Best-selling author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds, a 1983 alumnus of Fitchburg State University, returned to the campus earlier this month for an artist residency for a series of events with students, faculty and community members. On this day, Mr. Reynolds sat with President Hodge for a Q&A session in front of a crowded audience of students, faculty, staff, and community members in the Hammond Hall Main Lounge. Learn more about Peter H. Reynolds' visit to campus here.

Last week, President Donna Hodge and Fitchburg State University Police Chief Michael Cloutier wrapped up a days-long emergency management training on campus attended by university administrators and staff as well as representatives from the city’s police and fire departments by handing out giftbags as a token of their appreciation. 

Before the our MASCAC Championship Men's Hockey Team  heads to the NCAA DIII Tournament on Saturday, President Donna Hodge hosted a small celebratory brunch and NCAA Tournament announcement watch party this morning in the Falcon Hub at Hammond Hall, where the bracket and schedule was announced.

President Hodge and  Coach Fuller addressed the team expressing gratitude for their MASCAC championship run, and wishing them luck in the first round of he NCAA DIII Tournament where they learned this morning, they will be facing off against Utica. 

Yesterday afternoon, President Donna Hodge sat down for an interview with Joel Rodriguez during his show on our Fitchburg State University radio station WXPL 91.3 FM.

President Hodge was recently at Fitchburg Access Television (FATV), a frequent collaborator and partner of the university, for an interview for The Kushmerek Connection featuring Fitchburg State University alum State Representative Michael Kushmerek. 

 Recently, President Hodge welcomed Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. recently to view a presentation by students in Communications Media Professor Kyle Moody's  social media campaign class. The students spent the fall semester designing multimedia collateral for the Worcester County District Attorney’s public relations campaign to encourage safe driving for mobile phone users.

The experience was life-changing for the students and, according to District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr., will also make an impact on members of the public who view their work.   

This evening, the Fitchburg State University community held its Annual Lighting of the Campus with a new twist this year. 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 Associate Director of Student Development & Commuter and Volunteer Affairs 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.

Yesterday afternoon, the campus community joined our active military and veteran students for a moment to acknowledge the service given by so many men and women of the armed forces. At the event, alumnus Theodore "Ted" Thompson Jr. '66, a member of the Esoteric Society was honored, 1st Lt. Thompson was killed in action in 1968 during his service in Vietnam.

This evening, President Donna Hodge welcomed a delegation from Rhine-Waal University in Kleve, Germany at a reception at the Iver Johnson House - the president’s residence. There are a  a series of events planned for the visit. Fitchburg and Kleve have been sister cities for more than 30 years, and the two universities have also partnered on international degree programs.

President Hodge and members of the university cabinet delivered lunches to teachers and staff at McKay Elementary School, located on the Fitchburg State campus, on a recent early release day for pupils. The visit was part of continuing discussions to strengthen ties between the campus and the school.