Fitchburg State University is proud to announce the appointment of Rebecca Brown as the first head coach of its newly established women’s varsity ice hockey program. Brown joins the Falcons from Wilkes University, bringing an elite pedigree of collegiate success and international professional experience to lead Fitchburg State into its inaugural season in 2027-2028. Wilkes finished 25-2-1 overall this winter, and fell to Nazareth University, 2-1 in overtime, in a NCAA Division 3 Championship quarterfinal. The appointment of Brown, of Steamboat Springs, Colo., follows the university’s landmark decision to add women’s ice hockey as its 18th varsity sport. Brown, a former standout at Utica University and Norwich University, most recently served as an assistant coach at Wilkes University. Her extensive ice hockey background includes a professional playing career in Sweden, Hungary and Germany, as well as a Frozen Four appearance as a student-athlete. “We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca Brown to the Falcon family,” said Fitchburg State University Executive Director of Athletics & Recreation Matt Burke. “Rebecca stood out in our national search as a leader who understands the blueprints of a winning program. Her experience as a captain and coach at the Division 3 level, and a professional athlete makes her the ideal person to build this program from the ground up and recruit student-athletes who will excel both on the ice and in the classroom.” Brown graduated from Utica University with a bachelor's degree in nursing in 2020, and a master’s degree in healthcare administration in 2022. As a forward/defenseman, the 6-foot Brown tallied 38 goals and 41 assists for 79 points in her career at Division 3 Utica. She owns the program's 2nd-most career blocked shots (56) and 2nd-best career power-play shot percentage (18.60%). Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge emphasized that Brown’s hiring is a pivotal moment in the university’s strategic growth. “Today is a monumental day as we move from the vision of women’s varsity hockey to the reality of its leadership,” said President Hodge. “Coach Brown embodies the dedication and passion we value at Fitchburg State. Her arrival signals our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for female student-athletes and gaining momentum as a powerhouse for women’s athletics in the MASCAC.” Coach Brown will begin her duties immediately, focusing on a nationwide recruiting effort to build a roster for the 2027–2028 season. The team will share the Wallace Civic Center with the championship-winning men’s program, utilizing the same facilities and the state-of-the-art Landry Arena for strength and conditioning. “I am incredibly honored, humbled, and excited to take the lead as the first head coach in Fitchburg State history,” said Brown. “This opportunity means a great deal to me, not just professionally but personally, as we begin building something from the ground up.” The launch of the program comes at a time of explosive growth for the sport. According to the NCAA, participation in women’s ice hockey has surged nearly 40% over the last decade. In Massachusetts alone, the number of girls’ high school teams nearly doubled between 2013 and 2023. While the varsity program prepares for its 2027-2028 debut, the existing Fitchburg State women’s ice hockey club will continue to operate with an expanded schedule for the 2026-2027 season, serving as a bridge to the varsity era. Brown said that what stood out about Fitchburg State is the university’s strong support system and commitment to doing things the right way. “For prospective student-athletes, they can expect a culture of personal accountability, resilience, grit and excellence,” said Brown. “We’re looking for players who are not only talented on the ice but also committed to growing as students and teammates – individuals who want to be part of something historic and help establish the foundation of this program. “I look forward to recruiting driven, passionate players who are ready to make history as the inaugural Falcons,” said Brown. “This is a unique opportunity to leave a lasting legacy, and I’m excited to get to work building a program that the university, Division III hockey and community can be proud of.” Fitchburg State will compete in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference against Worcester State, Salem State, Framingham State, Rivier and Mass. College of Liberal Arts. The inaugural Fitchburg State University roster in the 2027–2028 season will feature incoming freshmen, current students and transfers.

The Fitchburg State Concert Choir and Chamber Choir, conducted by Fitchburg State University Associate Professor Jonathan Harvey of the Humanities Department, presents a “Spring Sing” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5 in Weston Auditorium, 353 North Street. The spring choir concert is free and open to the public. "The spring choir concert at Fitchburg State is always a joyful celebration of vocal music, featuring students, community members, and faculty joining together in song,” said Harvey. “It's also an emotional event – every year the concert ends with a performance of Sam Cooke's ‘A Change Is Gonna Come,’ which we dedicate to our graduating seniors, and former singers are invited to come onstage and sing it with us. "This year's ‘Spring Sing’ features music spanning multiple languages, continents, and centuries that the singers have been preparing all semester,” said Harvey. “It's going to be quite a show." Learn more about Fitchburg State's musical offerings at fitchburgstate.edu/music .

The Humanities Department presents the spring concert of the Community Orchestra and Fitchburg State Concert Band featuring works by American Composers, and takes you on a journey of the "sounds of us,” on Thursday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Weston Auditorium, 353 North Street. The performance features the Concert Band under the direction of Dr. Amy McGlothlin and the Community Orchestra led by Dr. Hildy Schilling. The performance is free and open to the public. To learn more about Fitchburg State’s instrumental and choral groups, visit fitchburgstate.edu/music.

The Fitchbyrds Modern Jazz Band presents its 2nd annual Jazz Night celebration working with singer and trumpeter Christine Fawson on Wednesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. in Weston Auditorium, 353 North Street. The event includes performances by the Leominster and Lunenburg public schools jazz bands, who will also participate in a masterclass with Fawson that afternoon. “We are so excited to be able to bring this amazing artist to work with our students and the students of the local schools,” said Fitchburg State Associate Professor of Humanities Amy McGlothlin. “There are many people to thank for helping to bring this about including the Fitchburg Cultural Council, El Toro Promotions, Crocker Center, and the Admissions office.” Admission is free and open to the public. To learn more about Fitchburg State’s instrumental and choral groups, visit fitchburgstate.edu/music.

The Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library will be hosting a Fitchburg State Community Read panel discussion, “A Novel Idea: Rethinking Our Food Systems,” on Monday, April 27 from 3:30-5 p.m. in Hammond Hall’s Main Lounge. The Fitchburg State Community Read Panel discussion will address the status of our local food systems, what local leaders and organizations are doing to improve it, and what individuals can do, too. This event is part of Community Read's programming around the theme of "The Future of Food." Panelists to include: Meghan Maceiko, Director of Grants & Impact for Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts; Ayn Yeagle, Executive Director of Growing Places; Judy Tomlinson, Director of Community Impact United Way of North Central Massachusetts; Beth Walsh, Councilor at Large, Fitchburg City Council; Brandon Robbins, Executive Director, Ginny's Helping Hand Food Pantry & Thrift Store; and Paul Gove, Owner and Operator of Gove Farm. 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). "Being a part of The Fitchburg State Community Read, I want to participate in organizing thoughtful events for our books and themes,” said Stefanakos, the lead organizer of this event. “This year's focus on our food, and in particular food systems as addressed in the book Food Inc. 2.0, intrigued me. Food has such a positive connotation for most of us, but those positive feelings are lost when we're confronted with the facts about where our food comes from and who doesn't have enough of it. I felt so uninformed and helpless. What is the state of our local food system? What is being done? What can I do?” Robinson said that this event is all about going local to better understand and improve our local food systems. “We will hear from regional leaders who will share what it takes to feed a community and take care of our earth,” said Robinson. “I expect to leave energized with actionable ideas that will make a difference."