The course is set, the wait is over, and the premier tournament of the season is officially back. For the first time since 2019, Fitchburg State University is hosting its signature Golf Tournament on Monday, Sept. 28 at the scenic Oak Hill Country Club, 840 Oak Hill Road, in Fitchburg. "Bringing this tournament back is another way we’re strengthening the foundation around Falcon athletics and investing directly in the student-athlete experience," said Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge. "The funds raised will help us improve the spaces where our students train and compete, while bringing alumni, partners, and friends of the university together around a shared commitment to their success. I’m especially pleased to see this tradition return here in Fitchburg." Golfers, alumni, local business leaders, and Falcon supporters are invited to secure their spots for an exciting day featuring an 18-hole scramble format, high-value networking, and a community celebration. Participants can join as individual players, assemble a full team of four, or support the event through various sponsorship tiers. Every swing on the course directly empowers Falcon athletics. Net proceeds from this year’s tournament will fuel transformative athletic initiatives across the campus, funding necessary facility upgrades, essential infrastructure remodeling, and enriched student-athlete experiences. These investments ensure Fitchburg State teams have the modern resources required to excel both in competition and in the classroom. Whether competing on the fairways or connecting with local partners, involvement in this tournament represents a direct investment in the next generation of student-athlete leaders. “The return of our signature golf tournament marks an incredible moment of momentum for Fitchburg State and our local partners,” said Fitchburg State Dean of Institutional Advancement Dr. David P. Weiss. “Oak Hill Country Club provides the perfect backdrop to bring together alumni, business leaders, and supporters who share a passion for our university’s mission.” Registration is now open for individual golfers, full foursomes, and corporate sponsors, with direct contributions also accepted online at FitchburgState.edu/Golf2026.

The Fitchburg State University Humanities Department presents its first exhibition of the academic year, featuring local artist Romayne Dawnay. The exhibition is on display through October 18 at the Hammond Art Gallery, located in Hammond Hall, 160 Pearl Street. There will be an opening reception at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 at the gallery. The exhibit starts on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Admission is free and open to the public. Dawnay is an Ashburnham-based multi-media artist whose work on paper and tactile, hand-held objects — including handmade books, boxes, and bone carvings — explores themes of connection, energy, and universality found in both natural elements and cultural remnants. Formatively trained at the Oxford School of Art and Hornsey Art School, her artistic vision was deeply shaped by her former career as an archaeological draftsperson in Italy and Iran, where encounters with ancient artifacts ignited a lifelong curiosity in the cross-cultural threads that span time and space. Her artwork and illustrations have been exhibited internationally in New York, London, and Rome, featured in prestigious academic publications for institutions like Harvard University, and held in private collections across the U.S. and UK.

Fitchburg State University will launch the 2026-27 academic year with a celebration for students, faculty, staff and the wider community. University President Donna Hodge will present her third annual State of the University address on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 10:30 a.m. on the main quadrangle. The celebration will include the presentation of faculty and staff awards, as President Hodge outlines her vision for her third year leading the institution. Following her address, which will focus on the theme of “possibility,” the campus will host a picnic on the quadrangle that is open to all. "Possibility is more than optimism. It's what becomes possible when an institution knows who it is, understands what its students need, and has the discipline to focus its energy where it can make the greatest difference," President Hodge said. "At Fitchburg State, we've spent the last two years strengthening our foundation, rebuilding trust, and making deliberate choices about our future. We begin this academic year ready to build on that work, with students at the center and a clear commitment to academic excellence, opportunity, and the communities we serve. I'm enormously proud of how far we've come, but I'm even more excited about what we can create together from here." The start-of-semester celebration will begin earlier that day when the university formally welcomes its incoming class of first-year and transfer students at a matriculation ceremony at 9 a.m. in Weston Auditorium. The ceremony will mark the official start of the academic journey for Fitchburg State’s new freshmen, transfer students and graduate students. The keynote speaker for the morning’s program will be hip-hop artist, educator, community activist and cultural architect Red Shaydez, a 2014 alumna of Fitchburg State. The award-winning artist has been featured on MTV, BET Jams, NPR Music and the Boston Globe. Additional dates of note for the coming semester: The majority of new residential students will move in Sunday, Aug. 30, starting at 9 a.m. from the Wallace Civic Center. The northbound lanes of North Street will be closed to non-university traffic between Pearl and Ross Streets from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on that date. The majority of returning residential students will move in starting Tuesday, Sept. 1. There may be brief road closures around campus between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. that day. Fall semester classes will start Thursday, Sept. 3. The Fitchburg State football team travels to Dean College on Saturday, Sept. 5 at noon to kick off the season. Their first home game will be at noon Saturday, Sept. 12 at Elliot Field. Rock the Block, where dozens of student clubs and organizations, along with campus offices, share information about extracurricular opportunities on and off campus, will be held on the main quadrangle and along Highland Avenue starting at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The rain date is Thursday, Sept. 10. The 9th recruit officer course (ROC) of Fitchburg State’s groundbreaking police program will graduate at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9 in Weston Auditorium, 353 North St. The five graduates, who completed their bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice in May and spent 17 weeks this summer in police academy training, will be certified as police officers ready to work in municipal departments in Massachusetts and neighboring states. Hispanic Heritage Month will be observed from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. There will be a series of entertaining and informative events throughout the month and will be posted to the university website at fitchburgstate.edu. The Class of 1976 will have its 50th reunion on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 1-3 p.m. in Hammond Hall’s Falcon Hub. The Gold Key Breakfast and reunion starts at 9:30 a.m. in Hammond Hall’s Main Lounge. For ticket information, contact the Alumni Office at 978-665-4555 or alumni@fitchburgstate.edu. Returning for the first time since 2019, the Fitchburg State University Golf Tournament is officially back on Monday, Sept. 28 at Oak Hill Country Club in Fitchburg to celebrate being together once again, while raising vital funds to empower Falcon Athletics. Proceeds from this year’s tournament will directly fund transformative athletic initiatives—including necessary facility upgrades, essential infrastructure remodeling, and enriched student-athlete experiences that give our teams the modern resources they need to excel both in competition and in the classroom. Those interested in playing or buying a foursome for this scramble can register online and others interested in making a direct donation to support athletics at Fitchburg State can also contribute through our tournament website. Homecoming 2026 events will be held on Thursday, Nov. 5 to Sunday, Nov. 8 and will include a pep rally at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5; a casino night and semi-formal dance at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6; and a carnival in the Ross Street parking lot from 4 to 10 p.m. Additional information on tickets will be posted to the Homecoming website. Athletic events scheduled for Homecoming Weekend include: women’s volleyball vs. Keene State (6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Recreation Center), women’s basketball vs. Regis (6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 6 at the Recreation Center), and football vs. Plymouth State (noon, Saturday, Nov. 7 at Elliot Field). The tailgate at the Wallace Civic Center Parking Lot runs from 10 a.m. to noon. Our fall Open House for prospective students will run from 8:30 a.m. to noon across campus on Saturday, Nov. 7.

Fitchburg State University Associate Vice President of Capital Planning and Maintenance Matt Lechter has been named to the Worcester Business Journal’s prestigious 40 Under Forty Class of 2026. The annual award recognizes young professionals in Central Massachusetts who demonstrate outstanding leadership, professional achievement, and a deep commitment to their communities. "Matt has an unusual ability to see the whole organization, from the condition of a residence hall or the reliability of a heating system to the larger questions of enrollment, affordability, and our responsibilities as a public university," said Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge. "He brings tremendous range to his leadership, equally comfortable thinking about a multimillion-dollar capital project, the experience of a student living on our campus, or the University's role in the future of Fitchburg and North Central Massachusetts. That combination of strategic thinking, stewardship, and genuine care for people is rare. I'm enormously proud of Matt, proud of the team he leads, and I am delighted to see the Worcester Business Journal recognize what I see in his leadership every day." Lechter said that he’s incredibly honored to be recognized by the Worcester Business Journal, alongside so many talented young leaders in Central Mass. “This recognition is truly a reflection of the dedicated team I am privileged to lead every day at Fitchburg State University and the collective commitment of our campus community,” said Lechter. “I want to thank President Hodge for her belief in the work that we do, the trust she has placed in me, and the mentorship and support that has allowed me to grow both professionally and personally since joining Fitchburg State. Under her leadership, we have aligned our capital planning and campus operations to directly support student success and regional growth. President Hodge’s forward-thinking vision has empowered us to view our physical campus not simply as buildings and infrastructure, but as a vital foundation for innovation, community connection, and the future of public higher education. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Fitchburg State and to work alongside so many talented colleagues who are dedicated to creating a stronger campus experience for our students, faculty, staff, and the communities we serve,” said Lechter. At 38 years old, Lechter has quickly become an indispensable member of the university’s executive team. In just over a year, he transitioned from his role as Executive Director and Special Assistant to the President to a pivotal position on the President’s Cabinet. Currently, he manages the physical footprint and operational infrastructure of one of the region's primary public institutions. In his current role, Lechter oversees a massive physical portfolio that serves thousands of students, faculty, and staff. He directs a department of nearly 100 university employees and manages a highly-diverse array of critical institutional operations. His oversight includes everything from daily campus maintenance, groundskeeping, and custodial excellence to technical operations like the campus power plant, HVAC systems, and long-term capital planning. Lechter’s rapid ascent within the administration highlights his ability to align the university's physical resources with its broader institutional goals, specifically student enrollment and retention. Rather than viewing facilities management as a strictly behind-the-scenes operation, Lechter utilizes strategic capital planning to ensure that the campus environment remains attractive, modern, and highly competitive for prospective students. Lechter’s responsibilities extend well beyond the borders of the Fitchburg State campus. He plays an important role in the local and regional economy by managing the university's extensive real estate portfolio, including off-campus properties, commercial leases, and major auxiliary partnerships. Among his fiscal responsibilities is the strategic management of a $9 million auxiliary budget, which covers essential campus operations such as dining services and bookstore partnerships. By optimizing these services and modernizing student housing, Lechter helps ensure the financial sustainability of the university while contributing to the vitality of downtown Fitchburg. A well-maintained, modern campus ensures a steady influx of students who support local businesses and eventually enter the regional workforce. A key highlight of his tenure has been his collaborative work with the Massachusetts State College Building Authority (MSCBA). Together, they have worked on long-term initiatives aimed at student housing modernization and affordability. This partnership requires balancing complex public and private interests to keep higher education accessible and sustainable during a challenging economic landscape for regional universities. What distinguishes Lechter as an executive is his versatility and his unique career path. Before taking on the technical demands of capital planning and finance, he spent more than a decade working directly with students in residential life. He previously served as the Director of Residence Life at a local college, an experience that gave him a deep understanding of the human element of institutional success. This background heavily influences his current leadership style. Lechter pairs strict fiscal responsibility and operational agility with a commitment to inclusive excellence. His focus remains on building and preserving campus environments that are welcoming and supportive, ensuring that the next generation of Central Mass. leaders have the spaces they need to thrive. Lechter’s dedication to public higher education is also deeply personal. He is a double-graduate of a state university, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a master’s degree in Public Administration. As a product of the Massachusetts State University system, he has dedicated his career to strengthening the anchor institutions that drive the Commonwealth forward. By balancing the complex physical, fiscal, and human components of Fitchburg State University, Lechter has solidified his place as a cornerstone of the Fitchburg community and a clear choice for the 40 Under Forty distinction.

Fitchburg State University’s Human Services baccalaureate program has been officially reaccredited by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) through July 2031. First accredited in 1981, Fitchburg State’s Human Services program holds the distinction of being the longest-running continuously accredited human services program in New England, as well as one of the longest-standing accredited programs in the nation. The 2026 decision marks 45 consecutive years of accredited excellence as the program enters its 46th year. “Forty-six years is a remarkable record and a real point of pride for Fitchburg State and our Human Services program,” said Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge. “I am grateful for the work of the team in Human Services and Academic Affairs for demonstrating the rigor and quality of our program.” "Reaccreditation isn't just a benchmark; it is proof of our faculty's passionate investment in our students and our region," said Provost and Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs Franca Barricelli. "Through their thoughtful curriculum design and mentorship, our Human Services department continues to set the standard for community-engaged higher education." Following an extensive review process and self-study, the CSHSE Board commended the program for numerous strengths, highlighting its robust curriculum in intercultural fluency, its highly qualified faculty, and its extensive field internship requirements – where students complete up to 450 hours of hands-on field experience under master's-level supervisors. Reviewers also noted the university's strong resource support for individuals with disabilities. “For nearly a half-century, our faculty, students, and graduates have been improving the lives of countless individuals and families in Central Massachusetts and beyond,” said Professor and Behavioral Sciences Department Chair Richard Wiebe. “We are more than proud of them, and look forward to the next 45 years of their compassionate and dedicated service." The CSHSE accreditation ensures that Fitchburg State's Human Services curriculum meets rigorous national standards for quality, professional preparation, and field education, preparing graduates for impactful careers in social services, advocacy, community organization, and mental health support. For more information about the Human Services program at Fitchburg State University, please visit Fitchburg State Human Services. About Fitchburg State University Fitchburg State University is a public institution dedicated to integrating high-quality professional programs with strong liberal arts and sciences studies. Founded in 1894, the university now has more than 30 undergraduate programs and 22 master's degree programs, and 6,000 full and part-time students.