Connected magazine - Fall 2020

FALL 2020

Connected The magazine for alumni and friends of Central Connecticut State University

Our New Normal Pandemic drives a very different year on campus

In the zone When campus reopened for the Fall 2020 semester, students, faculty, and staff had to adapt to new safety requirements, including face masks and social distancing on campus and in classrooms, where desks are set at least six feet apart and instructors work within “teaching zones� that are a safe distance from students. (Above) Cathleen Donahue, an adjunct faculty member, leads a HyFlex Managerial Communications class on Oct. 7.

(Photo by Stan Godlewski)

CONTENTS FALL 2020

2

5

21

Connected Staff FEATURES 2 Teamwork moves campus forward in a new normal

Executive Editor: Janice Palmer Editor: Marisa Nadolny Designer: Diann Thomson ’17

5 Faculty quickly shifts to a new teaching environment

Writers: Amy J. Barry, Kate Callahan ’14, Leslie Virostek

7

Photography: John Atashian, Stan Godlewski

Lessons learned: Students reflect on college life in a pandemic

ALUMNI CONNECTION 8

Two alumni brew up thriving coffee businesses

11

Alumnus rallies heroes around the world

29

CCSU announces 2020 Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame Class

CAMPUS CONNECTION 12

Dr. Shelly Jones makes math culturally relevant

16

The curriculum of community collaboration

18

Campus News

DEPARTMENTS 20 Alumni in the News 22 Alumni Books 23 Class Notes 25 In Memoriam

Assistant Designer: Mikayla Heim ’20 CLASS NOTES AND OTHER UPDATES Send information for Class Notes and In Memoriam to ClassNotes@ccsu.edu or via U.S. Mail to Class Notes, Office of Marketing & Communications, Central Connecticut State University, 1615 Stanley St., New Britain, CT, 06050-4010.

KEEP IN TOUCH To stay current with the University and the many alumni events and opportunities, update your information online at www.ccsu.edu/alumniupdate.

ADVERTISING Connected accepts ads at the editor’s discretion for goods and services considered to be of value to CCSU alumni. Ad publication does not constitute endorsement. Please send inquiries to ads@ccsu.edu or Editor, Connected magazine, Central Connecticut State University, 1615 Stanley St., New Britain, CT 06050.

Connected is published by Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Conn., for alumni and friends. CCSU is an AA/EO institution and a university of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system. All content copyrighted by © CCSU. Reproduction by any means in whole or in part is prohibited without expressed permission.

FALL 2020 – 1

CCSU CONNECTED

Teachable moments Teamwork moves campus forward in a new normal

Over the past eight months, CCSU’s administration and staff have been working resolutely under the leadership of President Zulma R. Toro to keep the COVID-19 pandemic at bay and its educational mission viable.

They have created and implemented advanced new health and safety protocols and substantially upgraded online remote learning technologies in an enormous and complex collaborative effort referred to as the University’s “Blueprint for Success.”

And CCSU’s response has been a great success — lauded as the best among state universities and beyond. It enabled the campus’s reopening for the Fall 2020 semester and will continue to guide University operations this spring.

Mark E. Ojakian, president of the Connecticut State University System, was so impressed that he asked President Toro to give a presentation on CCSU’s pandemic planning to the Board of Regents on Sept. 17. She also

By Amy J. Barry

participated in a Sept. 4 White House conference call with higher education leaders led by Vice President Mike Pence.

During the call, leaders from Colorado State University, University of Notre Dame, and North Dakota State University shared details and insights on how their campuses have responded to the pandemic. Their comments revealed much to CCSU’s president.

PHOTO BY STAN GODLEWSKI

2 – Central Connecticut State University Connected

CCSU CONNECTED “In most cases, nothing they were doing was better than what we were doing,” Toro recalls, “and in some instances, we were doing more — and theirs were the best responses across the nation.”

Planning pays off Toro attributes the University’s success to early emergency planning, orchestrated by Sal Cintorino, CCSU’s Chief Operations Officer, which began in February — well before the state issued any guidelines.

“Therefore, we were able to react quickly when we learned of the first potential infection that triggered the closing of the campus,” Toro says, “and then we were able to put in place all the protocols.”

Toro started issuing updates to the CCSU community even before the physical campus shut down and the University became a remote operation on March 12. As the pandemic intensified, those updates and forthcoming reports became the basis of pandemic-related web pages, which are still regularly updated.

By April, the emergency response team started to tackle the question of how and when to reopen campus for the Fall 2020 semester.

Cintorino notes, “We began more than six months ago with daily meetings to analyze our campus and develop plans that aligned with best practices.

Members of our committee, including myself, had been trained in FEMA emergency planning and preparedness.

From day one, President Toro and I both committed to having the safety of our campus community as the foundation of our Blueprint.”

After analyzing early reports from its member institutions, CSCU leadership announced that the system would reopen for Fall 2020 with classes delivered in a variety of on-ground, online, remote, and hybrid formats. It was up to each university to determine exactly how and which formats to build into Fall 2020 reopening plans.

Workgroups comprised of more than 150 members of the University community gathered information and issued reports that would guide the many areas the reopening plan had to address, including health and safety measures; resident student logistics; contact tracing and testing; and new learning methods for students and faculty. (See story on page 5.)

By late May, Toro announced the University would offer classes in allremote and HyFlex formats for Fall 2020, starting Aug. 26. The HyFlex format allows for reduced in-person classes with social distancing measures built in, as well as new sophisticated audio/ visual technology for students who prefer to study remotely.

Chief Information Officer George Claffey attributes CCSU’s overall successful response to a deep commitment to safety and staff’s awareness that it would need to be a very organic, fluid, multi-dimensional process. He emphasizes that flexibility, combined with a high level of collaboration and teamwork across the campus, has been essential.

“We immediately began conversations with various IT groups, including the Information Technology Committee that represents the faculty,” Claffey says.

“We knew we would have to quickly begin rethinking some things and started talking about mobility and agility and upgraded a series of technologies that would support remote conductivity.”

CCSU has since invested nearly $2 million in campus-wide technological upgrades and purchases. (See story on page 4.) Chief among them are a new ventilation system and the 35 classrooms, four lecture halls, and 29 labs set up for HyFlex learning.

Continued on page 13

FALL 2020 – 3

CCSU CONNECTED

Combating Covid-19 FROM THE GROUND UP

When campus closed down in March 2020, the CCSU Information Technology and Facilities teams got to work that day to make sure the campus community stayed safe and connected. From communication and online learning software to safety features and signage, the health and safety of students have been at the forefront of CCSU’s transition to a hybrid educational institution. The grand total? $2 million in technological upgrades and health and safety accommodations.

The changes on campus go beyond the protocols recommended by the state and the Centers for Disease Control. Along with a steady supply of PPE, hand sanitizer and wipes, expanded cleaning protocols, and plexiglass barriers, the University literally built a new way to carry on its academic mission safety.

Take a look at some of the new features on campus here.

HVAC improvements: A $1 million investment in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment will increase fresh air in buildings.

HyFlex classrooms: The University set up 34 classrooms, four lecture halls, and 29 labs/specialty spaces for HyFlex learning, which allows for proper social distancing among in-person students and instructors. Automated cameras track instructors as they move around the room, and microphones embedded in the ceiling tiles deliver crisp audio for remote learners. Recording capability allows all students to re-watch lessons at their convenience.

Enhanced faculty training: The Center for Teaching and Faculty Development has been offering virtual training and support for new teaching technologies since the Spring 2020 semester, and training and professional development activities will continue.

Loaners, learning tools, and tech support: IT staff provide students, faculty, and staff with virtual training sessions, expanded Help Desk services, and access to equipment and software. When campus closed in March, within days IT staff had opened a Tech Trailer at a safe distance from the main campus where students and staff could pick up for loan any hardware they needed for remote work.

Virtual campus: Campus-wide access to Webex meeting software and Microsoft Teams has enabled many offices, departments, and centers to work remotely; offer virtual support and academic services; conduct appointments online; and much more. Student clubs and activities have launched virtual meeting options, and the addition of Telehealth allowed the Student Wellness Office to offer virtual counseling and support services. Expanded Wi-Fi hotspots boost these services on campus.

Touchless tech: To limit physical contact between staff and students, new technology has been installed to create touchless entryways and create options for online ordering, cashless payments, and delivery.

Awareness education: Placement of visual reminders of health standards throughout campus.

4 – Central Connecticut State University Connected

CCSU CONNECTED

New school of thought

By Leslie Virostek When the CCSU campus shut down in March and the University switched exclusively to remote learning, the teaching faculty found themselves in an unprecedented situation: Lesson plans and scheduled labs were out the window. Office hours and other in-person opportunities to mentor students were not possible. Somehow, faculty members had to figure out how to teach their classes and support their students’ progress from home.

The Instructional Design and Technology Resource Center (IDTRC) sprang into action to help. Faculty became students in online teaching tools that could provide remote alternatives for in-class discussion, small group work, information sharing, and more. Far from having a respite, faculty spent the spring break scrambling to adapt to new pedagogies.

“The day classes went remote was a life changer for me last spring,” says Cathy Donahue, an adjunct Marketing instructor.“Thankfully, I’m healthy, but I worried so much about the health and well-being of our students and their families.

I launched class on WebEx every week in March, and all of my students showed up — each and every week until the end of classes. I hadn’t known what to expect, but CCSU students brought their A-game.”

Dr. Christina Robinson, associate vice president for Graduate Studies, Research, and Faculty Development, worked with the IDTRC to draft remote-learning survival guides for both students and faculty members to keep everyone afloat.

But as the spring wore on it became clear that pandemic teaching would continue in the fall. In what was a herculean collaborative effort and a test of the mettle of the community, Robinson says the faculty shifted from the “panic pedagogy” of patching things together to a “pivot pedagogy” that could deliver the quality of education worthy of CCSU.

FACULTY QUICKLY SHIFTS TO A NEW TEACHING ENVIRONMENT

“I think that to prepare for the fall term, the faculty had to work about 1,000 percent harder this summer than in a normal summer,” she says.

To make the big pivot, faculty members had to develop several distinct skillsets beyond classroom teaching, including online instruction via Webex; meetings in Microsoft Teams; online asynchronous teaching in which the exchange of ideas and sharing of materials involves no real-time interaction; its counterpart, online synchronous teaching in which classes are prerecorded; and, finally, the hybrid model with some students present in the classroom and others participating in the same course remotely.

Robinson notes that making HyFlex learning a reality at CCSU required an unprecedented level of collaboration among the IT, Facilities, and Academic Affairs departments.“There is always talk in academia of breaking down the silos,” she says, “and we saw that happening.”

That collaborative spirit fueled the long summer of academic development for faculty throughout the summer. Many faculty members began creating their own learning communities and troubleshooting groups. They shared tips on best practices for instruction in HyFlex classrooms, with their teaching zones, spaced student desks, pivoting cameras, and software platforms.

“The circumstances challenged us to be more imaginative than we might have been,” Robinson notes. As an example, she points to art and chemistry faculty who started meeting on Zoom when they discovered remote-learning challenges in common within studio and lab spaces.

Robinson says Dr. Kristine Larsen, faculty director of the Center for Teaching and Faculty Development (CTFD), was a visible peer leader, as was Associate Professor of Physical Education and Human Performance Jason Melnyk, who created numerous how-to videos for the benefit of colleagues. CTFD has catalogued dozens of training videos, guides, demonstrations and workshops and posted links

to them on its webpage, which are available for faculty to use at any time. Subsequent live workshops for faculty have been added to the growing library of resources.

“This semester, the training opportunities from CTFD and IDTRC were first-rate,” says Donahue, who had some experience teaching online before the pandemic.“Training was hands-on, informative, and ample. My admiration for the people on both of those teams grew tenfold when I saw how much time they invested to help faculty pivot under pressure to new platforms.”

Today CCSU faculty members know that should pandemic teaching extend into the spring term they will be ready. Many are continuing to build on the platforms and pedagogies they are using now, in pursuit of further innovation.

“I am genuinely looking forward to the spring,” Donahue notes.“The world hopefully will be moving into a healthier place, and we’ll all feel a little more comfortable in our present circumstances. I hope students seriously consider the opportunity to join us in the classroom if they are able. The technology is better, the quality of instruction is better, and the sense of community in coming together is always better when we’re together.”

The IDTRC and CTFD have a full slate of refreshers and extended training sessions scheduled during the months between the end of Fall 2020 and the beginning of Spring 2021 classes.

Robinson notes that after the initial “limbo” of not knowing how long remote learning would last, CCSU’s faculty rallied with one singular motivation: their commitment to students.

“We realized that we needed to pull together to be the great community we could be,” says Robinson.

“We are united in a mission to provide the highquality education that our students deserve.”

FALL 2020 – 5

Student Life Goes On

6 – Central Connecticut State University Connected

Student engagement during the Fall 2020 semester was more important than ever, and CCSU Student Affairs staff worked throughout the summer and fall months to develop virtual and limited in-person campus experiences with health and safety protocols in mind.

From drive-in movies and online gaming tournaments to virtual concerts and socially distanced Halloween events, CCSU students discovered many new ways to connect with each other.

CCSU CONNECTED of campus services left her feeling alone and concerned about her classwork.

“It felt awful moving online in March.

It was difficult to become motivated, and I didn’t know how I was going to finish without all the resources of the school,” she says.

For Henry, an active participant in campus clubs and activities, the drop-off in social opportunities added another layer of unwelcome isolation.

“I missed going to class and learning hands-on and being able to talk faceto-face with people and going to events,” she says.

Olanrewaju Olamuyiwa talks with Governor Ned Lamont during an event at CCSU on Aug 26. (Photo by John Atashian)

Lessons learned Students reflect on college life in a pandemic

By Amy J. Barry When “COVID-19” entered the lexicon in March, CCSU students were suddenly faced with an utterly unexpected college experience. Within a matter of weeks, they went from roaming freely around campus to the complete shutdown of the university as cases of COVID-19 — the disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 — began to rise in Connecticut.

Throughout the transition to all-remote and then hybrid class formats, several students faced a wave of new challenges on top of their usual academic responsibilities. Many also have found pleasantly surprising reserves of resilience and strength.

Olanrewaju Olamuyiwa, a sophomore majoring in political science, and Sean Oushana, a senior double majoring in Computer Science and Cybersecurity, were very involved in campus life before the pandemic closed campus.

Both are student athletes and orientation leaders and participate in numerous clubs and organizations.

Olamuyiwa also serves as a Student Government Association senator.

The sudden shift to remote learning proved socially and academically challenging for both of them.

Between morning practices and studying at the library, a typical day for Oushana meant being on campus from

6 a.m. to midnight.

“It was a huge transition to attend classes virtually and study alone in my basement,” he says.

A recent survey issued by the CCSU Center for Teaching and Faculty Development shows a strong preference among students for in-person classes and recreational activities. Throughout the spring and fall months, faculty, staff, and students alike have found new ways to connect through virtual clubs, activities, and support groups, along with socially distanced outdoor in-person events.

An active virtual campus is emerging based on student feedback and participation, but in the interim, however, students had some major adjustments to make.

Olivia Carlson, a senior majoring in dance education and entrepreneurship, has two online classes to complete to graduate in December. The shift to remote learning this spring presented a stark contrast to her usual coursework.

Carlson says, “It was hard, especially because I’m used to so much hands-on work. I missed being in a dance studio at Central and the energy of having students and peers in a room with me, rather than dancing alone in my room at home.”

She found a new source of that energy by starting a retail business, QuaranTine (QT) Bears. Carlson’s QT Bears sport tiny hand-sewn face masks and include a matching childsize mask, along with a hand-written note from the bear with tips for kids to stay healthy.

In just a few months her business gained national recognition and sales skyrocketed. She has now registered her business as an official LLC, trademarked the products, and established a website, qtbear.com.

Olamuyiwa says he felt depressed but intuitively knew how to lift himself up.

He began reaching out to his academic advisor, coaches, and trainers.

“They all came to my rescue and helped me at my down moments,” he says. “I’m so blessed to be a part of a community that cares for me as a person.”

Halleberry Henry, a senior Psychological Science major, was living in an off-campus apartment when the university closed, and the sudden loss

Olivia Carlson works on her next QT Bear at her home office. (Photo submitted)

Upon returning to campus in September, Oushana found that professors were more familiar with navigating online resources, and Continued on page 22

FALL 2020 – 7

CCSU CONNECTED

The new

Coffee connoisseurs marry with modern technology

By Kate Callahan ‘14 Two graduates of the School of Business are finding new ways to brew up business. While they may have different business plans, these alums share a winning blend: coffee and Connecticut.

Tradition meets innovation at Saccuzzo’s Coffee Company Innovation is a matter of taste at Saccuzzo’s Coffee Company in Newington. Each singleorigin green bean that comes by way of Central or South America must please the palates of Vincenzo Saccuzzo and his sons Joe, Marco, and David.

“We have to like it first, to sell it,” says Joe Saccuzzo, who graduated in 1998.

Saccuzzo’s father arrived in the United States from Sicily when he was 22 years old. As the young man attended night school and learned to speak English, he grew disappointed that he couldn’t find a decent espresso to augment his studies. So in the 1980s, he opened his own coffee company.

Joe, who lives in Wethersfield, assumed the role of vice president in 2010.

“I handle the warehouse operations part of the business — the receiving, testing, and sampling,” says Saccuzzo. “We all have a say in the day-to-day operations and the purchasing of the product, which is paramount. Once we commit to purchasing a certain origin of bean, we’re going to purchase quite a bit.”

(Below) Joe Saccuzzo ’98 of Saccuzzo’s Coffee Company. (Photo by Stan Godlewski)

The Saccuzzos, collectively, have discerning taste, which is what keeps their customers loyal. Innovation is in the details, from carefully cleaning the green beans to convection roasting and air-cooling the beans with the Saccuzzos’ own proprietary process.

The cleaned beans are stored in a specially engineered silo to prevent breakage, chipping, and loss of flavor. Finally, the beans are packed in a triple-layered bag with one-way degassing valves to lock in the freshness.

Saccuzzo notes, “We like customers who like the best products so we can continue offering it.”

And customer interest in coffee has risen since the business first opened, Saccuzzo says.

8 – Central Connecticut State University Connected

w brew

CCSU CONNECTED

y old-world techniques

“With more curiosity about coffee comes interest in the nuances of how to make it better,” he explains. “Should I use carbonated water? Should I use seven grams of coffee or eight? Should I press it at 30 pounds of pressure?”

Even a global pandemic hasn’t stopped people from enjoying their daily pour. Saccuzzo reports that the company’s Amazon.com sales have increased three-fold, in some cases.

“People are still drinking their coffee,” he says, “just in a different location. We were fortunate to place an order for beans back in January and take delivery of it in the beginning of March.”

While the family-run company saw declines in orders from the coffee shops that make up half of their business, they remain optimistic about the enduring allure of a good cup.

To take a sip for yourself order online at the Saccuzzo Coffee website at https://www. icaffe.com; via Amazon; or at Connecticut coffee houses including Atticus Book Store and Koffee on Audubon in New Haven and The Farm in Woodbury. Or, pick up a pound or two straight from the source at Saccuzzo’s Newington store at 149 Louis St., where curbside pickup is available.

Rebels with a cause You may have seen the Rebel Dog Coffee Co. billboard while driving south on Route 9. It’s a simple design: a solid black background with an illustrated outline, structured and linear, of a dog’s face. That’s it. “‘Dog’ is the most Googled word, so there’s something there,” says Harrison Poltorak ’16, who co-owns Rebel Dog Coffee Co. with Peter Lemnotis, formerly of Confetti’s restaurant in Plainville. “We’re just not normal, so the name works.”

(Below) Harrison Poltorak ’16 at Rebel Dog Coffee Company. (Photo by Stan Godlewski)

The brand of rebellion embraced by Rebel Dog’s owners isn’t necessarily about upheaval and disruption. Poltorak separates his business from the pack in more subtle ways.

“Ideology is shoved down people’s throats everywhere these days,” says Poltorak. “We want to make everyone who walks in feel like they’re part of this community. We’re good at bridging the gap between all markets of this community.”

Continued on next page

FALL 2020 – 9

CCSU CONNECTED

Continued from page 9

Before any billboards popped up, Poltorak wrote up a business plan for an entrepreneurship course he was taking as a CCSU Business student. He remembers taking it more seriously than some of his other assignments.

The focus of the plan: specialty coffee.

Poltorak’s plan is what convinced Lemnotis to partner with him and quite literally grow the Rebel Dog brand. Early this year, the original location at 393 Farmington Ave. in Plainville became the Tavern at Rebel Dog after it merged space with JV’s Taproom next door. A second location, serving specialty coffee and sandwiches, can be found at 345 Colt Highway in Farmington.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not stopped Poltorak from dreaming up next steps, although he says the early days of the pandemic affected business significantly.

“There was a 30 to 50 percent drop in sales the first week,” he says.

But on March 17 the Rebel Dog team took the day to brainstorm and launch an aggressive take-out promotion offering buy-one-get-one-free dinners.

“We refused to close. We did our homework, following protocols to keep everyone safe. But closing wasn’t an option,” he recalls.

Rebel Dog swiftly returned to its preCOVID numbers. The merger with JV’s Tap Room yielded not only Rebel Dog Tavern but also a plan to renovate the exterior in the Plainville location.

“We want to make our deck as comfortable as possible without having to fully enclose it,” Poltorak says. Plans to build a roof structure and place industrial patio heaters on the deck

10 – Central Connecticut State University Connected

will allow for outdoor seating.

“We are creating an outdoor oasis for the winter,” Poltorak notes.

Poltorak, who lives in Plainville, enthusiastically trusts the Rebel Dog team to carry out his rebellion, many of whom are students. It wasn’t too long ago that Poltorak himself was a college student with a vision. That’s why he has promoted staff to take on roles doing tasks at which they excel, like marketing and community engagement.

“They are as good, if not better, than us,” he notes. “I embrace my staff for what they are able to do and want to do for this company.”

Get to know the Rebel Dog team at www.rebeldogcoffeeco.com.

CCSU CONNECTED

“The world can have a renaissance of goodness and compassion and understanding among communities. Goodness and a better way of life can prevail.” — Matthew Friedman ’83

Alumnus rallies heroes around the world

By Amy J. Barry Matthew Friedman ’83 has no doubt that uniting an army of ordinary people through volunteer actions — no matter how big or small — can create meaningful positive change.

His conviction fueled the launch of the Be the Hero campaign and a companion book titled “Be the Hero: Be the Change,” which gives people the specific tools and motivation to get involved and make a difference.

The new campaign springs from Friedman’s work as an international human trafficking expert and activist. As CEO of the Mekong Club, an organization based in Hong Kong, Friedman mobilizes the private sector in fighting this worldwide crime.

Friedman has lived and worked in over 42 countries and gives an average of 175 talks a year. As a result, he’s come to realize that modern slavery (which has claimed 40 million victims) and many other global issues, including climate change, hunger, homelessness, and water scarcity, are too enormous to be fixed by a few thousand people around the world, despite their dedication and passion. A pandemic further exhausts volunteer resources.

“Our campaign attempts to encourage people to give of their time, fundraise, be part of the process of adding value.

It’s not just about giving us money,” he said in a recent Zoom conversation from his home in Hong Kong.

It was pure coincidence, Friedman says, that the book he’d been writing for several years was published at the

start of the coronavirus pandemic. But now, proceeds of book sales will raise much needed funding for those whose lives have been seriously affected by the virus.

In addition to citing research and statistics regarding the world’s critical problems, the book includes powerful testimonials and highlights cases of heroism that Friedman says demonstrate how “strong-minded, goodhearted people know that where there is a will, a way will be found.”

Why we don’t and why we should The top three reasons people may not take action or volunteer in a crisis, Friedman says, are fear of change, or getting out of one’s comfort zone; anxiety over not having a roadmap — which the book provides — and finally, worrying about finding onself in an unhappy volunteer situation.

“That’s a big one I hear,” he says. “I tell people they may be volunteering for the wrong cause and to try something else.

I don’t think there is only one option — for example, to work at an NGO (NonGovernmental Organization) — there are many other things you can do.”

Friedman stresses that volunteering is not only about doing good in the world but also feeling better about oneself as a citizen of the same world.

“Maybe 20 or 30 percent of people I come in contact with feel emptiness or a lack of purpose,” he says. “They may like their job but think they should give something back.”

If the book hadn’t been completed just

before COVID-19 amped up, Friedman says, “We would have included a chapter about how everyone is suffering and having issues — you can’t look in any direction and not see need. If you want to be a hero, figure out how you can add value, be part of the solution in your family, your workplace, your community.”

Friedman emphasizes throughout his book how much everyday heroes matter because small acts multiplied by millions of people can change the world.

“You don’t have to jump in front of a bus to save someone’s life to feel heroic,” he says. “Everyone who does a kind, generous act, no matter how big or small, is a hero and I try to reinforce that over and over again. “ And especially now, during a global pandemic, Friedman is optimistic about the power of collective action.

“The world can have a renaissance of goodness and compassion and understanding among communities,” he says.

“Goodness and a better way of life can prevail.”

“Be the Hero: Be the Change” by Matthew Friedman is $9.99, softcover and available on Amazon.com.

To learn more about the Be the Hero campaign, including webinars, videos, and a downloadable volunteer tool kit, visit www.BetheHeroCampaign.com.

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CCSU CONNECTED

The music of math Dr. Shelly Jones makes math culturally relevant

By Amy J. Barry Even before other educators had begun adding the “A” for Arts to the acronym STEM, Dr. Shelly M. Jones was full-STEAM ahead of the curve.

In Jones’s case, she saw a certain harmony between music and math education.

Much had been written about the benefits of adding a music component to math classes at the high school and college levels. Jones, a professor of Mathematics Education at CCSU, began to examine how such a combination could benefit younger students.

determine correct note values per measure. The young students put their new skills into practice with a little motivational help from the music of Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber. By the end of the workshop, students created four-bar songs — an activity that required a fresh look at the values of each note.

By 2014, Jones had started conducting workshops for teachers that combined math and music and gave students the opportunity to create their own songs.

“Every workshop always sold out and was sitting room only,” she says.“It’s because teachers want to engage

graduate level math courses for practicing teachers.

“Part of it is respecting and learning about the contributions different cultures have made to math in addition to Pythagoras — the one name people know,” Jones says.

“It’s also about wanting students to develop a positive math identity and not just see it as a procedure, but to realize that a lot of what they’re doing is math.”

For instance, she says,“When you’re scheduling something, estimating mileage, using money — that’s math.

And by bringing in popular culture and music, students realize,‘Wow, math is everywhere.’”

Jones discusses culturally relevant math in further detail in a chapter she co-wrote for the 2015 book “The Brilliance of Black Children in Mathematics: Beyond the Numbers and Toward a New Discourse.”

The book, Jones says, addresses the question “What does a math task look at when it’s both culturally relevant and cognitively demanding?”

“It’s an awesome book I really enjoyed doing,” Jones says,“because we keep hearing about the achievement gap, often between black and white children. But for this book we focused on black children not from a deficit — not from what they don’t know — but from what they do know.”

Dr. Shelly Jones meets with the ACCESS Girls Who Code group in Bridgeport. (Photo submitted)

“I wanted to find something that would directly connect with younger kids, around fourth grade, when they start learning both musical notes and how to add and multiply fractions,” Jones explains.

She decided to conduct her own research in collaboration with musician Dunn Pearson Jr. In their 2013 paper “Music: Highly Engaged Students Connect Music To Math,” Jones and Pearson describe lessons they created and implemented in workshops for middle school students.

Students learned to identify notes and their fractional values before moving on to time signatures and how to

students and know how much they like music.”

Culturally relevant math In addition to making the arts and math connection, Jones, an educator for more than 25 years, is passionate about making math culturally relevant to students.

In a 2016 TED Talk, Jones explains culturally relevant math as another method of engaging and empowering students. It is an idea she incorporates into her coursework at CCSU, including undergraduate level math courses for pre-service teachers, as well as

12 – Central Connecticut State University Connected

Jones’s most recent book is for children. Titled “Women Who Count: Honoring African American Women Mathematicians” (2019), it highlights the lives and work of 29 African American mathematicians. It was inspired by the book and film “Hidden Figures” and a coloring book a colleague created about women scientists.

“She told me I should do one about mathematicians,” Jones says.“I wanted it to be a math activity book, so I wrote bios about the women and made up activities to go with their math — fun activities that don’t need a teacher to teach it to you first. It’s a book that students can just pick up and do without a teacher, maybe while riding in the car to grandma’s house.”

Jones reports the book became a bestseller less than a year after its release.

CCSU CONNECTED How it all adds up When she isn’t teaching or presenting at conferences around the country Jones serves on various committees at the state Department of Education.

She also is president-elect of the Benjamin Banneker Association, a national organization advocating for excellence in teaching and learning for African American children, and a frequent speaker at National Council of Teachers of Mathematics conferences and events. She also spoke at the 2020 virtual conference in mid-November.

Jones’s many accomplishments earned her national recognition from the Network of Minorities in Mathematical Sciences as one of its 28 “Mathematically Gifted & Black” honorees for 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the nature of Jones’s many community engagement and outreach efforts, but she remains an active voice in her field.

She is now writing a full book with Dr. Lou Edward Matthews and Dr. Yolanda Parker, her co-writers on the chapter in “The Brilliance of Black Children in Mathematics.”

“It’s more of a framework to help teachers; an extension of the chapter,” she explains.“But it will provide a lot more resources for teachers who want to do this kind of work.”

She also has applied for a number of grants, including one successful application that funded books and resources to incorporate culturally relevant teaching into the coursework at the university. A grant also funded Jones’s proposal to provide her books to students in New Britain and Hartford public schools and to additional schools in Texas and Georgia.

In describing her teaching philosophy, Jones quotes mathematician Cred Dobson who said,“In our classrooms, we don’t teach math, we teach children.”

Jones’s own equation for that method features a few additions.

Continued from page 3

Looking forward to spring Following Thanksgiving break, CSCU leadership has called for all universities to conduct classes and final exams remotely for the rest of the Fall 2020 semester.

Health concerns already have affected the spring academic calendar, too. The CSCU office, in collaboration with the university presidents, pushed the start of the spring semester one week later than originally scheduled, and the usual spring break will be eliminated. Finals week, from May 10 to 16, will continue as scheduled.

The University will continue to offer a combination of on-ground and remote classes and activities.

“We’re planning for three different scenarios this spring,” Toro says.

“We can’t control the virus. If conditions allow, we will be looking at about 35 percent HyFlex courses.”

Toro also charged three new workgroups to make recommendations for changes and enhancements for spring that will ensure the health and safety of the campus community.

An educational experience Along with the huge challenges and round-the-clock demands during the past eight months, University leaders also have gained valuable insights and perspective.

“On one hand, we’ve learned that higher education is more adaptable than what people thought before the pandemic,” Dr. Toro says. “Another lesson we’ve learned is that we can innovate in record time.”

She notes that one of the unexpected positive outcomes of

the pandemic and the necessity of increased online learning is that by integrating more technology into the educational process, CCSU can more effectively reach students who are balancing family obligations and demanding jobs with their studies.

Claffey has seen a real digital transformation and learned that the future will need a mobile workforce to be ready to respond.

“We think of things more like Lego bricks now — with smaller interchangeable parts,” he says.

“We put a chatbot together over the summer [a software application used to conduct online chat conversations]. That wasn’t in our playbook before and it probably will be forever.”

A big takeaway for Cintorino was a new awareness of how resilient CCSU’s students, faculty, and staff are in the face of adversity.

“The last eight months have been more challenging than most of our community has experienced in a lifetime,” he says. “Families spent more time in quarantine than most could have ever imagined. Our ability to unite and work together [shows that] Central is committed to being the best it can be. We are all part of the solution.”

Toro adds, “I am so proud of how our faculty has adapted and has been so creative during this process. And the staff has been so supportive of our students. We are in a much stronger position to address students’ social, emotional, and technology needs next semester, while increasing their opportunities for academic success.”

“We want to empower them,” Jones notes.“We want them to be academically successful. We want them to be culturally competent.”

FALL 2020 – 13

Alone we can do so little…

…together we can do so much!

— Helen Keller

This academic year is like no other. As we adapt in response to the coronavirus pandemic, your support of the Annual Fund has never been more important.

While CCSU stewards its financial resources with the utmost care, we face unprecedented challenges from decreased enrollment, lower campus residency and lower endowment income.

Your unrestricted gift to the Annual Fund will give CCSU flexibility to continue investing in alternative teaching methods, sufficient technology resources for our underserved students and additional student services required in these uniquely challenging times.

Working together we can overcome challenges. Working together we can continue to find innovative solutions. Working together we can improve the lives of all our students.

Please consider making a gift to the Annual Fund today by returning the enclosed reply envelope, visiting www.ccsu.edu/AnnualFund to make an online donation, or text the keyword CCSU to 41444 to participate in our newest secure way to give, text-to-donate.

14 – Central Connecticut State University Connected

FALL 2020 – 15

CCSU CONNECTED

Marisha Watts ’20 meets with her kindergarten class at Community First School in Hartford.

THE CURRICULUM OF COMMUNITY COLLABORAT CCSU partners with Community First to open independent school

By Leslie Virostek How do you build a school from the ground up?

How do you develop a curriculum from scratch?

CCSU faculty from across the university and select students are not only pondering those questions in class but they are participating in the process, thanks to a partnership with Community First School, a new independent school in Hartford’s federally designated Promise Zone.

Dr. Kimberly Kostelis, dean of the School of Education and Professional Studies (SEPS), and Carol Ciotto, interim assistant dean for Accreditation and Partnerships, have been

working with the Community First Advisory Group and Executive Director Tim Goodwin since the spring of 2019 to create a whole-family care, relationship- and place-based program for kindergarten and elementary school students.

On Aug. 31, the school opened for its inaugural year, welcoming its first class of 11 kindergartners. This smaller-than-anticipated cohort — one that allows for social distancing in the classroom — was a pandemic-related change of plans. But the new school’s innovative curriculum is surging full-steamahead, as is its ongoing partnership with CCSU. The school’s mission calls for building

16 – Central Connecticut State University Connected

up curriculum each year to eventually serve students through Grade 8.

The kindergarteners’ teacher, Marisha Watts, is a 2020 CCSU graduate. For a brand-new teacher to start at a brand-new school might seem daunting to some, but Watts says taking the job was one of the best decisions she’s ever made. From the start, she felt that the school’s educational approach and embrace of both families and community resonated with her. She also felt that her education at CCSU — which prompted deep reflection on her teaching philosophy and illuminated the importance of relationship-building — prepared her well.

CCSU CONNECTED

“To be able to develop a curriculum, then see it come to life, and have our students be a part of delivering the curriculum they helped to create alongside our faculty — we don’t have that on a regular basis,” she says.“It’s not every year that schools are being started from the ground up.”

Kostelis hopes that eventually Community First can become a lab school for the university, with a deeper level of partnership enabling the involvement of more CCSU undergraduates.

Goodwin says Community First is clearly benefiting from “the amazing resources” of CCSU and the fact that its curriculum “will be backed by one of the leading universities in the state when it comes to teacher education.”

But he notes the benefits go both ways. CCSU’s faculty have gained unique insights by tapping the knowledge of community elders, faith leaders, and parents who have participated in the development of the school and its mission.

TION in Hartford “While school prepares you for the next test, it also grants you the courage to face your fears,” she says.

A rotating group of “SEPS Scholars,” CCSU undergraduate students who are training to be educators in art, music, physical education, and dance, have joined Watts at Community First School and will begin teaching their specialties as part of the kindergartners’ weekly schedule. Two other SEPS Scholars in the field of elementary education also will lend a hand for general classroom activities.

Kostelis says the relationship with Community First provides unique opportunities to CCSU faculty and students.

The university also plans to begin sponsoring professional development sessions for Community First’s educators, parents, and community members on both campuses. Building deeper connections with local businesses and organizations is another ongoing pursuit.

More important, the partnership will impact the education of future teachers.

“We are going to do a lot in terms of helping students to see a new way — or an improved way — of working with students in urban environments,” says Goodwin.

Ciotto adds,“We are showing CCSU students that to truly impact the life of a student they are going to teach, and to help that student grow as best they can, they must strive to become an integral part of the community — that’s what’s really going to nurture a child’s educational achievement and success.”

The Community First School mission “By partnering with community groups and implementing a whole-family care, relationship-based, and place-based program, Community First School will empower children in Hartford’s Promise Zone neighborhoods to own their greatness, and become passionate, independent learners able to compete, collaborate, and innovate in a diverse world.”

The approach CFS will combine a place-based philosophy with essential social and emotional supports and a strong community partnership initiative to deliver an experiential academic program with the highest expectations, honoring the value of each child and family, and incorporating community supported human services.

Student and family support services include field experiences, visual and performing arts, health and nutrition, financial planning, computer science, and other areas to ensure children have opportunities to build academic skill in preparation for high school and beyond, and families have the necessary supports to empower their lives and advocate for themselves and their children.

To learn more about how you can support the CCSU SEPS Scholars program, visit www.ccsu.edu/SEPSScholars. To mail a gift, please use the enclosed envelope and make a note on your check that you are contributing to the SEPS Scholars program.

FALL 2020 – 17

CCSU CONNECTED

Gianna Gurga holds up her Sixth Year Professional Diploma of Advanced Studies in Educational Leadership in her official graduation photo, which appeared onscreen with her name during CCSU’s virtual commencement ceremony on Oct. 17. (Photo submitted)

Commencement goes virtual for 2020 grads The University hosted its inaugural virtual commencement ceremony on Oct. 17 for students who were eligible to graduate in May 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its accompanying restrictions on large gatherings upended Central’s typical commencement ceremony format, but the Blue Devil spirit prevailed and more than 1,100 viewers logged in to watch the virtual ceremony and celebrate. All graduates were acknowledged by name, and guest speaker Kathleen C. Greider, Farmington Superintendent of Schools, and President Zulma R. Toro addressed the Class of 2020.

Graduates had access to the virtual ceremony through their own event link, which allowed them to interact with each other throughout the program.

The university will determine a plan for May’s commencement with pandemic conditions at the forefront.

Join the alumni virtual book club Get on the same page with the CCSU Alumni Association Virtual Book Club! In this online community, alumni will connect with each other to read and discuss books on a range of topics, and members are encouraged to add book recommendations. There is no cost to participate — just acquire your own copy of the book. Learn more and sign up at www.pbc.guru/CCSU.

Greening up our act CCSU strives to be a leader in sustainability. To further our commitment to reducing paper consumption, energy use, and waste, we are moving some of our fundraising and development efforts to digital platforms. Among our immediate goals is to begin using a secure text-to-donate platform and to offer digital-only versions of our print publications to those who prefer that format. We will, of course, continue to mail paper versions of those materials if that is your preference. Stay tuned for more details about these and other environmental protection efforts!

18 – Central Connecticut State University Connected

CCSU freshman Deseriah Castillo (left) is shown here with CCSU President Zulma R. Toro and Connecticut Commissioner of Education Miguel Cardona ’97 on Oct. 6 after Governor Ned Lamont announced the expansion of the Educators Rising network in Connecticut. (Photo by John Atashian)

CCSU commits to expanded role in Educators Rising Academy Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona ’97 announced on Oct. 6 the expansion of the state’s Educators Rising Academy curriculum in 10 school districts across Connecticut.

The new cohort includes the school districts of Stamford, Hamden, Meriden, Hartford, New London, Danbury, New Haven, Waterbury, and Windsor.

The Educators Rising Academy encourages students to consider careers in education in an effort to diversify the pipelines to the state’s teacher workforce.

The new cohort joins the Consolidated School District of New Britain, which has been participating in the program for three years. The state plans to expand the program to the collegiate level to provide support and mentorship for students as they progress to postsecondary education and has secured a commitment with Central Connecticut State University.

“Building on CCSU’s longstanding partnership with New Britain’s schools, the Educators Rising program has been a welcome addition,” President Zulma R. Toro said.“High school students interested in pursuing a career in teaching are provided with the opportunity to get an early start. At no charge, they can enroll in a CCSU education course and earn credits toward their degree before arriving on our campus.”

Computer Science Dept. lands $1 million NSF grant The National Science Foundation awarded a $1 million grant to the CCSU Computer Science Department through its Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics program. The grant will provide scholarships and support to students who enroll in CCSU’s graduate-level Software Engineering program.

“This project will contribute to the national need for welleducated scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and technicians by supporting the retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income students with demonstrated financial need,” says Dr. Stan Kurkovsky, CCSU’s director of the NSF STEM Scholarship Program and Computer Science Department faculty member.

CCSU CONNECTED Over the project’s five-year duration, the grant will fund scholarships to cohorts of 24 full- and part-time graduate students. As each cohort progresses, researchers in the department hope to build up their understanding of understudied topics, including students’ level of identity as a software engineering professional and its relationship to graduation rates for academically talented, low-income graduate students.

surrounding community; and a project manager search, among other actions.

The first round of scholarships will be awarded in the spring.

ESports Center gets national nod for smart solutions

Grant to fund IMRP research on police and community relations The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving and the Travelers Championship awarded a $300,000 grant on June 30 to the University of New Haven’s Center for Advanced Policing and Tow Youth Justice Institute to launch the Connecticut Institute for Youth and Police Relations in Greater Hartford (CIYPR). Grant funds also covered research efforts by the CCSU Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy, which conducted community listening sessions and surveys to gather resident perspectives on police and community relations. IMRP’s work will support the development of a final report at the end of the year from the Police Transparency and Accountability Task Force of the Connecticut General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee.

CIYPR will enhance education and training delivered to police officers to assist them in balancing the demands of public safety and the best interests of youth and diverse communities.

SOB + COCC CCSU’s School of Business and banking technology firm COCC announced a continuing education program in June designed specifically for COCC employees.

COCC, based in Southington, specializes in enterprise processing solutions for financial institutions. The continuing education program allows COCC employees to enroll in CCSU’s Official Certificate Program in Business Leadership with all tuition expenses paid by COCC. The two-year certificate program includes coursework in business acumen, leadership, and development to promote growth among the selected candidates.

Learning Lab project gets a $25,000 boost The American Savings Foundation awarded a $25,000 capital grant to the CCSU Foundation on June 18 that will fund research and planning for a proposed communitybased Early Childhood Learning Lab. The Learning Lab will be developed and implemented in partnership with the Consolidated School District of New Britain and in conjunction with the City of New Britain.

The research phase includes several goals, including the development of a comprehensive plan for the lab; a site analysis; data collection from local stakeholders and the

Total project planning costs are estimated at $50,000.

The planning team will work with the CCSU Foundation to research and identify possible future funding sources to support the next phase of the project with anticipated completion by September 2022.

Trade magazine Commercial Integrator named AdTech Systems one of the winners of its annual Integration Awards in June for its work on the CCSU ESports Center. The award honors stand-out, problem-solving installations that address commercial customers’ needs. The winners in each Integration Awards category were chosen by a panel of industry experts who evaluated the project’s solution deployed, the AV projects’ buildout/challenges, and customer reaction to the installation.

AdTech worked alongside George Claffey, CCSU CIO, and his team to complete the installation in a few short months.

Faculty and alumni researchers win Award of Merit Professor of History Kathy Hermes and her team of researchers were awarded the Connecticut League of History Organization’s Award of Merit this spring for their project,“Uncovering Their History: African, African-American, and Native-American Burials in Hartford’s Ancient Burying Ground, 1640-1815.” The Award of Merit is the organization’s highest honor.

Hermes’s team, which included several CCSU alumni and faculty, created a website of all known African, AfricanAmerican, and Native-American burials found in Hartford’s Ancient Burying Ground, located at the corner of Main and Gold streets next to the First Church of Christ.

Cintorino named COO at CCSU Sal Cintorino BS ’87, MS ’90, was appointed chief operating officer of CCSU in June after serving as interim COO for more than a year. In her announcement, Dr. Toro noted,“Mr. Cintorino’s Federal Emergency Management Agency certification in crisis management and emergency preparedness has proven invaluable. This expertise, coupled with 18 years of experience in administrative oversight of the departments of Facilities Management and Environmental Health & Safety and logistical support to the divisions of Public Safety, Athletics, and Information Technology, are among the factors that convinced me that he fully deserves this promotion.”

FALL 2020 – 19

DR. PAUL ARCIERO

Research and commentary

by Dr. Paul J. Arciero ’86 appeared in the Nov. 4, 2019, issue of Woman’s World magazine. In an article titled “Automatic Weight Loss,” Arciero offers advice and information about how timed consumption of protein-heavy foods can boost weight loss.

Arciero also has written Amazon bestselling book on the subject, “The Protein Pacing Diet,” and presented his research at the 2019 Spring Nutrition Symposium at New York Chiropractic College.

The U.S. Department of State selected English Language Specialist Joan Barker ’10 in January to travel to Kigali, Rwanda, to facilitate English language training with the Rwanda Defense Force.

Barker’s project is one of 130 that the English Language Specialist Program supports each year. Barker holds a Master of Science in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from CCSU. A short film written and directed

by Rashad Frett ’09 was named “Best Short Film” at the 2020 CaribbeanTales International Film Festival, which ran from Sept. 9 to Oct. 2. CTFF celebrates the talents of established and emerging filmmakers of Caribbean heritage across the Caribbean diaspora and worldwide. In January, Frett was one of eight recipients of Spike Lee Film Production Fund grants from the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU.

JOAN BARKER

RASHAD FRETT

ALUMNI in the NEWS Sophia Gray ’04 and John A. Perkins ’84 were selected as two of this year’s inductees to the Alumni Wall of Fame at Capital Community College.

Four CCC graduates received the honor at the virtual Changing Lives Gala on Oct. 23. Gray is an enrollment specialist in group benefits at Hartford Insurance Group, and Perkins retired in March after 19 years as a data manager for the Hartford Public Schools.

The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education presented the 2020 Superintendent of the Year award to Kathleen C. Greider ’89, ’94, ’08 at its annual convention on Nov. 15 and 16, 2019. Greider is the superintendent of the Farmington Public Schools.

Dan Holmes was named to BusinessWest magazine’s 40 Under 40 list on May 12.

Holmes is a senior project manager at Tighe & Bond, an engineering and environmental consulting firm. In 2019, he successfully managed seven construction projects throughout the state with a total construction value of nearly $11 million.

’84 was among the Financial Technology Report’s Top 25 RegTech Executives of 2020.

Nicastro is the chief executive officer and director of the New Haven-based company Continuity.

Scott Pioli ’88, a former college coach and longtime executive in the National Football League, announced on Oct. 2 a new endowed fund for coaches and scouts at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The program continues Pioli’s long association with the Black College Football Hall of Fame and the family’s efforts to increase opportunities in the game across race and gender.

Governor Ned Lamont appointed four new members of the State Board of Education in February. Among the appointees is Awilda Reasco ’84. Reasco is the director of Pre-Collegiate and Access Services at CCSU.

CCSU adjunct faculty member and alumnus Michael Nicastro

The town of Newington named Fernando G. Rosa ’75 its 2019 Volunteer of the Year. Rosa is a member of the Economic Development Commission, the Newington Portuguese Club, and the Democratic Town Committee. He also established

DR. TERRY SAVINO

SCOTT PIOLI

20 – Central Connecticut State University Connected

MICHAEL NICASTRO

an endowed scholarship at CCSU in memory of his late wife, Graciette.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced the appointment of Chris Rocheleau ’87 as the agency’s deputy assistant administrator for Policy, International Affairs and Environment on June 8. Before joining the FAA, Rocheleau served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. A native of Newington, Rocheleau resides in Alexandria, Va., with his wife and family.

The National Association for Healthcare Quality presented Dr. Terri Savino ’96 with its Fellowship award on Nov. 8, 2019. Dr. Savino is the manager of Patient Satisfaction & Service Excellence at Middlesex Health in Middletown.

Connecticut magazine published its 2020 “40 Under 40” list in January, featuring its list of noteworthy Nutmeggers under the age of 40. CCSU alumnus Anthony Valentine ’16 was among this year’s designees. Valentine is the founder of Kulture magazine, a print and digital publication aimed at helping high school and middle school students develop socially and emotionally.

CHRIS ROCHELEAU

CCSU CONNECTED

Time Out

COVID-19 sidelines the fall sports season

PHOTOS BY JOHN ATASHIAN Coach Daniel Hebert (second from left) watches as Jadd Dolegala (right) runs through a drill with some of his teammates on Oct. 23.

By Kate Callahan ’14 Whether executing flips off the end of a diving board, making passes that lead to game-winning goals, or slamdunking, Central’s studentathletes arrive on campus each year to fulfill life-long passions at a Division I university.

“They put their blood, sweat, and tears into this,” says interim Athletics Director Thomas Pincince.

As of mid-March, when the coronavirus pandemic hit, CCSU’s student-athletes have the shared experience of participating in a program that suspended competitive play.

“For a lot of our student athletes it’s their lifelong dream to get to this point.

When you have that taken away from you, it’s very emotional,” relays Pincince.

Central was one of the first schools to halt play. “We had a meeting with our studentathletes about what we were doing,” recalls Pincince.

“It was one of the hardest discussions we’ve ever had with them.”

While leadership in the Athletics Department focused

Senior Olivia Prizzi takes a shot as Cooper Cowdin defends the goal during a recent women’s lacrosse practice at Arute field.

on the health and safety of its students and staff, morale among the student-athletes was suffering.

“They were upset and angry,” says Pincince.

“In those moments they couldn’t see the big picture which is completely understandable.”

Pincince, who has a background in Communication, made sure that all of Central’s studentathletes and coaches heard the news from him.

Technology, like the WebEx platform, plays a huge role now in how the department informs and supports its members.

“Once we knew, back in March, that campus was going to shut down, our concern became how are we going to help our student-athletes get home,” says Pincince.

With several international student-athletes, logistics became a challenge.

“Our local student athletes packed a bag and went home not knowing that they wouldn’t be back for a very long time. We tried to make sure that we were dealing with our emotions and the

Lacrosse Head Coach Betsy Vendel ’14 consults with her players.

mental side of things,” says Pincince, “as well as a place for them to stay tonight.”

Eight months later

CCSU has been navigating the pandemic and its impact for eight months now. The Northeast Conference has since cancelled all competition until late November, and its Council of Presidents will continue to monitor viral trends before it makes a call about spring sports.

This fall, CCSU Athletics phased in practices and training sessions following NCAA Division 1 regulations and NEC protocols, including required facemasks; strict scheduling to reduce interaction between teams; limits on how many athletes can be in a training room; and no whistles for coaches, among many others.

“While we aren’t playing games,” says Pincince, “I think the student-athletes are happy to be with their teammates, practicing and being out on the field. There are some schools that are not allowed to do that.”

As the Athletics Department looks ahead to the winter

and spring sports seasons, continued coronavirus testing will determine whether CCSU can resume play. Throughout the fall semester, five to 10 percent of student athletes were tested for COVID-19 every week to help identify any emerging transmission trends.

“We’re planning to play the winter sports, which for us are basketball, women’s swimming and diving, and possibly some indoor track and field,” Pincince says.

Weekly departmental talks about what the spring will look like include the possibility of playing fall sports in addition to spring sports.

It’s not the usual course of events, but plans are taking into account something less tangible but just as important as points on a scoreboard.

Pincince notes, “Our student-athletes are able to play and compete in a safe environment and have as much of their studentathlete experience as possible. But the health and safety of our student body is priority number one.”

FALL 2020 – 21

ALUMNIBOOKS DR. PAUL J. ARCIERO BS ’86 “The Protein Pacing Diet” (Outskirts Press; Feb. 22, 2019) NOREEN GRICE MBA ’18 “Touch the Stars” (5th edition; National Braille Press; December 2019) PAUL HENSLER BS ’78 “Bob Steele on the Radio: The Life of Connecticut’s Beloved Broadcaster” (McFarland, August 2019) AIJAH MONET BA ’18 “un.packing: A Collection of Poems and Prose” (Bowker; March 17, 2020) RONICE FELICIA (SPENCER) LATTA BS ’90 “The Layover: Devotionals for When You’re Between Where You Were and Where You’re Going” (Trilogy Christian Publishing; Jan. 7, 2020)

Continued from page 7

classes ran more smoothly. He added that clubs are adjusting well, and athletic practices are looking more “normal” every week.

Olamuyiwa says he was excited to be back on campus and reunite with his teammates, coaches, mentors, and friends.

“I think COVID has taught me to appreciate what I have while it lasts,” he says. “It’s also taught me that tomorrow is not guaranteed, enjoy the times with the people you love.”

As a new business owner, Carlson developed new skills and more self-confidence while learning the intrinsic value of helping others.

“I have seen firsthand how QT Bears are helping people to stay positive, and it has truly touched my heart,” she says.

22 – Central Connecticut State University Connected

Oushana has taken inspiration from the strength he’s witnessed in others throughout the pandemic.

“I have to believe that challenges and difficulties bring out the best in people and allow them to develop as stronger and more resilient,” Oushana says. “For example, when my grandmother passed away in April, I learned from watching my father how to be a rock for people during a time of grief.

Every hardship this year has come with at least one deep lesson to help me come out the other end an improved human being.”

CLASS NOTES 1967

Jo-Ann (Weiss) Siena (MS ’73) was named the 2019-20 Elk of the Year by the Middletown Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks #771.

1968

Diana (DeMunde) Boorjian (MS ’76) retired in 2011 after teaching for 42 years at Southington High School in the English Department.

She also served as the school’s fine arts coordinator. In 2017, the Rotary Club of Avon-Canton honored her as a Paul Harris Fellow, and in 2020 she earned the Lions Club’s Outstanding Lion award.

1974

Kathleen Raymond is pleased to announce her poetry website, poetkathyraymond.com, which features Raymond’s new and published poems.

Paul J. Vessella was elected chairman of the Newington Board of Education in November 2019.

1979

Professor David McAllister, director of the Master in Counseling program at Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association’s annual meeting on Nov. 2, 2019. Professor McAllister is a long-standing member of MaMHCA and has served as its president, chair of the Scholarship Committee, and associate executive director and first director of Public Policy and Legislation.

the geostationary operational environmental Satellite-R series user services coordinator/lead at NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction in College Park, Md., and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

1984

CCSU Geological Sciences faculty member Dr. Kristine Larsen won the 2020 award for best article at the annual Tolkien Society Awards, held online on April 18. The Tolkien Society Awards recognize excellence in the fields of Tolkien scholarship and fandom. Dr. Larsen’s article, “Deconstructing Durin’s Day: Science, Scientific Fan Fiction, and the Fan-Scholar,” appeared in the Journal of Tolkien Research, vol. 8, no. 1.

1985

Mark Park, who recently retired as FBI Supervisory Special Agent at the FBI Academy, joined the Thompson Consulting Group, LLC, in Oswego, New York, on Aug. 26. TCG specializes in consultative training services for financial institutions.

Park worked for two regional accounting firms performing corporate audits, financial statements, and tax returns for five years before joining the FBI in 1991.

1986

Donald M. Casey Jr. of Monroe was honored with the Red

1982

Joseph Fiore accepted a new position at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service as

Nose Award in February from the International Shrine Clown Association. The award recognizes members who achieve at least 150

hours in makeup and raise funds to assist children in need who receive medical services through the association’s Sneaker Fund.

Robert Laraia of Northstar Wealth Partners, LLC, in West Hartford was elected in October to the U.S. Chapter Board of Directors of the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants.

1988

Dan Lakey joined the executive team at Genesis Networks Telecom Services, LLC, as senior vice president of global sales. Before joining the team at Genesis, Lakey led the Americas Telco sales team at VMware.

Anne M. Burns was named controller at Arbors of Hop Brook, a continuing care retirement community in Manchester. Burns previously served for 12 years as chief opening officer and chief financial officer at the Rideshare Co.

1989

Marie L. Benedetto, CPA of Middlefield, was named president of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants Board of Directors for the 20202021 activity year. Benedetto is the owner of Innovative Business Solutions in Middlefield.

1990

Richard Rioux was promoted to vice president of sales for the eastern region at Druva, a data protection and management software firm.

The Watertown Board of Education named Lisa Jones as the new business manager for Watertown Public Schools on Oct. 26. Jones also earned a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from CCSU in 1995.

FALL 2020 – 23

CLASS NOTES 1991

K. Christopher Farkas was promoted to vice president and chief financial officer of Curtiss-Wright Corporation on May 7. Farkas has served as the company’s vice president of finance and corporate controller since 2017.

1992

Virginia Tech named Kristin Gehsmann the director of its School of Education on Aug. 1. She will also serve as an Education professor.

Avangrid appointed Franklyn D. Reynolds on Oct. 20 to lead Avangrid Networks’ gas and electric companies in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Reynolds will oversee United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas, and Connecticut Natural Gas in Connecticut, as well as Berkshire Gas in Massachusetts.

1997

The Ridgefield Public Schools Board of Education named Susie Da Silva superintendent of schools on Jan. 2, 2020. Dr. Da Silva also earned her doctorate degree in education in 2005 from CCSU. The United States Border Patrol named Matthew J. Hudak ’97 chief patrol agent of the Laredo Sector on June 30. Prior to taking command at Laredo, Hudak served as chief agent of the Big Bend Sector.

1998

The Boys & Girls Club of New Britain appointed James Jones as executive director on July 20. Jones most recently served as the dean of students at Slade Middle School in New Britain.

2000

In June 2020, Ed Cabellon joined Curry College in Milton, Mass., as its next vice president of Enrollment Management. Dr. Cabellon

serves on the college’s executive and senior teams and is charged with leading enrollment management strategies.

Prior to joining Curry in June of 2020, Dr. Cabellon served as vice president for Student Services and Enrollment Management at Bristol Community College and director of Administration in Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Bridgewater State University.

Matthew Landon has joined the tax practice at Baker Newman Noyes, an accounting and advisory firm, as a senior manager in the firm’s Portsmouth office.

In this role, he will advise clients on operating agreements, entity selection, tax structuring, equity compensation arrangements, and business succession planning.

degree and transitioning to teach English for Speakers of Other Languages three years ago, Graboski taught Kindergarten for 12 years at Smith STEM School.

2006

East Hartland resident Gary Franklin (MS ’14, 6th Year ’16) was named the new principal for Northwestern Regional High School in Winsted. Before his appointment as principal, Franklin served as the assistant principal of Northwestern’s House II. Kaman Corporation announced on May 4 the promotion of Rebecca Stath ’06 to vice president of accounting & principal accounting officer. She is a graduate of the Kaman Leadership Development Program.

2007

Jessica (Pace) Altieri was promoted to communication manager at Robinson+Cole, an Am Law 200 firm based in Hartford.

Dianne Vumback was named Connecticut’s 2018 Middle School Principal of the Year. In July 2019 she was named assistant superintendent of schools for Montville Public Schools.

2002

Kara Sievel, a literacy specialist at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Southington, was named the 2020-21 District Teacher of the Year.

Sievel began her teaching career in Southington in January 2003 as a sixth-grade Language Arts teacher at Kennedy Middle School.

2004

Ann Graboski, an ESOL teacher at Smith STEM School, was named the 2020 West Hartford Teacher of the Year on June 4, 2020. Prior to obtaining a second master’s

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Altieri and her husband Brian ’07 are also proud to announce the birth of a son, Alexander Mark Altieri, born on March 25, 2019.

2009

In June, Randi Iaco Plake finished her first year as a visiting instructor at Clemson University in South Carolina where she teaches social media and nonprofit leadership classes.

CLASS NOTES 2010

Christopher Conant was named the 2020 Teacher of the Year at New Britain High School on June 11.

Conant teaches earth science and astronomy at NBHS. Monique Daley, a former program assistant at CCSU, joined the staff at Wheeler clinic in Plainville as the first diversity officer at the organization. In her role, Daley promotes and monitors equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts for the Wheeler workforce and patients, among other responsibilities.

2014

Alex Clark hosted “Sweat it out for Black Lives” in East Hartford on July 28, 2020, one of several events he organized over the summer and fall. Clark is the founder of Primeability, a program that travels to colleges, universities, and at-risk neighborhoods to organize fitness events that build communities and empower young minds through fitness. More than 100 people attended the July event.

John Tancredi (BS ’14, 6th Year ’17) was recognized on March 10, 2020, as Rookie of the Year at Bethel High School. Tancredi teaches Special Education and volunteers as an assistant coach for the BHS Wildcats boys’ lacrosse team.

2018

Anastasia Dildin joined the staff at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts as a grants assistant on Sept. 9. In her new role, Dildin will support the foundation’s programs team with database management and other administrative support. After she graduated from CCSU, Dildin served one year with AmeriCorps as a data analyst and mentor program manager at Grace Academy in Hartford.

Brandon Hubrins was named assistant principal at Ellington High School on June 23, 2020. Hubrins previously worked for the Hartford Public Schools as an assistant principal and social worker for the Global Communications Academy.

The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain promoted Candice Tabone to program manager on Sept. 15. Tabone has been with the foundation since January 2019. In her new position, Tabone will manage the foundation’s scholarship program as well as the grants program for the Community Chest of New Britain and Berlin.

2019

Virginia DeLong was named the 2020 Connecticut School Counselor of the Year. She is a counselor at Lebanon Middle School and serves as chairman of the Government Relations and Advocacy Committee for the Connecticut School Counselor Association.

The CCSU English Department in conjunction with the Connecticut Literary Festival has published “Connecticut Literary Anthology: Celebrating Nutmeg Authors,” a collection of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry by 36 Connecticut writers. Among the anthology’s contributors are members of the CCSU alumni community, including Kathryn Fitzpatrick ’19, Cecilia Gigliotti ’19, Makenzie Ozycz ’17, and Amy Sisson ’19. View the full list of contributors at connecticutliteraryfestival.org.

IN MEMORIAM FACULTY AND STAFF Millicent Frances Bassett ’70; professor emerita of Art; Dec. 23, 2019 Phillip Raoul Douville; former professor, Chemistry; Aug. 21, 2020 William Campbell Gleason II; former History professor; March 30, 2020 Jean (Scalise) Scotella; Office of Continuing Education (retired); Oct. 2, 2020 Aeisha Shameka Lewis MS ’14; former graduate assistant at the Ruthe Boyea Women’s Center; Aug. 8, 2020 Poppy Vassos; former assistant professor, Communication; May 5, 2020

FALL 2020 – 25

IN MEMORIAM ALUMNI

1936

Emily (Robichaud) Dunn; Nov. 11, 2018

1943

Mary K. (Krakowiak) Cludinski; Feb. 1, 2020

1947

Eleanore (Newberg) Denza; Aug. 9, 2020 John T. DeNunzio; July 3, 2020

1948

Philomena (Petrucelli) McKinstry; MS ’73; April 5, 2020

1951

Joseph Prestash; Feb. 14, 2019

1953

Richard A. Levitsky; Dec. 4, 2019 Michael C. Swiatek; April 3, 2020

1954

Gloria Alfieri; Aug. 7, 2020 Alice Mourkas Poulos; March 22, 2020

1955

Joan (Mulvihill) Durham; Feb. 25, 2020 Marilyn (Mulpeter) Fusco; MS ’69; May 14, 2020 Sheila M. Walsh; Aug. 3, 2020

1956

Barbara (Havrda) Czekaj; July 21, 2019

1957

Nancy (Carlson) Turek; Oct. 18, 2019

1959

Eugene N. Schultz Jr.; March 12, 2020

1958

Richard M. Gineo; Dec. 3, 2019 Anna-Mae F. (Fedina) Maglaty; Jan. 25, 2020

1960

Louis Prevost; Sept. 14, 2019

1961

Paul S. Galick; Dec. 1, 2019 Joseph M. Haberl; July 29, 2020 Donald Linner; March 18, 2020

1962

Lenore R. (Gorback) Aron; Nov. 18, 2019 Ann Joan (Liberatore) Pienkowski; Sept. 13, 2020 Loretta (Eisenhardt) Scribner; MS ’67; Dec. 30, 2019

1963

Dominic J. DiNino; April 23, 2019 Gerald L. Nolan; MS ’69; May 2, 2020 Linda (Draper) Vaillancourt; MS ’69; Dec. 18, 2019

1964

John P. Berry; Nov. 12, 2019 Robert B. Centurelli; MS ’72; Dec. 19, 2019 Beverly A. Napieracz; April 17, 2020 Virginia (Farris) Nappi; MS ’66; Aug. 29, 2020

1965

Carol A. (Dziadyk) Borkowski; MS ’78; Feb. 24, 2020 Randall K. Klein; Oct. 1, 2018 Carol R. Petit; MS ’74; April 22, 2020 Catherine (Rotiroti) Puglisi; March 24, 2020

1966

Jan D. Klimuszko; April 25, 2019

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1967

Donna P. (Porteus) Augustine; MS ’70; Aug. 3, 2019 James D. Cherry Jr.; MS ’71; May 8, 2020 James F. Ross; MS ’71; April 25, 2020

1968

Joseph E. Hickey; Dec. 26, 2019

1969

George Durr; May 15, 2020 Kathleen M. (Barry) Kaiser; Jan. 23, 2020 Lester C. Lafreniere; May 1, 2019 Harold Petteway; July 24, 2020 Karen L. Smith; MS ’87, 6th Year ’09; May 21, 2020

1970

Bonnie F. Baran; Aug. 16, 2019 Donna H. Brown; May 28, 2020 Helen M. Cameron; Dec. 30, 2019 Linda Jones; MS ’80, 6th Year ’86; Sept. 8, 2020 Noelene R. Westman; June 25, 2018 Rev. John René White; Nov. 2, 2020 Sandra L. (Urso) Wieczorek; MS ’75; Jan. 25, 2020

1971

Irene Lee Cornish; May 31, 2020 Nicholas J. DiCorleto; April 30, 2019 Leo F. Fitzpatrick; March 23, 2020 Michael T. Ganci; March 21, 2020 Margaret (Flynn) Simmons; MS ’77; July 29, 2020 Joan E. (Loesch) Stoltze; Jan. 11, 2020

1972

Sara G. Loverde; Dec. 10, 2018 Philip G. Russell; Nov. 19, 2019

1973

Stephen P. Eukers; Nov. 16, 2019 Dominic R. Ferrara; Aug. 27, 2020 James F. Labagh III; April 6, 2020 Gary Martino; Nov. 10, 2020

IN MEMORIAM 1974

1981

Jorge F. Casals; April 25, 2020 Marion S. (Giordano) Crumb; Dec. 18, 2019 Robert H. Lange; Dec. 17, 2019 Walter B. Lindell; Sept. 25, 2020 Brian Thomas Malley; MS ’81; May 17, 2020 Dennis A. Person; Aug. 14, 2020 Peter R. Thompson; MS ’79; Jan. 28, 2018

Barbara H. (Hutchinson) Kern; Jan. 1, 2018 Francisco C. Montanez; Aug. 14, 2020 David A. Warriner; March 14, 2020

1975

1983

Derf Jonathan Kleist; April 26, 2020

1976

David G. Clark; Nov. 3, 2019 Neil J. Collins; May 4, 2020 Eaudine S. (Splettstoeszer) Gagliardi; Nov. 22, 2019 Gail A. Lascko MS ’82; Nov. 12, 2020

1977

George S. Brusznicki; Oct. 12, 2020 Francis X. Falanga; July 17, 2020 Walter L. Krampitz Jr.; Nov. 4, 2018 Craig G. Sickles; Nov. 18, 2018

1978

Janis M. (Mace) Anderson; Jan. 22, 2020 Joanne Z. Deschenes; July 29, 2020 Kathleen A. (Sammis) Payne; June 26, 2020

1979

Ruthann Field; MS ’87; Dec. 18, 2019 William O. Parker Jr.; MS ’09; Jan. 22, 2020 Leighanne H. (Hennessey) Pierro; Dec. 19, 2019 John A. Timm; May 26, 2020

1980

James H. Hairston; Feb. 7, 2020 Lois A. Johnson; Dec. 27, 2019

1982

George J. Duerr; Sept. 21, 2019 Michael Goepfert; Feb. 23, 2020 Thomas John Monks; July 3, 2020 John G. Reddick Jr.; Jan. 29, 2020

John Baskowski; Jan. 9, 2020 Dorothy (Clancy) Fish; Feb. 26, 2019

1985

Zerica E. (Malcolm) Best; Dec. 19, 2019 Janet D. Koenig; Feb. 24, 2020 Marvin E. Jones; Feb. 22, 2020 Theresa M. Spinelli; March 28, 2020

1986

Arthur F. Hourihan III; Nov. 2, 2019

1988

Dorothy (Crowley) Chekas; July 26, 2020

1989

1994

Mary A. (Splocharski) Kerins; July 12, 2020

1995

Sharon M. (Barnett) Kloczko; Dec. 8, 2019

1996

Mary (Moore) Connolly; April 6, 2020 Thomas H. Watson; Nov. 18, 2019

1999

Maryann C. Healey; March 5, 2020

2002

David M. Dubiel; MS ’08; Oct. 17, 2019

2003

Sister H. Angella Harris; May 29, 2020

2004

Edmund H. Grandahl; MA ’08; Oct. 13, 2019

2005

Lee Equinox Sawyer; Oct. 31, 2020

Thomas Furtado; Aug. 30, 2019 Joseph Charles Nader; April 15, 2020 Edward G. Russo; Dec. 26, 2019

2007

1990

Ashley M. Brown; Oct. 19, 2019

Kevin G. Lerch; June 4, 2020

1991

Karen M. Share; MS ’99; Feb. 18, 2020

David J. Fava; Nov. 1, 2019

2008 2009

Cherie A. Klewicki; Dec. 25, 2019 Deborah A. Kristopik; May 19, 2020

1992

Marlene D. Carlson; Sept. 26, 2020 William A. Webber; Dec. 28, 2019

1993 Cleon J. Francis; Oct. 16, 2019 FALL 2020 – 27

YOUR LETTERS CCSU inspires compassion, kindness To the editor: After reading the inspiring story about CCSU student-athlete Mike Mushaw in the June issue of Reader’s Digest, I felt compelled to write my alma mater a thank-you note.

The coach who inspired this young man to volunteer as a bone marrow donor continues to convince me that CCSU’s faculty is as compassionate and far-sighted as it was when I was a student from 1947 to 1951.

Mike’s generosity and attitude when following through with the bone marrow transplant displays a kind, sincere personality, which is nurtured by faculty and students at CCSU. His little friend gained life, but Mike gained an everlasting friend.

I’m so proud to be an alumna of CCSU! Anne Zembko Gray ’51 Editor’s note: CCSU football player Mike Mushaw ’20 donated bone marrow to a 1-year-old patient in July 2018. They eventually met at football game at CCSU on Nov. 9, 2019 (below).

With thanks for a great start To the editor: I want to thank Central Connecticut State College for giving me a great foundation and more than 50 years of teaching opportunities, including 35 years at the William Strong School in Southington, the town in which I raised my four children with my wife Ruth.

I’ve been fortunate to be taught by and to work with many great role models as teachers. Among the special teachers in my life was Mr. Hank Majlinger, a professor and the former baseball coach at what was then Central Connecticut State College. I was Mr. Majlinger’s baseball manager for three years. He was a great coach and well ahead of his time.

Happy memories of CCSU To the editor: I am an immigrant from Great Britain and moved to Connecticut in 1965. I lived in Manchester and went directly to CCSU, graduating in 1972. Subsequently, I earned an MBA at UConn in 1976 and later an MA and EdD from Teachers College, Columbia University, in 1986.

My career spans three tracks: 1) Corporate staff and management positions; 2) Administrative responsibility at Michigan and Columbia business schools; and 3) In 1993, founding my own management consulting business where I travelled the world consulting for many Fortune 100 companies. In 2012 I published “The Practice of Professional Consulting” (J. Wiley).

I continue to be an adjunct professor at Columbia (and elsewhere since 2004). I am mostly retired now, tending my garden, worrying about my children, and trying to stay healthy. The memories of CCSU are vivid and loving as it gave me the start in life, for which I am extremely grateful.

Best wishes to all!

Dr. Edward Verlander East Setauket, N.Y.

28 – Central Connecticut State University Connected

I owe him and others a great deal for their kindness, encouragement, and time and for the personal touch they were able to give me when I needed it the most. They never lost faith in me. They helped me gain the confidence to go on. I was having a very hard time at those times and with their support I was able to pull myself up. After college, Ruth and I would visit the Majlingers at their home on Farmington Mountain. We always would be warmly welcomed.

Teaching has been a big part of my life ever since I left Central Connecticut State College. I am 78 years old, and I still love it!

Ruth and I retired to Florida in 2003, and I’ve had the chance to go back and teach for the Charlotte County Public Schools. I now work for Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center as part of a team who teaches the environmental education program for all fourth graders in the county.

I owe my good life to the educational experience Central Connecticut State College offered to me. Thank you!

Greg Brezicki ’66 Englewood, Fla.

To share your thoughts and memories of CCSU in a letter to the editor, send an email to ccsunews@ccsu.edu.

“It gives us a great sense of pride to be able to recognize the successes of this outstanding group of former Blue Devils student-athletes,”

Interim Director of Athletics Tom Pincince

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1. 1987 Wrestling Team 2. Ken DeStefanis 3. Aaron Radden 4. Jamie Crowley 5. Laura Duncan 6. Paul Wright 7. Ted Stoneburner 8. Bob Wittneben

CCSU announces 2020 Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame Class Six former student-athletes were selected on April 8 for induction into the Central Connecticut State University Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognizes and honors former outstanding CCSU student-athletes for their contributions and achievements in athletics.

First Team (2003). Duncan was a four-time winner of the CCSU Clubman of the Year, which is given to the player who does the most to help her teammates off the field.

In 2016 the award was renamed the Laura Duncan Award. She is the head soccer coach at the University of New Haven.

The Hall of Fame class includes Jamie Crowley (women’s swimming), Laura Duncan ’05 (women’s soccer); Aaron Radden ’13 (track and field); Ted Stoneburner ’92 (football); Bob Wittneben ’72 (football/wrestling); Paul Wright ’99 (soccer); and the 1987 wrestling team.

Radden won five individual titles at the NEC Indoor Championships and four individual titles at the NEC Outdoor Championships during his career. He placed 10th in the 200-meter at the 2012 NCAA Indoor Championships and was a four-time New England Indoor champion.

A highly decorated sprinter, he earned All-NEC honors 14 times and was twice named NEC Indoor Championships Most Outstanding Performer and Most Valuable Performer, while also earning Most Outstanding Track Performer at the 2013 NEC Outdoor Championships. Radden set records in three events (55-meter, 60-meter, 200-meter), while setting the outdoor mark in both the 100-meter and 200-meter. He was also the 2010 NEC Indoor Outstanding Rookie and a USTFCCA All-Academic selection in 2013.

“It gives us a great sense of pride to be able to recognize the successes of this outstanding group of former Blue Devils student-athletes,” says interim Director of Athletics Tom Pincince.

Crowley was a two-time NCAA championships qualifier in 2005 and 2006.

She set the school record in the 50 and 100 freestyle, while also setting Northeast Conference marks in the 500 free and 100 breast. Crowley earned the 2005 NEC Championships Outstanding Swimmer and the 2006 ECAC Swimmer of the Year honors, while winning six NEC individual championships and two ECAC titles. She helped the Blue Devils win eight NEC relay championships and was the first CCSU FINA World Cup finalist and the first CCSU swimmer to score at the US Open.

Duncan captained the Blue Devils to three consecutive NEC championships from 2002 to 2004. The 2003 team became the first program in any sport at CCSU to win an NCAA Tournament game, defeating Boston College, 1-0, in the first round. She would score the first goal in the second-round game against UConn. Duncan was named First Team All-NEC (2002-03), NSCAA All-Region (2003), All-New England (2003), and Soccer Buzz All-Northeast Region

Stoneburner graduated with the all-time scoring record, having scored 22 career touchdowns from 1979 to 1981. He led the Blue Devils in rushing in 1979 (624 yards) and 1981 (586 yards). His career rushing total of 1,509 yards was sixth-best in school history when he finished his playing career.

A star in the CCSU backfield, he led the team in scoring with 51 points in 1981 and 44 points in 1979.

Wittneben was a two-sport standout for Central, playing football and wrestling at the school from 1968 to 1972. An exemplary student-athlete, he was honored with the Frederick M. Gladstone Award, which is given annually to the most outstanding senior male athlete to recognize their

academic, athletic, and citizenship achievements. A starting linebacker in football, he captained the team to an 8-3 record as a senior. He earned All-Eastern Football Conference All-Star honors as a senior and went on to sign professionally with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He went on to coach at Southington High School where he launched the wrestling program and posted a .744 winning percentage.

Wright was a standout on the soccer field, scoring 23 goals during the 1996 season— the second-highest single-season total in program history. A two-time All-New England and All-Mid Continent Conference selection during his career, Wright tied an NCAA single-game record with eight goals and 17 points in a game against UMES in 1995. He scored 14 goals during each of his freshman and junior seasons, which are among the top 10 single-season goal totals at CCSU. His 50 points in 1996 is the third highest single-season total.

Following graduation, Wright went on to play professionally in the U.S. and Spain.

He was also an assistant coach for the 2007 Blue Devils squad that advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament and is the head coach at the University of Saint Joseph.

The 1987 wrestling team won its first 16 matches and finished 17-1 in its first Division I season. The Blue Devils were crowned the New England champions and sent five wrestlers to the NCAA National Championship where it finished 51st out of 118 represented teams. Sal Profaci, Ryan Johnson, Jim Sloan, Mike Gibbons, and Dennis Leonard all competed at the national tournament. Co-captain Ricky Shook was the only senior on the squad, which excelled under the guidance of head coach Ken DeStefanis.

FALL 2020 – 29

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