Perseverantia: Fitchburg State University Podcast Network

In this special release to honor our veterans, members of the Fitchburg community share a kaleidoscope of Fitchburg’s World War II experiences -- pulled directly from letters and writings saved in the archives of the Fitchburg Historical Society and Fitchburg State University.

In addition to hearing from different perspectives on the war, the episode includes a deep dive into the letters written of Michael Vincent Addorisio, a Fitch...

“Red Shaydez’ Red Shaydez Day” features a talk between Fitchburg State’s own Toni Magras (COMM ‘25) and Fitchburg State alumna, hip-hop recording artist, educator, and cultural architect Red Shaydez (COMM ‘14).  In this episode, Red dives into her roots, her inspirations, her journey as an artist at Fitchburg State, her favorite hip hop artist(s), and more!  To mark Red’s return, Fitchburg State declared May 6th, 2025 Red Shaydez D...

In the final episode of the Fitchburg Your Story series, Daniel Somers explores Persistence of Underground Music in Fitchburg through the city's and Fitchburg State's storied history as a punk rock and underground music way station.  

Underground music of all genres has been present throughout the past several decades -- with Fitchburg State hosting storied acts from the in...

Keep Calm and Drop the Rum takes us on a buzzy dive into a fascinating -- and a little wild -- chapter of Fitchburg's temperance history. 

Leanna Cox wrote and narrated this story.  Leanna is a sophomore Political Science major in the department of Economics, History, and Political Science -- with a concentration in American Government/Law at Fitchburg State.

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Episodes in this series were produced and edited by the students in...

"World Languages Bridging Communities"  highlights a community-based effort led by Fitchburg State’s Spanish Program in partnership with the Falcon Academy. 

In this episode, Fitchburg State students reflect on how their Spanish skills came alive as they taught a medical Spanish lesson to local eighth graders, bridging classroom learning with real-world community needs. Their stories illustrate not only how language educat...

Echoes of the Past is a storytelling deep dive into downtown Fitchburg's historic theater, all brought to life with sound and heart.  It’s about community, memory, and the places that shape us.

In this episode, Samuel Monteiro speaks of the investment the university has made to renovating the Theater Block (located at 707 Main St. in Fitchburg's downtown), which opened in 1929 to vaudeville acts -- and served as a three sc...

In this episode, Michael Kelly talks about the many contributions made by Irish immigrants who moved to Fitchburg, creations made by Irish immigrants, the overall impact of the cultural heritage of Fitchburg -- as well as his own relationship to his Irishness.

Michael is a senior Business Administration major with a concentration in Management.

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Episodes in this series were produced and edited by the students in Professor Kisha Tra...

In A City Reborn, Jordan Cummings tells a tale of a city with a history of industrial strength and today, an inspiring tale of rebirth.

Jordan is a senior Communications Media major.

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Episodes in this series were produced and edited by the Fitchburg State University students in Professor Kisha Tracy's Storytelling and the Oral Tradition course (ENGL 2890) in the Spring 2025 semester.  

"Saxifrage"  is the Fitchburg Yo...

Peter Elliott ('ENGL 26) is an English Studies major with a concentration in Professional Writing and a minor in Photography.  He is a passionate evangelist for writing, as the President of the Writing Club.  

Emily Puccia (COMM '26) is a Communications Media major with a concentration in Film & Video Production.  She loves the adrenalin rush that comes from writing and pours her time into Writing Club as its Vice Pres...

FalconCast returns with a special limited series called "Clubmunity," which explores some of the student-run organizations on the Fitchburg State University campus and how they contribute to a culture of community.  

In this episode, host Gabriel Rivera (HIST '25) talks the chalk with Billiards Club president Jonathan Rajotte (COMM '27).  Curious about club life, monthly tournaments, and smart strategies to up yo...

In this episode, City of Service, Jamie LaValley tells the story of Fitchburg's Michael Addorizzi and his time in the Navy during World War II.  It also connects this story to Fitchburg's heritage of service. 

Jamie is a senior Engineering Technology major with a concentration in Manufacturing Engineering Technology.  To research and produce this episode, he drew from the Michael Vincent Addorisio (Addorizzi) Family Collec...

In this episode, Julian Morley, a senior Environmental and Earth Sciences major at Fitchburg State, examines the modern history of the Nashua River, which bisects the North Central Massachusetts home of Fitchburg State University.  

The Nashua River used to be one of America's most polluted waterways due to industry in Fitchburg using it for waste disposal.  So how did it change? Julian shares a history of the Nashua and Marion...

In this episode, Julia Grace Ducharme, takes a look at the voices of Fitchburg State university's past women students, and why it is important (especially now more than ever) to keep their voices alive! 

Julia is a senior English Studies major, with a concentration in Literature.  Her essay won the "2025 You FIT Here! Fitchburg Your Story Best Overall Podcast Prize."

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Episodes in this series were produced and edited ...

In this episode, Erisbel Alicea, reflects on the names behind the buildings on Fitchburg State's campus, diving most deeply into the accomplishments of the namesake of the most central building on campus:  Mr. James J. Hammond.

Erisbel is a junior Criminal Justice major, participating in the 4+1 police program.

Episodes in this series were produced and edited by the Fitchburg State University students in Professor Kisha Tracy&ap...

In this episode, Sele Bridgeforth explores the mystery of who was the first African American to graduate from Fitchburg State University.

Sele is a sophomore Creative Arts Therapies major, with a concentration in Music.

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Episodes in this series were produced and edited by the Fitchburg State University students in Professor Kisha Tracy's Storytelling and the Oral Tradition course (ENGL 2890) in the Spring 2025 semester.  

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In this episode, Dexter Brown shares the stories of past Falcons from the Athletic Department's 2024 Hall of Fame Inductees.  He reflects on the trials and tribulations they overcame playing sports at Fitchburg State -- and the legacies they leave behind and continue to make. 

Dexter is a junior Business Administration major with a concentration in Management. He is also a member of the Fitchburg State football team.

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Episodes...

In this episode, Angel Viruet looks at the cultural heritage of Fitchburg, and the community of Fitchburg State University, with a particular focus on the Latinx community.  Angel is a sophomore Business Administration major with a concentration in Marketing. 

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Episodes in this series were produced and edited by the Fitchburg State University students in Professor Kisha Tracy's Storytelling and the Oral Tradition course (ENGL...

Although college radio broadcasts may only reach a limited signal range, their influence on university campuses across the world is immeasurable.  Perhaps no greater example can be found than Fitchburg State University's student-run radio station WXPL (91.3 FM and streamable online).  

In this episode, Michael Sauvageau playfully discusses how WXPL has helped promote diversity and cultural awareness for multiple decades. Throug...

First Generation College Students (FGCS) are one of the most unrecognized group of students at a university.  Many do not see the challenges they have to face as they go through the college search process and when they are finally here. 

In this episode, Justin Conner explores the variety of challenges that FGCS have to face on a regular basis and how universities can help them.  This will help not only Fitchburg State understand th...