Editor’s note: This story first appeared in the University Advancement Fall 2025 Donor Impact Report, whose theme is “Thank you for believing in me.”
With a passion for computer science, psychology, and hockey, Alaska native Fiona Hatton ’27 is excelling at Worcester State on and off the ice.
Fiona Hatton hosts a podcast called “Four Minutes with Fiona,” which focuses on mental health and personal development.
Hatton is pursuing a double major in computer science and psychology, drawn to these fields by her interests in technology and sports psychology. She is an accomplished athlete, having played ice hockey from a young age in her hometown of Homer, Alaska, and, now, as a member of the Worcester State women’s ice hockey team.
In addition to her involvement with the ice hockey team, Hatton serves as a resident assistant, works part-time in the athletics department, and is a member of the computer science club. She credits these activities, as well as support from her professors, with helping her develop as a well-rounded student.
“I’ve had some incredible professors, especially women in computer science, who have become mentors for me,” Hatton said. “Having female role models in STEM fields has been so important, as it can still feel intimidating being one of the few women in those classes.”
Hatton also hosts a podcast called “Four Minutes with Fiona,” which focuses on mental health and personal development. Boasting many thousands of downloads as of this summer, the podcast has featured Hatton’s interviews with collegiate and professional athletes and sports luminaries—including such big names as tennis legend Billie Jean King.
Hatton said the chance to play on the Worcester State women’s ice hockey team, for which she was named female Rookie Athlete of the Year, is what attracted her to Worcester State. A campus tour sealed the deal. “The campus, once I visited, really sold me,” she said. “When I started meeting staff and seeing all the resources and facilities Worcester State has to offer, it made my decision easy.”
The transition from her small hometown to the Worcester area was a challenge at first, but Hatton has found a strong community at the university. “I feel like I have a second home here,” she said. “I’ve made a lot of friends, and having that sense of community has really helped.”
Still, it was a big change that brought with it some cultural differences. One fact that fascinated her new acquaintances in New England was that, from a young age, her family would go salmon fishing and Hatton would filet their catch on the beach, sometimes processing as many as 50 or 60 fish at once.
This was a normal, routine activity for Hatton growing up on the Alaskan coast, but she has found that people from Massachusetts are often shocked to hear about it.
“When I talk to my friends at Worcester State about things like going salmon fishing and filleting a lot of salmon, they’re surprised,” she said. “It’s just not something they have any experience with.”
Scholarships and financial aid have played a crucial role in enabling Hatton to attend college, and she said she is deeply grateful for the opportunities these contributions have provided.
She expresses her gratitude through involvement in the Worcester State community and through a desire to pay it forward, including by planning to someday start a mentorship program for young hockey players in her hometown.
Hatton’s ambitions showcase her diverse interests and talents: she hopes to pursue a career in computer science while potentially also becoming a hockey coach.
“One of my goals is to coach hockey at an elite level, and I would love to do that while also working in computer science, either doing consulting or remote work,” she said. “I’m trying to give myself as many jumping-off points as possible—and my experience at Worcester State is making that possible.”
Donor Support: Dimmick Family Scholarship and Dianne (Helow) ’59 and Robert D. Payne Endowed Scholarship
Hatton said she would not be able to attend college without the financial aid she receives, including two donor-supported scholarships. “I’m paying for college on my own, so it really has made all the difference,” she said.
The Dimmick Family Scholarship is for students in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics). The Payne Endowed Scholarship is an academic scholarship for students who are active in campus activities.
The Payne Endowed Scholarship is a powerful example of how donors can support students through a thoughtful blend of cash and planned giving strategies. By combining outright gifts with tools like charitable gift annuities and retirement asset distributions, donors are able to create a lasting impact and help sustain Worcester State’s mission for generations to come.
The impact is far-reaching. “The donors’ contributions enable students like me to attend college and improve themselves, not just academically but socially,” Hatton said. “It allows us to leave Worcester State with a great start in the world for whatever career we want to pursue.”