Fitchburg State University Military and Veteran Services hosted a Veteran Services Fair as part of our Veterans Week Celebration in the Hammond Main Lounge. DAV Department of Massachusetts, VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System  Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)  Leominster Veterans Services  Veterans Pathways of New England   Fitchburg American Legion Post 429  Leominster Veterans Services  North Central Women's Veteran Group  Project New Hope  MassHire  Fitchburg State University Counseling Services and Project Healing Waters were on hand to answer questions and offer services. Project Healing Waters, a leading nonprofit using fly fishing as therapeutic intervention for active military and Veterans, gave attendees the opportunity to tie a fly.

Fitchburg State University Military and Veteran Services  Student Success Coordinator  Andres Crespo hosted a flag raising to mark the beginning of our Veterans Week Celebration in the Thompson Plaza outside of the Hammond Main Lounge. After Andres' welcome, veteran student Nick Ringwood spoke to the crowd.

Fitchburg State University Military and Veteran Services Director Nolan Buck recently hosted a Veterans Services: Dog Day at our Veteran Center. The event served as an opportunity to take a moment to "paws,"  reflect  & destress with therapy dogs. 

Our Center for Diversity and Inclusiveness and Military and Veteran Services hosted a dynamic Women’s History Month panel honoring women veterans who share their stories of service, leadership, and resilience. Panelists reflected on their military experiences, the challenges they’ve navigated during and after service, and the lasting impact of women in the armed forces. 

Fitchburg State University Military and Veteran Services Director Nolan Buck recently hosted a VA Work Study meeting in our Veteran Center. This gave our veteran work study students the opportunity to gather for coffee, a snack & camaraderie. 

This afternoon, Fitchburg State University Military and Veteran Services Director Nolan Buck hosted an Open House/Meet and Greet event  in our  Veteran Center. This gave  our veteran students the opportunity  to gather for coffee, a snack & camaraderie. In addition, these students had the chance to discuss the unique concerns of veteran students.

Yesterday, Fitchburg State University Military and Veteran Services Director Nolan Buck hosted a Veterans Day Celebration in the Hammond Main Lounge. After welcoming remarks from Economics, History and Political Science Professor Sean Goodlett and a rendition of the National Anthem by Creative Arts Therapies Major Autumn Hughes, Air U.S. Force veteran Prudence Mecha and U.S. Army veteran Kirsten Perham  spoke of their experiences as student veterans. President Donna Hodge then shared how her experience as the daughter and granddaughter of veterans  shaped her life. Dean of Student Engagement Timothy St. John. welcomed Retired National Guard Paratrooper, Fitchburg State University alum and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) volunteer Patrick Donnelly who surprised President Hodge with the Seven Seals Award. The Seven Seals Award is presented in recognition of significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and supports the ESGR mission.

On Friday, Assistant Professor Karen DeAngelis of the university’s Education Department led a group of our Education students, who are members of the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, in an activity in third-grade classrooms at McKay Elementary School. The students read the book "Veterans - Heroes in our Neighborhood"  and then had the elementary students write letters of gratitude to local veterans for their service.  These letters will be distributed to veterans during Veterans Day activities at the Fitchburg Armory, the Veterans Hospital in Bedford,  MA, as well as a local assisted living facility. Student Veteran Jacob Chandler, an Army veteran with a deployment to Afghanistan, was among the Education majors.