking Our Food Systems,” in Hammond Hall’s Main Lounge.

Yesterday afternoon, our School of Health and Natural Sciences and Career Services held a Biotech & Life Sciences Career Forum in the Hammond Main Lounge. The   Department of Biology and Chemistry, in collaboration with MassBioEd, welcomed industry professionals (Biotech, Pharmaceutical, Bioengineering) to their annual Biotechnology Networking Event.  Professionals, many of whom are our alumni, shared their experiences with our majors and introduced them to the different careers within these industries. After an activity on the drug discovery pathway led by Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Blueprint Medicines Rizwana Seeham, students had the opportunity to network in small groups with our industry volunteers.

  Yesterday afternoon, student services leaders gathered in the Falcon Hub to celebrate and support our graduating seniors. The first session of the   Graduation and Commencement Fair  provided a seamless experience for students to finalize their journey at Fitchburg State.

The Fitchburg State University Mathematics Department hosted an Alumni Career Panel to answer the question; What is the professional value of a Mathematics degree? Panelists represent a wide range of industries, including quantitative finance, education, and software engineering. This was a unique opportunity for current students to learn how to market your analytical skills to recruiters, discover non-traditional career paths for math minors/majors, and network with professionals who once sat in their same seats.
 

Our Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness, along with the Black Student Union (BSU), THE Latin American Student Organization (LASO), and the Alumni and Giving Office  hosted a  an engaging panel this Black History Month featuring Fitchburg State alumni who shared their personal journeys, challenges, and triumphs during and after college. The audience heard inspiring stories, gained valuable insights, and engaged in meaningful conversation as we celebrated resilience, achievement, and community.

Alum Dan Richard of DG Richard Associates, LLC brought a wealth of expertise as he provided training for our Fitchburg State University Police Department today. Sessions focused on two critical pillars of their work: Leadership Development: Strengthening our team from the inside out, and Procedural Integrity: Ensuring all investigations are conducted with constitutional and procedural soundness. Continuous learning is how our Fitchburg State University Police Department stay sharp and serve our community better.

 Cillea Houghton a writer, storyteller and 2015 Fitchburg State University graduate visited Dr. Robert Carr's Marketing Communication course last week to watch the final presentations on a project she has been working on with the students. The Marketing Communications class assisted Cellia with producing the first issue of the No One Is Listening Journal, website, and marketing plan - which is centered around the theme of peace, in addition to a Pay It Forward challenge that connects to the theme of the issue. No One Is Listening is a new media platform Cillea founded with the mission to connect people across cultures through the power of voice. This will be accomplished through 3 pillars: On the Page (written and print pieces), In the World (live events) and On the Screen (video content). 

Alumni and Giving Staff were on hand in G-Lobby yesterday to offer students a respite during finals, offering a hot cocoa bar, some Fitchburg State University branded swag, and activities. Students were eager to get a boost and a break.