Part of the college experience is getting involved. and as we reach the finish line of another incredible academic year, it's time to pause, reflect, and celebrate the vibrant moments that defined our students'  journey outside the classroom.

Last week, students enrolled in our Upward Bound Math & Science Program (UBMS) program decorated cookies, sipped some hot coco, made snowflakes, snow globes, and cut out snowflakes in Thompson Hall at their Winter Enrichment Day.

This morning saw the culmination of the Annual Care & Share Holiday Community Program, spearheaded by the Office of Student Engagement, Fitchburg Community Outreach Center (FCOC) & the Mckay Elementary School. Members of Materials Management, University Police, and  Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness gathered in Hammond Hall to gather gifts donated by faculty and staff for our Care & Share Program. After an escort from University Police, for delivery to the McKay Campus School, gifts for 32 families were sorted. For more than 45 years, the campus community has "adopted" children from the McKay school community to receive unwrapped gifts. This year, 118 Children were "adopted."

Counseling Services hosted a Finals Frenzy event giving out ice cream sundaes in G-Lobby in the Hammond building. In addition to the ice cream, Graduate Intern Peter Kaiser showed off his prestidigitation skills. Counseling Services strives to provide an inclusive space that honors the strengths, lived experience, and uniqueness of each individual. Our counselors provide services focused on wellness, growth, and self advocacy, in order to enhance your success at the university and in the larger community. 

Director of Upward Bound Math & Science Nate Obin welcomed President Donna Hodge toa discussion this morning as part of our Future Educator Academy. President Hodge discussed her own journey in higher education and took questions. Some of our Presidential Ambassadors, as well as our Dean of the School of Education,  Mojdeh Bayat and Economics, History and Political Science Professor Christine Dee were on hand to answer questions as well.  

Student teams in English Studies Professor Dr. Katharine Covino's First-Year Experience (FYE) course each created a Public Service Announcement (PSA) which were judged, with a PSA about water refill stations coming out on top. Fitchburg Mayor Samantha Squailia visited the class to sign and give certificates to the winning team. 

The University recently hosted the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce'sCommunity Leadership Institute Class of 2026 in the Hammond Main Lounge. In the morning, Business Department Chair and CLI Instructor Dr. Michael Greenwood led the group in a team exercise. Later in the day, President Donna Hodge, along with Nicole Conroy of My Turn Inc., Thomas Browne of Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, and Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) President James Vander Hooven spoke to the class about challenges facing the region through the lens of education.

Students got a chance to unwind last night, at the Fitchburg Activities Board (FAB) sponsored ChristmasHanukkahKwanzaKings (Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Three Kings) event. Various student groups were on hand to spread holiday cheer with holiday themed crafts, the wildly popular stuff-a-plush, and much more. Meanwhile, members of the administration passed hors d'oeuvres festooned in holiday garb.

Earlier this week, students got a little break from classes, tests, and projects by spending a some time with old favorites, and Penny, Zara, and Silas  along with  newcomers. in the Hammond Maine Lounge. These therapy dogs are always a welcome respite from early semester stresses.