Award Celebrated at Community-Wide State of the University Event
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fitchburg State University is the recipient of the 2026 NCTE National Intellectual Freedom Award. This prestigious honor is given by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) 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.
“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,” Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge said. “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.”
Dating back to 1997, the NCTE National Intellectual Freedom Award is selected by NCTE’s Committee Against Censorship based on nominees’ 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 State’s nomination, the subcommittee noted that the university’s advocacy “enriches both the university and the greater community . . . through the proactive nature of their work with programming and resources that support reading freely.”
Founded as a teachers’ college in 1894 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Fitchburg State has maintained an institutional membership with NCTE for decades, actively supporting NCTE’s 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,” said Katharine Covino, a professor of English studies at Fitchburg State. “Its 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 NCTE Leadership Award recipients, will be honored at a ceremony at the 2026 NCTE Annual Convention in Philadelphia in November.
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About NCTE
The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is the professional organization for literacy teachers spanning preK through college. Through the expertise and advocacy from its members’ professional research, practice, and knowledge, NCTE 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, NCTE: media@ncte.org