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! 

Faculty, students, staff  and alumni gathered in the Falcon Hub yesterday afternoon to celebrate the retirement of Jamie "Mama Jamie" Cochran. So many stories of all the lives she touched in her 30 years of exceptional service to the Fitchburg State community.

Today was a beautiful day for our second Fall Open House. It's an ideal way for perspective students to find out everything they want to know about Fitchburg State University. After a welcome remarks from Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Success Pamela McCafferty and President Donna Hodge, attendees took part in information sessions - where they had the opportunity to meet with faculty, current students, coaches, and staff, and later were able to tour the campus. If you missed out, check out our Admissions & Aid page to learn more and set up a visit.

Collin Syvert of the English Studies Department and Professor Kevin McCarthy of the Communications Media Department hosted a screening of a new documentary "From Sea to Shining Sea." Afterwards, a guest panel spoke about the film. The panel included Professor Benjamin Railton, Director John de Graaf, and  Fitchburg Historical Society Director  Susan Navarre.

Students from English Studies Professor Katharine Covino's FYE course - "What Do We Owe Ourselves? & What Do WE Owe Each Other?" - completed a Day of Service at the Fitchburg State University Falcon Bazaar Food Pantry and Professional Clothing Closet. After a quick tour of the well stocked and organized Falcon Bazaar Food Pantry Graduate Assistant, Office of Student Engagement Caitlin Moriarty brought the students to the nearby Professional Clothing Closet where she needed some serious help. After some instructions, students organized clothing by size, color, and type, and some general "housekeeping."