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.

President Donna Hodge welcomed faculty, staff and students at the International Women's Day Celebration: Global Voices, Shared Strength luncheon and panel discussion in the Falcon Pub. The event, hosted by the   Office of International Education (OIE) and International Advisory Committee, was a powerful conversation honoring the voices, leadership, and impact of international women in our community. The pane, featuring international women faculty, staff and students, shared their experiences and took questions about their experiences as a member of our international community. Panelists were: Dr. Ana Mesquita-Emlinger, Engineering Technology (Brazil), Dr. Hefei Qiu, Computer Science (China), Dr. Jescah Apamo-Gannon, School of Education (Kenya/UK), Nelly Wadsworth, International Education (Philippines), Dana Gomez, MBA (Colombia), and Lisa Lech, Communications Media (Germany).

Fitchburg State University and Applewild School have officially entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), formalizing a long-standing relationship between the two historic Fitchburg educational institutions. The agreement aims to expand educational access, support local workforce development, and enhance community engagement throughout North Central Massachusetts.

Fitchburg State University  Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community partners gathered to reflect on women’s leadership, mentorship, and the importance of investing in the next generation of student athletes. As Women’s History Month begins, at yesterday’s She Soars luncheon.

We welcomed Gigi Marvin, a 2018 Olympic gold medalist, who spoke about resilience, teamwork, humility, and the kind of leadership that grows out of commitment to something bigger than yourself. Her message resonated deeply with the students in the room who are shaping their unique journeys. Fitchburg State University recently approved women’s ice hockey as our 18th varsity sport coming in fall 2027. Learn more here.

This morning, President Donna Hodge welcomed State Senator John Cronin  and Fitchburg State alum State Representative Michael Kushmerek  to campus for a very special occasion: celebrating the outstanding victory of our Moot Court team.

Master of Ceremonies Jeremy Roche '94, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations for Fitchburg Public Schools, welcomed attendees to Weston Auditorium for the inauguration of  Mayor Samantha Squailia, School Committee and City Council.

The ceremony opened with the Fitchburg Police & Fire Department  Honor Guard, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Fitchburg Youth Football & Cheer. Officer Jacob Boivin of the Fitchburg Police Department then performed the National Anthem. Following an opening prayer by Furqan Mehmud, President of the Fitchburg Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge delivered her opening remarks.

 State Representative Michael Kushmerek'08, '13 spoke on behalf of the State Legislature after City Clerk Joanna Bilotta administered the Oath of Office to the City Council, School Committee, and Mayor. The event featured cultural presentations by Guatu’niki, Fitchburg High School, and Las Faldas Rojas Traditional Dance, all preceding Mayor Squailia’s inaugural address.

The University recently hosted the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce'sCommunity Leadership Institute Class of 2026 in the Hammond Main Lounge. In the morning, Business Department Chair and CLI Instructor Dr. Michael Greenwood led the group in a team exercise. Later in the day, President Donna Hodge, along with Nicole Conroy of My Turn Inc., Thomas Browne of Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, and Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) President James Vander Hooven spoke to the class about challenges facing the region through the lens of education.

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. 

On Saturday morning in the Hammond Hall Main Lounge, the 2025 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) champion Fitchburg State University men's hockey team was finally handed the glittering, custom-forged rings, transforming months of sweat and sacrifice into a single, overwhelming flash of victory.