This afternoon, Shane Franzen, Associate Director, Student Development
Commuter and Volunteer Affairs and Advisor, Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) and Provost,  Dr. Patricia Marshall, welcomed attendees to the first ever LGBTQ+ Flag Presentation and Poetry Readings in the Falcon Hub in honor of
LGBTQ+ History Month. GSA Officers Allison Turner (President), Matt Messina (Secretary), and Emily Maestri (Treasurer), were among the poem readers. The Presentation of Flags was led by Shane, along with; Laura Bayless, Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Hank Parkinson, Dean of Students, Joe Flannagan, Case Manager for Student Affairs, Cheyenne Bryan, Coordinator of Greek Life and Programming, and Andrew Klein, Director of Community Standards. Dr. Jonathan Harvey and the Fitchburg State Choir for a very special presentation of “True Colors.” Followed by Professor Dr. DeMisty Bellinger-Delfeld recitation of her poem, "Orlando."

Love was in the air yesterday in the Hammond Maine Lounge where four therapy dogs, including Fitchburg State University Police's own Odin, were on hand so students could take a stress break. Keep your eyes on University Events for future visits.

 Counseling Services offered an array of Wellness and Relaxation Stations in the Falcon Hub this afternoon. Stations included, adult coloring, inspirational & affirming phrases, relaxation exercises, healthy snacks and more!  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.

This morning, participants in our Adult Learning in the Fitchburg Area (ALFA), a lifelong learning institute that serves adult learners in Fitchburg and the surrounding communities, gathered at Fitchburg's Abolitionist Park for Before & After Emancipation: An Introduction to Fitchburg Abolitionist History, with Dr. Danette Day. The course is designed for participants to learn about Fitchburg’s rich Abolitionist history and the people who made it; among the many people you will meet are Benjamin Snow Jr., Josiah Trask, Martin and Caroline Becker, and Caroline Briggs Mason. Also, learn more about prominent abolitionists such as William Lloyd Garrison, Angelina Grimke and Frederick Douglass. This morning, Fitchburg Ward 6 City Councilor Derrick Cruz stopped by and joined the discussion.

Career Services and Advising (CSA) gave away free coffee, pumpkin treats, and tips to spice up your resume today on the G-Level of Hammond Hall. You can still submit your updated resume, by October 3 at 5 p.m., for a chance to win a fabulous fall gift basket!

CSA will be holding a Resume and Cover Letter Workshop in Hammond 214 this Thursday, September 29, from 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

If you drove down Highland Ave. this morning, your eyes weren't deceiving you, there were indeed  alpaca on the quad courtesy of Commuter Affairs. Students got the opportunity to stretch and center themselves, through yoga, in the company of four alpaca from In the Meadow Farm, Lunenburg, MA. Students clearly enjoyed their session with the friendly camelids. 

Yesterday afternoon, as part of the Fitchburg State University Constitution Day 2022, Dr. Claudia E. Haupt Associate Professor of Law and Political Science, Northeastern University presented "Regulating Speech Online: Free Speech Values in Constitutional Frames" in the main Hammond Lounge. Regulating speech online has become a key concern for lawmakers, Dr. Haupt discussed the constitutional issues at stake with online speech regulation and protection. The university will be celebrating the Constitution of the United States all week.

Today, as in years past, members of the Fitchburg State University community joined other volunteers from local companies and organizations at the United Way of Central Massachusetts 27th Annual United Way Day of Caring. The Day of Caring brings together hundreds of volunteers in service projects to benefit local community groups and the clients the United Way serves, and make a difference through meaningful volunteer projects in greater Worcester area. #dayofcaring

This afternoon, members of the Sigma Pi Fraternity invited members of the Fitchburg State Community to gather on the quad for a friendly game of touch football.

Artist Nayda A. Cuevas discussed her solo exhibition “Status Quo: Deconstructing My Latinx Identity” at the Fitchburg State University Gallery this afternoon. The Artist shared deeply personal stories, discussed various media used to create her pieces, and took questions from students and faculty in attendance regarding this show that explores her Latinx identity. The exhibit, presented by CenterStage, will be in the gallery until October, 20, 2022. Read more about the Artist and the show here.