Fitchburg State University held its 129th commencement exercises last week, celebrating nearly 900 graduate and undergraduate students who completed their degrees. (View photos from the ceremony on the Burg Blog.) Acclaimed author, illustrator and entrepreneur Peter H. Reynolds, himself a 1983 Fitchburg State graduate, delivered the commencement address at the undergraduate ceremony on Saturday, May 17. “Each of you has stars to guide you,” he said. “Think about your degree - which represents your interests, your talents, your passions, your dreams - and now imagine that each of those is a star forming a shimmering constellation. Now, add to it: your mentors, your friends and family. Each is a star in your unique guiding constellation. “I hope that you will consider me as another star in your constellation … a fellow alum, a friend on your journey. Just open one of my books, and I’ll be there for you.” Reynolds’ beloved best-selling books, which include The Dot, Ish, The Word Collector, and graduation-favorite Be You, have inspired millions to embrace their creativity and believe in their potential. He has also collaborated as illustrator on the acclaimed Judy Moody series, and with rock and roll legend Yusuf/Cat Stevens on the #1 best-selling Peace Train book. As the founder of FableVision, an educational media company dedicated to fostering creativity and learning, Reynolds continues to shape young minds and empower educators worldwide. “So, my friends, dream. Dream as big as your imagination will allow - and share that dream. The world is full of wonderful humans who want you to succeed, but first they have to know what your dream is – which is why today is so important. Today we celebrate your dream - and the hard work that made that dream come true. Take time to celebrate, then take a deep breath, and dream your next dream.” In addition to the undergraduate ceremony, the university held a ceremony to confer graduate degrees on Thursday, May 15. Between the two ceremonies, nearly 900 new graduates were celebrated this month. University President Donna Hodge, presiding over her first spring commencement ceremonies as Fitchburg State’s 12th leader, told the undergraduates they will always hold a special place in her heart. “You were the first students I watched walk across this campus — the first to sit in the Adirondack chairs on the quad, the first to boldly walk into your classrooms on that very first day of fall, and the first to stop and offer help to a new president trying to find her way,” she said. “You were the first to hear me speak from this podium. You were the first to show me how brilliant, and determined Fitchburg State students really are. “So take this moment. Take the photos. Take the hugs. Take a breath. And then take everything you’ve learned — and go build something better. A life of meaning. A career with purpose. A future that reflects your values. Because the world needs you. And no matter how far you go from here — Fitchburg State still stands because of students like you. Congratulations, Class of 2025. Onward.” Alexia Perez-Lucas of New Jersey gave the student address on Saturday as the recipient of the Robert V. and Jeanne S. Antonucci Award for Student Leadership. The award was created through a gift by the university’s 10th president and his wife. “Today is about more than a diploma,” said Perez-Lucas. “ It’s about the journey, the late nights, the doubts, the growth. As a transfer student, I never imagined how transformative Fitchburg State would be. I planned to lay low, get my degree, and graduate. But Fitchburg State gave me more than an education, it gave me opportunities, confidence, and most importantly, people who believed in me.” She thanked her family for supporting her as a first-generation college student, as well as the faculty, advisors and mentors who guided her along the way. The heart of her message was for her fellow students, to put the resilience, perseverance and strength they have acquired at Fitchburg State to work. “We are the next generation of advocates, leaders, creators, and changemakers. Let’s not waste that,” she said. “Let’s be bold enough to challenge injustice, brave enough to question the status quo, and kind enough to lift others as we rise. Because that’s what real success looks like, not just what we achieve, but how we use what we’ve gained to make a difference. And in the chaos, the pressure, the moments where it feels like too much, don’t forget to keep breathing – especially, exhaling. Ground yourself. You’ve come this far. You can go farther. Class of 2025, the world is waiting for us. Let’s go out there and make it better, together.”

Five Fitchburg State University students were recently selected for the newly launched R.A. Salvatore Undergraduate Creative Writing Prize, receiving $1,000 each through the program created by the best-selling author and proud Fitchburg State alumnus. One of the fantasy genre’s most successful authors, Salvatore–who completed degrees at Fitchburg State in 1981 and 1991, as well as an honorary doctorate–enjoys an ever-expanding and tremendously loyal following. His books regularly appear on The New York Times best-seller lists and have sold more than 10 million copies. His books have been translated into numerous foreign languages including German, Italian, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Turkish, Croatian, Bulgarian, Yiddish, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Portuguese, Czech, and French. The prize competition is made possible by the generous support of the author and his wife, Diane Salvatore, herself a 1993 graduate of Fitchburg State. Fitchburg State students were invited to submit creative writing in any genre, including fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, game narrative, and script/play. The submissions were anonymized and reviewed by a cross-disciplinary faculty panel. The inaugural winners of the Salvatore Prizes were announced at the university’s Undergraduate Conference for Research and Creative Practice in April. They included: Peter Wayne Elliot, “Eulogy for My Unknown Uncle” (creative non-fiction); Thomas Meehan, “When Leaves Fall” (game narrative); Devin Brunelle, “Burning Aveline” (fiction); Tonia Magras, “cyclical, generational, assuming trauma” (poetry); and Andrew King, “The Agency” (script/play). “We are deeply grateful to Bob and Diane Salvatore for their vision, generosity, and enduring commitment to Fitchburg State,” said President Donna Hodge. “This prize honors not only our students’ talent and drive, but also the transformative power of storytelling in all its forms—on the page, on the stage, and in the digital realm. As a public university with a long and proud history of cultivating creativity and innovation, we are thrilled to celebrate this new tradition. These awards send a powerful message to our students: your voice matters, your work matters, and your imagination can change the world.” “I offer my congratulations to the winners, of course, and hope that the prize will inspire them to continue to search their creative heart,” Salvatore said. “In that vein, I offer my sincere congratulations to all of the participants. At its core, exploring your creativity isn't about winning prizes or contracts or applause. The true point of it is to learn what matters to you in this journey we call life." Fitchburg State’s Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library is also home to the R.A. Salvatore Collection, containing the writer’s letters, manuscripts, and other professional papers. The Salvatore Collection is situated alongside The Robert Cormier Library, which celebrates the writing career of the co-alum and esteemed author of young adult books.