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.

Last evening, the Fitchburg State University community held its Annual Lighting of the Campus. Prior to the lighting, faculty, staff, and students gathered at Alumni Plaza near Thompson Hall for refreshments, games, conversation, and more. A procession then made it's way down Highland Ave. to the Highland  Plaza for the Annual Lighting of the Campus. After a welcome from Director of Presidential Events Shane Franzen, and remarks from Student Government Association (SGA) President Michael Burns and  President Hodge, the two led the crowd in a countdown to the lighting of the campus.

On Friday, Assistant Professor Karen DeAngelis of the university’s Education Department led a group of our Education students, who are members of the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, in an activity in third-grade classrooms at McKay Elementary School. The students read the book "Veterans - Heroes in our Neighborhood"  and then had the elementary students write letters of gratitude to local veterans for their service.  These letters will be distributed to veterans during Veterans Day activities at the Fitchburg Armory, the Veterans Hospital in Bedford,  MA, as well as a local assisted living facility. Student Veteran Jacob Chandler, an Army veteran with a deployment to Afghanistan, was among the Education majors.

Yesterday afternoon, Chartwells Dining hosted a Teaching Kitchen session in G-Lobby. Students got to sample, and get recipes, directions, and dorm friendly appliances to make nutritious meals with ingredients available at the Fitchburg State University Falcon Bazaar Food Pantry. The minestrone soup was a big hit!

Director of Upward Bound Math & Science Nate Obin gave welcoming remarks and introduced Keynote Speaker, and First Generation Student, Dustin Hodge for our celebration of First Generation Day in the Hammond Main Lounge. Director of TRIO Student Support Services Elizabeth Swartz served as moderator for two First Gen panels; one consisting of current students, the other faculty and staff who all shared their experiences as a first generation college student. 

Each year, Fitchburg State University's Office of Student Engagement holds, and judges, the Staff Golden Pumpkin Costume Contest - this year's theme was Streaming Shows. The winning office gets bragging rights for an entire year along with the Golden Pumpkin Trophy!