This morning, President Donna Hodgesat down for an interview with History Professor Dr. Katherine Rye Jewell on our Fitchburg State University radio station WXPL 91.3 FM. The two discussed the start of the academic year, what we’re seeing across campus this fall, and what lies ahead for Fitchburg State University.

This morning President Hodge, Fitchburg State University Police Chief Michael Cloutier, members of the University Police, Fitchburg Police Department,  university faculty and staff, local dignitaries, and more joined with Fitchburg Fire Department (FFD) at their North Street Headquarters, adjacent to the university, to commemorate lives lost during the attacks on 9/11/2001. The ceremony was held at the 9/11 memorial outside Fire Department headquarters - a piece of a steel beam from the North Tower of the World Trade Center anchors the memorial.

This afternoon, Engineering TechnologyProfessor Ana Mesquita-Emlingerwelcomed  Dr. Sabino Luna, M.D., from Argentina, for a a special Lunch & Learn in the Falcon Hub. Dr. Luna, a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and Chair of the Mental Health Program at the University of La Rioja, Argentina, spoke about mental health, medicine, and spirituality. The session opened with  Brazilian musician Luiz Antonio, following, President Hodge gave welcoming remarks. 

President Donna Hodge and her Cabinet, AKA "The Donut Party Crew", loaded up the Donut Mobile and traveled around campus to hand out doughnuts and connect with students, faculty and staff on this, the first day of class for the fall semester.

After welcome remarks from Professor Laura Garofoli, Faculty Awards, Emeriti Faculty, Staff Awards, and Years of Service Awards were presented by the University Cabinet. Professor Christine Dee then presented the Student Ambassadors who received their green coats. President Donna Hodge then anchored her third annual State of the University address in the theme of "possibility,", delivering an inspiring speech to students, faculty, staff in Weston Auditorium. The program was followed by the Fall Semester Celebration. Read the full article here.

Professor, Dr. Sean Goodlett welcomed our faculty, staff, current and new students to the New Student Matriculation Ceremony this morning in Weston Auditorium. Dr. Franca Barricelli, Acting Provost and Executive Vice President convened the ceremony with Sophie Monis performing the National Anthem. Tim St. John, Dean of Students and Chief Student Affairs Officer introduced our Keynote Speaker Fitchburg State University Graduate, Class of 2014 Red Shaydez, Hip-Hop recording artist and Educator addressed the newest students. After  SGA President Elliot Olynciw-Olkuski and Student Trustee Yari Morales led the the signing of the Class Book, Dr. Donna Hodge, 12th President of Fitchburg State University, led our newest falcons in the Future Falcon Pledge.

This morning, President Hodge connected with our newest colleagues. She listened, shared a bit of her own journey from faculty to administration, discussed priorities for this year, and reflected on the future of Fitchburg University. 

Associate Vice President, Capital Planning and Maintenance Matt Lechter hosted a luncheon on the quad to thank Capital Planning and Maintenance Maintainer staff members for all their hard work this summer readying the campus for the fall semester. President Hodge and members of her Cabinet stopped by to thank them for all their work as well. 

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.