Fitchburg State University will mark a turning point in its storied history of excellence in women’s athletics with the launch of She Soars, a new initiative for supporters and friends who want to assist student-athletes as they reach for the next level. The university will host the inaugural She Soars luncheon on Monday, March 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Hammond Hall Main Lounge, featuring a keynote address by three-time Olympic medalist Gigi Marvin, a trailblazer for gender equity in professional sports. The event will also mark the launch of Fitchburg State’s Women’s History Month observances. Membership in the She Soars initiative represents a strategic partnership, positioning contributors as foundational pillars of the organization’s mission. A $100 membership unlocks an exclusive vantage point for this historic era, including exclusive Fitchburg State merchandise, admission to a signature luncheon, and a front row seat to the unfolding vision for the future of Falcons women’s athletics. This contribution directly elevates the daily experience of all female student-athletes at Fitchburg State. “The ‘She Soars’ luncheon is more than a celebration of our past; it is a definitive investment in our future,” said Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge. “By joining the movement, you are doing more than supporting a program—you are becoming a foundational partner in a new era of Falcon excellence. Your commitment ensures that every woman wearing the Green and Gold has the resources, the stage, and the support to reach her highest potential. We are building a new standard at Fitchburg State, and I invite our entire community to stand with us as we watch our student-athletes take flight." Visit https://tinyurl.com/yyw6hb3z to learn more about She Soars and the opportunities to support women’s athletics. At the inaugural luncheon, guests will hear about the power of the Falcon spirit firsthand as student-athletes from across the varsity and club programs will share how the grit, leadership, and community of Fitchburg State athletics have defined their journey. “We are expanding the horizon of what is possible for women at this university,” said Fitchburg State Director of Athletics and Recreation Matt Burke. “We are honored to have an icon like Gigi Marvin join us to celebrate the strength, dedication, and soaring potential of our Falcons.” Tickets are now available for the inaugural She Soars luncheon. Fitchburg State’s commitment to women in sports extends beyond the scoreboard. The programs focus on leadership development, academic excellence and community impact. Fitchburg State invites the community to support female student-athletes by attending upcoming competitions for basketball, indoor track, cheerleading and women’s club ice hockey this winter. For more information on Fitchburg State athletics, visit fitchburgfalcons.com.

Fitchburg State University will celebrate Black History Month in February with a series of events exploring the 2026 theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” highlighting the enduring legacy and transformative power of honoring history over the past 100 years. The theme centers on the vision of Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the founders of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASALH), whose efforts institutionalized the study, preservation, and celebration of Black life, culture, and achievement. From the establishment of Negro History Week to the global observance of Black History Month, these commemorations have shaped how Black people understand their past and assert their place in the present and future. For the university's exploration of these topics, Fitchburg State’s Black History Month initiative, includes cross-sectional representation within the institution, solicited programs from across all campus constituencies. The result is a diverse array of events including speakers from the university faculty and student body, as well as alumni and invited guests. Black History Month kicks off on campus on Monday, Feb. 2 with the official flag raising from 4-5 p.m. at Hammond Hall’s Main Lounge. Other events include an alumni panel who will share personal journeys, challenges, and triumphs during and after college on Wednesday, Feb. 18 from 4-6 p.m. at Hammond’s Hall Main Lounge, and the Fitchburg Activities Board’s Comedy Show featuring Elijah Nevels on Thursday, Feb. 26 from 6-8 p.m. at Hammond Hall’s Falcon Hub. Several of the events have been made possible through the financial support of the Newman Center Trust. To learn more, please visit fitchburgstate.edu/bhm throughout February.

Fitchburg State University is pleased to announce that Governor Maura T. Healey has formally appointed Joe Byrne to the university’s Board of Trustees. Byrne’s term of service commences effective immediately, bringing a wealth of expertise to the university’s governing body. “The Board of Trustees is honored to welcome Joe Byrne, whose distinguished record of service embodies the values we hold dear," said Board Chairman Michael Fiorentino Jr. "His perspective, leadership, and commitment to our students and community will be invaluable.” Fitchburg State President Dr. Donna Hodge welcomed the appointment, noting that Mr. Byrne’s vast experience represents a transformative addition to the university’s leadership. “The appointment of Joe Byrne to our Board of Trustees is a moment of profound significance for Fitchburg State University,” said Hodge. “Joe’s life has been defined by an extraordinary commitment to service—from his decorated career as a Green Beret to his tireless advocacy within the Fitchburg community. He brings a unique perspective that bridges the gap between civic leadership and the lived experience of our students. We are honored to welcome a leader of his caliber to the Board as we continue to advance the university’s mission and deepen our roots within the Commonwealth." Byrne ‘14 returns to his alma mater as a Fitchburg State double Falcon, holding a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration. He pairs decades of proven leadership with a genuine commitment to the community and the future of higher education. “I’m tickled to death to be here,” said Byrne. “I think that we have all the right cogs in proper order. We’ve got a great president, we’ve got a great facility, we’ve got the whole staff and everything seems to be working towards a goal of making everything better. I think that helping to contribute to that would be the epitome of being on the Board of Trustees.” A respected member of the business community, Byrne is the retired President and CEO of Byrne Insurance Agencies, Inc., where he provided years of dedicated leadership and expertise. A native of Bricktown, N.J., Byrne’s commitment to public service was shaped early in life, watching his father serve two terms as mayor. Though his academic journey began shortly after high school, it was interrupted by a higher calling: service in the Vietnam War. This marked the beginning of a distinguished 22-year career in the United States Army, during which Mr. Byrne served with elite units as a paratrooper, Army Ranger, and member of the special forces. Following a highly decorated military career—including the receipt of the Purple Heart for his sacrifices in the line of duty—Byrne retired in 1985 and chose Fitchburg as his home. Since his transition to civilian life, he remained a tireless advocate for his community and a lifelong learner. Beyond his military accolades as a Green Beret, Byrne built a multi-faceted professional and civic portfolio. His experience spans the private and public sectors, having served as a military recruiter, a successful insurance agent, and a dedicated parent. His deep ties to the local community were evidenced by his leadership roles, where he contributed his governance expertise to the Fitchburg Zoning Board of Appeals and represented regional interests on the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee. The upcoming Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday, January 29 will mark a significant moment of transition for the university as the Board welcomes Byrne to his first official session. A centerpiece of this meeting will be a tribute to Carolyn Crowley Stimpson, commemorating the conclusion of her landmark tenure. Having dedicated more than a full decade to the university’s mission, Crowley Stimpson’s departure marks the end of an era defined by unwavering commitment and visionary guidance. The Board will celebrate her 10-plus years of distinguished leadership, reflecting on a legacy that has fundamentally shaped the university’s trajectory and left a profound, lasting impact on the community she so faithfully served. A prominent leader in the Massachusetts business community, Crowley Stimpson serves as co-owner and board member of Polar Beverages Company in Worcester, co-owner and vice president of Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, and president of MTNside Ski and Ride. She and her husband, John, live in Princeton. "Carolyn has been a cornerstone of our Board, bringing an unmatched entrepreneurial spirit to her governance," said President Hodge. "We are profoundly grateful for her decade of advocacy and for the enduring legacy she has established here."

Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge has announced the students who qualified for inclusion on the Dean’s List and President's List for the Fall 2025 semester. A student is placed on the Dean’s List for the semester if an average grade of 3.20 or better is attained, and the student is attending the university full time. View the Dean's List Fall 2025. The President’s List honors students for consistently high academic achievement. A student is named to the list after achieving a 3.75 average in each of three successive semesters. View the President's List Fall 2025.

Fitchburg State University Vice President for Personnel Services and General Counsel Stacey Luster will be the keynote speaker at the City of Fitchburg’s 27th annual Martin Luther King Celebration at noon on Monday, Jan. 19 at the Fitchburg Senior Center, located at 14 Wallace Ave. Luster was elected to two terms on the Worcester City Council, and remains the only African-American female to represent Worcester residents. “I am truly honored to be the keynote speaker for the Fitchburg community’s MLK celebration,” said Luster. “This is a full circle moment for me, having served as the emcee for the Worcester MLK breakfast for many years. As a newcomer to Fitchburg State University, I am humbled to be introduced to the Fitchburg community by the MLK Coalition.” The program will also feature remarks from Fitchburg State Presidential Ambassador and student Geybrell Liriano, along with a performance from the newly formed Fitchburg State Drumline, under the direction of Associate Professor of Humanities Amy McGlothlin. Fitchburg State Presidential Ambassador Sydney-Amelia Nortelus will introduce the Fitchburg State Dance Club. Featured performers for this piece include Alexis Toste, Ben Mulrenan, Adriana Padilla Salgado, Hanna Breault and Kaisha Serrano. Reverend Doctor Martin Martin Luther King Jr. (Jan. 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968) dedicated his life to the nonviolent struggle for racial equality in the United States. The third Monday in January marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a U.S. holiday that honors King’s legacy and challenges citizens to engage in volunteer service in their communities. The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration was officially recognized in 1983 – 15 years after his death. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia and attended Morehouse College at the age of 15, and went on to earn his doctorate at Boston University. He was a Baptist minister, married with 4 children.