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.

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.