The 13 members of the 8th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) at Fitchburg State were sworn in as police officers on Friday September 12, 2025 before an audience of family, friends, elected leaders and public safety professionals. All of the graduates of our groundbreaking program have already been hired by police departments across the state. As President Donna Hodge told the assembled graduates and audience, “This academy is more than a program, It is a promise. A promise that public higher education and public safety can work hand in hand. A promise that innovation and integrity can meet in the same training ground. A promise that Massachusetts can lead the nation in preparing those who serve and protect." Read the full article here.

This morning President Hodge, Fitchburg State University Police Chief Michael Cloutier, members of the University Police, Military and Veteran Services Director Nolan Buck, 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.

The Boston Bruins Fan Fest Tour stopped at our Wallace Civic Center today with Bruins -centric fun for all ages. Activities included guest appearance by current and former Bruins players, Bruins mascot Blades and our own Freddy Falcon, interactive hockey games and exhibits, personalized equipment fittings for Learn to Play participants, and much more.

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.

It was a perfect day for our State of the University Address and Fall Semester Picnic on the main quadrangle this morning. After welcome remarks from Professor Laura Garofoli and Krysta Lopez-Acevedo, 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 from President Hodge. Last but not least, President Hodge asked the Principals of Fitchburg High School, Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, along with Superintendent of Fitchburg Schools an Fitchburg Mayor Sam Squailia to join her and Pam McCafferty, Assoc. Vice President for Institutional Research & Planning in the signing of a Direct Admissions Memo of Understanding between Fitchburg State University and the cities high schools. The program was followed by the Fall Semester Celebration Picnic. 

Professor, Dr. Sean Goodlett welcomed our faculty, staff, current and new students to the New Student Matriculation Ceremony this morning in Weston Auditorium. Dr. Patricia Marshall, Provost and Executive Vice President convened the ceremony with Taylor Crout performing the National Anthem. Tim St. John, Dean of Students and Chief Student Affairs Officer introduced our Keynote Speaker Stephany Infante, City Councilor District E for the City of Lawrence Fitchburg State University Graduate, Class of 2016 who addressed the newest students. After the signing of the Class Book, Dr. Donna Hodge, 12th President of Fitchburg State University, led our newest falcons in the Future Falcon Pledge.

It's Orientation Week here at Fitchburg State University, President Hodge took advantage of a class photo session to meet our newest Falcons.

With open arms and an open heart, Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge gleamed with pride as she spoke at the International Student Welcome session on Thursday afternoon in the Hammond Main Lounge.

Interim 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 stopped by to thank them for all their work as well.

Dean of Students, Tim St. John, hosted the Student Affairs Retreat on Tuesday at the Hammond Main Lounge.

“This is an exciting time,” St. John said. “We’re going to enter our sophomore year of our Hodge Era. We have new team members joining our division. Uniquely positioned, we in Student Affairs have the awesome opportunity and responsibility to serve as stewards of the student experience and to ensure that it is one that is enriched and supported for all of our students. 

“I’m going to continue to challenge us intensely this year to dream big and to act boldly, as we uncover what it means to serve all of today’s Falcons. It will mean taking risks and piloting new things, much like our activity here today. It will also mean saying ‘no’ or ‘not right now’ with intention or sunsetting some old things to make way for the new. It is my hope that, together, we keep fostering and engaging in these kinds of conversations and brainstorming beyond today.”