Fitchburg State celebrated its 129th commencement exercises, graduate ceremony, on Thursday, May 15, 2025. President Donna Hodge, shared, 

After recording her podcast in the Falcon Hub  for Perseverantia: the Fitchburg State Podcast Network yesterday, Artrepreneur Red Shaydez, a Fitchburg State University alumna, hip hop recording artist, educator and cultural architect was interviewed on Fitchburg State University radio station WXPL 91.3 FM on the Joel Rodriguez Show.

Artrepreneur Red Shaydez, a Fitchburg State University alumna, hip hop recording artist, educator and cultural architect was live in the Falcon Hub in Hammond Hall today for a live for Perseverantia: the Fitchburg State Podcast Network podcast recording. After an introduction by Economics, History and Political Science Professor Katherine Jewell, award-winning filmmaker, Communications Media/Film/Video Concentration student, Tonia Magras conducted the interview.

Communications Media Alum and Lead Product Designer and Partner at Full Nelsen, Austin Soares '14, Interactive Media & Graphic Design, visited Professor Randy Howe's Communicating Product Design course to critique two student groups who presented on revamping websites and logos designs for Boston bases businesses. This group - the Dough-minators presented their updates for Bova's Bakery in the North End.

This year's Visions, a juried honors exhibit of the Communications Media Department, opened with an Alumni Panel featuring Communications Media alumni who discussed their professional careers, gave advice, and took questions from current students. Thank you to the alumni, jurors, Communications Media faculty, students, and staff. The Exhibit will run until August 1, 2025. 

Future Falcons joined us at an admitted student open house to see what their life at Fitchburg State could be. The day's program included campus tours, program-specific information sessions and a reception in the Athletics and Recreation Center. After President Donna Hodge welcomed everyone to the reception, Future Falcons, their families and guests, were able to mingle with a multitude of departments and student groups. The university offers a number of additional visit opportunities, from general tours to specific information sessions geared toward accepted students who are still making their academic decisions. Learn more on your opportunities here at Fitchburg State here.

Best-selling author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds, a 1983 alumnus of Fitchburg State University, returned to the campus earlier this month for an artist residency for a series of events with students, faculty and community members. On this day, Mr. Reynolds sat with President Hodge for a Q&A session in front of a crowded audience of students, faculty, staff, and community members in the Hammond Hall Main Lounge. Learn more about Peter H. Reynolds' visit to campus here.

Yesterday afternoon, our Disability Services presented How Do You Roar? A Reflection on Human Dignity, Disability, and to Making a Better World with alumnae Pat Deegan. Deegan shared her story of being diagnosed with schizophrenia as a teenager and being told she would be ill for the rest of her life. Today Pat runs her own company and lectures to audiences around the world about recovery after a diagnosis of psychosis. She shared her journey of recovery and invited the audience to reflect upon their unique ROAR.

Best-selling author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds, a 1983 alumnus of Fitchburg State University, returned to the campus earlier this month for an artist residency for a series of events with students, faculty and community members. On this day, Mr. Reynolds visited students at the McKay Arts Academy. His instant rapport with students was evident as he shared his story, taught students how to draw, enlisted a student to act out his book The Dot - playing the role of Vashti, and more. 

Associate Professor of Education Dr. Danette Day welcomed Fitchburg State University alumnus Mrs. Samira Ait Zbair '23 and her 5th grade class from McKay Elementary School to work with the students in her Culturally Proficient Educator course to implement a program called‬ Making Friends, Building Community, and Increasing Cultural Awareness Across Campus‬. This is made possible by a grant from the Dean’s Anti Racism Fund. Our Dean of Education, Mojdeh Bayat stopped by to observe and interact with the students, also sharing her experience of being a non-English speaking student.