Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll to give Fitchburg State commencement address

FITCHBURG — Fitchburg State University announced that Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll will deliver the keynote address at the University’s undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16, on the main quadrangle.

Fitchburg State holds its 130th commencement exercises in May, with a graduate commencement ceremony at 8 a.m. followed by the undergraduate ceremony at 2 p.m.

“On behalf of the entire campus community, I am thrilled to welcome Lt. Gov. Driscoll back to campus,” Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge said.

Driscoll last spoke on campus in April, delivering remarks at the investiture ceremony where Hodge was formally installed as Fitchburg State’s 12th leader and the first woman to hold the post in the institution’s history.

“I’m honored to be back at Fitchburg State as this year’s commencement speaker,” Driscoll said. “As a proud graduate of Massachusetts’ public university system, I know how life-changing this kind of education can be. This year’s Fitchburg State graduates will find incredible opportunities ahead of them as they enter their next chapter, and they’ll use the skills they gained over the course of their time at Fitchburg State to make a positive impact on our communities. I’m excited to congratulate the Class of 2026 in person this May!”

Fitchburg State will hold a separate ceremony at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 16, for the conferral of graduate degrees. This ceremony will also be held on the main quadrangle. Additional details on the ceremonies may be found at fitchburgstate.edu/commencement. Both ceremonies will stream live on FATV at fatv.org/fsu.

Driscoll is the 73rd lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, and with Gov. Maura Healey represents the first all-women executive team to lead Massachusetts.

Since taking office, Driscoll has spearheaded several administration priorities and initiatives. Exemplified by her extensive and successful career in local government, Driscoll has served as a notable proponent for the economic development of Massachusetts cities and towns, and serves as a liaison for municipalities across the state. This commitment also includes leadership on tackling the state’s housing crisis and improving the state’s public education policy. Driscoll also chairs the Governor’s Council, the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking, the Seaport Economic Council, and co-chairs the STEM Advisory Council.