In his celebrated 1916 book Democracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education, philosopher and author John Dewey articulated his vision for the role of education in functional societies. “Democracy must be reborn every generation, and education is its midwife,” Dewey wrote. Dr. John Reiff, Director of Civic Learning and Engagement at the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, quoted Dewey to start a daylong conference on civic discourse in action that drew hundreds of educators to Fitchburg State University. The program was sponsored by Fitchburg State’s Crocker Center for Civic Engagement. Through keynote talks and breakout sessions, educators from colleges and universities across Massachusetts and beyond engaged in thoughtful deliberation on the role of civic discourse in a healthy democracy. The conference explored how faculty and staff can build students’ capacity to engage in three critical forms of civic discourse: principled debate drawing on evidence; dialogue across differences; and deliberation that examines advantages and consequences of proposed actions in response to public problems. “The university is the home of civic discourse,” said Massachusetts Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Student Success Richard L. Riccardi, who encouraged the attendees to take the lessons from the conference forward in shaping better dialogues tomorrow. “Higher education has long been recognized as the marketplace of ideas—the place where the fundamental questions of our time are debated, discussed, and ultimately, redefined,” Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge said in her welcoming remarks. “Yet, in an era marked by increasing polarization and complexity, our commitment to teaching students how to engage across differences is more critical than ever. This forum is dedicated to advancing three foundational pillars of engagement: debate, dialogue, and deliberation. Perhaps more than ever before, it is our duty to prepare students to engage in the vigorous, evidence-based exchange of ideas, where we test the strength of our own convictions. We must do this while maintaining genuine, empathetic listening, so we may truly understand other perspectives, even those we don’t share. And we must work to strengthen the ability to collectively weigh alternatives in search of common ground.” In his morning keynote, Dr. Martin Carcasson, professor of communication studies and the founding director of the Center for Public Deliberation at Colorado State University, said combating the reality and the perception of “toxic polarization” was one of the biggest challenges facing public discourse. “We’re not nearly as divided as we think,” he said. “The problem is, the perception of polarization is more important than the reality.” College campuses can play a significant role in improving the discourse, he said, by equipping communities to tackle “wicked problems” like our current political dynamic. “Every single issue we deal with, we have to learn how to understand opposing values,” he said. “Campuses need to be the place where the conversation is at its best.” These effective conversations must simultaneously tackle the challenges of polarization, information disorder, and those who seek to profit off conflicts, Carcasson added. The afternoon’s keynote address, “Meeting the Moment: Talking, Teaching, and Uniting in a Democracy in Question,” was given by Dr. Nancy Thomas, Founding Director of the Institute for Democracy in Higher Education with the American Association of Colleges and Universities.

Fitchburg State University will host a gallery exhibition exploring the creative process throughout the fall semester. The exhibit, “Inside Out: A Look Into the Creative Process,” is curated by Associate Professor Britton Snyder of the Communications Media Department. The exhibit features work by artists Luigi Guatieri, Jarien Skywall, Vicki Sarkissian, Carlos Jambrina, and Ali Swei. The artists’ work will be exhibited in the Hammond Hall Art Gallery from October 27 to December 18. There will be an opening reception on Thursday, Oct. 30 from 3:30-5 p.m. at the Hammond Gallery, located at 160 Pearl St. Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday (7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.), Friday (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Saturday (noon-5 p.m.) and Sunday (noon-11:30 p.m.). How do the images we consume on a daily basis—such as those we see in games, advertising, comics, illustrations—come into being? What is the creative process of the minds that birth them? The evolution of a public image is often as compelling as the final outcome, but it is rarely made accessible to the public. This show draws back the curtain to explore the creative process of five artists working in commercial production, from early sketches and 3D models to final products. Revealed are the experiments and dead ends, the hard work and passion, the playful attitude and disciplined focus that results in the image-saturated world we live in. “The artists featured in this exhibition—Luigi Guatieri, Jarien Skywall, Vicki Sarkissian, Carlos Jambrina, and Ali Swei—represent a range of different paths and outcomes developed through their practice,” Snyder said. “Some focus on narrative richness and memorable characters, others on intriguing settings or pensive moments. Each artist searches for the thread that connects their voice to the larger conversation that makes up our social experiences. Their work demonstrates how artists work through ideas and persist until they craft an image that resonates with their original intent, even when the final version has led them to an unexpected destination. The dynamic balance between technical control and wondrous surprise is central to creativity, resulting in the range of styles and subject matter shown here.”

Fitchburg State University, with a comprehensive nursing program steeped in over 60 years of academic excellence, announced recently that its nursing program achieved a perfect pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination ( NCLEX), with 100 percent of the 2025 graduates passing on their first attempt. “It’s hard to put into words the commitment all faculty in this program have to the success of our students,” said Associate Professor Debbie Benes, PhD, RN, PNP-R, chair of the Nursing Department. “The faculty are committed to making sure every student is successful. Since COVID, and through all the barriers nursing education is facing, we haven’t stopped and strive to provide a program that reflects the mission and vision of the university, and our department and meets the needs of our community. We preserve and are so proud of our students and each other.” The NCLEX is the mandatory, standardized test graduates must pass to become licensed registered nurses (NCLEX-RN) or practical/vocational nurses (NCLEX-PN). The exam assesses a candidate's ability to provide safe and effective patient care through critical thinking, serving as the essential gateway to professional practice. "Fitchburg State has prepared outstanding nurses for generations, and this perfect NCLEX pass rate is both a remarkable achievement and a reflection of that tradition of excellence," said Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge. "Our graduates leave here not only with the knowledge and skill demanded by their profession, but with the resilience, compassion, and commitment to service that define the best of nursing. This milestone affirms the strength of our program and the impact these new nurses will have in healthcare settings across the Commonwealth and beyond." The university’s NCLEX results echo other recent metrics of Fitchburg State’s success. Earlier this fall, Fitchburg State was once again recognized by U.S. News & World Report for supporting the upward social mobility of its students in the publication’s annual rankings of colleges and universities. In addition to being named among the best regional universities in the North and among the top public universities, Fitchburg State was ranked among the highest performing institutions in Massachusetts for social mobility. This category measures how well institutions succeed at enrolling and graduating economically disadvantaged students. To learn more about Fitchburg State’s nursing program, visit fitchburgstate.edu/nursing.

STEM Week runs from October 20-24 and Fitchburg State’s School of Health and Natural Sciences has a number of events planned on and off campus. Some of these events include: The Psychological Science Department is hosting a “Psychological Scientist of the Day” (there will be a new scientist every day for the five days). Posters are on display in the McKay 2nd floor hallway with space for students to comment. On Wednesday, Oct. 22, the Biology & Chemistry Department hosts the ACS "Chemistry in a Box" activity, led by Dr. Mathangi Krishnamurthy, from 6-8 p.m. in the Hammond Lounge. Also on Oct. 22, the Environmental, Geographic and Public Health Sciences Department hosts a Geology field trip to Coggshall Park in Fitchburg from 3-4 p.m. On Thursday, Oct. 23, there will be a “Science Research Symposium,” hosted by the Biology & Chemistry Department, in the Science Center Lobby from 3:30-5 p.m. On Wednesday, Oct. 29, the Biology & Chemistry Department hosts “STEM Resume Writing” from 3:30-5 p.m. "Massachusetts' theme for STEM Week reminds us that ‘STEM starts now’ at all stages of learning,” said Dean of the School of Health and Natural Sciences Jannette McMenamy. “By celebrating STEM Week on our campus, we are hoping to inspire all students to see themselves as future problem-solvers and leaders in STEM fields." Students are encouraged to participate in these STEM Week activities. These events are not open to the public.

Fitchburg State University has appointed Travis J. Chambers as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Chambers’ first official day at Fitchburg State will be Monday, Dec. 1. “Travis joins Fitchburg State at a pivotal moment in our journey. As we stabilize and build momentum, his leadership will be essential in aligning our financial strategies with the bold vision we have set for the years ahead. This work is about more than balancing budgets—it is about creating the capacity to grow, to innovate, and to deliver on our mission of access and excellence for every student,” said Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge. “With his deep experience across a range of institutions, Travis brings not only technical expertise but also a clear understanding of the values that drive public higher education. His expertise and energy will help us maximize resources, pursue new opportunities, and invest boldly in the priorities that matter most: our students, our faculty and staff, and the transformational role this university plays in North Central Massachusetts and beyond. I could not be more excited to welcome him to Fitchburg State,” Hodge continued. Chambers has worked at various universities and colleges, ranging from small, private liberal arts colleges to large Research 1 (RI) institutions. Chambers most recently served as the Assistant Dean for Administration & Finance at Georgia State University. As the CFO of the college, Chambers oversaw the $40-plus million budget and advised the dean on resource allocation, long-term planning and operational priorities. Before serving as the CFO, Chambers was the Administrative Officer for three years (2018-2021) at Georgia State University. He also worked as the Director of Financial Administration at the Georgia Institute of Technology (2014-2018), Senior Budget Manager at Agnes Scott College (2012-2014), and the Business Manager at Kennesaw State University (2010-2012). "I am honored and excited to join the leadership team at Fitchburg State University as the new Chief Financial Officer," Chambers said. "Fitchburg State has a strong reputation for academic excellence and a deep commitment to its students. I look forward to working with President Hodge and the entire university community to build on its financial strength and support its mission of providing a high-quality, accessible education. “I look forward to leveraging my combined experience to further advance the university’s mission,” Chambers continued. “This role is crucial in ensuring that resources are sufficient to pursue excellence and impact through innovative teaching, meaningful research and dedicated service, while continuing to blend liberal arts, sciences and professional programs within a small college environment.” Chambers holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of West Georgia. He earned his Master’s of Business Administration from Kennesaw State in 2013, and a bachelor’s in Business Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2007.

The Central Mass Brass presents a free concert of classical and pop music to Fitchburg State University on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Kent Recital Hall (Conlon Fine Arts Building). The concert, which is open to the public, features two music area faculty members – Joe Wright (tuba) and Geoffrey Sheldon (trumpet). Other members of the quartet include: Ryan Ramey (french horn), Nathan French (trumpet), and Noah Lauzier (trombone). This concert is made possible by a grant from the Fitchburg Cultural Council.