This morning, the university  welcomed members of our newest Nursing Student cohort to campus for the START STRONG; Your Nursing Journey Begins Here program. After checking in, settling in the dorm, and breakfast, President Hodge welcomed the newest Falcons. Afterward, Nursing Program Professor Karen Beaton. along with current students and faculty, began an array of activities with the students.

Fitchburg State University hosted its annual Retired Educators Luncheon on Wednesday in the Falcon Hub, a tradition established in 2011 that honors alumni who have dedicated their lives to the teaching profession. The event serves as a powerful homecoming for the university, celebrating its historic roots as a teachers' college originally founded in 1894. 

On Saturday, Weston Auditorium was packed for a truly historic moment: Fitchburg Access Television (FATV)  live taping of the final episode of Barbara & You.

The event was an incredible, emotional celebration of 50 amazing years of the show and a beautiful tribute to Barbara Foster’s legendary impact on community television.

Adding to the honors, President Donna Hodge took the stage to read an official commendation from Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, recognizing Barbara’s remarkable contributions to civic life and public access media. Joined by local dignitaries, coworkers past and present, and her loving family, it was a beautiful afternoon of shared memories and well-deserved standing ovations.

Thank you, Barbara, for being the voice, the heart, and the story of our community for half a century!

Yesterday, Fitchburg State’s Education Department hosted its annual ceremony to initiate new members into Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), the National Professional Association and Honor Society for Educators.

We also took this opportunity to bestow department awards and honor our graduating class as they prepare to enter the field. As we celebrate #TeacherAppreciationWeek, we are proud to recognize these students who embody our long tradition of excellence in teacher preparation.

History came full circle last Thursday in the  Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library, as the Fitchburg State community gathered to rededicate the Children’s Literature Collection to Professor Emerita Lillian A. Tater. The ceremony, held on April 30, took place exactly 50 years to the day after the original 1976 dedication, marking a poignant milestone in the university’s English Studies heritage.

The power of the pen was on full display yesterday afternoon!
Our Fitchburg State University English Studies Department hosted the annual High School & Creative Writing Awards in a packed Presidents Hall. Students from Fitchburg High School,Leominster High School, North Middlesex Regional High School, and Oakmont Regional High School were asked for entries. From Fitchburg State University President Hodge on the vital role of storytelling, to moving readings by our first-place winners, it was a true celebration of the next generation of writers.

Executive Director of Athletics & Recreation Matthew Burke, presided over the Fitchburg State University Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma's annual National Collegiate Athlete Honor Society (NCAHS) induction ceremony this afternoon in Presidents Hall. After welcoming remarks from  President Donna Hodge   student-athletes representing all of our 17 teams were recognized for their academic achievements.

At last week's  Board of Trustees meeting in the Hammond Hall Main Lounge Fitchburg State University Mathematics Department  Professors Peter Staab  and Fernando Diaz Morera, along with students Charlie Stevenson and Rohanji (Anji) Novas, presented their research from the Joint Mathematics Meetings in Washington, D.C. Charlie is a veteran, a father, and an IT professional who came back to school and found his path in mathematics. He graduates this May and is now looking at PhD programs. Anji is a first-generation student from the Dominican Republic studying computer science and math. She’s already thinking about her next national conference. These lunch sessions give our Board of Trustees a chance to see the amazing scholarly work of our students.

Last Friday afternoon, President Hodge joined herFitchburg State Universitycabinet, Freddy Falcon, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and more than 50 of our students for an afternoon and early evening on the mountain, taking full advantage of some of the final hours of winter at Wachusett Mountain. For many of our students, it was their first time skiing. No cost. Lessons free! Gear included. A fully planned opportunity to try something new.

The transition from local high school student to Fitchburg State Falcon began last Tuesday.