Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge and Fitchburg Mayor Samantha Squailia signed a new memorandum of understanding this week geared toward reciprocal support in times of emergency. The agreement outlines expectations for collaboration and mutual aid between agencies, including critical incident training, drills, and exercises, and providing space on campus or in the city for emergency needs including family reunification. University President Donna Hodge expressed her admiration for the collaboration between the campus and city leaders that led to the agreement. “Fitchburg State is not an island; we are part of the fabric of North Central Massachusetts,” Hodge said. “Our partnerships with city leaders, businesses, and civic and cultural organizations don’t just strengthen our university; they strengthen our entire region. When we come together with a shared purpose, we elevate not only our institutions but also the people we serve.” “The strength of any community is measured not just by what we do during good times, but in how we come together with challenging times,” Fitchburg Mayor Samantha Squailia said. “Today we reaffirm a critical partnership between the City of Fitchburg and Fitchburg State University, one that ensures that we stand ready to support one another in times of emergency or disaster.” The signing took place during a days-long emergency management training on campus attended by university administrators and staff as well as representatives from the city’s police and fire departments. University Police Chief Michael Cloutier and Fitchburg Fire Department Assistant Chief Patrick Haverty described the close collaboration between emergency agencies that preceded the formal agreement. “This week’s joint training exercise is just one example of the partnership in action, and the productive relationship that we have worked to foster,” Cloutier said. “I would like to thank our partners at Fitchburg Fire and Fitchburg Police for their openness to this collaboration. I can assure you, this does not happen everywhere.”

The Music Mega-Mix, Fitchburg State University’s showcase of bite-sized performances by its Community Orchestra, Concert Band, Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, and Modern Band will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25in Weston Auditorium, 353 North St. Admission is free and open to the public. The ensembles consist of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members. The concert program will be a showcase of “bite-sized” performances by the university’s choirs, bands and Community Orchestra. Performers will include Fitchburg State students and faculty, as well as community members. Learn more about the university's music offerings at fitchburgstate.edu/music.

Fitchburg State University will welcome Nolan Buck as its first Director of Military and Veteran Services this month, elevating the level of service for the student veterans enrolled on campus. In his new role, Buck will be responsible for leading and managing programs and services that support the academic and personal success of veterans, military personnel, and their families. In collaboration with other university units, he will help create a veteran-friendly environment and ensure that veterans receive the resources and advocacy they need to thrive. "There are unique challenges faced by our veterans and their families, and we recognize the critical importance of providing them with the support and resources they need,” said University Police Chief Michael Cloutier, who supervises the university’s Military and Veteran Center. “This new role will be vital in ensuring that we fulfill our commitment to those who have served our nation with such dedication. I am confident that Nolan will be instrumental in enhancing and expanding our services and we are incredibly honored to have him join our team.” Buck is a Marine Corps veteran and advocate for veteran services, currently serving as the Assistant Director of Veteran Services for the City of Gardner, where he manages VA claims and state benefits for five towns. His experience includes working with Home Base, a veteran mental health non-profit, and participating in Fitchburg State's Veteran Work Study Program, where he championed student veteran resources. Buck graduated with honors from Fitchburg State with a bachelor's degree in exercise science with a minor in psychology, and completed his MBA with a focus in healthcare in December. He also serves on the Student Veteran Council for Massachusetts, demonstrating a continued commitment to supporting veterans at both the local and state levels. Buck said he looks forward to operating with an open door policy to serve the campus community. “It is important for me to build a bridge that allows our community to share resources and support to help grow our military and veteran community here at Fitchburg State,” Buck said. “It is also a goal of mine to identify obstacles and challenges faced by our community as a whole.” Fitchburg State, which for several years has received formal designation as a Military Friendly institution, currently enrolls more than 140 active military and veteran students. “I am excited to welcome Nolan Buck back to our campus to serve this crucial role in support of exceptional students,” University President Donna Hodge said. “Our community owes a great debt to our military and student veterans, and their families, for the service they have given our country. We are proud to demonstrate our commitment to this most deserving population and to making sure their unique needs are addressed.”

The Fitchburg State ice hockey team defeated the MCLA Trailblazers in the MASCAC Championship at the Wallace Civic Center on Saturday, March 8. The following recap was posted on the university's athletics website, fitchburgfalcons.com. The Falcons, who were seeded #4, clinched their entry into the NCAA Tournament with the win over #8 MCLA, winning the MASCAC Championship for the first time since 2018 and the third MASCAC Championship (2011, 2018, 2025) in the history of the program. THE BASICS: Score: Fitchburg 3, MCLA 1 Records: Fitchburg (15-12-1), MCLA (6-20-2) HOW IT HAPPENED: The Falcons offense found the back of the net three times, something that #1 Plymouth State and #2 Anna Maria were unable to do, due to the play of Trailblazers tender Matthew Gover in this year's postseason. Hunter Dunn (Douglas, MA) continued his impressive season with a two-goal performance, earning him the MASCAC Championship MVP. His first goal got the scoring going for the Falcons in the 10th minute of the first period. Trenton Skaggs (Cherry Hill, NJ) tipped the puck away from an MCLA player that found Marcus Macchioni (N. Kingstown, RI), who dished to Dunn, who would bring the puck down the ice to fake right and finish left on Gover. Fitchburg would add on a second goal in the second period in the 18th minute on great passing from the Falcons' second line of forwards. This time, it was Dunn and Elowan Orme Lynch (Courbevoie, France) who worked the puck up the ice to find Matteo Orme Lynch (Courbevoie, France) for a quick wrist shot. The Falcons would add one more in the 13th minute of the third period. Again, it was the Falcons' second line who have produced so much down the stretch who found each other for the goal. Matteo Orme Lynch found Dunn again in front of the net for a quick deflection for his second goal of the game. MCLA would break Max Macchioni's (N. Kingstown, RI) shutout in the 16th minute of the third after Easton Moore won a faceoff in the right circle to be scooped up by Cade Herrera, who turned around and fired the puck past Macchioni, concluding the scoring in the contest. INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Macchioni got the win (5-3) for the Falcons in net after a 28 save performance. Gover had a solid game in goal for the Trailblazers with 28 saves on 31 shots faced. Shots: Fitchburg 31, MCLA 29 UP NEXT: Fitchburg State will take on the Utica University Pioneers in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 15 at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, N.Y. STAY CONNECTED: For the latest on Fitchburg State University Athletics, follow the Falcons via social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Coming on the heels of a triple overtime thriller, the Fitchburg State Falcons men’s hockey team will host the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Trailblazers in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference finals at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 8, in the Wallace Civic Center at 1000 John Fitch Highway. The Falcons (14-12-1, 8-9-1 MASCAC) entered the playoffs as a fourth seed, and will take on the eighth-seeded Trailblazers in the finals. The Falcons punched their ticket to the championship last Saturday when they bested the Salem State Vikings in triple overtime during a game where junior goaltender Max Macchioni saved a team single game record 76 shots. “I cannot wait to cheer on our Fitchburg State Falcons this Saturday as they fight for the championship,” said University President Dr. Donna Hodge. “This team has shown unmatched determination, grit, and heart all season long, and now they have the chance to bring home the title in front of their entire Falcon community. This game is about more than just hockey—it’s about Fitchburg State pride, passion, and excellence on full display. I look forward to standing alongside our students, alumni, faculty, librarians, staff, and the greater community as we come together to celebrate not only our team’s success but the unstoppable spirit that defines who we are as a university.” “Getting to the MASCAC championship game is a remarkable achievement for our hockey team, and a credit to a long season’s worth of hard work and commitment,” University Athletic Director Matthew Burke said. “I am so proud of our student-athletes, who embody Fitchburg State’s highest ideals, and the dedicated coaching staff for helping them realize this goal.” The Falcons are led by legendary Coach Dean Fuller, who has guided the team to more than 600 wins during his 41 seasons at the university. The team has won seven conference championships in 11 appearances under his watch, last winning the MASCAC crown in 2018. This will mark the Falcons’ second consecutive year at the finals. “We’re very happy to be hosting the MASCAC Championship this Saturday,” said Coach Fuller. “Our team leadership has been great all season long, and the men have shown determination and grit, which paid off in our three overtime win against Salem. As a group, we are focused on Saturday and looking forward to the challenge.” Fitchburg State will host a tailgate party outside the Civic Center starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, where visitors can enjoy music, eat a grilled Fitchburger, and get hyped for the contest. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for students. Admission is free for children under 12, senior citizens, and Fitchburg State students, faculty and staff with their OneCard. Tickets may also be purchased online. The game will also be shown live on Fitchburg Access Television at fatv.org. The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference provides a comprehensive program of athletics for all State Universities. The objective underlying this purpose is to create a healthy atmosphere of competition and rivalry between the Universities and their student bodies while fostering the values of cooperation, leadership, courage, self-discipline, sportsmanship, diversity and self-reliance among the participating student-athletes.