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.

The Music Mega-Mix, Fitchburg State University’s showcase of bite-sized performances by its Community Orchestra, Concert Band, Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, Falcon Drumline, and Fitchbyrds Modern Jazz Band will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21 in Weston Auditorium, 353 North St. Admission is free and open to the public. The ensembles consist of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members. Learn more about the university's music offerings at fitchburgstate.edu/music.

Longtime Fitchburg State University Professor of Exercise Science Jeff Godin inspired thousands of athletes with his “Building Better Humans” mantra. Godin, 56, passed away after a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer on June 22, 2024, but the Fenway Spartan Stadion Event Weekend race on November 8-9 will honor Godin’s legacy and his enduring impact. Proceeds from the race will support a scholarship fund in Godin’s name for Fitchburg State students pursuing exercise and sports science. Registration details include: $50 Student Registration (Must have a valid student ID) $100 Participant $200 'Warrior' Participant (Regular participant with an added donation) $500 'Spartan' Participant (Regular participant with an added donation) Once entrants have submitted payment, they will be emailed instructions to sign up for the race through Spartan, free of charge. The Fitchburg State campaign raises funds for a permanent memorial to Godin on campus, including a scholarship for a student in exercise and sports science (EXSS) and the naming of the weight room in Godin’s honor. “Jeff had an incredible impact on not only EXSS but also on student-athletes,” Fitchburg State Athletic Director Matt Burke said. “He played a major role in the design and equipment in the Landry Arena weight room, and it would be incredibly fitting to name the space for him. All of the teams that trained under his guidance were better off for it, and the athletes from those programs miss him tremendously. He had a great energy and spirit for Fitchburg State, our student-athletes, and especially our ice hockey program.” “The loss of Jeff will be felt in the Exercise Department for years to come,” said Fitchburg State Exercise and Sports Science Associate Professor Lindsay Parisi. “He had this ability to make connections with people and inspire them to be better versions of themselves. Knowing that we can impact future students' ability to come to Fitchburg State through a scholarship, and to name the space that was his second home after him, will help our department in grieving that loss through keeping Jeff's spirit ingrained in the university.” Godin, who was admired for his love of teaching, coaching and his students, was also the founding father of the Spartan SGX Certification program. He certified a countless number of coaches from across the world to coach athletes using his SGX program with a slogan of, “Building Better Humans.” “I struggle everyday and miss him terribly,” said Godin’s wife, Tammy. “He was my best friend and the love of my life. It is heartwarming to know the impact he made on many and the legacy he has left behind.” The Stadion, held at historic Fenway Park in Boston, is a 5K obstacle course where competitors will climb stairs, scale walls, conquer monkey bars, and aim true with the spear throw — all at race pace. No mud. No mountain. Just pure grit under the lights.

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.