Winter Orientation was held in the Hammond Center today to welcome our newest Falcons to campus. After registration, the day began with welcome remarks from Director of Student Development Michael Kennedy, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Patricia Marshall, Vice President for Student Affairs Laura Bayless, and our Student Orientation Leaders. Students and their families heard presentations from various student services departments including Commuter Affairs, Housing and Residential Services, Wellness & Counseling Services, Academic Coaching and Tutoring Center,  Career Services and Advising (CSA), Student Accounts, University Police, and Community Health Connections, Welcome to the flock!

Intown Fitchburg's First Thursday Farmer's Market has moved indoors for the season, taking place inside the Fitchburg Art Museum. Local Farmers, Artists, Crafters, and Authors offered their wares surrounded by the museum's exhibits. Admission to the Fitchburg Art Museum is free as s part of  Intown Fitchburg's First Thursday.

Fitchburg State University held the winter ceremony of its 127th commencement exercises at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 in the campus Athletics and Recreation Center, 130 North St.

Part of the college experience is getting involved. We encourage our students to take advantage of the opportunities offered outside the classroom, whether you join a club, attend events, volunteer, or seek employment.

There are currently about 75+ active clubs and organizations on campus. They range from large, general organizations like the Student Government Association (SGA) and Fitchburg Activities Board (FAB), to smaller, more niche organizations like Quidditch club or Exercise and Sports Science club. Starting a new club is also always an option. Gymnastics club and the Ice Hockey club were both recently created in the past year.

To learn more about all our clubs check out FalConnect.

This morning saw the culmination of the Annual Care & Share Holiday Community Program, spearheaded by the Office of Student Development, Fitchburg Community Outreach Center (FCOC) & the Mckay Elementary School. Members of Student Development, Materials Management, and TRIO Program gathered in Hammond Hall to gather all the gifts collected for the Care & Share Program, donated by faculty and staff, for delivery to the McKay Campus School. For more than 45 years, the campus community has "adopted" children from the McKay school community to receive unwrapped gifts. This year, 97 Children consisting of 47 families were adopted with Athletics sponsoring 25 children.

Yesterday afternoon, 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, students were offered an array of wellness and relaxation activities.  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. 

Our Academic Coaching and Tutoring Center held a Relax Before Finals event yesterday in the Main Lounge of the Hammond Building. This was a co-curricular event for First Year Experience students to come de-stress and get some resources to help them through the finals period. Students could stop by for make-your-own snack mix, crafts, puzzles, easier-to-read final exam schedules, and peer mentors to help strategize and schedule tutoring appointments to get through this final stretch of the semester.

Last week, students enrolled in the Fitchburg High School Honors Academy  visited campus to learn about the Fitchburg State University Honors Program from Honors Coordinator Mathematics Professor Dr. Catherine Buell, and Assistant Honors Coordinator Biology and Chemistry Professor Dr. Emma Downs, and students currently enrolled in the program. After the information and Q&A session, students took tours of the campus and enjoyed lunch in the dining commons.

Late last week, Dean of The School of Health and Natural Sciences Dr. Jennifer Hanselman and Engineering Technology Department faculty welcomed local business partners to the  Fitchburg State University Engineering Technology Department's Industry Advisory Board (IAB) meeting. Included on the agenda was an opportunity for students ask these industry professionals questions, and to present their work to the partners in attendance.

The Fitchburg State University Dance Club held their annual Winter Showcase Friday night and Saturday afternoon to packed and boisterous audiences. Each performance was choreographed by a member of the club, and the performances were amazing! Senior Kayla Matthews and her self-described Proud Dance Dad served as emcees for the event.