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.”

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.