It has been an incredible year at Central! Celebrating the milestone 175th anniversary of our institution has given me time to reflect on the tremendous responsibility we have to educate the future workforce of our state.
The regional university system must provide access, support completion, and cultivate talent if it is to be successful. As you read this commemorative edition of Central Magazine, I encourage you to share the good news of this university.
Central has recently been recognized by many national organizations. Those accolades affirm the hard work done by our Central family every day. I am grateful for our entire community — alumni, students, faculty, staff, and donors who continue to advance our mission.
Thank you for helping us deliver a world-class education and outstanding student experience.
Zulma R. Toro, President
FEATURES
A YEAR OF CELEBRATION
How do you plan a year-long party for a milestone anniversary? Take a look at our process and photos.
LEADERSHIP THROUGH VISION AND TEAMWORK
President Zulma R. Toro talks about her tenure and what it means to be the steward of a 175-year-old institution.
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
An exhibit at the Elihu Burritt Library illustrates how Central’s history guides its present and future.
A NEW LOOK FOR A LEGACY
Twenty years later, the Central brand has a new look and feel.
11
BLUE DEVILS: MORE THAN JUST TEAMMATES
Central Athletics thrives on a distinct brand of togetherness. Plus, 10 great moments in Central Athletics history.
14
ALUMNI PRIDE POWERS THE CENTRAL STORY
The Blue Devil family shares special moments from their Central years.
CONTENTS
CAMPUS NEWS
16 FOUNDATION OF SUCCESS
After more than 50 years, the CCSU Foundation remains robust and dynamic with more ways to give than ever before.
18 A NEW DEAN FOR A NEW COLLEGE
Dr. Jayanthi Kandiah outlines her priorities as the inaugural dean of the new College of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences.
20 HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS
Catch up on some of the bigger news stories that unfolded on campus over the last two years.
CENTRAL
VOLUME 01 • NUMBER 01 NOVEMBER 2024
PRESIDENT
Zulma R. Toro
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
Sal Cintorino
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA
Jodi Latina
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS
Christine Castonguay
INTERIM VICE PRESIDENT OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Jennifer Destefani
DIRECTOR ALUMNI RELATIONS
Kristen Gordon
EDITOR
Marisa Nadolny
DESIGNER
Karen Ward
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Marisa Nadolny, Leslie Virostek
Chris O’Connor, Jeff Mead, Amy. J. Barry
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Johnathon Henninger ’04, Stan Godlewski, Shelly Sindland, Zach Cunningham
With thanks to the 175th Anniversary Magazine Committee
2
2 WRAPPED UP WITH A RIBBON
With several new facilities opening and even more building celebrations delayed by the pandemic, it was time to pull out the ceremonial scissors.
33 175TH GALA
The 175th Anniversary Gala on Nov. 2 drew 600 guests to campus for an elegant evening to remember.
DEPARTMENTS
Central magazine is published by Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Conn., for alumni and friends.
Central is an AA/EO institution and a university of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system.
Central hosted its annual convocation ceremony for first-year and transfer students on Aug. 26, one day before fall classes began. To mark the occasion, the students took a group photo on the Vance Hall lawn and formed the number “175” in honor of Central’s 175th anniversary year.
Photo by Stan Godlewski MAGAZINE
A milestone anniversary gave us 175 reasons to celebrate
By MARISA NADOLNY
As the 175th anniversary of Central approached, campus leadership knew the occasion would call for something big—175 years big.
President Zulma R. Toro explains, “We have so much to celebrate, and I am so grateful to the people—past and present—who have made Central the premier state university in Connecticut. In recognizing Central’s 175th anniversary, we celebrate its history, growth, and achievements while looking toward the future.”
An initial committee launched nine more, and come February 2024, dozens of volunteers on campus had their marching orders. One committee’s charge was to build a time capsule; another collected Central stories from friends
A YEAR OF CELEBRATION
and alumni; another found ways to incorporate the anniversary into classwork; and yet another planned an event for the “official” anniversary date: June 22, 1849.
Naturally, an anniversary as significant as a dodransbicentennial calls for a party—or three. Thanks to the Anniversary Toast, Anniversary Gala, and Backyard BBQ committees, the entire Central community joined in the celebration throughout the year.
Meanwhile, the Institutional Marketing and Communications Department got to work on several special projects, including a dedicated anniversary web page; an online anniversary interactive timeline; and an anniversary logo that will appear on university correspondence and marketing materials for the rest of the anniversary year, among other projects, including a commemorative anniversary medal gifted to the Class of 2024 at commencement.
By June, an online anniversary swag shop opened, offering apparel and drinkware decked out with the anniversary logo.
The excitement has only grown throughout the year, and we look forward to closing out 2024 in true Central fashion—together, with our students, staff, faculty, and alumni.
At right, view some images from our year of celebration and events. View more online at www.ccsu.edu/175-anniversary.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: Graduates wear their anniversary medallions at commencement in May; President Toro leads the June 26 anniversary toast; students show off their anniversary T-shirts at the Backyard BBQ Bash in May; Kizer joins President Toro on the field during Central Night at the Hartford Yard Goats on June 27; close-up of the anniversary medallions; campus leaders and dignitaries raise a glass to Central; and a proud alumnus hangs with Kizer at the Yard Goats game.
PRESIDENT TORO LOOKS BACK ON A TENURE WORTH CELEBRATING
VISION AND TEAMWORK GUIDE CENTRAL’S 13TH PRESIDENT
By MARISA NADOLNY
When President Toro became the 13th president of Central, she had a clear vision for the university.
Soon after her arrival in late 2016, Toro identified three priorities: to increase enrollment; to develop new sources of revenue; and to deepen Central’s engagement with the surrounding community.
All three of those boxes are hereby checked and then some after eight years of Toro’s leadership. Fast forward to 2024, and you’ll find an entire web page loaded with Toro’s additional accomplishments.
Among the most recent and dynamic projects Toro guided is the launch of the College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and the hiring of its resident dean, who joined the Central team in July. (See story on page 18.) Beyond
the academic innovation of the new college, its flagship Community Health Education Clinic, which opened in late 2023, will enable students in health-related programs to gain hands-on experience with patients from the university and New Britain community.
Toro is proud of how far she and Central have come, but she cites one important factor as the secret to Central’s success.
“Everything that has been accomplished is due to teamwork,” Toro explains. “I may have ideas, but unless people embrace those ideas —unless people are committed and dedicated to seeing those ideas become reality— nothing happens.”
Toro made sure to develop her team within weeks of her arrival at Central. She set off on a listening tour to meet with every office and department on campus and took notes.
“ WHAT HAS TAKEN THE LONGEST AND MAYBE THE THING I AM THE MOST PROUD OF IS THE CULTURE. I FEEL WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CHANGE THAT. WE HAVE NOW AN INSTITUTION IN WHICH PEOPLE FEEL THAT THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE SUCCESS OF ALL STUDENTS AND THAT THEY ARE PART OF SOMETHING GOOD AND GREAT.”
— PRESIDENT ZULMA R. TORO
Her investment has paid off year after year, and Toro cites a distinct change in culture throughout her tenure.
“What has taken the longest and maybe the thing I am the most proud of is the culture. I feel we have been able to change that,” Toro says. “We have now an institution in which people feel that they are contributing to the success of all students and that they are part of something good and great.”
Even better, according to Toro, is that the students have also noticed that shift in culture.
“I am happy to see that our students are having a high-quality educational experience, and I think for the most part our students feel like they are being supported and that faculty members and staff care about their well-being and success,” she says.
Recent enrollment and housing numbers underscore an improved sense of belonging among Central students.
The census numbers for Fall 2024 enrollment reflect an increase of more than 3 percent over last year, with 9,997 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs. The university also surpassed its goal of 2,200 resident students for Fall 2024 by nearly 200 students.
Making history
Toro added two more distinctions to Central’s history when she took the helm: She is the first female and first Hispanic president of the 175-year-old institution.
That her tenure is coinciding with a milestone anniversary this year is nothing short of an honor, Toro says.
“I have been blessed in my life,” she explains. “I have had the opportunity to transform lives in a number of institutions, but mainly at Central Connecticut State University. Can you believe I have the honor of leading the first publicly funded institution of higher education in this state?”
Toro notes that Central’s original mission to educate the working class has an enduring appeal and return on investment.
“This institution has contributed to the economic, cultural, and intellectual development of this state, the region, and beyond because we have graduates in almost every state of the Union; we have graduates in the Caribbean; and we have graduates in other places around the world.”
But there is another unique component to a Central education, in Toro’s view.
“What we do is about people and how we guide individuals to be able to accomplish their goals in life. We want them to be happy and healthy and feel useful—that they make an impact. That’s what we’re trying to do every day,” she says.
Looking forward and back
Toro’s three initial priorities still inform her future goals. Plans to launch more healthcare-related academic programs will surely boost enrollment and expand the free screening services available to communities. Students have requested—and will receive—more interdisciplinary program options. Her call for a new science building has drawn great community and state support. The upcoming Year of Artificial Intelligence will highlight how the university is responding to emerging technologies and the Connecticut workforce.
It’s a never-ending list, but it is one that Toro will continue to update with successes fueled by her love of the job and her firm
President Toro greets first-year students at the university’s convocation ceremony on Aug. 26. Toro instituted the formal ceremony in 2019. Photo by Stan Godlewski
Students talk with President Toro during a tour of the campus Community Health Education Clinic.
Photo by FJ Gaylor Photography
belief in the transformative nature of higher education.
“I have enjoyed every minute of my tenure at Central,” she says. “And when I leave, I will take with me the satisfaction that I may have impacted a number of lives—not only students’ lives, but staff, faculty, and administrators. I am very happy to have had the opportunity to be in higher education.”
As for her own educational experience at Central, Toro has enjoyed mentoring her team and the reciprocal lessons she’s taken away from those interactions. She also drew very important perspective from that initial whirlwind tour of the campus community.
“Rome was not built overnight. So, I think that in higher education—despite the typical pace of change in higher education—you have to be patient. You have to trust the processes, and you have to believe that if you have the right people in place and you have ambition, things will happen.”
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
The handwritten “Registrar of Entrants” from 1849, which names the first students enrolled at the school that would become Central.
The list of demands made by Black and Latino students whose civil rights-era protest included a takeover of the campus radio station.
Photographs of former Polish president Lech Walesa from his 1996 campus visit as a Vance Distinguished Lecture Series speaker.
These are among the dozens of intriguing items featured in an exhibit celebrating Central’s 175th anniversary. The exhibit, which opened on Sept. 9 and will run throughout the fall semester, shows how the first public higher education institution in Connecticut became the university we know today. The exhibit highlights various milestones and the contributions of key leaders, and how students of different generations experienced daily campus life.
All items displayed come from the library’s archives and special collections, according to Dr. Carl A. Antonucci Jr., director of library services. He says, “I hope that visitors will get a sense of the rich history of Central Connecticut State University.”
BURRITT LIBRARY ANNIVERSARY EXHIBIT TELLS THE STORY OF CENTRAL
By LESLIE VIROSTEK
Among the items in the anniversary exhibit at the Burritt Library is this image of Normal School student Mary E. Bassett in 1860.
One of the most interesting pieces for University Archivist Renata Vickrey is a student scrapbook that commemorates campus life, including the student’s courses and grades, photos of dances and other student activities, and clippings from student publications.
Vickrey says, “I’m sure that student would be doing a blog or Instagram today.”
While telling the story of Central, the exhibit also offers broader lessons related to national shifts in education, the economy, and popular culture. For example, course catalogs from different eras show how university curriculums have evolved to meet emerging needs. Meanwhile, a vintage Keystone “lantern slide” projector, widely used as a classroom tool in the early decades of the 1900s, shows how much classroom teaching technology has changed. Many exhibit items evoke pivotal moments in the history of higher education, such as the explosion in enrollment with the passage of the GI Bill and the rise of anti-Vietnam War
Items on display at the Burritt Library’s 175th anniversary exhibit include a trove of photos, records, clothing, classroom tools, and more. Photos by Stan Godlewski
activism in the 1960s and 1970s. Visitors can view the Supreme Court’s ruling on Healy v. James. That case arose when officials at what was then Central Connecticut State College blocked Students for a Democratic Society from starting a campus chapter. The court held this was a violation of students’ First Amendment rights.
The exhibit also features three special display cases. One is dedicated to the development of the library itself, with its dramatic changes in physical space and technological system and services. Vickrey notes that historically the library used to provide free textbooks to students. Today that tradition is partially carried on by the Textbook Fund, which enables the library to purchase some textbooks that students may use on the premises.
The second special case highlights athletics and includes not only photos and programs from sporting events but also a vintage track and field uniform and a baseball sweater from the 1940s. The third case features student publications, including the Recorder newspaper, which was founded in 1930.
Vickrey notes that the university’s official name, logo, physical campus, curriculum, and leadership have changed over the years, but some things have stayed the same. For example, documents included in the exhibit reflect Central’s ongoing role in the city of New Britain and its accessibility to firstgeneration students.
In June of 1849 the Connecticut General Assembly approved an allocation of $10,000 over four years to fund a state school for training teachers, says Vickrey. The question was, which municipality would step up and provide a location and additional funding?
“New Britain made the best offer,” says Vickrey. “This document tells you that the people of New Britain really cared about education. What I came to really appreciate even more was the continuous support of the people of this town and the state of Connecticut.”
Vickrey believes exploring the institution’s history is valuable for the same reasons that people find it worthwhile to study their genealogy: “To see where you came from.” She says, “I think there is a lot to be proud of.”
The Central Connecticut State University 175th Anniversary Exhibit can be found on the second floor of the Elihu Burritt LIbrary and can be viewed whenever the library is open.
A NEW LOOK FOR A LEGACY CENTRAL BRAND REDESIGNED AFTER
By MARISA NADOLNY
The Central Connecticut State University brand is sporting a new look.
The university’s Marketing and Communications team unveiled a brand-new logo system and marketing and promotional tools in August 2023. It was the brand’s first update in nearly 20 years.
“This addition to our marketing platform has been a long time coming,” says Central Connecticut State University President Zulma R. Toro. “Central is leading the way in higher education, and this updated branding brings us into the 21st century.”
Central’s official university seal remains as its legacy logo. The new marketing logo includes an icon rendering of the university clock tower at Davidson Hall, in a nod to the legacy logo.
“We are very proud of our team! The integration of our Marketing and Communications teams this past year has allowed us to set a foundation that fosters
creativity and collaboration,” says Associate Vice President of Communications and Media Jodi Latina.
The Athletics Department’s Blue Devil logo is well known among Central sports fans. Because the popular image is exclusive to Athletics, the Marketing and Communications team created a counterpart logo — dubbed Fun Kizer (below) — that can be used campuswide.
Early reviews from students have been enthusiastic.
“The new logo allows Central to enter a new era of improvement for future generations and creates a sense of belonging for all Blue Devils!” says Diannely Espino, one of several students who previewed the logos ahead of the launch.
Junior Rhamel Wilson notes, “The new logos bring a more modern and fresher feel to the campus community and gets people excited to represent our school!”
“ THE NEW LOGO ALLOWS CENTRAL TO ENTER A NEW ERA OF IMPROVEMENT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS AND CREATES A SENSE OF BELONGING FOR ALL BLUE DEVILS!”
—DIANNELY ESPINO
20 YEARS
An award-winning strategy
When the Educational Advertising Awards announced the winners of its 39th annual competition in March, the Institutional Marketing and Communications team at Central hit gold.
Gold, silver, and bronze to be exact.
The awards recognize educational marketing and advertising materials that reflect exceptional quality, creativity, and message effectiveness. Team Central took home four Gold Awards; one Silver Award; and three Bronze Awards. The team also earned Merit Awards in three additional categories. One Gold Award recognized the Central logo and letterhead design.
Central earned the three other gold awards in the Special Event Campaign, Total Recruitment Package, and Website Refresh categories. Each project reflects the university’s new branding.
“Our staff are talented and dedicated to their craft,” says Associate Vice President of Marketing and Promotions Christine Castonguay. “We have new staff and veteran staff — together they have elevated the university’s standards and modernized the Central brand.”
BLUE DEVILS ARE MORE THAN JUST TEAMMATES
By C HRIS O’CONNOR
If you follow Central’s Director of Athletics
Tom Pincince on social media, you are very familiar with the term, “Together, as we always do.” No matter the topic, whether it is a win in competition, a fundraising appeal, success in the classroom, or another of the numerous volunteer projects that Blue Devils student-athletes have participated in, that is the sign-off on the post.
“Central is special because of the people,” Pincince says. “We are able to accomplish things for that reason. Our coaches, our student-athletes, our staff, our alumni, and our families come together to achieve things that sometimes seem unachievable. It is that which makes us who we are, and I am proud to be a Blue Devil.”
Merriam-Webster defines “family” as “a group of people united by certain convictions
or common affiliation,” and the importance of family is woven through the history of Central Athletics.
Perhaps the best place to start is Director of Athletics Emeritus Charles “CJ” Jones, who served the university in numerous roles for four decades after his four-year career as a Central basketball and baseball player. Jones played alongside Howie Dickenman under coach Bill Detrick.
“Bill took me, a kid from New York, under his wing a little bit while I was here and helped me out from a hoops perspective,” says Jones. “We built relationships in those years, and while we didn’t know it then, they would be lifelong relationships.”
That relationship played into one of Jones’ first moves after he was named director of Athletics in July 1995. He turned the following spring to Dickenman—his teammate and
best man at his wedding—as the new head men’s basketball coach. That hire paid dividends, with Dickenman spending more than two decades at the helm of the Blue Devils basketball program, leading them to three NEC championships and NCAA Tournament appearances.
Dickenman was a family-first guy too and hired several Central alumni to help build the program. One of them, Patrick Sellers, is back on campus today in the same chair as his old boss. Sellers is a Central alumnus who played for the Blue Devils from 1987 to 1991, before he returned to serve as an assistant for Dickenman’s championship teams.
But the story doesn’t end there. When the Blue Devils won the 2002 championship, Lenny Jefferson was in the building as a recruit of Sellers. Jefferson joined the
Continued on page 12
program the following season and had a noteworthy career. He now sits alongside Sellers during games as an assistant coach and played an integral role in the Blue Devils’ regular-season crown last year.
Extended family
The family goes beyond coaches. Jones surrounded the programs with administrators that are Blue Devils through and through. He brought on Pincince, Amy Strickland, Molly McCarthy, and Mike Ericksen, to name just a few, who have supported the programs over the past two decades.
Strickland played for the Central volleyball team and headed out on a professional career that saw her spend time at Maryland, before she was called home to New Britain.
McCarthy worked in other offices on campus, before she found a home in Kaiser Hall. The duo works tirelessly on behalf of the student-athletes in compliance and eligibility.
Ericksen joined the Central team in the strength and conditioning area and now serves as the associate athletic director for External Affairs. For a quarter century, he has been at the helm of building the program that makes Blue Devil athletes stronger and faster and healthier.
One of the athletes that he helped to train is Nicole Dumpson-Jackson, who was inducted into the CCSU Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame in October. A record-setting member of the track and field team, Dumpson-Jackson went into coaching after leaving Central, but, like many, she returned to the family and is now an assistant coach.
“The one thing that I noticed when I returned is that people come to stay,” she says. “Amy is still here. Molly is still here. I worked for them as a student. Coach Ericksen was my strength coach and was on my hiring committee when I applied for this job.”
Dumpson-Jackson works alongside head cross country and track and field coach Eric Blake, a fellow alum. He is one of three head coaches who are Central
“IT IS REALLY ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS. FINDING THE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN THE PHILOSOPHY AND ARE WILLING TO SHARE THAT WITH THOSE THAT COME AFTER THEM.”
—CHARLES “CJ” JONES
graduates, with Sellers and head lacrosse coach Betsy Vendel. For Vendel, Central really is a family connection. She is a second-generation graduate of the university, joining her mother, Mary Jane Robertson, a member of Class of 1980, on the alumni rolls.
“I remember picking my mom up at the airport and driving her around campus to show her how things have grown and changed since she was here,” Vendel says. “It is cool to see how far Central has come. How far we have come with what we do for the student body and how it changes with the different generations. All while having the same people in roles now that were here when I was playing.”
And while campus has changed and grown, so much of Athletics remains a constant. This summer, Paul Manwaring was elevated to the role of head athletic trainer. He has been on the New Britain campus since he enrolled for graduate school. For most of those years, he worked alongside Kathy Pirog, who ran the athletic training room since 1996, when she was elevated to replace her mentor, CCSU Hall of Famer Carl Krein, who remains active in hall of fame selections to this day.
“It is really about relationships,” Jones notes. “Finding the people who believe in the philosophy and are willing to share that with those that come after them. Showing them what it means to be a ‘true Blue Devil’ and then watching them and entrusting them to teach those traits to the next generation.”
Top, Director of Athletics Emeritus Charles “C.J.” Jones.
Left, head lacrosse coach Betsy Vendel, a Central alumna.
Facing page, Athletics Director Tom Pincince.
Previous page, the 2003 championship NEC 4x100m relay team (from left), Nicola Larmond, Nicole Dumpson-Jackson, Jessica Kelly, and Erika Goodwine. Continued from page 11
10 DEFINING MOMENTS IN CENTRAL ATHLETICS HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS :
The Blue Devils have built a deep bench of achievements and milestones over the years. Among many, we’ve selected 10 great moments that define the Blue Devil legacy and spirit.
Undefeated 1954 football team
Under second-year head coach Henry Majlinger, the Blue Devils went 6-0. Featuring multiple Alumni Athletics Hall of Famers, including captains Ray Rondini and Lou Magoli, the squad was led by a stout defense that was only scored on four times and outscored its opponents, 158-26, in six games.
Cross country’s success story
Through the years, Central cross country has been among the most successful programs. In 1961, the Blue Devils earned a third-place finish at the 1961 NAIA National Championships. The squad featured three All-Americans, including individual national champion, Jim Keefe.
Going Division I
After enjoying decades of success in college athletics, Central began the transition of competing in the NCAA Division I ranks in 1986-87. Currently offering 16 varsity sports, the success of Central athletics has been built by thousands of student-athletes who have worn the blue and white.
Joining the NEC
Central joined the Northeast Conference as a full member in the 1997-98 season. At the time, the move brought the Blue Devils’ athletic programs into a league of nine institutions. The move was a boon for Central athletics, which has been one of the most success ful schools in the conference, capturing a total of 78 team titles since joining the NEC.
Gabrielle Blockley:
First woman inducted into CCSU Hall of Fame
Gabrielle Blockley helped shape women’s athletics at Central when she spearheaded the inclusion of the Blue Devils’ female athletes and teams into intercollegiate competition. A longtime professor of Physical Education at Central, she would serve as the head coach of the basketball, field hockey, and softball teams during her time at the university. Blockley was the athletics faculty advisor from 1958 to 1973 and was among the inaugural class of Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame inductees in 1979.
Championship tradition
Over the years, championships have become second nature for Central’s athletic teams. Three squads — women’s soccer (13), men’s cross country (11), and women’s swimming and diving (8) — hold the most NEC championships in those sports in league history.
Men’s basketball goes dancing
The 1999-2000 men’s basketball team went 25-6 and earned the school’s first trip to the “Big Dance” after defeating Robert Morris, 63-46, in the NEC Tournament. Featuring conference Player of the Year Rick Mickens, the Blue Devils put a scare into the second-seed ed Iowa State Cyclones before ultimately succumbing to a team with a pair of future NBA stars.
Women’s soccer defeats Boston College in NCAA Tournament
The 2003 women’s soccer team earned its second straight NCAA Tournament berth after winning back-to-back Northeast Conference titles. The Blue Devils made program history with a 1-0 win at Boston College in the opening round. Despite falling at UConn in double-overtime in the next round, Central set a then-program record with a 16-3-3 mark.
Baseball sets wins record
The 2004 Central baseball season marked the program’s third consecutive Northeast Conference championship and
True Blue Devils know the Central story runs deep in Connecticut. Throughout its 175-year history, Central alumni have changed the landscape of our state, often setting precedents for pedagogy and leadership throughout the country.
Our thriving alumni community carries on that tradition of leadership and demonstrates every day just how meaningful and transformative a Central education can be. Central graduates have made countless contributions to innovation and progress in this state and beyond, and they are fiercely loyal to their alma mater and to each other.
We asked our alumni to share their thoughts on their university experience and what it means to be a Blue Devil. Below, we share some of the responses we received. (Edited for length and clarity.)
To share your Central memories, go to www.ccsu.edu/175-anniversary/central-memories.
ALUMNI PRIDE POWERS THE CENTRAL STORY
SUZANNE AND PETER BERRY ’74
Our CCSU experience was not only about academics but also about extra-curricular activities. We were thoroughly engaged in student government. We had two political parties on campus. We learned about campaigning on the issues in the dormitories, outside buildings, and in the Student Center. We honed our debating skills and learned how to conduct ourselves during a campaign. To this day, we will remember the 1974 student government election. Peter won by a slim margin, and the rest of our “party” lost, including Suzanne, by seven votes.
We have translated these experiences in so many ways. Working with people, listening to different points of view, negotiating as well as reaching consensus and compromise were just a few of the skill sets we have used in the business we created and in our personal lives as volunteers and parents. We are proud of our four years at CCSU.
CIARA CRINION ’10
My time at CCSU helped shape me into the person and professional I am today. Through my education at Central, and the many supportive staff and mentors I had along the way, I was able to build a foundation of success that has guided me throughout my entire adult life and career. Some of my proudest moments that will always live with me are winning a soccer championship with head coach Mick D’Arcy who brought me to New Britain from Ireland, to receiving my degree and then having Mick attend my wedding this past summer. Once a Blue Devil, always a Blue Devil.
MOLLY DENELLO ’16
CCSU provided me with the guidance and community necessary for me to cultivate the life I am so grateful for today. I quickly found a home within the Art Education department, where I was able to connect with like-minded yet unique individuals while exploring common passions. My professors and mentors curated my experience and equipped me with the skills in both art and education to help me facilitate meaningful experiences with my own students in West Hartford, where I have worked since graduating in 2016. My experience at CCSU has been lasting and deeply influential.
BRIAN CRUESS ’94, ’00
CCSU shaped my adult life both professionally and personally. I received a quality education that set me up for success in technology within the financial services and insurance field over the past 30 years. The network of graduates and faculty have been invaluable. Central introduced me to lifelong friends and sparked a love with my wife Kelly ’94 over the past 32 years, creating a family and a third-generation Blue Devil.
DR. KRISTINE LARSEN ’84
As a first semester freshman in a general education astronomy class, I was offered an opportunity to learn how to run the planetarium and observatory. The next year I was a member of the inaugural class of the Honors Program and learned to appreciate the unique joys of interdisciplinary thinking. Both experiences shaped not only my career, but my worldview, and made me the teacher, scholar, and allaround person I am today.
Trinitee Williams (second from right) is shown here with her family and fellow Blue Devils.
TRINITEE WILLIAMS ’22
From my time as an RA in Barrows and Gallaudet Hall to my days as an orientation leader and tour guide, CCSU provided me with experiences that ultimately gave me the skills needed to thrive in my career today as an admissions officer at Goodwin University! My Mom and Dad met at CCSU in the ’90s and my brother is now a CCSU senior! I am grateful for my time spent at CCSU and the forever memories that came along with it!
THE FOUNDATION OF CENTRAL’S SUCCESS
The CCSU Foundation was established in February of 1971 at the request of Central Connecticut State University. The foundation received its first gift in June of that year—a $2,000 check from Miss Stella Willins that set a precedent for future philanthropy.
Willins, a manager at the Royal Typewriter Company of Hartford and a former amateur world typewriting champion, directed her gift to the Business Education Department. Every year thereafter, her fund would support one scholarship per year to “a student of outstanding merit.”
Willins’s contribution underscored the Greater Hartford community’s commitment to Central Connecticut State University and its mission. It not only provided crucial resources for early projects, but it also symbolized the trust and confidence donors placed in the foundation. Over the years, this initial act of generosity has been celebrated as a cornerstone that helped to build a robust culture of giving across five key areas: institutional enrichment, scholarships, academic enrichment, research, and unrestricted funds.
The nonprofit foundation is incorporated under Connecticut state laws and managed by an independent board of directors comprised of faculty members, students, alumni, and members of the general public. The university president serves as an ex-officio member of the board.
The Board of Directors is responsible for distributing unrestricted funds to various university programs and activities that are identified as most deserving in consultation with the university president.
As of June 30, 2024, the foundation’s endowment value stands at $102,355,827.
Eleven years of data show the performance of CCSU Foundation funds
CENTRAL TEAMS UP WITH CONNECTICUT FOODSHARE
Maria’s Place at Central Connecticut State University has gained an important ally in the fight against food insecurity.
A new partnership between Central and Connecticut Foodshare will ensure that the shelves at the campus food pantry will stay fully stocked with high-demand items all semester long.
Connecticut Foodshare partners with several food pantries around the state, offering free goods and other resources. Through its Grocery
MAKING AN IMPACT
There are many ways you can make a significant impact through a charitable gift to the CCSU Foundation. Whether you choose to give now or plan for a future gift, each option offers unique benefits to you and the university. Below are some of the most common ways to contribute.
OUTRIGHT CASH GIFT: An immediate and straightforward way to support the CCSU Foundation, a cash gift can be made online, by check, or via wire transfer. This type of gift is often the simplest and most flexible, providing immediate resources to meet the university’s needs.
MARKETABLE SECURITIES: Donating stocks, bonds, or mutual funds can be a tax-efficient way to give. When you donate appreciated securities directly to the CCSU Foundation, you can avoid capital gains taxes while potentially receiving a charitable deduction for the full market value.
REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION (RMD) FROM RETIREMENT
FUNDS: If you are 70½ or older, you can use your RMD to make a charitable contribution directly from your IRA to the CCSU Foundation. This type of gift can satisfy your required withdrawal amount without increasing your taxable income.
Pictured here at Maria’s Place, the campus food pantry at Central Connecticut State University, are (from left) Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the CCSU Foundation Jennifer Destefani, Foodshare President and CEO Jason Jakubowski, and Central President Dr. Zulma R. Toro.
Photo by Marisa Nadolny
Purchasing Program, Connecticut Foodshare purchases truckloads of high-demand products and resells them to partner programs at cost. As a partner, Central can use privately raised funds to purchase grocery items at a significant discount.
Connecticut Foodshare is a member of the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks.
Maria’s Place opened in February of 2017 to provide free food assistance to students. It is named after Maria Alvarez, who worked at Central for more than 30 years and passed away in 2015. Alvarez was known to many for her deep commitment to students and to helping the less fortunate at her parish food pantry.
“I am grateful to Connecticut Foodshare for their support of Maria’s Place, a critical campus resource. Their commitment to addressing food insecurity contributes to our mission of fostering an environment where all students can succeed,” says Central President Zulma R. Toro. “Food insecurity remains a significant challenge for many of our students, and it is our responsibility to ensure that every member of the Central family has the resources they need to thrive.”
WAYS TO GIVE TO SUPPORT Central Connecticut State University
PLANNED GIVING: Including the CCSU Foundation in your will or trust is a powerful way to leave a legacy. You can designate a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the residual of your estate to the university, ensuring your impact lasts for generations.
DONOR-ADVISED FUND (DAF): A gift from a DAF allows you to recommend how your funds should be distributed. It’s a convenient and flexible way to manage your philanthropy and can be an excellent option for donors looking to maximize their charitable impact.
REAL ESTATE: Donating real estate, such as a home, vacation property, or undeveloped land, can provide substantial support to Central while offering you potential tax benefits. The property can be given outright or as a retained life estate, allowing you to continue using it during your lifetime.
MATCHING GIFTS: Many employers offer matching gift programs, which can double or even triple your contribution. By taking advantage of these programs, you can significantly increase the impact of your gift at no additional cost to you.
GIFTS IN KIND: Donations of tangible personal property, such as artwork, equipment, or collectibles, can also support the university. These gifts are often used to enhance academic programs, student experiences, or fundraising efforts.
Each of these options provides a meaningful way to support Central Connecticut State University, allowing you to make a difference in a way that aligns with your financial goals and philanthropic values.
Dr. Jayanthi “Jay” Kandiah began her tenure as the inaugural dean of Central’s new College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in July. She is the former associate dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Health at Ball State University in Indiana, where she also served as a professor of Nutrition and Dietetics, a department chair, and interim dean. An award-winning educator, mentor, and clinician/ practitioner, she was initially drawn to the field of nutrition because of a desire to help people.
We asked Dr. Kandiah five questions about her experiences so far and her plans for Central.
A CONVERSATION WITH THE NEW DEAN
By LESLIE VIROSTEK
You spent more than 30 years at your previous university. What drew you to Central?
I think what interested me more than anything else is it is student, faculty, and community focused. The other aspect was related to student success — it’s noteworthy that 53 percent of our students are first-generation students — and diversity. And when I say diversity I mean diversity, equity, inclusiveness, sense of belonging, and social justice.
As a clinician and a researcher, I know it is important to tie evidence-based research into practice, so students are competent. At my previous institution I was very instrumental in forming the College of Health, which I enjoyed tremendously, as it was a team effort toward the educational and professional advancement of students via interprofessional education and practice (i.e. learning about, from, and with one another), which contributed to the health and well-being of the community. I’m ready for new challenges. I was waiting for the right time, and I thought this would be a per fect fit.
What’s your vision for the new college?
My hopes and dreams for the college would be that we should be AGILE: Adaptable to the changes, in terms of demographics, technology, and workforce trends; Grounded in health care and industry-best practices; Innovative in terms of curriculum, scholarship, and student programming; Leadership-focused, and that means looking at students’ career success, working with alumni, business development, and community engagement. And finally making sure we are Entrepreneurial in mindset, operations, and vision.
You have been a champion of experiential
learning. What role do you see it playing at the new college?
When I talk about experiential learning, in my mind, it’s about hands-on, high-impact practices such as first-year experiences, creative projects, research, global initiatives, internships, service learning, community-based projects, and practicums, and we are very well positioned to advance in these areas. We not only have academics but also the Community Health Education Clinic that is an outstanding conduit to provide interprofessional educational outreach services.
My goal would be to have students from diverse healthcare disciplines working together to solve real-world problems. To give an example, a Social Work student working with an Exercise Science student or a Counseling student in providing patientcentered healthcare and social services to diverse populations. In short, our students become fully competent and highly marketable in a competitive healthcare workforce.
How would you describe your leadership style?
I’m a servant and a transformational leader who likes to collaborate. I’m a compassionate go-getter — meaning no problem is unsolvable — and I lead by example. For me, honesty and transparency are very important, and one must have mutual respect and be inclusive of everyone. I truly like the shared governance philosophy, so making sure everybody at all levels is involved. The other thing is I use data to make informed decisions in advocating and supporting for the greater good, keeping in mind: What are the university’s strategic goals? What are the plans and vision for the college? It is important that all these points align together.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?
The most rewarding thing is making sure that people are successful. And success — professional or personal — is defined differently for different people. What is most gratifying for me is making sure that everybody achieves their dream, and if I can be a conduit to help them reach their full potential — whether it be a student, faculty member, staff, or the public — that is all that matters. We forget that all of us are in this world momentarily, and so I’m always striving and determined to be the best edition of myself.
— Leslie Virostek
A look back at the last few years at Central offers more than a glimpse of rear-view successes. A promising future also comes into focus thanks to numerous efforts undertaken last year by President Toro, faculty, students, staff, and our community partners. From national nods for great academic programs to innovations that set the university apart from its peers, more business, industry, and government leaders than ever have taken note of the special things going on at Central.
From several news stories, we selected some major accomplishments to share that made 2023 and 2024 a remarkable time at Central.
A ROUND-UP OF GOOD NEWS FOR CENTRAL
50 years of Polish Studies
Central kicked off a year-long 50th anniversary celebration for its Polish Studies program in June 2023. Established in 1974, the Polish Studies Program works to inform the larger community of Americans about the “history, culture, achievements, language, art, films, and everything else that makes Poland, Poland,” according to Polish Studies Chair Mieczyslaw B. Biskupski.
Leading the way in digital equity
Governor Lamont issued a proclamation on Sept. 25, 2023, lauding efforts by Central and the Consolidated School District of New Britain to promote digital equity and innovation in education through esports. The proclamation cited “the success of the collaborative efforts of Central Connecticut State University, the Consolidated School District of New Britain, and Worldwide Youth Networks (in creating an) innovative ecosystem for experiential learning.”
Big endorsements for Cybersecurity
On. Nov. 15, 2023, the National Security Agency awarded Central its designation of National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) through academic year 2028.
Central became eligible for CAE-CD designation in June 2023, after the NSA validated the university’s Cyber Defense academic program. The program is one of three tracks available to Cybersecurity majors at Central.
In late August, the Cybersecurity program received a new designation from NSA—this time as a National Center of Academic
Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO). The CAE-CO designation is awarded to institutions that offer deeply technical, interdisciplinary higher education programs, grounded in the computer science, computer engineering, and/or electrical engineering disciplines, with opportunities for hands-on applications via labs and exercises.
Sielawko Suite opens at AIH
Central thanked a generous donor on Oct. 26, 2023, when university leadership revealed the John Eismont and Anna Sielawko Advising Suite at the university’s Applied Innovation Hub. Sielawko committed to a gift of $500,000 in January 2022 to establish the John Eismont and Anna Sielawko Engineering Scholarship Fund, which supports scholarships for Central undergraduates who are pursuing studies in the field of engineering.
Central makes Compact to launch local sustainability projects
Central Connecticut State University joined forces with the national nonprofit Campus Compact on Nov. 10, 2023, to create and promote sustainability projects in the New Britain community to mitigate climate change.
Campus Compact is a national coalition of colleges and universities committed to higher education civic and community engagement. Central is one of the nine inaugural host sites for the Campus Climate Action Corps program, which aims to build the capacity of campuses and their community partners to increase energy efficiency and make other improvements on behalf of underserved households and groups.
(Right) Representatives from Hanwha Aerospace USA met with President Toro to sign an agreement on Dec. 12, 2023.
Hanwha makes a pledge
During a visit to campus on Dec. 12, 2023, Hanwha Aerospace USA signed an agreement with the Central Connecticut State University Foundation to pledge $200,000 over the next four years. The pledge will support a Mechanical Engineering lab on the third floor of the Applied Innovation Hub at Central. The lab provides engineering and technology students with a space and the tools to collaborate on advanced engineering projects.
STEM School of Excellence
The International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEAA) named Central a 2023-24 STEM School of Excellence on Dec. 15, 2023, citing the university’s “outstanding commitment to providing a robust Integrative experience through STEM programs.” Central was among only six universities to receive the designation for 2023-24. ITEEA noted, “These institutions are providing a meaningful STEM education experience for students and inspire others to learn effective best practices and instructional strategies to enhance their own programs. These schools serve as a model and inspiration to their communities.”
Central joins AmeriCorps Schools of National Service program
Central was named an AmeriCorps School of National Service on March 28. In recognition of the value of their service, the Schools of National Service initiative provides students who have served in AmeriCorps with incentives and awards that encourage them to attend a member institution. Central will award five matching scholarships of up to $2,000 annually to all qualified students who have participated in the AmeriCorps program. The scholarships will be awarded to applicants with academic potential, demonstrated involvement in community activities, and leadership experience.
A big Achievement
Central and Junior Achievement, Southwest New England Inc., signed an agreement on April 22 that will enable local high school students to earn academic credits at Central. The three-year agreement applies to high school students who are taking Junior Achievement (JA) courses at participating high schools. JA courses cover various topics across its core content areas of financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship.
Anna Sielawko stands at the entrance to the John Eismont and Anna Sielawko Advising Suite at the Applied Innovation Hub on Oct. 26, 2023.
Above, Robotics students work in a specialized lab at AIH.
NEW FACILITIES WRAP UP WITH RIBBON-CUTTINGS
President Toro’s ceremonial scissors might need sharpening after a very busy season of ribbon-cuttings.
It all started on July 23, when the campus community cut a ceremonial ribbon to open Henry Barnard Hall after extensive renovations and construction.
Technically, the Barnard Hall project wrapped up in December 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic postponed the university’s plans to celebrate the new space. Barnard Hall now serves as the centralized home of the university’s School of Education.
As the university kicked off its 175th anniversary year, the Central family planned a series of ribbon-cutting ceremonies to celebrate the teamwork and drive that guided several new construction and renovation projects that were completed on campus over the last few years. Several of the projects were included in the university’s Master Plan of 1999.
In all, seven ribbon-cuttings ushered in a new era of innovation on the Central campus.
Applied Innovation Hub: Sept. 16, 2024
This new 93,000-square-foot building serves as the home of the School of Engineering,Science, and Technology. AIH features the first XR lab in the state of Connecticut among several other specialty labs for STEM classes.
Artificial Intelligence Corridor: Oct. 28, 2024
After extensive renovations at Vance Academic Center, the new AI Corridor includes three classrooms and a specialized AI research room that features an isolated AI server, a meeting space, a robot dog, and an Autonomous Digital Human. Central has established a groundbreaking partnership with Holovisn and Synth Studios to develop the first holographic synthetic human in a higher education institution in the nation.
Burritt Library Annex: Oct. 15, 2024
Renovations and construction added new classrooms, labs, study space, and offices to the Elihu Burritt Library. The structure incorporates sustainable wooden timber within the classrooms and labs to reflect Central’s commitment to a green campus. State architects say the Library Annex is the first state-funded construction project of this kind in in Connecticut.
Central Welcome Center: Aug. 5, 2024
The Central Welcome Center is the former site of Charter Oak State College. CWC serves as a visitor’s center for the university and houses the offices of Admissions and Institutional Advancement along with the Alumni Association.
College of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences/Community Health Education Clinic: Aug 19, 2024
This dedicated space in Copernicus Hall provides hands-on experience to students in related academic programs and serves the Greater New Britain community.
Cybersecurity Hall: Oct. 7, 2024
The first floor of Maria Sanford Hall has been reimagined as the Cybersecurity Hall. The space features two advanced classrooms equipped with wall displays, whiteboards, and computers tailored for Cybersecurity classes, and two renovated conference rooms.
Henry Barnard Hall: July 23, 2024
A 9,500-square-foot addition was designed in the Georgian style and blended with architecture of Davidson Hall and Willard-DiLoreto Hall. Renovations to the existing building included new corridor walls, display cabinets, information centers, electrical and ceiling work, and sprinkler and fire alarm upgrades.
1959
CLASS NOTES
1959
Nancy Lewis ’59 published “Smiling at Strangers: How One Introvert Discovered the Power of Being Kind” (Bookbaby) on Jan. 4, 2021.
1962
Barbara Lauretano ’62 retired after 47 years of teaching in the Trumbull school system. She has relocated to Toronto, about three blocks from her daughter. Lauretano says, “I have so many wonderful memories of my years at Central. A big hello to my friends from the class of 1962.”
1966
The Alumni Association presented its Community Service Award to David Ross BA ’66, MS ’71 during a reception at Alumni Hall on May 16, 2024. The award recognizes alumni and friends of Central who make significant contributions to the advancement of the university and bring positive recognition to Central.
1972
The Alumni Association presented its Distinguished Philanthropist Award to Dennis P. Flynn during a reception at Alumni Hall on May 16, 2024. The award honors an alumnus who has demonstrated a commitment to philanthropy within the university community and beyond.
1973
Joyce Gagnon McAloon, retired Southington Elementary Teacher (2018), was elected in October 2021 as international vice president of the International Honorary Women’s Educator Organization Northeast Region. McAloon served in this position for the 2021 – 2023 biennium.
1974
The Alumni Association presented its Distinguished Alumni Service Award to Michael J. D’Amato during a reception at Alumni Hall on May 16, 2024. The award recognizes Central graduates for professional excellence and outstanding service to the university, the Alumni Association, and to the community since graduation.
1975
Random House Studio released “If You Were a Garbage Truck or Other Big-Wheeled Worker!” by Diane Ohanesian ’75 on Feb. 22, 2022. Ohanesian also published “Panda’s Magical Kite Adventure” (Clever Publishing) on Nov. 2, 2021.
Dr. Leeann Teal-Rutkovsky ’75 is a contributing author to “Challenges in the Fashion Industry: Civilization Crisis, Decolonization, Cultural Legacy, and Transitions,” published in 2023 by Springer.
1976
Nancy A. Thomas ’76 was elected to the Norwich Arts Center’s Board of Directors in February 2022 and served on the board for two years. Thomas is the finance director for Atlantic Broadband.
1978
Black Rose Writing released “Landscape of a Marriage” by Gail Ward Olmsted ’78 on July 29, 2021.
1983
Governor Ned Lamont nominated Ramona Mercado-Espinoza ’83 to serve as a Connecticut Superior Court judge on Feb. 24, 2022.
1984
Penguin Random House SEA released “Where were you? A Profile of Modern Slavery” by Matthew Friedman on Oct. 26, 2021.
1985
In May 2023, Dr. Kristine Larsen ’85 received the designation of Connecticut State University Professor. Dr. Larsen, a professor of Geological Sciences, joins a select group of professors in the CSCU system who hold the title. Faculty chosen for this award demonstrate excellence in teaching, a record of outstanding scholarship, and service to the university community.
1986
O’Leary Publishing released “The PRISE Life: Protein Pacing for Optimal Health and Performance” by Dr. Paul J. Arciero on Jan. 9, 2020.
Governor Ned Lamont appointed former Danbury mayor Mark Boughton to serve as the Commissioner of Department of Revenue Services on Dec. 16, 2020. Boughton is a senior advisor to the governor on infrastructure.
Officers from the International Shrine Clown Association awarded Donald M. Casey Jr. ’86 with a Red Nose Award on May 12, 2023. The award is given to Shrine Temple Clowns who raise funds for the International Shrine Clown Association Sneaker Fund.
The International Association of Registered Financial Consultants presented Robert Laraia ’86 with its 2022 Founder’s Award, which recognizes members who possess clean regulatory records. Laraia is a founding partner at North Star Wealth Partners in West Hartford.
1988
Cladach Publishing released “Bible Poems for Reflection and Response” by Donna Marie Merritt ’88, ’95 on Sept. 1, 2020.
1989
Louis Lefevre ’89 was inducted into the East Haven High School Alumni Association Hall of Fame in November 2021. Lefevre was a starting point guard for the East Haven boys’ basketball team during his junior and senior years. As a varsity boys’ basketball coach, Lefevre led four high schools to their most successful seasons in program history.
1990
Teresa Knox ’90 retired on May 3, 2024, as executive vice president, chief operations and experience officer at American Eagle Financial Credit Union. Knox joined the team at American Eagle in 2003.
1992
Michelle Halloran Gilman was appointed by Governor Ned Lamont in February 2022 to serve as the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services.
1993
The Southington Public School District recently named Patricia Pettit, who teaches multilingual pupils at Southington High School, its 2024-25 Southington Teacher of the Year.
Michael J. D’Amato
Michelle Halloran Gilman
1994
The Maine Community Foundation appointed Michele Camarco ’94 as vice president of finance and chief financial officer on March 31, 2021. Camarco is responsible for the review, analysis, and evaluation of the day-to-day finances of the foundation.
Heidi Hoskinson MS ’94 was selected on Feb. 22, 2021, to serve as vice president for Enrollment Management at Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas.
Yolanda Bronston was named head Women’s Basketball coach at Eagles View Academy in Jacksonville, Fla., in June 2023. Bronston also was inducted into the Blacksburg (Virginia) High School Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022 and selected as the Florida Athletic Coaches Association District 6 Coach of the Year every year from 2018 to 2023.
Lynne Ewing was promoted to senior people success manager at the Ulta Beauty Dallas distribution center in March 2024.
1996
The Town of East Windsor appointed Matthew J. Carl as East Windsor chief of police in May 2023. Carl has served with the East Windsor Police Department since 1996.
1998
Laura Gremelsbacker ’98 was named the vice president of marketing and branding at NBC10 Boston, NBC Sports Boston, Telemundo Boston, and NECN on Aug. 11, 2021.
Cynthia Joseph Riccio ’98, ’07 was selected as the programs and planning director at the New Haven Museum in September 2023.
2000
Matthew Landon ’00, CPA, EA, MSAT, was promoted to tax principal at Baker Newman Noyes in February 2022. Landon works at BNN’s Woburn, Mass., office.
2001
The Town of Ellington appointed Matthew Reed as its inaugural town administrator in August 2023.
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company named Ying Yu, MA ’01, as its inaugural head of sustainability in 2021. In this role, she oversees MassMutual’s environmental, social, and governance efforts.
2002
Hartford Public Library Director of Public Services Marie Jarry ’02 received the 2022 national Sullivan Award for Public Library Administrators Supporting Services to Children. The award recognizes individuals who show exceptional understanding and support of public library service to children while maintaining administrative responsibilities.
2004
J.J. Alo published “The Street Between the Pines” on March 24, 2023. The book won the 2024 President’s Book Award in the Thriller/Horror category from the Florida Authors & Publishers Association, and it was a finalist
in the 2023 Chanticleer Paranormal Book Awards in Supernatural Fiction.
Jason Daniels ’04, ’11 was named Manchester’s 2022 Teacher of the Year. Daniels is a Vocational Education teacher at Manchester Regional Academy.
Jeremy Pollutro ’04 published “Who’s Who in New York Baseball: The All-Time Greatest Players” (Kindle Direct Publishing) in 2021.
2005
Dr. James Carlson ’05, ’06 was elected on Nov. 7, 2023, to a two-year term as president of the Connecticut Technology and Engineering Educators Association.
2006
The Greenwich Public Schools announced on May 4, 2022, the appointment of Dana Firmender ’06 as principal of the International School at Dundee in Riverside.
2007
Stephen Dexter ’07 (below) made his Broadway debut as an understudy in “The Shark is Broken,” a comedy that opened in August 2023 at the John Golden Theatre. Dexter served as understudy for the three lead actors.
2008
Jesse M. Gomes ’08, ’09 was named assistant executive director of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association in January 2024.
The Consolidated School District of New Britain named Quentin McDougald the 2024 Teacher of the Year in June.
Fulton Books, Inc. released “Follow Me to Distance Learning” by Agnieszka Petlik ’08 on June 3, 2021.
Stephen Dexter ’07
Laura Gremelsbaker, ’98
Lynn Ewing, ’95
2009
Michael Boucher ’09, ’13 was named assistant principal of Schaghticoke Middle School in February 2022. Before his appointment, Boucher was director of school counseling at Shepaug Valley School in Washington, Conn.
Yorkshire Publishing released “The Survival Guide for Christians Living in a Fallen World” by Melvin Douglas Wilson ’09 in October 2021.
2010
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers/ AASLH released “Exploring Women’s Suffrage through 50 Historic Treasures” by Jessica D. Jenkins, MS ’10, in April 2020.
2011
Central Connecticut State University presented the 2024 Dr. Stuart Bennett Alumni Award to Jeremy Libby of Ridgefield at its annual Construction Alumni & Friends awards on April 23. Libby is the real estate operations lead at Google. The award recognizes alumni with at least five years’ experience in the construction industry who have a record of service to the construction community.
Central Connecticut State University presented the 2024 Dr. Stuart Bennett Alumni Award to Jacqueline Laramee, vice president of NDC Commercial Construction, at its annual Construction Alumni & Friends awards on April 23. The award recognizes alumni with at least five years’ experience in the construction industry who have a record of service to the construction community.
The Alumni Association presented its Young Alumni Service Award to Shayne Koplowitz ’11, MS ’14 during a reception at Alumni Hall on May 16, 2024. The award recognizes graduates age 40 and younger for professional excellence and outstanding service to the university, the Alumni Association, and the community.
Kevin Pellegatto ’11 was named 2021 Project Manager of the Year by the Associated General Contractors of Connecticut.
Pellegatto is a senior project manager at Gilbane Building Company.
2012
Gabbie Barnes ’12 was named a 2023 Connecticut Arts Hero. The designation honors Connecticut residents who are doing inspiring things in, for, or through the arts in Connecticut Barnes is the branch manager at the Windsor Public Library; a member of the City of Hartford Cultural Affairs Commission; and a board member for the Windsor Art Center.
2013
Daniel Vega ’13 joined the Milwaukee Brewers organization as an assistant strength and conditioning specialist in November 2021. Before his move to Milwaukee, Vega spent the previous six seasons as a minor league strength and conditioning coach in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.
2014
Carrie Robinson ’14 was named manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at ESPN in June 2022.
2015
Alexandra Castillo ’15 successfully completed the Federal Probation and Pretrial Academy on Feb. 9, 2022. The academy is housed at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Charleston, S.C. Lt. Brian C. Eckblom MS ’15 was named deputy chief of the South Windsor Police Department in January 2021. He has been an officer with the department since 2004.
Watertown Public Schools selected Chelsie Guerrera, a Mathematics teacher at Watertown High School, as the 2022-2023 District Teacher of the Year.
OKAY Industries promoted Redi Nasto ’15 to laser technologies manager in 2023. In this role, Nasto leads and manages all laser technologies and processes.
2016
Mackenzie Keyes was named an assistant softball coach at UConn in July 2023. In her first season as the hitting coach, she was instrumental in the Huskies success at the plate, coaching four players above a .300 batting average and five players with six or more home runs. Under her guidance, UConn tied the program record for doubles (73) that was set in 2008.
2018
Joshua Rivera ’18 was elected to the Middlesex United Way Board of Directors in February 2021.
2019
Shannon Durfee ’19 and Vin Poggio ’19 are engaged to be married on Sept. 12, 2025. The couple met at Seth North Hall on the Central campus, and Poggio proposed to Durfee in the same place on Aug. 5, 2023. “Central gave us some of the best years of our lives,” Durfee says. “We made a big group of lifelong friends at Seth North, and we wouldn’t be where we are without meeting everyone and each other back in 2015. We couldn’t be more grateful for the time we had in college.”
Laura Kelley ’19 was named the 2024 School Counselor of the Year by the Connecticut School Counselor Association. Kelley is a counselor at Maple Hill Elementary School in Naugatuck.
2020
Katie Barnicle ’20, ’22 was selected in December 2021 as a Leaders Investigating Mathematics Evidence (LIME) Ph.D. Scholar at the University of Texas. As a LIME Ph.D. Scholar, Barnicle was granted a $250,000 scholarship to complete her doctorate, which will focus on teaching and assessment of mathematics for children with disabilities.
2021
Teddy Rainville ’21 launched a new app, Roomistry, on May 1, 2024. The app uses an algorithm to create a list of potentially compatible roommates for users in various cities.
Teddy Rainville ’21
Lt. Brian C. Eckblom, MS ’15
Shannon Durfee, ’19 and Vin Poggio, ’19
Shayne Koplowitz
Upward progression
Director and screenwriter Rashad Frett ’09 lives by the acronym PIK: Progression is Key. And despite the economic hardships and social injustices the Central alumnus faced growing up in Hartford, he has never lost focus on his goals and has kept moving steadily forward.
Last year, the talent agency WME signed Frett, whose short film “Ricky” debuted in the Short Film program of the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
Frett was accepted into the prestigious NYU Tisch Graduate Film program and received his MFA in May 2021.
Since then, Frett’s work has garnered multiple awards and nominations, among them a BAFTA - HBO scholarship, a Martin Scorsese Young Filmmakers scholarship, a DGA Student Film Award, the BET Blackhouse Foundation Fellowship at Sundance, and a Spike Lee Production Fellowship. He is also the recipient of a Cary Fukunaga Production Fund award; Ryan Murphy’s HALF Initiative Director Shadowing fellowship; and he was selected for Filmmaker Magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film” for 2023.
Frett is currently working on a full-length version of “Ricky,” the story of an ex-offender struggling with his new freedom.
— Amy J. Barry
Audette ’16 revs up the motorcycle world
After serving five and a half years in the Marine Corps — including a sevenmonth deployment in Afghanistan — Tony Audette was ready to shift gears.
When he enrolled at Central Connecticut State University in 2012, Audette selected Mechanical Engineering Technology as his major. He liked to fix things, and it seemed doable to the former heavy machine gunner, who says he was not a huge fan of school. But his academic advisor, Dr. Luz Amaya, pushed back, insisting that he could become a mechanical engineer.
“I don’t think I can do the math,” Audette told her.
Amaya responded, “College is where you learn the math.”
Audette would go on to graduate in 2016 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and launch his own motorcycle manufacturing company. Today he calls that exchange with Amaya a conversation that changed the entire course of his life.
“It really didn’t occur to me that I could make and design things. I learned how to learn,” he says.
Founded in 2019, Audette Motorcycles manufactures aftermarket specialty parts and a single motorcycle model: the Velos “American superbike.” Inspired by
the leaner, simpler bikes of the early 20th century, Audette engineered it with a focus on performance, with 128 horsepower and 156 foot-pounds of torque.
Scan the QR code to read the rest of this story online.
— Leslie Virostek
Open enrollment at University of Dope
Can you name all the members of the Wu Tang Clan? You might be a perfect candidate for University of Dope, an interactive party game for hip hop and R&B lovers.
Luckily, the game, created by A.V. Perkins ‘08 and Marian Andoh-Clarke, is available nationwide, after Target picked it up for national distribution in 2023.
Its creators say University of Dope is not a trivia game but a strategy game geared toward people with a working knowledge of hip-hop music. It intends to encourage passionate discussions and bridge the gap between oldschool and new-school fans. It’s been played by the biggest names in hip-hop, including Method Man, Redman, and FunkMaster Flex, among others.
“People love it because they can play it intergenerationally,” Perkins notes. “Parents use it as a tool to teach their children about the music they grew up with. People are playing it in all different parts of the country. They’re playing it on military bases. We’re shipping it all over.”
On May 11, Central celebrated the accomplishments of its graduating class at the annual commencement ceremony. In honor of the university’s 175th anniversary, three distinguished alumni served as guest commencement speakers, with each representing a different decade of Central’s history.
Dr. Peter Rosa ’68, ’74 shared his insights and wisdom with the graduating class. With a successful career in academia and a profound commitment to community service, Rosa’s address inspired graduates to pursue their passions with dedication and integrity.
Larry Hall ’89, ’96 took the podium next to impart his experiences since his years as a student at Central. As director of Recruitment
and Admissions at Central, Hall’s speech resonated with graduates as he was the one to admit them. He encouraged them to embrace challenges and seize opportunities with courage and determination.
Wyatt Bosworth ’17 shared his journey of personal and professional growth since leaving Central. With a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, Bosworth’s address inspired graduates to question what they see, embrace change, harness their creativity, and make a positive impact in their respective fields.
From left, Larry Hall, President Zulma R. Toro, Dr. Peter Rosa, and Wyatt Bosworth.
IN MEMORIAM
Alumni who earned two or more degrees at Central are listed first by their undergraduate graduation year. Graduates of the post-graduate programs only are denoted with an “MA,” “MS,” or “6th-year” and listed under their graduation year. Former faculty and staff are marked with an asterisk.
1940
Marian Klatt Markovich McIlvin; Nov. 3, 2021
1943
Jacob Zalman Bass; June 28, 2023
Claire Goodwin; Aug. 13, 2022
1945
Esther M. Eddy; July 18, 2022
1946
Marjorie Bertha Zehrer Anderson; Feb. 16, 2022
Mildred Emily Reed; March 25, 2023
1947
Florence Cohn; Jan. 29, 2022
Gabriella Pellegrino Garrity; March 25, 2023
1948
Catherine (Jones) McGuiness; July 9, 2021
1949
Patricia M. Mahakian; Dec. 23, 2022
Irene B. Smith; Nov. 26, 2020
1950
James D. Killian; November 8, 2022
Casimir P. Kovalaski; Feb. 7, 2021
William Kramer; June 19, 2021
Robert Thomas MacBain; July 17, 2021
Ludmila Komeck Sabatiuk; Dec. 19, 2023
1951
Rose Rudek; Jan. 28, 2024; MS ’70
1952
Edward M. Kirby; Feb. 1, 2021
Nancy Van Zandt Miller; Aug. 11, 2022; MS ’77
Amaryllis (Swanson) Cicero, Oct. 19, 2022
Anne Stachelek Burke Chussil; Oct. 10, 2022
Estelle (Breton) Sawtelle; Dec. 25, 2022; MS ’75
1953
Elizabeth Alice Adams; Feb. 24, 2022
Robert O. Blake June 11, 2021
Leah Kaplan; Dec. 22, 2021
1954
Walter Michael Conklin; April 17, 2024
Sophia B. Costas; Aug. 30, 2023
Estelle S. Freed; May 11, 2023
Donald Thomas Gallucci; Dec. 5, 2022
Patricia Hanbury; Sept. 19, 2022
Dr. David Joseph Kane; May 22, 2022
James Sheldon Landon Jr.; Jan. 25, 2024
Emil Ostrowski; Dec. 31, 2023
Mildred (Corn) Stein; Jan. 28, 2023
Joyce Gray Witik; June 7, 2023
1955
Janice E. D’Orio; Aug. 10, 2022
Frances J. Farley; Jan. 18, 2021
Salvatore Natale Gionfriddo; Oct. 9, 2022
Richard E. Haines; March 29, 2023
John Szandrocha; Feb. 18, 2023; MS ’68
Gertrude (Wilde) Wedler; Oct. 21, 2023; MS ’78
1956
Dr. Bettye Fletcher Comer; June 2, 2022
James C. Cousins; March 26, 2023
Henry F. Grabowski; July 26, 2021
Maureen A. Grom; Jan. 4, 2024
Robert Graham Hale Sr.; May 31, 2023; MS ’65
Frank S. Laudano Jr.; May 1, 2024
Joseph Roland Marquis; Sept. 24, 2023
Joseph “Jake” Salafia; Jan. 5, 2021
Patricia Taylor Szemplinski; Feb. 4, 2024
1957
Lucy (Giuliano) Ashline; Dec. 30, 2022
Barbara (Milardo) Carlone; Dec. 5, 2022
Ronald Martino; July 16, 2022
Ronald Mark Pringle; Feb. 19, 2022*
Sandy Rich; March 11, 2021*
Lucy Ann Saglio; Aug. 26, 2021; MS ’65
1958
Anthony J. Antonelli; Jan. 10, 2021; MS ’65
Jean (Pulcinella) Dufrat; July 21, 2021; MS ’79
George A. Geyer; Sept. 4, 2021*
1959
Peter Michael Curry; May 24, 2024
George A. Eagleson; Feb. 5, 2023
Raymond Howard Foberg; Jan. 24, 2024
Katherine Ryan Martin; June 11, 2024
Linda Belle Peck; July 30, 2024
Jerome James Ryscavage Jr.; Jan. 19, 2024
Shirley Ann (Cronin) Tosatti; May 10, 2024
1960
Randall J. Stack; June 22, 2021; MS ’68;
Roy Peter Sullivan; March 22, 2023 MS ’66
John Webster ’60; March 15, 2021*
Jane Horton Welch; March 2, 2024; MS ’67
1961
Paul L. Cipriano; April 5, 2022; sixth-year ’85
Julia (Reynolds) Kasprow; July 8, 2023
David M. Mordavsky; Dec. 16, 2021; MS ’70
David R. Turkington; April 24, 2023
1962
Jerome P. Albino; Nov. 24, 2022; MS ’68
Robert Dwyer Casey Sr.; Nov. 23, 2021
Elaine (Schmidt) Chesley; Dec. 21, 2020
Alexander Hall; April 12, 2023
Richard D. Peoples; Sept. 3, 2021
William J. Ross Jr.; Aug. 10, 2020
Bruce Malcolm Royce; Sept. 14, 2022
Gloria Jean (Lestini) Talarico; Jan. 22, 2024
Julian Wojtusik; Aug. 13, 2022*
1963
Ronald Louis Bucari Sr.; Nov. 28, 2022; MS
Janice A. Burrill; Aug. 31, 2021
Carol Georgietti Gigerenzer; July 3, 2023
Bobby Lee Gioscia Aug. 27, 2021; MS Deacon Carmelo A. Guzzardi; Aug. 23, 2021
Joan P. Harpie; July 21, 2024; MS ‘71
William S. Laros; June 21, 2022
James E. Lee; March 19, 2024
Beverly (Valade) Negip; March 30, 2021
Loren William Schave; June 30, 2023
Agnes (Hendry) Sedgwick; Jan. 16, 2021; MS ’70
1964
Ross Robert “Mick” Aiello Jr.; Feb. 24, 2023
Joan Coleman Carenzo; Dec. 4, 2023
Virginia (Tassi) Degner; June 2, 2021
Girard “Jerry” Gannotti; Sept. 25, 2021
Kathleen Carolyn Guerrera; Feb. 15, 2021
William P. Mecca; Aug. 7, 2021
Dr. Spenser Bruce Rohrlick; April 14, 2021
Deanna Rose Stango Tucker; Sept. 14, 2021
1965
Gary T. Burt; Jan. 28, 2023
George Brady Drumm; Jan. 2, 2023
Patricia Marion (Stenberg) Zimmerman; May 19, 2024; 6thyear ’90
Robert Martin; June 27, 2023
Maureen Elizabeth Murphy; Dec. 11, 2020
John E. O’Neill; June 28, 2021; MS ’65
John David Piscitello; July 21, 2023
William A. Reagan; Aug. 24, 2022
Margaret (Delaporta) Santerre; July 26, 2021
John E. Symons; July 18, 2022
1966
Mary (Byrne) Goggin; July 21, 2022
William J. Monaghan; May 10, 2022; MS ’68; 6th-year ’76
Roger Patrick Plante; Feb. 20, 2023
Nancy Miller Reale; Sept. 5, 2022 (MS)
1967
R. James Latimer Jr.; Jan. 13, 2024; MS
Ellen Mickel; Jan. 1, 2022; MS ’71
Thomas A. Penna; May 30, 2023; MS
Robert Stachelek; Nov. 15, 2023; MS ’72
1968
Janice Carlson; July 6, 2022; MS ’76
Patricia Steffens Clark; April 25, 2021; MS
Archangelo Anthony D’Amato; Sept. 1, 2024
John Adrian Doyle Jr.; June 19, 2022
Paula Erickson; Dec. 9, 2023; MS ’74
Leo J. Gillis; May 2, 2023; MS
Carol Goselin Lis; Feb. 4, 2024
Joseph V. Maggipinto; Aug. 29, 2022; MS
Claudia Gardino Peronace; Aug. 10, 2024
Salvatore James Petrella; Oct. 21, 2023
Sharon Ann Pilz; June 15, 2023
Lydia (Follandri) Rydel; Feb. 23, 2023; MS ’70
Louis Eugene Stypinski, Dec. 2, 2021
1969
Lynda Ellen Chaco; April 2, 2022
Stephen T. Cieslewski; July 21, 2022
Vaughn A. Clark; Aug. 20, 2022; MS
Ray Armand DeCormier; May 1, 2022*
Justine R. Dennis; Aug. 3, 2021
Michael T. Fiore; April 25, 2023 (MS)
Edna N. Hansen; Dec. 17, 2020; MS ’73
Barbara Janet Caserta King; June 2, 2023
Stephanie B. Kwasnicki; Feb. 15, 2023
Robert F. Malley; June 23, 2023
Emanuel “Manny” Masselli; Dec. 19, 2023
Lucinda C. Meehan; April 22, 2024
Ruth F. Meusel; April 18, 2023; MS ’72
Frederick A. Peterson Jr.; June 25, 2023; MS ’72
Bernard W. Petkis Jr.; May 14, 2024; MS ’79
Salvatrice “Sally” Schultze; June 15, 2021
David Sirman; Tuesday, July 19, 2022; MS
Robert N. Stack; Sept. 22, 2022; MS
Joel Anthony Wilks; Oct. 16, 2022; MS ’86
1970
Michael Andrew Beresky; Nov. 4, 2022
Nancy Lee Johns Utman Bolgard; July 2, 2021; MS ’79
Robert Roland Couture; May 22, 2023; MS ’77
Katharine Elisabeth Farkes; July 23, 2023
Dr. William Joseph Gauthier Jr.; June 30, 2021; MS ’70
Marie Hopkins; Jan. 3, 2023; MS ’73*
Judith (Carrier) Igielski; Dec. 16, 2021
Chester Jasenski; Feb. 27, 2021 (MS)
Mary E. LeBlanc; June 13, 2024
Daniel W. Mahoney, Dec. 14, 2022
Ronald James McNamee; July 2, 2023
Michelangelo “Mike” Mirabelli; July 16, 2023
James Francis Moriarty; May 22, 2023
Philip Edward Mullen Jr.; Aug. 16, 2022
Barbara Ostertag; April 3, 2024
Peter H. Richards; Oct. 23, 2022
Robert Martin Wall; Jan. 26, 2023
1971
Arthur Adolfson; March 10, 2024; MS ’73*
Thomas Caputo; May 23, 2022; MS ’76
Karen M. DiTomasso; Nov. 29, 2022
Nicholas Economopoulos; May 26, 2022
Henry Russell Hague Jr.; Aug. 19, 2021
Richard Hamasian Jr.; Aug. 11, 2022
Diane (Rutkowski) Harrigan; March 15, 2023
Michael E. Herring; May 19, 2023
Salvatore Marrocco; June 21, 2024
Jerry M. McGurkin; Feb. 17, 2023
CarolAnne Mocarski; May 10, 2022
Lenore “Lee” Pandolfe; Feb. 27, 2024
Elizabeth F. Roden; Oct. 4, 2024; MS ’76
Enrico A. Santoro; July 7, 2022; MS ’81
John Paul Scavone; Aug. 24, 2023
Theodora “Teddy” Skoczylas; August 10, 2024; MS ’76
Raymond D. Szymanski; July 17, 2024
Joseph John Wisniewski; June 11, 2023; MS ’76
1972
Carol Jean Speer Alexander; March 28, 2023; MS ’80
Ronald G. Boucher; March 27, 2022
Douglas P. Burke; April 20, 2023; MS ’74
William John Cashman; June 17, 2024; 6th-year ’75
William R. Crowther; June 15, 2021
John (Jake) Fagan; July 25, 2022
Charles Addison Gallon; March 4, 2023
Peter L. Gill; Aug. 12, 2022
Elio Gugliotti, May 2, 2021; MS ’80
Lynda H. Korotash; March 31, 2021
Victor Mambruno; June 5, 2024
Donald Joseph Marino; Jan. 14, 2021
George W. McKee; April 9, 2024
Christine McMahon; Nov. 9, 2020
Kathryn Nicola Olschan; Sept. 15, 2021
Theresa C. O’Connor; Sept. 22, 2022; ’78 MS
Sandra L. (Hadvab) Pastuszak; March 13, 2022
Anne Brenda Sherman; Sept. 16, 2024
Margaret (Ginger) Teubner; March 16, 2021
Helen E. (Brown) Tomasello; June 23, 2024
James F. Towne; Oct. 7, 2021
Bruce Wearne; March 11, 2021
Lewis Richard Weiss; July 20, 2021
1973
Annesa (Jacob) Borla; March 11, 2023
Richard C. Bowman; Sept. 10, 2021; MS
Carol Soucy Caldeira; Feb. 24, 2023; MS ’76
Vincent Castro; April 3, 2024
Anthony Cavallo Sr.; June 13, 2022
Jean Ann Cousinow; Aug. 5, 2023
Ann A. Dawson; May 19, 2022
Michael A. DeCarlo; Jan. 3, 2024
Vicky DiMaio; March 4, 2024
Dolores Ann Galasso; Nov. 18, 2021
Nancy (Kane) Hines; Aug. 22, 2021
Brien Edward Malloy; July 31, 2023
Lynn Marie (McGrath) Tata Plummer; Nov. 11, 2021
David M. Provoncha; June 10, 2023
Barbara “Ginger” Reeve; April 30, 2024; MS
Daniel J. Sclare; April 3, 2024; MS ’77, 6th-year ‘81
Darlene G. Stannard; Aug. 16, 2023; MS 1986
Muriel Zeldis; Sept. 26, 2022
1974
Anthony Charles Amodeo Jr.; Dec. 21, 2023
Richard Albert Arsenault; Jan. 6, 2021
Gwendolyn V. Bailey; Aug. 13, 2024
Mary Kate (Kirchberger) Boucher; July 29, 2023; MS
Joseph P. Ciriello Jr.; Aug. 6, 2021; MS ’85
Beverley G. Crompton; June 7, 2024
J. Linda Cutler; Nov. 21, 2023
Roger Stanley Drezek; July 15, 2022
Joseph R. Gonzalez; Feb. 10, 2023
Randall Joseph Smith; Nov. 26, 2020
1975
Barry Raymond Beatty; Dec. 16, 2022
Thomas Lawrence Carrier; April 4, 2022
Virginia F. Doyle; Feb. 5, 2021; MS ’83
Vincent W. “Bill” Danilowicz Jr.; April 16, 2021; MS ’81
Nancy Harvey Ellis Duffy; April 24, 2021
Nancy Eberhardt; Aug. 12, 2021
Steven K. Kelley; July 5, 2022
Carole Lewonczyk; Nov. 2, 2022
Daniel W. O’Grady; March 27, 2022
Gary P. Paliwoda; Aug. 9, 2021
Robert M. Rowlson; July 25, 2022
Dennis Thresher; June 19, 2024
Barbara E. Vassar; March 27, 2023; MS ’76
Anne Marie Wilson; Oct. 12, 2023; MA
Mary Wright; July 15, 2022
Stephen Tracey Woodhouse; Oct. 23, 2022
1975
Elizabeth (Kolodziej) Greene; Dec. 31, 2022
Robert J. Moran; Sept. 17, 2024
Michael Salonia; April 4, 2023
Dennis Thresher; June 19, 2024
1976
Ellen L. Anton; Oct. 18, 2023
James Borkowski; Oct. 9, 2020
Dolores Driscoll Wills; Sept. 25, 2021; MS ’84
Lawrence W. Mielniczuk; Aug. 9, 2022
Richard Gene Notarangelo; April 28, 2024; MS ’86
Mark E. St. Germain; July 6, 2024
Douglas Evans Walker; May 23, 2023
1977
Celeste Louise Caracausa; Nov. 29, 2022
Richard Gumpert Sr.; Jan. 24, 2024
Debra McKenney; June 17, 2024
Susan E. Modrak; May 11, 2021
Peggy Ann Mongellow; Feb. 3, 2022
David O. Neurath; Dec. 5, 2023; MS ’86
1978
Joan Mary Grandieri; March 3, 2023
Thomas T. Haze; March 12, 2022
James Joseph McGill; June 22, 2024
Robert A. Novak; Dec. 8, 2023
Cindy (Holmes) Tyrseck; Dec. 31, 2021
1979
Edward Iadarola; June 14, 2022
Louise Kaestle; March 27, 2024; MS
James P. Nelson; Sept. 17, 2022
Maureen M. Barry Thresher; Aug. 19, 2023
Donna (Ososki) Wood; July 18, 2021
1980
Robert J. Capobianco; March 24, 2021
William W. Conran; June 28, 2022
David P. Houle; March 20, 2023
Brett R. Kwaak Sr.; July 28, 2022
John J. Madden III; Dec. 6, 2023
Ronald C. Messier; Nov. 23, 2022
Michael Stanley Mischak; May 11, 2023
William Charles Rue; May 3, 2024
Marlene (Bloom) Slowenski; Oct. 11, 2022
1981
Marianne Bobrowski; May 10, 2021
Martin John Howard; Sept. 14, 2022
1982
Carol (McCullough) Argazzi; Aug. 12, 2021
James J. Lianos; Feb. 10, 2023
Dianne Lubeski; Feb. 23, 2021
Dolores J. Stolfi; March 26, 2021
1983
Daniel Brennan Hill; March 16, 2022
Christine S. (Santucci) DeCrisanti; Jan. 13, 2023
John Joseph Gentile; July 2, 2024
Michael Lezon; Oct. 6, 2023
Thomas Patrick Mullins; March 27, 2021
Robert Parziale; June 18, 2022
Mary Ellen Pastore; Jan. 25, 2023
William J. Straub; Sept. 23, 2022
1984
Derick J. Caruso; July 11, 2022
Jayne DePole-Bogucki; Aug. 10, 2023; MS
David C. Desmarais; Oct. 11, 2023
1985
Marcia Lou (Witzel) Ayres; Jan. 4, 2024; MS
John Purdy Slason Jr.; November 1, 2023
1986
Steve Knurek; Aug. 8, 2024
Anne (Graham) Maggipinto; July 5, 2021; MS
Roberta McMurray; June 8, 2024
Patricia Jane Morrissey; March 15, 2024
Janice (Gabelmann) Southworth; May 19, 2024
1987
Cornelia (Nina) Porter Ford; May 4, 2021; MS ’87
Carol P. Gadd; Oct. 12, 2021; MS 1987
Bradley Charles Smith; April 25, 2023
1988
Patrice A. (DiGangi) Erickson; April 5, 2024
Richard F. Thorpe Jr.; June 8, 2022
1989
Carolyn Fisher Coffin; July 19, 2022; MS
Claire Ann Eddy; May 26, 2023
Richard S. Gallagher; Aug. 25, 2022
Freida R. Hampton; April 14, 2023
Frederic “Ted” Manchester; May 30, 2023
Andrew M. Norkin; Feb. 28, 2021
Jose L. Rodriguez; May 23, 2021; MS ’01
1990
Joseph Anthony Baginski; July 20, 2022; MS
Robin C. Bova; May 21, 2023
Maureen Lamson; Oct. 27, 2021
William Dobbins Langston; Feb. 17, 2023
Kevin C. Oliva; June 27, 2021; MS ’96*
Carol Marie Fafard Pagano; Nov. 4, 2022
Sandra Whalen Quine; June 9, 2023; MS
1991
Joan Bonnin Herzberg; Aug. 11, 2024
Capt. James D. Kelley; May 9, 2024; MS
William LaMachia; Aug. 30, 2023
Raymond E. Rivard; April 17, 2021; MS
Gwen T. Von Salzen; July 16, 2024
1992
Karen L. Anderson; Oct. 21, 2023; MS
Francis M. Cardello III; April 14, 2021
John A. Dombrowski Jr.; April 23, 2022; MS ’99
Philip S. Ozimek; Oct. 29, 2022
Stephan M. Sen; Aug. 1, 2023
1993
Brian R. Ney; Sept. 15, 2023
William John Niedbala; Dec. 8, 2021
Virginia Ann Olsen; Nov. 22, 2023
Frances Frumin Weiner; May 9, 2021; MA
1994
Michael J. Cirillo IV; Oct. 19, 2023; MS ’98
Robert J. Kane; Feb. 5, 2021
Desmond McAleenan; Feb. 26, 2021
Steven G. Supernaugh; Jan. 29, 2023
Ann Wozniak; July 22, 2023
1995
Dr. Carol Ann-Marie Henry-Smith; Sept. 30, 2023
1997
David Edward Kulak; May 6, 2021
1998
Rosa Freeman Haynes; May 6, 2022
Carol Ann Morano; Feb. 13, 2024; MS ’03*
Jay Christopher Quinlan; Jan. 20, 2024
Ismael Rivera, May 29, 2022; MS
Donald J. Wetzel; June 8, 2022
1999
Joseph Rafael Avitable; Feb. 16, 2024
Jonathan Bates; Dec. 30, 2021
Jonathan Crosby Scudder; Aug. 16, 2024
2000
Nathalie Bodak Dailey; Nov. 23, 2020
Michael P. Kivlin; Nov. 27, 2022
Andrew R. Plona; Jan. 20, 2023
Suswan Speight; Aug. 3, 2022
Laura A. (Zukowski) Sullivan; Sept. 13, 2021
2001
Matthew P. Cooper; MS 2001; June 4, 2021
2002
Steven Martin Casey; Aug. 11, 2022
Marcin A. Grochal; July 12, 2022
Susana (Barraza) Herrick; June 24, 2023
2003
Gregory Chambers; June 22, 2021
Beth A. Longo; Oct. 4, 2023
2004
Heather Lynn (Podzunas) Hogaboom; May 6, 2023
Erik R. Kastner; April 18, 2024
2005
Valerie Alves Alexander; Jan. 25, 2024; 6th-year
Tara Melissa (Piers) Ferrante; Jan. 29, 2024
Christopher Michael Lagassey; Sept. 19, 2023
2007
Michael DePeau; June 29, 2023
Christopher M. Easdon; Sept. 9, 2022
Aaron Matthew Pelletier; May 30, 2024
2008
Noritake Asato; Sept. 13, 2022
Bruce Wood Beeghly; June 2, 2024
Jacob Pietrasz; Sept. 1, 2022
2009
Robert Gideon Nystrom; Aug. 25, 2022; MS
2011
Joshua B. Castellano; Sept. 17, 2021
Maria Elena Lejardi; May 4, 2023
2012
Vincenzo Giliberti, Oct. 22, 2022
Matthew Jensen; Feb. 16, 2023
Kelly Anne Nordstrom; Feb. 7, 2023
2013
Sara DeMonti, Aug. 30, 2021; MS
Shachia Leneata Walton; May 16, 2023
2014
Eric William Jones; May 12, 2022
2015
Gabriel Jose Hernandez; March 24, 2022
2017
Vaughn Craig James; June 8, 2024
2019
Catherine Mary Foster; Dec. 12, 2021
Redion “Redi” Lame; Jan. 19, 2023
Ryan J. White; March 15, 2021
2021
Jack Ryan Bishop; Aug. 3, 2022
Graham Rode; March 26, 2024
James Paul Thalheimer; May 6, 2024
CLASS NOTES AND OTHER UPDATES
KEEP IN TOUCH
Do you have news to share? Alumni are welcome to submit class notes and in memoriam listings any time through the addresses below:
Email: ccsunews@ccsu.edu
U.S. Mail: Class Notes, Office of Marketing & Communications, Central Connecticut State University, 1615 Stanley St., New Britain, CT 06050-4010
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Did you move recently? Make sure we have your updated address by filling out the form at www.ccsu.edu/alumniupdate.
ELEGANCE AND EXCELLENCE
Six hundred guests celebrated Central Connecticut State University’s 175th anniversary in style at “A Legacy of Excellence,” a gala event held at the university on Nov. 2 at the C.J. Huang Recreation Center on campus.
The sold-out event raised more than $600,000 for the CCSU Foundation’s Institutional Enrichment Fund. New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart ’09 and Chief Executive Officer and President of the Travelers Foundation Marlene Ibsen served as co-chairs of the Honorary Committee for the gala. Travelers was the lead Legacy of Excellence sponsor and Stanley Black Decker was the Changing Lives sponsor.
After an evening of dinner and dancing, as well as live and silent auctions, Central President Zulma R. Toro addressed the assembled guests.
“Looking ahead, I am filled with optimism,” Toro said. “With your support, we will continue to cultivate a vibrant
academic community that empowers students to reach their full potential, prepares them for the challenges of tomorrow, and enriches the lives of everyone around us.”
Take a look at some of the highlights from the gala here!
Photos by Stan Godlewski and Shelly Sindland
WE ARE CENTRAL
Central Connecticut State University has expanded quite a bit over the last 175 years. Our inside front cover shows construction underway on the iconic administration building, Davidson Hall, at the State Normal School in 1923. That building remains the centerpiece of the university, of course, but its neighboring halls and facilities reflect a university that has grown with the times. As this drone photo suggests, the sky is the limit for Connecticut’s first publicly funded flagship university.
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Designated Green College —Princeton Review, 2025
Best Graduate Schools —US News and World Report, 2024
College in the Northeast Princeton Review, 2024
Top Performer of Social Mobility —US News and World Report Top Colleges —Forbes, 2024
Colleges for Nursing —US News and World Report Best Colleges for Veterans —US News and World Report
Ed
Elite institution of
Hartford Courant Best Value School —US News and World Report
Community Engagement Recognition —The Carnegie Foundation
Colleges for Economics —US News and World Report Best Northeast Colleges —US News and World Report
Program
Universities North —US News and World Report Best Colleges Regional Universities North —US News and World Report
