A Message of Gratitude from President Hodge
President Hodge sent the following message to the campus community on Friday, Nov. 22.
Dear Fitchburg State Community,
As we prepare for the upcoming Thanksgiving break, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the resilience, dedication, and compassion that defines our university community. This season of gratitude offers a chance to reflect on the year’s challenges and achievements, and more importantly, on the people who make our campus such a vibrant and supportive place to learn, teach, and grow.
In the last two weeks alone, we have been reminded of the deep divisions and complex realities that many are navigating. The U.S. presidential election and the broader, often turbulent, times in which we live can bring a heightened sense of uncertainty and concern. Whether you find yourself feeling hopeful, apprehensive, or somewhere in between, please know that you are not alone. At Fitchburg State, we stand together and reaffirm our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for every member of our campus.
Our mission as a regional comprehensive university serving North Central Massachusetts and beyond is as important as ever. We are dedicated to supporting the diverse communities we serve, with a focus on fostering academic excellence, promoting social equity, and creating pathways to opportunity for all. Our work is grounded in the belief that education is a powerful force for positive change—and that each of us has a role in making a difference.
In this spirit, I want to express my gratitude to each of you—students, faculty, librarians, staff, alumni, and community partners—for your daily acts of service and commitment. Whether you contribute through mentoring, teaching, listening, coaching, or supporting the myriad day-to-day operations of our campus, you are part of the ecosystem that holds us together and drives our shared mission forward. I am humbled by the compassion, kindness, and support that I have witnessed across our university in just my first semester as your president.
As we move into this holiday season, I encourage each of you to be kind to yourself and those around you; take time for rest, reflection, time alone — or making a connection with family, friends, loved ones. And as we look ahead to the work that remains, let us continue to draw strength from our shared values and our dedication to the transformative power of education.
Thank you for being part of the Fitchburg State community, and thank you for all you do to make our campus a place of learning, belonging, and hope. Our mission to make Fitchburg, this region, state, country, and world a better place starts here and now.
Wishing us all a peaceful and restorative Thanksgiving break.
Onward falcons,
Dr. Donna Hodge
President