This morning, members of law enforcement, and the MA Department of Correction performed a walk through rehearsal for the graduation ceremony for their 335th Recruit Training Class which the university is hosting in our Weston Auditorium.

Gallery Marquee is committed to making art accessible to diverse artists and audiences. This exhibition, entitled CrossCurrents, celebrates the strength and variety of artwork recently created by students at Fitchburg State University and three of our regional high schools. The show features about 60 artworks encompassing a range of artistic media, including drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed-media art. The public is invited to view the exhibition, free of charge, throughout the summer during our regular gallery hours. Gallery Summer Hours: Thursdays from 12 - 7 p.m. & Saturdays from 12 - 4 p.m.

This morning, Fitchburg State University's Upward Bound  Math and Science Summer Program students learned about air pressure - and a little about the innate failure within the scientific method - on the quad during a bottle rocket experiment.

Outgoing Presidents Richard Lapidus, and incoming President Donna Hodge met with Fitchburg Mayor Sam Squailia and Leomisnter Mayor Dean Mazzarella in an effort to ensure open communications and continued collaboration between the university and our local municipalities amid this change in university leadership.

The campus welcomed representatives from colleges and universities across Massachusetts, and some from New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, today for the the Veterans Certifying Official Conference sponsored by the state Department of Higher Education. Certifying officials on campuses help student veterans get the GI Bill benefits to which they are entitled. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Patricia Marshall greeted the conference attendees who took part in sessions on topics related to supporting student veterans on campus and helping them complete their academic goals. You can read about Fitchburg State's services at fitchburgstate.edu/veterans.

This afternoon, soon to be retired President Lapidus, and incoming President Donna Hodge hosted an Ice Cream Social at the Lisciotti Pavilion in the Antonucci Science Center. The event was an opportunity for colleagues to gather, meet our new President, and catch up after the academic year and before the summer. Both Presidents doled out the ice cream to an eager and grateful crowd.

This afternoon, Alumni and Giving hosted their annual Retired Educators Luncheon in the Hammond Hall Falcon Hub. After a welcome from Ms. Dawn Morton, ‘90, President of the Alumni Association, guests received a campus update from Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Jeffrey Wolfman. After that, Ms. Morton presented  the Retired Educators scholarship to Alyssa St. Cyr '25, the 2023 Miller Award to Robert “Bob” Hogan, and the 2024 Miller Award to Francine Meigs.

After a morning full of information sessions and Icebreaker activities, our newest Falcons made their way to the quad for a much needed break before even more activities. They got the opportunity to unwind, make connections, meet with Coaches, grab a gigantic Chartwells cookie, or just relax.

We are very excited to welcome our Incoming students for the first of four sessions of our Summer Orientation 2024 this morning. After ID photos and some general "housekeeping",  our newest Falcons, the Class of 2028,  received boisterous welcome remarks from Associate Dean for Student Development Michael Kennedy, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Patricia Marshall, and Vice President for Student Affairs Laura Bayless in the Weston Auditorium. After introduction of our Orientation Leaders, groups ventured out to the quad for some ice breaker activities, then to a day full of information sessions and activities.

Our Office of Student Development Student Orientation Leaders, who are on campus preparing for orientation sessions for our newest Falcons, The Class of 2028, gathered in front of Hammond Hall for a tour of Fitchburg, MA yesterday afternoon  with Associate Director of Student Development, Commuter and Volunteer Affairs Shane Franzen acting as Tour Guide. The trip included many points of interest including the Fitchburg Abolitionist Park, Fitchburg Art Museum, Cogshall Park, and Rollstone Hill Quarries. Other points of interest like shopping, restaurants, and local landmarks were pointed out during the drive.