Dr. Laura Bayless, who has served as Vice President for Student Affairs since 2017, will retire from the university at the end of June. We honored Dr. Bayless’s years of service at a campus gathering on Tuesday, May 6 in the Hammond Main Lounge. It served as an opportunity to express our gratitude and to wish her well as she steps into this next chapter.

For the last month, our Dance Club Pros worked with staff to come up with a 3-4 minute dance, and yesterday afternoon was their last rehearsal in the Weston Auditorium before tonight's Dancing with the Staff event. The Fitchburg Activities Board (FAB) in conjunction with the Dance Club, are hosting Dancing with the Staff as a part of this year's Spring Week 2025 in Weston Auditorium, doors will open at 6:30. The winning Star and Pro will have bragging rights for a year, along with receiving the coveted Dancing with the Staff Trophy.

Staff, faculty, and students gathered in G-Lobby of Hammond Hall to commemorate the 50th anniversary of it's opening. The Hammond Hall Campus Center, named for President James J. Hammond (1963-1975), is the hub of the university housing many offices, gathering places, student services, and so much more. It's the living room of the entire campus, a place where there's always something happening.

The event also served as a welcoming celebration for our Upward Bound Math & Science program that recently relocated to the second floor of  Hammond Hall.

Business Department Chair Dr. Michael Greenwood lectured at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce'sCommunity Leadership Institute Class of 2025 monthly session this morning which was hosted by our good friends at Fitchburg Access Television (FATV) in a transformed Studio A. FATV Executive Director Nathan Glenny is also a member of the current class.

An unsuspecting Peter August, Assistant Dean of Enrollment School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education (SGOCE), made his way to the President's Conference Room where President Donna Hodge,  Chief Information Officer Stefan Dodd, Chief Information Security Officer Eric Boughton and Cameron Emanuel of our Technology Department presented him with the inaugural Fitchburg State University Phishing Award. After making his way back to the School of Graduate, Online and Continuing Education (SGOCE) Offices to brag a bit to his co-workers, the trophy was given a place of honor in Peter's office.

Each year, Fitchburg State University's Office of Student Development holds, and judges, the Staff Golden Pumpkin Costume Contest - this year's theme was Movies. The winning office gets bragging rights for an entire year along with the Golden Pumpkin Trophy! 

As part of Human Resources and Payroll Services Development Programs, Maria Millagros Vasquez, Class of 2001, author and motivational speaker empowered participants to find their why, practice intentionality, own their happiness, honor their feelings, and live in the present moment. A sense of belonging begins with oneself. Director of Title IX & Equal Opportunity Rebecca H. Newell introduced Maria, who kicks off the University’s Belonging Campaign with this  keynote presentation.

Earlier this week,  Biology and Chemistry Department Chair Dr. Erin Rehrig hosted a gathering to celebrate the "retirement" of  Biology and Chemistry Professor Dr. Michael Nosek at the Liscotti Pavilion in the Antonucci Science Complex. After being presented with a certificate from Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Patricia Marshall on behalf of President Hodge and the Board of Trustees, Dr. Rehrig gave a basket of gardening tools from her and the rest of the Biology and Chemistry Department - of which he made good use of to serve cake. While Dr. Nosek has officially retired, he will remain with the university as an Adjunct Professor.

This morning, Vice President for Student Affairs Laura Bayless welcomed President Donna Hodge and the Student Affairs staff to join her for Kick-Off 2024-25 in the Main Lounge of Hammond Hall. President Hodge thanked the staff for all their efforts made for the success of our Fitchburg State University students as well as fielding questions.

This morning, Director of of TRIO Student Support Services Beth Swartz, held a Managing Stress session with our Orientation Leaders (OLs) in the Hammond Center Main Lounge. She taught the OLs some stress relieving techniques, and discussed strategies on dealing with stressful situations.