Fitchburg State University recently celebrated First Generation Day, highlighting the experiences of students who represent the first in their families to attend college. The keynote address was given by Dustin Hodge, husband of university President Donna Hodge, who described his long and nonlinear path to eventually graduating from Arizona State University. “My parents didn’t go to college,” said Hodge, an Upward Bound alum when speaking to an audience featuring students in TRIO Student Support Services, Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science in his address at Hammond Hall. “I did and it changed my life. That version is easy to tell — but it’s not the whole truth. Real first-generation stories are rarely simple. They’re messy, complicated and full of twists you don’t see coming. Mine certainly is.” Hodge is a writer and documentary filmmaker who has produced more than 275 episodes of national television and led media projects in over 30 countries. His work, featured on PBS, the History Channel, CBS, and RFD-TV, highlights the stories of underserved and underrepresented communities. Additionally, he served as a producer for The Tight Rope podcast, hosted by Cornel West. Guests on the podcast have included Killer Mike, Daveed Diggs, and Jane Fonda. Hodge was the first in his family to attend college, but his journey wasn’t an easy four-year march to graduation. “I struggled with life outside of class,” said Hodge. “I moved six times in one semester. But I didn’t ask for help. I was afraid that if people found out I was a first-gen student, they’d think I didn’t belong. So I struggled quietly, and no one noticed.” Hodge said that the reason why he loves Fitchburg State is because it’s different here. “Because here, people do notice,” said Hodge. “Professors, staff, coaches — even the president — they see you. They will check on you. So remember this, you are important. You matter. It’s OK not to know how things work. It’s OK to make mistakes. It’s OK to feel lost, or frustrated, or embarrassed. Those feelings are normal. “The person you are when you first set foot on campus is not the same person who leaves four years later,” he said. “You’ll be stronger, more confident, and you’ll have something powerful —momentum.” Hodge said that he lost his momentum. Like his parents, Hodge was working two or three jobs at a time. He went from taking five classes a semester to three, to one and then zero. “My mom kept encouraging me to finish my half-completed degree,” said Hodge. “She wanted me to have a chance she never got. Finally, I relented and promised her I’d go back to college.” Unfortunately, his mother passed away before he could return to school. “Losing her changed everything,” said Hodge. “It reminded me how fragile life is — and how important it is to spend it doing something meaningful.” Hodge said he felt like he missed his chance to go back to college, so he took a leap of faith into something completely new: storytelling. He got a job in television at the ground level, carrying tables, chairs, and coffee as a production assistant. “I showed up with a smile,” said Hodge. “I learned and little by little, carrying things led to running a camera, which led to cinematography, directing and eventually producing.” Still, without a degree, there was a limit to how far he could go. “And just as importantly, I had made a promise that I hadn’t kept,” said Hodge. So more than a decade later, he went back to college. “I felt like it was too late, but it wasn’t,” said Hodge. “I finished my undergraduate degree. Then I went straight into grad school and finished a degree in writing. I used my education to enhance my job skills.” Hodge’s message is simple: believe in yourself and achieve your goals and dreams. “If you haven’t done so already, tell people you’re going to get your degree,” he said. “Say it out loud. Speak it into existence. Make a promise and keep it. Once you have momentum, no obstacle can stop you.” Director of TRIO Student Support Services Elizabeth Swartz facilitated the event, and conducted a question and answer session with a panel composed of faculty, staff, and students. The Fitchburg State first-generation students on the panel were: Leah Alker, Julia Arena, Justin Conner, Geybrell Liriano and Aidan Thompson. Faculty and staff panelists included: Professor and Psychological Science Department Chair Laura Garofoli, Dean of Students Tim St. John, Academic Advisor in TRIO Alyssa Annese, and Associate Director of Financial Aid Andrea Johnston. Panelists said that being the first in the family to attend college is an extraordinary achievement. It means setting an example for those who come after you. The journey is also inspiring because it shows that barriers aren't insurmountable. “It’s a cool feeling, but it’s stressful,” said Conner, a senior interdisciplinary studies major. “There’s a lot of pressure on me because of it, but just knowing that I was able to do something that my family, not necessarily had the ability to do, I’m excited but it’s nerve wracking to also graduate.” Arena, a Presidential Ambassador, clinical exercise and sports science major who also works three jobs on campus, discussed an experience where she had to navigate different expectations between home life and college life. Arena’s family used to live approximately 40 minutes from Fitchburg State, but moved to Florida last year. “My home life prepared me for living on my own because I had a lot of responsibilities at home,” said Arena. “I think I was pretty well prepared for college, but I think what I wasn't prepared for and it’s especially true this year, was that feeling of, ‘Oh, now I’m really independent.’ There’s a difference between moving to college and living away from your family that a lot of people don’t necessarily experience. My best advice in handling something like this is to lean on all the resources we have at school. If you have something you need help in, we have a resource to help you.” Faculty and staff had a message for each student embarking on the college journey. “Figure out how to advocate for yourself,” said Garofoli. “You have to build that muscle to advocate for yourself.” “Don’t be afraid to fail,” said Annese. “Try literally everything here.” There are so many ways to do college, said St. John. “The right way is your way,” said St. John. “No pathway to graduation is the same for everybody. Every path to graduation is the right path. Keep that end goal in mind.” Johnston said that she would tell her high school self to not write off her local state university campus just because of its proximity to home. “There’s value in a degree from a state university,” said Johnston. “I truly believe that Fitchburg State is the No. 1 state university and I think we’re doing really great things here.”

The Fitchburg State Concert Band and Community Orchestra Concert will be held from 7:30-9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20 in the Weston Auditorium, 353 North St. Admission is free and open to the public. The event features Fitchburg State professors Hildy Schilling and Amy McGlothlin, members of the Community Orchestra and members of the Concert Band. The Concert Band will present three new works for the band; Dushna Pasha by Brandon Nelson; Supernova: Music for an Imaginary Video Game by Andrew Boysen, Jr.; and Deciduous by Viet Cuong. “The Community Orchestra and the Concert Band present their fall concerts together each year,” said McGlothlin. “This year the Community Orchestra will feature several soloists and The Concert Band will be providing a premiere of Dushna Pasha by Brandon Nelson.” To learn more about Fitchburg State’s instrumental and choral groups, visit fitchburgstate.edu/music.

Fitchburg State University will once again be well-represented in the upcoming cohort of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce’s Community Leadership Institute (CLI). Associate Director for Internship Coordination and Employer Relations Susan Beddes of the university’s Career Services and Advising Center and Director for Care and Case Management Joe Flanagan have begun the nine-month program. "I was honored to sponsor Susan Beddes and Joe Flanagan for the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce’s Community Leadership Institute,” said Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge. “Their participation is a direct reflection of Fitchburg State’s deep commitment to fostering leadership and community engagement within our staff. Programs like this don't just develop strong individual leaders; they strengthen the very fabric of our region.” “I'm very happy to be participating in the Community Leadership Institute this year,” Beddes said. “I am looking forward to taking a deep-dive into our community of North Central Massachusetts, strengthening my involvement with the Chamber and fostering new partnerships that will support my work in the Career Services and Advising Center.” Flanagan's move to the region as a Fitchburg State student was the beginning of his long-standing affection for the area. “Now, in a full-circle moment, I'm excited and incredibly proud to represent Fitchburg State as part of this Community Leadership Institute,” said Flanagan. “I believe this experience will broaden my understanding of industries in the region, and I look forward to connecting with the leaders who serve our local communities through meaningful work. This program also presents a great opportunity to share the amazing work happening at Fitchburg State, and explore where mutually-beneficial opportunities may exist for our campus community.” Fitchburg State University Business Department Chair and Chair of the CLI Michael Greenwood said that during the CLI workshop on adopting a possibility thinker’s mindset, Beddes and Flanagan stood out. “They arrived eager to stretch, question, and practice new leadership methods,” Greenwood said. “Their engagement—from role-playing to exploring ethical dilemmas—set the tone for the entire cohort. They remind me of soaring falcons: confident, curious, and unafraid to rise higher.” The CLI offers a unique 9-month immersive experience designed to develop the next generation of leaders who will shape our region’s future. Through hands-on learning, exclusive access to regional leaders, and collaborative community projects, CLI participants gain the skills, connections, and insights needed to lead effectively in today’s technology and knowledge-driven economy. "When I first agreed to volunteer to chair the Chamber’s Community Leadership Institute starting in 2012, I had no idea how deeply it would shape me,” Greenwood said. “I’ve watched managers, supervisors, and emerging executives discover new confidence, empathy, and vision year after year. Having a front-row seat to that kind of transformation has been one of the great privileges of my professional life.” The CLI program runs from October to June each year, featuring day-long sessions each month that cover personal leadership development (October), non-profit governance (November), education (December), media & crisis communications (January), healthcare, law & justice (February), arts & culture (March), legislation (April), manufacturing & economic development (May), and debrief & commencement (June).

Fitchburg State University student Autumn Hughes, majoring in creative arts therapies, will present her senior voice recital at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 in Kent Recital Hall in the Conlon Fine Arts Building, 267 North St. Admission is free and open to the public. Hughes will be the first student to perform a senior recital as part of the new creative arts therapies degree program at Fitchburg State, joined by piano accompanist Alanna Rantala. Hughes receives voice instruction from faculty member Mackenzie Pamies. The creative arts therapies major is designed for students interested in learning about arts therapies and how modalities of drama, music and art are utilized in working with children and adults in a variety of settings. “Autumn is an exciting vocalist, able to sing in multiple styles,” said Associate Professor of Humanities Amy McGlothlin. “She will bring a lot of fun to the audience, and it will be a great way to spend the afternoon listening to her and other music students share their creativity.” This event is free and open to the public.

Fitchburg State University will feature the work of local artist Ricardo Barros in the upcoming exhibition “Off the Hill: Portraits from within the Fitchburg Community.” There will be an opening reception and artist talk at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 on the first floor of the Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library in Hammond Hall, located at 160 Pearl St. The exhibit will run through March 31 in the library. “In this project, I travel my world intentionally without a camera,” Barros said. “When I meet an intriguing person, I ask questions so I can write about them. My challenge is to make each person a colorful character in their own story, a hero in their own legend.” Barros said that the town surrounding a university may feel like a static backdrop to student life, and it isn’t easy to compete with the challenge and exhilaration of the college experience. “But, as these photographs demonstrate, Fitchburg is anything but static, and there are many people ‘Off the Hill’ from whom we may learn much, including the genius of agency, passion, and community engagement,” Barros said. “Agency is the power of an individual to make choices and act on them, directing the unique course of their path. Passion is a heartfelt desire that compels us to take action. Community engagement is a willingness to join the collective effort for our inclusive, mutual well-being. “We learn about history, ideas, and problem-solving strategies in a classroom,” he said. “But learning does not end with a college degree, and we continue to grow when we discover new ways to learn. Take a moment to look and read about the people portrayed in this exhibition. We hope that they inspire you to look beyond your laptop screens, to see beyond the campus, and witness many times over that an individual’s effort can make a difference. We hope these photographs and stories help illuminate your path to belonging and engagement.” Fitchburg State’s first art exhibition of the academic year featured the inspiring 360-degree panoramic work of Barros in “ An Entanglement of Space and Time.” Barros’ work was exhibited in the Hammond Hall Art Gallery through Oct. 17. Barros is a photographer, writer, curator, and filmmaker. His works are in the permanent collections of eleven museums, including the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, the Museum of Art of São Paulo, and the Fitchburg Art Museum. Ricardo was awarded a Fellowship in Photography by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts in 1984 and 2021, and the Marlene and David Persky Present Tense Prize by ArtsWorcester in 2024. He recently moved to Fitchburg with his wife, artist Heather Barros. More information at ricardobarros.com. Photo by Ricardo Barros: Andrew DeChristopher and Tristan Taylor, founders of Fitchburg Fiber LLC, were photographed in 2024 on the roof of 759 Main Street, Fitchburg, near the upper commons. The white plastic object near DeChristopher (and the chimney) is a radio node, such as they install on rooftops.