Today, the Fitchburg High School Extended Program at Fitchburg State University celebrated Kaylee and Dayana who graduated from the program. The Fitchburg High School Extended Program at Fitchburg State University supports eligible public high school students with intellectual disabilities, ages 18-22, to increase their academic and career success.  Lourdes Ramirez, coordinator of field placements, partnerships and recruitment for Fitchburg State’s School of Education represented the university and presented diplomas along with Fitchburg High School Extended Program and Fitchburg High School staff. 

This evening, the Fitchburg State University community held its Annual Lighting of the Campus with a new twist this year. 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 Associate Director of Student Development & Commuter and Volunteer Affairs 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.

 Counseling Services and Fitchburg Anti-Violence Education (FAVE) hosted a Harvest Hang on the main quad this afternoon. Students enjoyed a break with farm therapy animals, pumpkin painting, hot apple cider, and music. 

Students enrolled in the Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) had their monthly meeting yesterday afternoon in Weston Auditorium. After an address by Academy Director Alexandra Wysocki,  Fitchburg State University Police Chief Michael Cloutier moderated a BIPOC Police Panel Discussion. Students heard from Officer Michael Chesson, Fitchburg State University Police, Capt. Lisa Butner, Tufts University Police (retired Lieutenant MSP), Officer Daniella Lopez, Fitchburg Police, Officer Frimpong Antwi, Gardener Police, Officer Dennis Siaw,, Gardener Police, and Officer Carlos Cintron, Leominster Police. 

Yesterday afternoon, the campus community joined our active military and veteran students for a moment to acknowledge the service given by so many men and women of the armed forces. At the event, alumnus Theodore "Ted" Thompson Jr. '66, a member of the Esoteric Society was honored, 1st Lt. Thompson was killed in action in 1968 during his service in Vietnam.

Yesterday afternoon, the Society of Philosophers in American and Communications Media Professor J.J. Sylvia IV's Communication Law and Ethics Class hosted a discussion on how governments interact with and regulate social media platforms. Students and community members reflected on this timely topic at the Fitchburg Public Library.

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

A Drag Queen Story Hour was held yesterday afternoon in the Amelia V Gallucci-Cirio Library as part of the university's celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month. Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) is a children's event that was first started in 2015 by author and activist Michelle Tea in San Francisco with the goal to "inspire a love of reading, while teaching deeper lessons on diversity, self-love and an appreciation of others.

Last night, the Office of International Education (OIE) and the Fitchburg Indian Student Association observed Diwali in the Main Lounge of Hammond Hall. Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights with its variations also celebrated in other Indian religions. It symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, 
and knowledge over ignorance". The event, including dinner, dancing and an educational portion, Dustin Hodge, husband of President Donna Hodge, represented her for the Felicitation Ceremony, and joined staff members for the   lighting of the Dias.

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 some instruction from Student Staff, students rotated and stocked food and toiletry items as well as organizing clothing by size, color, and type.