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.”

President Hodge stopped by yesterday's  Office of Alumni and Giving Alumni Board meeting in Percival to discuss her vision for the upcoming school year, stress her gratitude for he important work the Alumni Board is engaged in.

As a token of her appreciation, and fierce advocacy of our Fitchburg State University Police, President Hodge hosted the department at the President's Residence. Chief Michael Cloutier along with Captain Richard Nelson, Lieutenant Phillip Karampatsos, and Lieutenant Andrew Lamarche used the occasion to present the Fitchburg State University Police  awards. Ina addition, Chief Cloutier showed his, and the department's appreciation for all President Hodge has done in her first year, by presenting her with an award as well. Congratulations to award winners Officer Grace Kerr, Officer Andrew Morris, and Sergeant Timothy Grant.

President Donna Hodge met with the Staff Instructors and Fitchburg State University Police Program Academy Director Ola Wysocki  before giving some words of encouragement to members of the  8th Fitchburg State University Police Program's Recruit Officer Course (ROC) ay Landry Arena this morning at the onset of the program.

Fitchburg State University just wrapped up its 129th Undergraduate Commencement exercises on the main quadrangle. After reflections from from President Donna Hodge, inspiring words from internationally renowned author, illustrator, entrepreneur and Fitchburg State University alumnus Peter H. Reynolds, and Robert V. and Jeanne S. Antonucci Leadership Award winner Alexia Perez-Lucas '25, eager graduates received their degrees. Here is a first look at the day, check back to see all the photos from today's event!

Fitchburg State celebrated its 129th commencement exercises, graduate ceremony, on Thursday, May 15, 2025. President Donna Hodge, shared, 

Students in Dr. Robert Carr's Client Project Production course  presented their final  campaign to this semester's client, the Fitchburg Art Museum and Photographer Stephen DiRado, whose exhibit, Better Together: Four Decades of Photographs, they are promoting. DiRado, Fitchburg Art Museum Director Nick Capasso, Assistant Curator Sarah Harper. Dr. Carr, President Hodge and Filmmaker Dustin Hodge scrutinized the various elements of the campaign; marketing, catalogue, social media, and video. It was unanimous that the students did an amazing job. Better Together: Four Decades of Photographs will be on exhibit at the Fitchburg Art Museum through June 1, 2025.

Mount Wachusett Community College students in search of a residential collegiate experience may live on the Fitchburg State University campus through a new agreement recently signed by the presidents of the institutions.

Students enrolled in the new Housing Program will benefit from the longstanding collaboration between Fitchburg State and the Mount, which includes articulation agreements, close proximity, a shared regional transportation system, and a shared commitment to supporting students' academic, co-curricular, and social development. 

Participating students from the Mount will also be able to access the facilities, resources, and activities at Fitchburg State.