Yesterday, volunteers consisting of faculty, students and staff gathered in the Recreation center in preparation for this afternoon's Commencement Ceremony. After an event run down by Nate Corbett of Capital Planning and Maintenance, and an address from President Donna Hodge, groups of volunteers gathered to learn their assignments and perform a run through. Fitchburg Access Television (FATV) Executive Director Nathan Glenny was also on hand setting up to live stream the event, which can be viewed here. Learn more about our Winter Commencement here.

The Fitchburg State University Dance Club held their annual Winter Showcase Friday night and Saturday afternoon to packed and boisterous audiences. Each performance was choreographed by a member of the club, and the performances were amazing!

Student teams from all over the country were checked in at the  Fitchburg State University Campus Center as the university once again hosts the American Moot Court Association's Eastern Regional Undergraduate Moot Court Qualifying Tournament. Student teams and coaches from as far away as California and Louisiana registered for the event. Event coordinator, Economics, History and Political Science Professor Paul Weizer, welcomed volunteer judges, as well as the competing teams. This competition will span this afternoon and all day tomorrow.

Yesterday afternoon, the Communications Media Department hosted the latest in the Kendricken Memorial Lecture Series featuring Artist Georgie Friedman who presented Light, Video, and Experiential Art. Prior to introducing the Artist,  Film and Video Professor Robert Harris discussed alum David Kendricken, for whom the series is named after.

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.

This afternoon, Shane Franzen, Associate Director, Student Development
Commuter and Volunteer Affairs and Advisor, Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) welcomed attendees to the annual LGBTQ+ Flag Presentation and Flag Raising  at Alumni Plaza in honor of LGBTQ+ History Month. Dr. Jonathan Harvey and the Fitchburg State Choirs opened the event with renditions of “Music of Life” and “You’ve Been on my Mind”. Speakers from across campus  joined the festivities.

This afternoon, Photographer Atom Moore, a 2005 Fitchburg State alumnus, discussed the exhibition, “Second Nature,” during a gallery talk in the Fiorentino Foyer adjacent to the Sanders Administration Building gallery space. The works will be on display in the Sanders Administration Building throughout the 2024-25 academic year. Learn more about Atom Moore and the exhibit here.

Krysta López, Interim Director of our Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness hosted a Flag Raising Ceremony on the Alumni Quad (between Hammond Hall and Thompson Hall) this afternoon in to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month. Our annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration of the contributions and influence of the Hispanic and Latinx/a/o community to our history and culture is observed with a series of entertaining and informative events September 15 - October 15.

The Fitchburg State University Great Move In 2024 was capped off with the Falcon Nest BBQ. The new arrivals got to take part in an array of activities, and had one more chance to spend time with family before they left them in their new home.

It was all hands on deck this morning for the Fitchburg State University Great Move In 2024. This morning our athletic teams, staff, University Police, students, and more were spread out between Check-In at the Wallace Civic Center, and the dormitories on the main campus, all in the effort of making our newest Falcons move in process as smooth as possible. The Great Move In will be  capped off with the Falcon Nest BBQ this afternoon.