Future Falcons joined us at an admitted student open house to see what their life at Fitchburg State could be. The day's program included campus tours, program-specific information sessions and a reception in the Athletics and Recreation Center. After President Donna Hodge welcomed everyone to the reception, with the help of our Drumline, Future Falcons, their families and guests, were able to mingle with a multitude of departments and student groups. The university offers a number of additional visit opportunities, from general tours to specific information sessions geared toward accepted students who are still making their academic decisions. Learn more on your opportunities here at Fitchburg State here.  

 In a cooperative effort between our Criminal Justice Program and our Housing and Residential Services students in Professor Michael S. McCutcheon's Criminal Investigation course were able to work crime scenes in an unoccupied suite in Aubuchon Hall. In this lab, students use various methods to create blood spatter patterns, then perform blood spatter analysis. Bloodstain Pattern Analysis a forensic discipline that interprets the size, shape, and distribution of bloodstains at a crime scene to reconstruct events, such as identifying the positioning of individuals, weapon type, and mechanism of bloodshed.   

 English Studies Professor Kisha Tracy welcomed representatives from across the campus for a session of her Major Authors course in Thompson Hall this afternoon.. Professor Tracy  is teaching Chaucer with a bit of a twist - asking students to view his work through the lens of their specific majors. She welcomed ambassadors from Exercise and Sports Science,  Communications Media, Criminal Justice, Education, and Engineering Technology to work with her students on their unique angle on this major author. Engineering Technology Professor Ana Mesquita-Emlinger brought students in her Architectural Design course to present the various architectural elements of the Canterbury Cathedral.

Criminal Justice Professor Michael S. McCutcheon lectures students in his Criminal Investigation course. As a criminal investigation expert, Dr. McCutcheon has recently  been interviewed regarding the Guthrie kidnapping investigation on local news WCVB Boston. This course will enable the student to understand the fundamentals of the criminal investigation process. The student will explore investigative techniques in crime scene search, collection and use of evidence and information. Additionally the student will study investigation of specific crimes to include crimes against persons, crimes against property, deceased persons, motor vehicle theft, crimes against the public, controlled substance investigations, and gang investigations.

Criminal Justice Professor Dr. David Weiss discusses the nature, history, role, operations and management of law enforcement agencies with students in his Theory & Practices of Policing course.

Prior to today’s Board of Trustees meeting, Chief of Staff Matthew Bruun hosted a special faculty showcase in the Hammond Hall Main Lounge. Professors Joshua Spero and Christine Dee (Economics, History and Political Science) joined David Weiss (Criminal Justice) to highlight the innovative projects and research currently underway. The discussion focused on how faculty are driving innovation through cross-disciplinary projects.

Director of Admissions Tony Trodella welcomed students enrolled in Smith Vocational & Agricultural High School's Public Safety program to campus this morning to learn about our Criminal Justice (CJ) & Fitchburg State University Police Program. Criminal Justice Professor Michael S. McCutcheon led a Police Program/CJ info session and mock lesson with current student available to answer questions. Director of Admissions Tony Trodella then gave highlights of Fitchburg State University, including how to apply with a campus tour following. Last, but not least, was lunch at our Holmes Dining Commons before departure back to Northampton, MA. 

Students who've completed a Criminal Justice (CJ) internship gave presentations about their particular internships to Professor Eileen Kirk and other students. Here, a student spoke about her internship with the Mendon, MA police Department.

Fitchburg State University Police Program  Police Academy Director Alexandra Wysocki welcomed representatives from over a dozen law enforcement agencies to the Hammond Main Lounge yesterday afternoon for the  Career Services and Advising Center's Law Enforcement Reverse Career Fair. A reverse career fair flips the table, students stationed at tables get a chance to pitch themselves to employers, who in turn get quality one-on-one time with job seekers.

Criminal Justice Professor Eileen Kirk welcomed alumni to her First Year Experience (FYE): Behavioral Sciences course today to discuss various aspects of the criminal justice system. Nicole Berthiaume'06,'13 of LifeStance Health, Maeghan Alansky '24 of the  Fitchburg District Court, Travis Morcaldi '22, '23 of the Fitchburg Police Department, and Jevon Brown-Simpson '18 of the Massachusetts Department of Correction discussed their experiences at Fitchburg State University and how it lead them to their current careers.