The Community Read Committee will host a free public screening of the film, “Food Inc. 2” at 3:30 p.m.Wednesday, March 25 at Hammond Hall’s Ellis White Lecture Hall, 160 Pearl Street. Following the screening, there will be a discussion with Professor Chris Picone of the Biology and Chemistry Department. The film centers around innovative farmers, future-thinking food producers, workers’ rights, activists and prominent legislators, such as U.S Senators Cory Booker and Jon Tester, who are facing these companies head-on to inspire change and build a healthier, more sustainable future. The Community Read is a collaboration between Fitchburg State University, local libraries, and the surrounding communities. The mission is to promote thought-provoking discussions of literature to all audiences. This program is the product of the community, for the community. The goal is to facilitate a place for insightful discussion, giving members of the community a chance to share their opinions and be heard. Community Read Committee members include: Martha Crawford (ALFA), Ann Finch (Leominster Public Library), Marcia Ladd (Fitchburg Public Library), Ashley Kenney (Fitchburg Public Library), Laura Robinson (Dean, Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library), Kevin McCarthy (Fitchburg State, Communications Media), Paula Stefanakos (Alumni Board), Aly White (Leominster Public Library), Emma Downs (Fitchburg State, Biology and Chemistry), Meghan Kelly (Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library), and Wafa Unus (Fitchburg State, English Studies).

Fitchburg dignitaries celebrated the launch of the Fitchburg Public Schools Welcome Center, designed to connect Fitchburg families with the information and support they need to be quickly and warmly embraced by the community. The Welcome Center is a one-stop hub for Fitchburg Public School enrollment, transportation, family engagement, and local resources for Fitchburg Public School families. Fitchburg Public Schools, Fitchburg State University, and Workers Credit Union (WCU) collaborated to bring the project to fruition. “Today's ribbon-cutting marks more than an opening of a building. It represents our collective commitment to ensuring every family feels seen, valued and supported from the moment they walk through our doors,” said Jonathan Thompson, Superintendent of Fitchburg Public Schools. “Fitchburg has been a place that accepts everybody,” said State Representative Michael Kushmerek, as he presented a signed certificate on behalf of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. “We accept you for who you are. We meet you in your moment, and we tell you that you have a future here in this city.” The Welcome Center houses Fitchburg Public Schools’ existing Enrollment Team, Transportation Team, and Family and Community Engagement staff, and serves as a centralized space for professional collaboration and support for school-based family liaisons. The Welcome Center aligns with the district’s strategic plan, which prioritizes engaging with and valuing all families and partners to build strong partnerships that foster trust and a shared desire for student success. The Center physically solidified the partnership between Fitchburg Public Schools and Fitchburg State University, which last fall announced a “direct admissions” program, The Fitchburg Promise. “We want every family who walks through the doors of the Welcome Center to feel that their child's journey doesn't end at high school graduation. We want them to see the world of opportunity that awaits right up the street at the university,” said Fitchburg State University President Dr. Donna Hodge. Starting this fall, the program guarantees any Fitchburg high school student who maintains a 2.25 GPA and resides in Fitchburg will be guaranteed admission to Fitchburg State and may attend tuition and fee-free, so long as they remain in good standing. Workers Credit Union’s repurposing of the Main Street building, previously the WCU headquarters located next to its current Fitchburg branch, honors its commitment to Fitchburg, where it was founded more than 110 years ago. “We've always been here and we will always be here to help people lift themselves up and empower them to a brighter future,” said Jay Champion, Chief Executive Officer and President of Workers Credit Union. WCU’s strong relationships with its community partners, Fitchburg Public Schools and Fitchburg State University, reflect the credit union’s core purpose of enabling strong finances, with education serving as a powerful pathway to make that possible. Beth Walsh — the Director of Constituent Services for Senator John Cronin — presented a State Senate citation on behalf of Senator Cronin, who was unable to attend the ceremony. “This is an amazing space that not only welcomes people to the Fitchburg public schools, but to the entire community,” Walsh noted. The event also included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours of the newly-reimagined facility.

Fitchburg State University and Applewild School have officially entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), formalizing a long-standing relationship between the two historic Fitchburg educational institutions. The agreement aims to expand educational access, support local workforce development, and enhance community engagement throughout North Central Massachusetts. As anchor institutions in a designated Gateway City, both Fitchburg State and Applewild recognize that collaboration is key to fostering a vibrant regional economy and a thriving educational landscape. “Today isn’t just about putting pen to paper; it is about formalizing a spirit of cooperation that has been taking form for some time,” said Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge. “Since my arrival to this region in 2024, I have been grateful to be part of robust dialogues between Fitchburg State and Applewild, which have been incredibly productive and, frankly, inspiring. We have spent hours discussing how two ‘anchor institutions’ in a Gateway City can move beyond simply existing side-by-side to truly working in tandem.” “In today's educational landscape, we all face resource constraints and evolving challenges,” said Hodge. “However, our conversations have reinforced a simple truth: we are stronger together. By aligning our missions, we create a more robust educational ecosystem for North Central Massachusetts.” “Our MOU really amplifies the work of both institutions,” said Applewild Head of School Amy Jolly, who earned a master’s in Educational Leadership and Management at Fitchburg State. “That’s what I’m most excited about. We all move forward together when we support each other. All ships rise with the tide, as they say.” Key Highlights of the Agreement: Applewild School will offer a 50% tuition reduction for the children of Fitchburg State employees enrolled in its kindergarten through Grade 9 day programs (subject to availability and admissions standards). Fitchburg State employees will receive priority consideration for enrollment in Applewild’s infant through Pre-Kindergarten programs at the Fitchburg campus. The partnership reinforces the pipeline for Fitchburg State students to gain real-world experience through internships, practicums, and part-time employment at Applewild. Applewild will continue to actively recruit and hire qualified Fitchburg State graduates for teaching, summer camp, and professional staff positions. Applewild will encourage its own staff members pursuing advanced degrees to utilize Fitchburg State’s graduate programs. Both institutions commit to including one another in cultural, athletic, and educational events, creating a more integrated campus experience for families and students alike. “The Applewild mission is to nurture curious learners and empower them to lead with confidence, courage and humanity,” said Jolly. “We educate students from across the world and across the country, while remaining deeply committed to our local impact here in North Central Massachusetts.” Hodge said she is particularly excited about the tangible benefits this partnership brings to the local workforce. “The tuition reduction for Fitchburg State employees, and priority enrollment for early childhood programs, are more than just perks; they are investments in the people who make this university run,” said Hodge. “In turn, we are proud to welcome Applewild’s educators into our graduate programs and host their families at our athletic and cultural events.” Learn more about Applewild School and Fitchburg State University.

The inaugural Center for Italian Culture Conference on Italian Studies, sponsored by the Center for Italian Culture (CIC), will take place at Fitchburg State University on Saturday, March 21 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Hammond Hall’s Main Lounge, 160 Pearl Street. The conference is open to the public. Fitchburg State students are encouraged to attend and to register online. The conference will feature 21 scholars from across Massachusetts, as well as Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and even from Italy, representing both public and private universities, who will be on campus to present their research and discuss their scholarship. Participants from Fitchburg State University include: Acting Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Franca Barricelli, Professor Rala Diakite Cocco (Humanities), Associate Professor Yasser Derwiche Djazaerly (Humanities), Professor Daniel Sarefield (Economics, History and Political Science), Professor Donald Tarallo (Communications Media), Professor Teresa Fava Thomas (Economics, History and Political Science), and history graduate student Richard Whitehead. "The inaugural CIC Conference on Italian Studies is more than just an academic gathering; it is a profound celebration of the Italian spirit through the lens of our university motto, Perseverantia,” said Sarefield. “By bringing together 21 distinguished scholars from across the Northeast and Italy, we are creating a premier forum to explore how steadfastness has shaped Italian history, from the ancient world to the modern Italian-American experience. We are particularly proud to offer our students and the Fitchburg community a front-row seat to this high-level scholarly exchange, fostering a deeper, interdisciplinary appreciation for a cultural legacy that continues to endure and evolve." This conference aims to advance the CIC’s core mission: encouraging the understanding and appreciation of all aspects of Italian language, history and culture. The scope of presentations spans the full spectrum of Italian and Italian-American scholarship, including ancient, contemporary and the Italian experience in the New World. The wide-ranging concept of Perseverantia, meaning perseverance or steadfastness, serves as the central theme for the inaugural event. Attendees are invited to explore persistence, constancy and related concepts across all disciplines within Italian Studies. The conference promises to be a premier forum for scholarly exchange, offering attendees an unparalleled opportunity to engage with diverse perspectives on Italian history, art, literature, and cinema. This interdisciplinary gathering will showcase a broad spectrum of research, fostering a deeper understanding of Italy’s rich cultural legacy.

In honor of Women’s History Month, Fitchburg State University hosts Women in the Arts: A Celebration of Women-Identified Artists and Performers. This annual showcase highlights the diverse creative contributions of women within the university and the surrounding North Central Massachusetts community. The event will take place on Thursday, March 26 in the Conlon Fine Arts Building, 367 North St. The program will begin at 3:30 p.m. with an exhibit of visual artwork in the building lobby, followed at 4 p.m. by a program of musical performances and a film screening. "Fitchburg State's annual Women in the Arts celebration is an opportunity for us to recognize and experience the tremendous creative work of women-identified university faculty, staff, students, and members of the wider community," said Associate Professor Jonathan Harvey of the Humanities Department. This celebration is free and open to the public, inviting art lovers and community members to engage with a wide array of visual and performing arts.