With President Donna Hodge at the NCAA conference in Washington, DC, Vice President of Personnel Services and General Counsel Stacey Luster hosted our inaugural Campuswide Development Day. Although off-campus, President Hodge gave welcome remarks via video.

To celebrate International Education Week, our of Office of International Education (OIE) is holding themed days in their office as well as in our Holmes Dining Hall. The OIE is hosting Tea with OIE! with hot drinks and treats from around the world with different continents highlighted each day of the week. Chartwells Dining is curating a special international menu for each day of international week. In addition, the Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library, will be  displaying a collection of maps, photographs, and texts that highlight Fitchburg State University's faculty-led study abroad locations. 

Last evening, the Fitchburg State University community held its Annual Lighting of the Campus. 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 Director of Presidential Events 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.

Director of Upward Bound Math & Science Nate Obin gave welcoming remarks and introduced Keynote Speaker, and First Generation Student, Dustin Hodge for our celebration of First Generation Day in the Hammond Main Lounge. Director of TRIO Student Support Services Elizabeth Swartz served as moderator for two First Gen panels; one consisting of current students, the other faculty and staff who all shared their experiences as a first generation college student. 

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

A gallery reception for the Inside Out: Guest Game Artists exhibition was held this afternoon at the Hammond Hall Art Gallery. The exhibit is  a unique look into the creative process of game design. Guest game artists presented their work and talked about their careers and artistic process. Guests Artists; Carlos Jambrina - a character A.I programmer at Rockstar for years, working on Red Dead Redemption II, Vicki Sarkissian - an art director and concept artist working full time remote for Starlight Games, Ali Swei - a senior concept artist for Intrepid Studios, and Jarien Skywall - a Senior 3D Character Artist working for Studio Drydock.

Ross St. Parking Lot was transformed for a Carnival to top off our Homecoming Weekend. Homecoming is our annual celebration that brings our entire Falcon community together for an amazing fall weekend - from the Pep Rally to the Tailgate, to the Football Game, and more!

Our Homecoming Weekend continued with the Fitchburg State Football Team  vs. Framingham State at Elliot Field. 

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. After a welcome remarks from Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Success Pamela McCafferty and President Donna Hodge, attendees took part in information sessions - where they had the opportunity to meet with faculty, current students, coaches, and staff, and later were able to tour the campus. As this was also our Homecoming Day, attendees received an All Access Pass to all of our Homecoming events; Tailgate, Football Game, Soccer Game, and our Homecoming carnival. Our next Fall Open House. will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25. Learn more here, and register online!

Yesterday afternoon, our homecoming celebration kicked off with a pep rally on the main quadrangle. The Fitchburg State University community gathered to cheer on the Falcons as they geared up for a weekend of athletic competition and school spirit.