Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge is proud to announce its five new Presidential Fellows for the academic year. The Fellows Program was launched in 2024 with the goal of fostering leadership growth among faculty and librarians by providing a unique professional development opportunity. The fellows represent President Hodge and the President’s Office and contribute to university- and community-wide initiatives that further Fitchburg State’s mission, vision and core values. The 2025-26 Presidential Fellows are: Professor DeMisty Bellinger-Delfeld (English Studies Department); Associate Professor Jonathan Harvey (Humanities Department); Professor Denise Sargent (Education Department); Associate Professor Deborah Stone (Nursing Department); and Connie Strittmatter (Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library). Re-appointed Fellows include Professor Katharine Covino (English Studies Department), Professor Laura Garofoli (Psychological Sciences Department), Assistant Professor Dustin Halterman (Education Department) and Associate Professor Lindsay Parisi (Exercise and Sports Science Department). “Our Presidential Fellows represent the best of Fitchburg State’s commitment to bold ideas and collective progress. By giving our faculty and librarians the time and platform to lead projects of their own design, we are investing not only in their professional growth but in the transformation of our university and the communities we serve,” President Hodge said. Professor David Weiss will coordinate this year’s Presidential Fellows Program. “This program reflects a simple but powerful truth: leadership is not confined to titles or offices. It is cultivated in classrooms, libraries, and laboratories—and it flourishes when people are trusted to innovate. I am proud of this year’s Fellows, and I look forward to the ways their work will advance our mission as the number one state university in Massachusetts,” Hodge said. "At Fitchburg State University, the Presidential Fellows exemplify the kind of leadership that inspires progress—rooted in purpose, driven by curiosity, and committed to making a lasting impact on our campus and beyond," said Weiss. The Presidential Fellows will have the opportunity to propose, engage, and see to fruition a focused project or initiative of their choosing, in consultation with the President’s Office, which is meaningful, impactful, and elevates the “Number One State University” throughout the North Central Region, Massachusetts, and beyond.

Fitchburg State University and the Fitchburg Historical Society are collaborating to recognize Banned Books Week in October with “Censoring Cormier: Readings from the Fitchburg State University Archives.” The reading of archival materials is related to the censorship of local author Robert Cormier's work. Cormier’s novel The Chocolate War, was one of the most censored novels at the time of its publication as part of the first wave of book challenges and bans in the United States. “Cormier’s works began to be challenged and removed from schools and libraries over 40 years ago,” said Fitchburg State Associate Librarian for Instruction and Community Engagement Olivia Rossetti. “Our goal with this event is to reflect on the evolution of censorship as Cormier experienced it, and consider how the issue has or has not evolved since then.” These hour-long events will feature a 30-minute reading, followed by a discussion. The first event will begin at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7 at the Fitchburg Historical Society, 781 Main St. Fitchburg State University hosts the second event at the Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9. “Banned Books Week is such an important event, and we’re excited to partner with Fitchburg Historical Society to expand the reach of this work,” Rossetti said. “We hope to see lots of faces, both from our university community and the community at large at our events this October.” The events are both free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Free parking is available in the parking lot behind the Historical Society building (accessed via Central St.), or free on-street parking on Main St. Designated visitor lots for Fitchburg State may be located on the university website at fitchburgstate.edu/about/maps-and-directions.

Celebrate the unique heritage of the city of Fitchburg and Fitchburg State University with an official presentation of the “You FIT Here!” banners on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 3:30 p.m. on the campus’ main quadrangle. The rain location will be at Hammond Main Lounge. The banners will be presented to Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge and city partners Nick Capasso (Fitchburg Art Museum), Merrick Henry (COFF33 Corp) and Fitchburg Mayor Samantha Squailia. There will be live performances sponsored by Coff33 Corp., a celebration of the “ Fitchburg Your Story” podcast series with a listening station (you can sign up to record your own episode), a reception with food, displays and giveaways, and a Heritage Walk, led by university archivist Asher Jackson and Dr. Danette Day, starting in the quad and ending at the Abolitionist Park (.4 miles). A shuttle will be available for those who need it to and from Abolitionist Park. Earn an exclusive pin to commemorate your experience. The event is free and open to the public. On Tuesday, Sept. 30 and Wednesday, Oct. 1, there will be a Teach-In at Abolitionist Park. All are welcome to join Fitchburg State classes in the park. On September 30, from 8-11:30 a.m., offerings will include Dr. David Weiss presenting on domestic terror and hate crime; Dr. Will Cortezia discussing diversity in education; Dr. Kisha Tracy presenting the Bible as literature; and Dr. Danette Day discussing culturally proficient education . On October 1, at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Dr. Will Cortezia presents on the abolitionist movement and how it relates to social justice in the present day; Dr. Michael Hoberman discusses a pathbreaking abolitionist text from 1789: The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano at 11 a.m.; and Dr. Eric Budd discusses the origins of abolitionism and other social movements at 11 a.m. You FIT Here is funded by the Deans’ Anti-Racism Fund and the Crocker Center for Civic Engagement.

Fitchburg State University will welcome alumni, students, families, and friends to campus for Homecoming 2025, running Thursday, Oct. 2 through Sunday, Oct. 5. The weekend celebration will feature a wide array of events, including athletic contests, the Homecoming Carnival, Casino Night, and an Admissions Open House for prospective students and their families. President Donna Hodge said Homecoming is one of the most meaningful traditions at the university. “Homecoming is more than a weekend of events. It is a living tradition that reminds us who we are, where we’ve come from, and where we’re going. When alumni, students, faculty, staff, families, and neighbors fill this campus with their energy, we see the full picture of what it means to be a Falcon. That spirit—the pride, the connection, and the momentum we create together—is what carries Fitchburg State forward.” Highlights include a campus Pep Rally on Thursday, Oct. 2, Casino Night on Friday, Oct. 3, and Saturday’s packed lineup of tailgating, football, men’s soccer, and the Homecoming Carnival. The football team will host Framingham State at noon at Elliot Field, followed by men’s soccer taking on Salem State at 5 p.m. The university will also host a Fall Open House on Saturday, Oct. 4, giving prospective students and families the chance to tour the campus, meet faculty, coaches, and staff, and experience Fitchburg State’s vibrant community in action. Athletic Director Matthew Burke said the weekend is one of the most exciting times of the year. “Nothing energizes our student-athletes more than a packed stadium. This Homecoming, let's give our Falcons a true home-field advantage. Come back to campus, reconnect with Fitchburg State, and fill the stands to support men’s soccer and football.” Full schedule and registration details are available at fitchburgstate.edu/homecoming.

Fitchburg State University has once again been 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. “Recognition in social mobility goes to the heart of who we are as a university,” said Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge. “As a first-generation student myself, I know what it means to have access to an education that changes the course of your life. For 132 years, Fitchburg State has opened doors for students who might otherwise be left on the margins, and that mission continues with urgency and pride today. Our work is not just about degrees—it is about fueling opportunity, strengthening families, and shaping communities across the Commonwealth and beyond. These rankings affirm the momentum we are building, and they underscore our commitment to making sure higher education remains a powerful engine of equity and possibility.” U.S. News & World Report has published annual rankings of colleges and universities since 1983. Details on its methodology are available on the publication’s website.