Yesterday afternoon, Student Development held its annual Rock the Hall in Hammond Hall. Rock the Hall gives students the opportunity to connect with student Clubs and  Organizations here on campus.

A new calendar year marks a new semester, and students are on campus ready to learn, explore, and experience as the spring semester starts today.

Business Department Chair Dr. Michael Greenwood lectured at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce'sCommunity Leadership Institute Class of 2025 monthly session this morning which was hosted by our good friends at Fitchburg Access Television (FATV) in a transformed Studio A. FATV Executive Director Nathan Glenny is also a member of the current class.

We would be remiss if we let National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day pass without a shout out and big THANK YOU to Chief Michael Cloutier and the rest  of the Fitchburg State University Police staff.

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.

 Recently, President Hodge welcomed Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. recently to view a presentation by students in Communications Media Professor Kyle Moody's  social media campaign class. The students spent the fall semester designing multimedia collateral for the Worcester County District Attorney’s public relations campaign to encourage safe driving for mobile phone users.

The experience was life-changing for the students and, according to District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr., will also make an impact on members of the public who view their work.   

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, University Police, 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, 118 Children consisting of 46 families were adopted with Athletics sponsoring 25 children.

The Fitchburg Activities Board (FAB) sponsored last day of class activities in the G-Lobby of Hammond Hall. Students were treated to a nacho/tater tot bar and various stress relieving activities - with slime making being the most popular. One student was heard to say, "I am totally playing with this slime during my final."

Students got a chance to unwind last night, on the eve of the last day of class, 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.

Yesterday afternoon, students got a little break from classes, tests and projects by spending a little time with Moka, and Penny in the Hammond Maine Lounge, These therapy dogs were a welcome respite from the stress of finals season.