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.

Mount Wachusett Community College students in search of a residential collegiate experience may live on the Fitchburg State University campus through a new agreement recently signed by the presidents of the institutions. Students enrolled in the new Housing Program will benefit from the longstanding collaboration between Fitchburg State and the Mount, which includes articulation agreements, close proximity, a shared regional transportation system, and a shared commitment to supporting students' academic, co-curricular, and social development. Participating students from the Mount will also be able to access the facilities, resources, and activities at Fitchburg State. “We are honored to stand alongside you as we take this next step in supporting student success together,” Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge said. “This MOU marks more than a housing arrangement. It reflects a shared commitment to access, affordability, and opportunity for the students of North Central Massachusetts. By opening our doors—and our residence halls—we’re creating a seamless pathway for community college students to thrive, connect, and ultimately, complete their degrees.” MWCC President James Vander Hooven said the agreement was further proof of a culture of cooperation that exists between regional institutions, including its public higher education partners. “There is no other way forward in North Central Massachusetts than for our institutions to work together, for our students’ needs and our regional workforce’s needs,” MWCC President James Vander Hooven said. “I see a very strong future for the Mount and Fitchburg State to keep working together.” The agreement signing took place at Herlihy Hall on the Fitchburg State campus. The building was recently renovated and quickly emerged as a preferred housing option when it was reopened this semester. Several students from the Mount toured the campus following the signing ceremony. Learn more about the agreement at fitchburgstate.edu/campus-life/housing-and-residential-services/living-campus/community-college-housing-program.

Fitchburg State University’s Men’s Hockey Team was honored by Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, state Senator John J. Cronin (D - Fitchburg), and state Representative Michael P. Kushmerek (D - Fitchburg) at the Massachusetts State House on Friday, May 2 after their historic season resulted in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) championship. The team was received by Lieutenant Governor Driscoll Friday afternoon, before receiving individual recognitions from Cronin and Kushmerek. “This championship season is a testament to the heart, grit, and excellence that define Fitchburg State,” said President Donna Hodge. “Our men’s hockey team showed what’s possible when talent meets determination—and their achievement has inspired not just our campus, but our entire region. I’m deeply grateful to Lt. Governor Driscoll, Senator Cronin, and Representative Kushmerek for recognizing what this moment means to our student-athletes and our university community. I also extend my sincere thanks to Governor Maura Healey for her steadfast support of public higher education and athletics across the Commonwealth. This administration’s commitment to student success and community pride is felt throughout this celebration. This championship is more than a win on the ice—it’s a reflection of who we are and what we can achieve together.” “This was an amazing team, and they showed what was possible when they pulled together with focus and grit,” said Fitchburg State Hockey Coach Dean Fuller, in his 41st season leading the Falcons. “These players made the entire Fitchburg State community very, very proud.” “On behalf of all of Fitchburg State’s student athletes, I am very grateful to Lt. Gov. Driscoll, Sen. Cronin and Rep. Kushmerek for showing this amazing team the impact they make,” said Fitchburg State Senior Director of Athletics and Recreation Matthew Burke. “This team and their coaches ignited and inspired the entire campus, and truly represent the best of NCAA Division III athletics.” “This championship run will endure as one of our greatest memories as Falcons,” said team captain Oliver Cookson. “We were so proud to represent Fitchburg State at the highest level, and we are grateful to continue demonstrating what is achievable to current and future Falcons.” “Fitchburg State’s MASCAC Championship embodies what the University and Fitchburg is all about: grit, determination, and a commitment to excellence,” said Senator Cronin. “I feel lucky to help recognize the Falcons for this accomplishment and hope they know how proud they’ve made Fitchburg and North Central Massachusetts.” “Through pure determination and teamwork, Fitchburg State’s Ice Hockey Team and Coach Fuller earned their 8th MASCAC championship title,” said Representative Kushmerek. “This remarkable achievement has brought pride to the entire region! Go Falcons!” The Falcons clinched their third MASCAC title in program history, and their first since 2018, after beating MCLA’s Trailblazers 3-1 in the conference title game. The Falcons were led by MASCAC tournament MVP Hunter Dunn, who finished the championship game with two goals and an assist, and star goaltender Max Macchioni, who recorded 28 saves on 29 shots on goal. The Falcons punched their ticket to the Division III tournament for the first time since 2018, after putting an end to MCLA’s hot streak, something that the tournaments’ top two seeds, Plymouth State University and Anna Maria College, were unable to do. Fitchburg State’s championship followed a successful season that saw the Falcons finish with a record of 15-12-1.

Fitchburg State University’s gala fundraiser to celebrate the investiture of 12th President Donna Hodge raised more than $300,000 last week. In addition to the dollars raised to support the President’s Fund, President Hodge and her husband Dustin Hodge announced their own donation of $50,000 to endow the Bill and Judy McKinney Fund for Military and Veteran Students, named in honor of the university president’s parents. Dr. Hodge was formally installed in a ceremony Friday at Weston Auditorium on the Fitchburg State campus, with Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll administering the oath of office. Dr. Hodge outlined a vision for Fitchburg State’s future as an institution that meets students of all ages and stands ready to serve them. “We will continue to stand, because we know who we’re here for,” she said. “We are here for the student today in the back of the room, afraid to raise their hand but burning with curiosity. We are here for the adult learner walking onto campus with a backpack and a whole life’s worth of experience. We are here for the dreamers, the question-askers, the returners, the firsts in their family, and those whose names we don’t yet know. We are here for them, because someone was once here for us.” At a time when there is rising distrust in higher education and costs continue to rise, Dr. Hodge said Fitchburg State must embrace the importance of reimagining higher education to adapt to changing times. “In a world moving faster than higher education was ever built to move, we can no longer afford the comfort of slow consensus,” she said. “The most successful institutions—especially public ones—will be those that embrace a culture of experimentation. That means piloting, testing, learning, and adjusting—quickly. That means asking students not just what they need, but how they experience what we provide. “At Fitchburg State, that starts now, with how we recruit, how we advise, how we teach, how we cheer, and how we listen,” she continued. “We will not be satisfied with ‘how it’s always been’ if it’s not working for the students we have today, or the students we hope to reach tomorrow. Because tradition should never be an excuse for irrelevance.” The gala on Saturday night at the Fitchburg Senior Center drew more than 300 guests along with generous sponsor support. The evening also included the presentation of community awards recognizing individuals whose efforts have contributed to the quality of life in the region: The Distinguished Alumnus Award was presented to Jim Todd, whose career in athletics—from the courts of Fitchburg State to the sidelines of the NBA—has exemplified leadership, grit, and loyalty. His ongoing support of Fitchburg State’s basketball program ensures that tomorrow’s student-athletes continue to dream big. The President’s Award for Distinguished Service to Education was presented to Ronald P. Colbert, whose journey from student leader to proud alumnus, and from public school educator to professor emeritus, reflects a lifetime devoted to lifting others through learning. The President's Award for Service to the Community was given to Luisa Fernandez, a champion of families in Fitchburg. From free English classes for adults to vital resource guides and creative partnerships, Fernandez has helped weave a stronger, more compassionate community. The President’s Award for Service to the Institution was presented to Anna M. Clementi, former Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and current Foundation Board member. Clementi co-founded the university’s Center for Italian Culture and its lecture series, and launched the Global Ambassadors Scholarship, which has opened doors to language, culture, and global citizenship for students across generations. Her leadership on the board of the Fitchburg Art Museum has also enhanced collaboration between that institution and the university. Following the community awards, President Hodge and Dustin announced the new fund for military and veteran students. “My parents, Bill and Judy McKinney, were not quiet people,” Dr. Hodge said at the gala. “They were loud, loving, opinionated, and impossible to ignore. They didn’t go to college themselves, but they never stopped talking about it like it was magic. They didn’t have a roadmap, but they made sure I knew it mattered. And more than anything, they made me believe I could do something more. So tonight, in their honor, my family wants to mark this moment in what we hope is a meaningful way.” President Hodge’s nieces and nephew joined the Hodges on stage to present the check. “Together, and with a deep commitment to the future of this university, Dustin and I are proud to announce a $50,000 gift to endow The Bill and Judy McKinney Fund for Military and Veteran Students. This fund will provide dedicated support to one of the most inspiring groups in our community—our military-connected and veteran students. They are often balancing service, school, family, and work. They bring courage, grit, and often a different perspective to our campus – and they deserve every resource we can offer in return. This fund is for them.”

Fitchburg State University will host the formal investiture of its 12th president, Dr. Donna Hodge, at a ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Friday, April 25 in Weston Auditorium, 353 North St. Admission to this milestone moment in Fitchburg State’s history is open to the public. Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll will administer the oath of office at the ceremony, which will also feature remarks from state and local leaders including Massachusetts Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. The ceremony will be livestreamed on FATV. A black tie gala will follow the next evening in support of the President’s Fund at Fitchburg State, which fuels innovation and scholarships that change students’ lives. That event, to be held at the Fitchburg Senior Center on Wallace Avenue, will also feature the debut of new awards recognizing extraordinary service to the institution and community. Hodge assumed the presidency in summer 2024, becoming the first woman to lead Fitchburg State in its 130-year history. Since taking office, she has called the university to a new era of inclusive excellence, bold vision, and unwavering service to students and the Commonwealth. “To stand at the helm of Fitchburg State—at this moment, in this place—is one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Hodge. “This university changed the trajectory of so many lives, just as it could have changed mine had I found it earlier. I lead with a full heart, driven by the belief that every student deserves not just access to higher education, but the kind of transformative experience that unlocks their potential and shapes their future. Together, we are building something bigger than ourselves—the public university our students and our region deserve.” Michael Fiorentino Jr., chair of the Fitchburg State Board of Trustees, praised Hodge’s first year of leadership. “President Hodge has had a remarkable impact in her first year at Fitchburg State,” Fiorentino said. “There is a renewed vitality across campus—from the student body to faculty, librarians, and staff—and she has embraced the institution’s role as a civic anchor and community partner. We are excited to celebrate this moment in Fitchburg State’s history.” The investiture ceremony on April 25 will include remarks from former colleagues, community partners, and an address by President Hodge. The following evening, April 26, the black tie gala will feature the presentation of four new awards honoring individuals who exemplify Fitchburg State’s mission: The President’s Award for Service to the Institution will be presented to Anna M. Clementi, former Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and current Foundation Board member. Clementi co-founded the university’s Center for Italian Culture and its lecture series, and launched the Global Ambassadors Scholarship, which has opened doors to language, culture, and global citizenship for students across generations. The President’s Award for Distinguished Service to Education will be presented to Ronald P. Colbert, whose journey from student leader to proud alumnus, and from public school educator to professor emeritus, reflects a lifetime devoted to lifting others through learning. The President's Award for Service to the Community will be awarded to Luisa Fernandez, a champion of families in Fitchburg. From free English classes for adults to vital resource guides and creative partnerships, Fernandez has helped weave a stronger, more compassionate community. The Distinguished Alumnus Award will be presented to Jim Todd, whose career in athletics—from the courts of Fitchburg State to the sidelines of the NBA—has exemplified leadership, grit, and loyalty. His ongoing support of Fitchburg State’s basketball program ensures that tomorrow’s student-athletes continue to dream big. “These honorees embody the very soul of Fitchburg State—service, integrity, resilience, and heart,” Hodge said. “Each of them, in their own way, has helped expand what’s possible for others. I’m so proud that we’ll lift them up together, as a community, during this historic weekend.” For more information on the investiture and gala, please visit fitchburgstate.edu/investiture.