An inaugural Drag Queen Story Hour was held this 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.

In recognition of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Sigma Sigma Sigma is holding a Pink Day! Stop by their table on Street Level of Hammond Hall and pick up an item to show your support, all proceeds go to breast cancer research efforts.

As part of the university's observation of LGBTQ+ History Month. GSA and the Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness (CDI) are giving out Pronoun Pins for International Pronoun Day as a way to celebrate yourself and to educate the university community on how to use one’s pronouns.

This morning, Commuter Affairs held a Commuter "Drive" Through event to support our commuter students. Students received a gift bag as they entered the Hammond Building.

This afternoon, Dean of Health and Natural Sciences Dr. Jennifer Hanselman introduced the panelists for today a discussion entitled, Waste Reduction: Solutions for You, Your Community, Your World, as part of Fitchburg State University's  Massachusetts STEM Week 2022celebration. Panelists were, Rodney Clara of Tough Stuff Recycling, Leah Fernandes of Environmental Health Safety and Risk Management, Fitchburg State University, John Fischer of Mass. Department of Environmental Protection, and Abbie Webb of Casella Waste. Akua Serebou ’23 (Biology major/Health Science concentration and Chemistry minor) served as Moderator.

This afternoon, Associate Director of Student Development & Commuter and Volunteer Affairs Shane Franzen welcomed attendees to the Dedication and Ribbon Cutting of the Falcon Community Outreach Center (formally known as the Volunteer Center) on the G-level of the Hammond Building. The Center houses the Falcon Bazaar Food and Necessities Pantry and Professional Clothing Closet. Laura A. Bayless, Vice President of Student Affairs enlightened people with some eye-opening statistics about student need at large and specifically to Fitchburg State University. President Lapidus did the honors and then toured the facility. 

Today was a beautiful day for the first installment of our  Fall Open House. It's an ideal way for perspective students to find out everything they want to know about Fitchburg State University. Attendees toured the campus, and had the opportunity to meet with faculty, coaches, and staff. Our next Fall Open House. will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29. Learn more here, and register online!

The Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS) program at Fitchburg State University was honored and recognized by Comcast yesterday for their participation, commitment and accomplishments at the Jurassic World: Rule Your Future STEAM Initiative, that they attended in Los Angeles, CA in June, 2022.  The event was sponsored by Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and Comcast/NBC Universal Studios, to focus on strengthening STEAM preparation and skills among low-income, first-generation students. 

In a dual celebration of Latinx/a/o Month & LGBTQ+ History Month, the Fitchburg State University community was encouraged to gather this afternoon of networking, storytelling, and viewing of Worcester Based QBIPOC Art Collective "El Salon" and their amazing art pieces, which showcased artists from the Worcester Region, at the GSA Rainbow Reception in the Hammond Main Lounge.

Chartwells Dining offered all things Fall at today's Fall Festival in the Dining Commons. Offerings included activities like Squash Bowling, and Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe, and autumn-centric foods like, apple crisp bar, pumpkin whoopie pies, hot apple cider bar, and more. Local farms and businesses were featured in both the food and free items for take away were, Hollis Hills Farm, Gove Farm, The Country Hen, Table Talk Pies, Pierce Bros Coffee, and Westfield Farm. Thanks to all!