Fitchburg State University has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 NCTE National Intellectual Freedom Award, presented by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and SLATE (Support for the Learning and Teaching of English).
Established in 1997, the annual award honors individuals, groups, or institutions that merit recognition for advancing the cause of intellectual freedom and standing against educational censorship.
Fitchburg State was selected by a subcommittee of the NCTE Committee Against Censorship for its comprehensive, campus-wide commitment to defending free expression and maintaining equitable access to diverse literature and research.
“Intellectual 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,” said Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge. “At a time when access to diverse stories and vital information faces unprecedented challenges, we are deeply honored to receive this recognition from NCTE. 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.”
The university will be honored during the NCTE Annual Convention in Philadelphia from Nov. 19-22.
"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,” said Professor of English Studies Katharine Covino, the faculty member who nominated Fitchburg State. “Our 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’s selection highlights a broad range of sustained anti-censorship initiatives across faculty, staff, students, and the local community:
- The university’s Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library leads annual Banned Books Week activities, hosts inclusive community programming like Drag Queen Story Time events, and convened a panel of local public librarians to discuss hyper-local censorship pressures. The library also launched dedicated guides for government data preservation to safeguard open research access.
- Through the Adult Learning in the Fitchburg Area (ALFA) program, older adults collaborate with undergraduate students to examine challenged literature. Participants analyze historical patterns of censorship using primary sources from the university’s archives, including the papers of local author Robert Cormier, whose novel, The Chocolate War remains a touchstone in discussions on free expression.
- In spring 2025, the campus launched "Scholars on Tap," a student-led Teach-In addressing censorship, democracy, and information access. Additionally, Fitchburg State faculty have authored 10 open-access, equity-focused textbooks through the grant-funded ROTEL initiative, helping break down financial barriers to learning materials.
- Pre-service teachers in the English Studies and education departments write and publish book rationales directly for the NCTE anti-censorship database. Communication Law & Ethics students regularly host public forums on censorship, canceled media, and First Amendment rights in partnership with the Society of Philosophers in America.
- Grounded in a landmark institutional legacy — Antonelli v. Hammond (1970), a U.S. District Court case that protected student press from prior restraint — Fitchburg State students continue to lead on free expression issues. Recently, an undergraduate honors student presented research on middle and secondary school English classroom censorship alongside faculty at the national NCTE conference.
By embedding anti-censorship principles across curriculum design, archival preservation, and public forums, Fitchburg State University continues to foster an environment where open inquiry and diverse perspectives are actively defended.
About Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg State University is a public institution dedicated to integrating high-quality professional programs with strong liberal arts and sciences studies.
Founded in 1894, the university now has more than 30 undergraduate programs and 22 master's degree programs, and 6,000 full and part-time students.