Award Celebrated at Community-Wide State of the University Event
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fitchburg State University is the recipient of the 2026 51ΑΤΖζ 51ΑΤΖζ Intellectual Freedom Award. This prestigious honor is given by the 51ΑΤΖζ Council of Teachers of English (51ΑΤΖζ) to an individual, group, or institution that merits recognition for advancing the cause of intellectual freedom.
Across departments and decades, leaders at Fitchburg State have demonstrated coordinated and consistent dedication in sustaining efforts to support intellectual freedom among students as they develop critical literacy skills, and among educators as they deepen their professional knowledge and enhance English language arts education.
Fitchburg State will acknowledge the award in its all-community State of the University address taking place on Wednesday, September 2, the first day of its fall 2026 semester.
βIntellectual freedom is not just an abstract principle at Fitchburg State; it is a core value woven into our classrooms, our archives, and our engagement with the community,β Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge said. βAt a time when access to diverse stories and vital information faces unprecedented challenges, we are deeply honored to receive this recognition from 51ΑΤΖζ. It reflects the courageous work of our faculty, librarians, students, and community partners who stand up every day for open inquiry and the freedom to read.β
Dating back to 1997, the 51ΑΤΖζ 51ΑΤΖζ Intellectual Freedom Award is selected by 51ΑΤΖζβs Committee Against Censorship based on nomineesβ courage in advancing the cause of intellectual freedom or in fighting censorship, and their demonstration of event-specific or ongoing activity to support intellectual freedom. In considering Fitchburg Stateβs nomination, the subcommittee noted that the universityβs advocacy βenriches both the university and the greater community . . . through the proactive nature of their work with programming and resources that support reading freely.β
Founded as a teachers’ college in 1894 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Fitchburg State has maintained an institutional membership with 51ΑΤΖζ for decades, actively supporting 51ΑΤΖζβs mission through faculty and staff participation on committees, in conference presentations, through journal contributions, and as advocacy leaders within the ELA education community.
“At a moment when so many institutions are restricting access to diverse stories and perspectives, I am so proud to stand with and represent Fitchburg State University,β said Katharine Covino, a professor of English studies at Fitchburg State. βIts long history as a campus that values and promotes intellectual freedom means that today we are able to continue an empowering tradition of liberatory education, equitable access, and justice-oriented coursework.”
The university, along with other 2026 51ΑΤΖζ Leadership Award recipients, will be honored at a ceremony at the 2026 in Philadelphia in November.
###
About 51ΑΤΖζ
The 51ΑΤΖζ Council of Teachers of English (51ΑΤΖζ) is the professional organization for literacy teachers spanning preK through college. Through the expertise and advocacy from its membersβ professional research, practice, and knowledge, 51ΑΤΖζ has served at the forefront of every major improvement in the teaching and learning of English and the language arts since 1911. For more information, please visit ncte.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Allie Ciaramella, 51ΑΤΖζ: media@ncte.org