Eastern Magazine Summer 2009

Volume 7 Issue 3

Connecticut’s Public Liberal Arts University

Summer 2009

EASTERN Volume 7 Issue 3 | Summer 2009

In This Issue 1 From the President’s Desk 2 Eastern Alumni 6 The Church Farm: A Mecca for the Arts and Sciences 8 The Road to “M.D.” Starts with an Eastern “B.A./B.S.” 12 Eastern Graduates 1,191 14 Undergraduate Research Flourishes at Eastern 16 Eastern Alumni Pursue Diplomatic Careers 18 Computer Games Are Serious Business at Eastern 20 First-Year Colloquia Program

Features 21 Philanthropy 23 On Campus 29 Athletics 32 Class Notes 36 Final Thoughts Inside back cover Warriors Debut New Athletic Logo

Staff & Contributors Editor Edward Osborn Associate Editor Amy Brenner-Fricke Designers Leigh Balducci | Kevin Paquin Contributors Dwight Bachman | Emily Bonoyer

Meghan Carden | Peter Dane | Allison Kelley Joseph McGann | Robert Molta Anne Pappalardo | Ryan Rose | Michael Stenko Kyle Verona | Esté Yarmosh Photographers Adam Hemphill | Nick Lacy

Jennifer Smith Executive Editor Kenneth J. DeLisa

In May, the Social Justice in Education Club raised more than $1,000 during a teeter-tot-a-thon. Dozens of early Early childhood Childhood

education Education students students raised raised pledges pledges and and more more than than 100 100 hours hours were were logged on the teeter-totter. The club contributed the entire amount to the playground fund of Sweeney Elementary School in Willimantic.

Please send story ideas to: Edward Osborn, Director of University Relations osborne@easternct.edu EASTERN Magazine is published by the Division of Institutional Advancement for the benefit of alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends of Eastern Connecticut State University.

President’s Message

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A recent study commissioned by the Connecticut State University System shows that Eastern has an annual economic impact of $319.4 million each year on the state and local economies. This impressive figure should reassure taxpayers that their public support is well placed. It is also a tangible indication of the return on investment being realized by Eastern’s generous private donors.

Nonetheless, the education being received by Eastern students cannot be measured simply in financial terms.

Among Eastern’s graduates are nationally known cancer researchers, CEOs, media personalities, physicians, exemplary teachers, public officials, scientists and many other high-achieving professionals. While each possesses specific skills essential to their given profession, the strength of all Eastern graduates is in their broad, well-rounded education and their ability to adapt to change. In today’s turbulent economy, being able to adjust to the marketplace is a key asset, both for individuals and for our nation.

This issue of EASTERN Magazine offers a variety of stories to illustrate the special liberal arts experience taking place at Eastern and the impact that graduates of our University are having in their careers and communities.

The story about the Church Farm shows how this generous gift of Joseph and Dorothy Zaring of Washington, D.C., is providing a number of academic departments and their

President Núñez visits with Estelle Konesni ’34 at the Alumni Reunion.

students with unique field-study experiences. The article on undergraduate research points to opportunities not often offered to undergraduates in a public university, while the story about our First-Year Program demonstrates the vitality and relevance of the liberal arts on our campus, and how we are preparing first-year students for a successful college career. The story on gaming design suggests that Eastern is finding new ways to stay current with emerging technology careers. Finally, stories about two Eastern graduates who are now in the U.S. diplomatic corps, as well as a group of Eastern graduates successfully practicing medicine, are testimony to the impact that Eastern graduates are having on our nation and on the people they serve.

Through the generosity of donors like the Zarings and more than 1,300 alumni donors, and with a firm commitment to provide an accessible liberal arts education to students of all backgrounds, Eastern continues pursuing its vision to be a University of First Choice. Please enjoy this issue of EASTERN Magazine, and stay in touch!

Elsa Núñez President EASTERN

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EASTERN ALUMNI Class of 1959 celebrates Jubilee Reunion Sixteen alumni from the Class of 1959 gathered on Eastern’s campus May 1 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their commencement from Willimantic State Teachers College. Classmates arrived from throughout Connecticut and four other states to celebrate the milestone.

classmates, noting with pride that onethird of the original graduating class turned out for the event. President Elsa

Núñez also welcomed the Jubilarians, and talked about the sense of community that continues to exist on campus between students and faculty, just as it did in 1959.

Each Jubilarian was presented with a “Golden Diploma” commemorating their special day. Former Coach Francis Geissler joined the group to reminisce about the basketball team that won the New England State Teachers College Conference championship in 1959, and spoke about how much it meant to him to be invited to the reunion. Audrey (Davis) Smith ’59 showed a video from the 31st Reunion of the class in 1980.

Jubiliarians were treated to tours of the campus, with stops at the Child and Family Development Resource Center and the Student Center. The class relived some special moments at Burr Hall, where many of them had lived, and in Noble Hall, where they had many of their classes. Shafer Hall also brought back memories of classes and teachers from long ago.

The Class of ’59 is now focused on raising money from classmates with the intent of endowing a student scholarship that will secure the class legacy.

A highlight of the day was the President’s Luncheon. Class President Bill Hargreaves ’59 welcomed his

The Class of ’59 gathered at the J. Eugene Smith Library for a photo. Back row: Francis Stevens. Second Row: William Gregonis, Carl Ellison. Third Row: William Hargreaves, R.H. McDonald. Fourth Row: Eugene Phaneuf, Carol Ann Ward. Fifth Row: Carol Ann (Peters) Phaneuf, Audrey (Davis) Smith. Sixth Row: Barbara (Bragan) Abrahams, Lorna (Nybakken) Sullivan. Seventh Row: Carol Ann (Swanson) Schilke, Reisa (Goldfarb) Sweet. Front Row: Linda (Brown) Kelley, Karen (Pierson) Gaucher and Shirley (Yuscavitch) Hannon.

Communication Department hosts gathering for alumni, students Communication Department alumni and students came together on May 1 to network and build stronger alumni support for the department’s programs and activities.

Robert Nieto ’96 was the featured speaker. He is currently a senior producer for the syndicated television show “Inside Edition.” Nieto talked about the fast-paced world of network television where last-minute changes occur on a daily basis. He also applauded Eastern for providing him with the hands-on experience in video production that he has parlayed into

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a successful television career.

Nieto showed several clips of his work, including an award-winning piece he did during his first year at “Inside Edition,” which investigated employee deaths occurring at stores in a national building supply chain that were “high-stacking” their merchanFrom left: Professor Edmond Chibeau, Hughes, Nieto and Professor Jaime Gómez share a moment of levity. dise. He encouraged students attending the reception to learn National Communication Association all they could about the technical Scholar Cecilia Hughes ’09 also aspects of communication and to puraddressed the audience and praised sue internships where they could apply the quality of the education and their learning. professional experience she gained at Eastern.

President’s Leadership Awards Honoring Professional Achievement and Support The President’s Luncheon on May 1 recognized the recipients of the President’s Leadership Awards, presented annually to distinguished alumni and friends.

In her remarks, President Elsa Núñez said the recipients “remind us daily of why our University exists. Their individual accomplishments are just that — the hard work and commitment of individuals — but they serve as a collective reminder of the value of Eastern to our society.”

Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented to Albert Wojtcuk ’54 and Barbara Candales ’74. Wojtcuk spent more than five decades at the Wequonnoc School in Taftville as a teacher and principal. Along the way, he earned his master’s degree at Wesleyan and doctorate at Yale; received a National Science Fellowship, two Fulbright-Hayes Study Abroad Fellowships and a fellowship at Yale; and volunteered for organizations such as Head Start, the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross. He also served as President of the ECSU Alumni Association for two years.

From left: President Elsa Núñez; Albert Wojtcuk ’54, recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award; Hans Weiss, recipient of the Hermann Beckert Friends of the University Award; Frank Perrotti ’51, recipient of the Distinguished Service Award; Barbara Candales ’74, recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award; and William Hargreaves ’59, president of the Class of ’59.

Candales went on to earn her master’s degree and doctorate in social work from the University of Connecticut, and enjoyed a distinguished career at UConn’s School of Social Work, Tunxis Community College and Central Connecticut State University. In 2006, she was named “Social Worker of the Year” by the Connecticut Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Together with her brothers Robert and Randal, Candales has established the Arturo and Elba Candales Endowed Scholarship at Eastern in honor of their parents.

The Class of 1959 was joined by many other alumni and friends at the May 1 President’s Leadership Awards; President Núñez (upper left) shares her appreciation for the service and accomplishments of the four awardees.

Distinguished Service Award recipient Frank Perotti ’51 enjoyed a career in education spanning more than 30 years. He served as a teacher and principal in Coventry and Mansfield, later becoming Superintendent of Schools in Mansfield. He has served on the ECSU Alumni Association Board and is now a member of the ECSU Foundation, Inc., Board of Directors. Perotti is the gracious host of the popular alumni picnic and bocce tournament held each summer at his Mansfield home.

Hans Weiss of Manchester received the Hermann Beckert Friends of the University Award for his volunteer efforts on behalf of the ECSU Foundation, Inc. Weiss, a native of Slovakia, immigrated to Manchester, and started a successful business, making parts and hardware for NASA’s Apollo space flights. Weiss sold his company in 1989 to become a full-time artist. In addition to supporting art students at Manchester Community College, Weiss has been a generous benefactor to Eastern and was named to the ECSU Foundation Board of Directors in 2000.

Joining Núñez for the awards were Daniel Canavan ’97, president of the ECSU Alumni Association, and Timothy Coppage, president of the ECSU Foundation, Inc.

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1969 Back: Senior Class President Jaime Bondi ’09, Marjorie Bondi.

Front: Debbie Bondi, Bruce Bondi.

President Núñez cheers Frances (Morrow) Vaida (left) and Dorothy (Shedd) Krause (right) of the Class of 1939 as they join other alumni, graduating seniors and their families for Eastern Celebrates festivities under the “Big Top” tent.

Jennifer (Reid) Morrison, Chris Page, Carolyn (Dodge) Paige, Karen (Benashski) Huntley, Christopher Collins.

1984

Back Row: Dorothy (Bradway) Metz, Vivian (Diamond) Kenig. Front Row: Joyce (Chase) Solomon, Teresa (Lemieux) James.

More than 175 alumni and guests from the five-year classes of 1934 through 1989 returned to campus for the Alumni Reunion on May 23 to share memories and see all of the changes that have occurred on campus.

President Elsa Núñez noted proudly that while Eastern has grown since its earliest days — the first class in 1889 had 13 students while more than 1,100 students graduated this year — “our

values haven’t changed. Our students are as committed as you were to making a difference on campus and in the community, serving as tutors to local schoolchildren, mentoring fellow students on campus and otherwise demonstrating their social responsibility.”

Reunion guests were treated to tours of the campus and of the Child and Family Development Resource Center,

ECSU Foundation, Inc., Vice President Michael Scanlon Jr. ’75 and his son Kevin ’09.

1949

Maureen Muganda, Holden Muganda ’09, Donald Muganda.

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1954 and all of the reunion classes gathered for group photos. Special recognition was given to Estelle (Novack) Konesni ’34 (who recently celebrated her 95th birthday) for being the sole member of the earliest graduating class in attendance at the reunion. The march from the reunion activities in the Student Center to the Eastern Celebrates barbeque is sure to become an alumni tradition in future years.

After the official reunion event, more than 350 graduating seniors and their families joined alumni to enjoy the Fourth Annual “Eastern Celebrates” Big Tent Barbeque in the Student Center parking lot. In all, more than 1,200 people gathered under a big tent throughout the day to dance to music provided by David Foster and the Mohegan Sun All-Stars band, sample the tasty barbeque meal and enjoy each other’s company.

The Class of ’54 met for a private luncheon. Back row: Lucille (Caisse) Curland, Ruth Rosebrooks, Norm Warrender, Dorothy (Elliott) Thompson, Philip Patros, Joann (Boson) Riddell, Albert Wojtcuk, Alice (Linzen) Palmer, Betty (Treat) Surprenant, Everett Watson. Front Row: Shirley (Lesson) Fishbein, Calvin Fish, Frederick Bennett.

1934

Director of Alumni Affairs Michael Stenko and Estelle (Novack) Konesni ’34

1974

David Foster and the Mohegan Sun All-Stars provided entertainment.

Nuvia Rodriguez, Edwin Rodriguez, Daniel Romero ’09, President Núñez.

1979

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By Edward Osborn

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When you visit the Church Farm in Ashford, a 110-acre estate gifted in 2007 to the ECSU Foundation, Inc.,

by Joseph and Dorothy (Church) Zaring of Washington, D.C., you may feel like you are in a time warp.

A pond, speckled with water lilies, spans the western edge of the property and evokes visions of Claude Monet. The farmhouse, originally built in 1821, features classic Doric columns that speak of a Southern manse, along with a fresh coat of paint and a new cedar shake roof. The sturdy barn, built in 1895, and the surrounding meadows and woodlands resonate with New England charm, while lilac bushes and dogwood and apple trees lend the fragrances of late spring to the air. Stately pines line the driveway and split rail fences and traditional stone walls further define the estate’s grounds.

Framed against this picturesque backdrop, Eastern Connecticut State University students and faculty members have been busy exploring the educational possibilities at their “home away from campus,” conducting biology and environmental earth science field studies, using the farm for landscape art classes, and otherwise taking advantage of the rural setting and classic appeal of the buildings and grounds.

“The Church Farm is an ideal facility for painting and drawing students,” said Qimin Liu, associate professor of art. “The scenery contains natural elements such as buildings, hills, trees and water for landscape painting and drawing and the house and barn also have some interesting interior architecture elements. It also provides a very relaxed class environment.”

A year ago, environmental earth science students Will Oster ’10 and Jessica Farrell ’10 conducted

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sediment core sampling in the pond to record human-induced environmental changes, including the damming of the pond in the early 1900s and the subsequent construction of nearby Route 89. In fall 2008, Oster followed up the field work with additional lab work on the core samples.

In addition, Farrell captured fisheye photographs to create an interactive virtual tour of the Church Farm.

“The Church Farm site is perfect for interdisciplinary connections, providing students with opportunities to learn best practices in conservation, the importance of habitat diversity, the history of farming in New England and how nature can be used to develop an appreciation of the arts,” said Carmen Cid, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.

On May 16, the local Ashford community joined Eastern students, faculty and staff for a grand opening of the Church Farm Center for the Arts and Sciences. In addition to a historical reflection on the Church Farm given by former University of Connecticut Professor of Landscape Architecture Rudy Favretti, the afternoon was enriched by poetry readings, a theatrical scene from “Oklahoma” and the music of Stephen

Foster, Chopin and Schubert — all performed by Eastern students and faculty.

History Professor Barbara Tucker, director of the Center for Connecticut Studies at Eastern, also shared an oral history of Dorothy Church Zaring and her ancestors in the presentation, “The Women of Church Farm.” The Church family, which owned a chain of Connecticut stores in the mid- to late-1800s, used the farm as their summer home.

Dorothy Church Zaring enjoyed

her childhood summers — which she remembers as “my golden years” — on the farm that her husband now describes as the “second coming of the Center for the Arts and Sciences.”

In a letter read at the opening, Joseph Zaring encouraged Eastern to exploit the farm’s historic value, making it a “major attraction” alive with educational and cultural activity.

(Page 6) Caitlin Riley ’11 uses the Church Farm’s pond as a backdrop for her oil painting; (top) Dallas Burke ’08 shows off a dragon fly specimen during a biology field trip; (left) History Professor Barbara Tucker shares a photograph of Dorothy Church Zaring as a child with her mother, Louise Church; (above) The Church Farm Center for the Arts and Sciences held its grand opening on May 16, 2009.

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The road to “M.D.” starts with an Eastern “B.A./B.S.”

By Anne Pappalardo

Eastern Connecticut State University has helped lay the educational foundation for a number of graduates who have gone on to pursue careers as physicians or in other healthcare-related occupations. We invited several of them to share their thoughts about how a public liberal arts education was vital to their professional success.

Dr. Francis Falck Jr. ’75

How did a liberal arts education prepare you for your career?

Dr. Francis Falck Jr. ’75, ophthalmologist, cataract surgeon and director of Falck Eye Center, LLC, of Waterford and Mystic: My education at Eastern was very thorough, extensive and broad-based. It helped give me a strong science background and prepared me for becoming a physician. I didn’t struggle at all going through medical school because I had a good scientific foundation at Eastern.

Dr. Michael Johnson ’97, oral surgeon with HamdenShoreline Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, P.C. of Hamden, Guilford and Clinton: The education I received at Eastern shaped and defined my critical thinking skills, communication skills and creative abilities. I certainly feel that this is essential for lifelong learning and effective communication with patients and colleagues.

Dr. Mark Mashia ’89, chiropractor with Neurosurgical, Orthopedic and Spine Specialists of Waterbury: When I first went to school I was really just interested in science. During my time at Eastern, however, I took a lot of philosophy classes which I never thought I would like — but I did. Academically, a liberal arts education broadened my interests.

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At what point did you know for certain that you wanted to become a physician?

Falck: I worked for awhile and then went to graduate school at the University of Michigan. I was in a combined M.D./Ph.D. program and had a research grant to do a study about the toxicity of cadmium on the human kidney. At that time there was a group of eye specialists working for the World Health Organization. They had funding to study the prevalence of world blindness and try to figure out what could be done to prevent it. They set up the program in my department and asked me to get involved. I went into the operating room with one of the study participants and it was an epiphany.

I said, “This is what I want to do.”

Johnson: There were many life experiences that contributed to my decisions and career path — too many to pick just one.

It was a combination of volunteering at a hospital, watching oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the operating room during an undergraduate internship, faculty guidance and study tours to Russia and Bermuda.

Mashia: I started out at Eastern as a biology major. After a year and half, I changed my mind. I realized that you didn’t have to have a pre-med or biology concentration to get into medical school, so I took classes that interested me and changed my major to environmental earth science.

Now we’re in hospital settings, we’re in V.A. centers and joining group practices. In my practice, we have a group of neurosurgeons, orthopedists, some physiatrists and me.

The premise is to offer a “one-stop shop” where if you aren’t seeing results, you can easily transition over to see somebody else who may be able to help you. If you’re not a surgical candidate then maybe you are a candidate for physical therapy or chiropractic treatment.

How has your field evolved since you first entered it?

Falck: Eye surgery is a very technology-driven and technologically-innovative field. We use lasers and lots of different pharmaceutical agents to treat various diseases. Eye surgical procedures continue to evolve rapidly. Over time the technology that we use to treat eye diseases and the drugs that become available to treat eye diseases have continued to improve. This is wonderful because as people live longer, their eyesight becomes more important to them.

Johnson: The most dramatic evolution I have seen is with the integration of computers, the Internet and advanced electronics with patient care. In 2001, I started my residency program in oral and maxillofacial surgery. At that time, orders, lab data, and pathology and radiology reports were all done through paper charts. Today, with the introduction and implementation of electronic medical records and charting, virtually all patient orders in the hospital are done electronically, reports are submitted electronically, radiography is digital and almost everything can be easily accessed through one of the many computer stations in the hospital.

Mashia: In the past, a chiropractor would get out of school and open up an office and that would be the end of it.

What is the thing you love most about your occupation?

Falck: I’m a results-oriented person, so the thing I love most is being in a situation where you can contribute to the quality of someone’s life and see a direct result of that. This morning I did 10 operations on people who have visual impairment. When they come in tomorrow for a post- operative visit they will be seeing substantially better. They can see their grandchildren better, they can participate in life better.

Johnson: I enjoy the everyday challenges — effective communication with patients, their families and colleagues, and surgical or intellectual challenges. Every day holds something new, interesting and rewarding.

Mashia: Besides making people better, it’s having people who have tried other things that have not helped them whatsoever come to see me and see a world of difference in

Dr. Michael Johnson ’97 EASTERN

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the outcome. These are people who have had chronic pain for years and haven’t gotten better with medication, physical therapy or other forms of treatments.

What would your advice be to Eastern students who are considering entering your field?

Falck: Expose yourself to as many experiences as you can and the thing that you feel the most passionate about.

When that light goes off inside your head, that’s the thing that you want to do. Do not choose a career for the money.

If you want to pursue a career in medicine, be prepared for the fact that it’s a long, challenging road and your commitment will be tested in multiple ways.

Mashia: Professor Gable was great with the student population. I just liked the idea that his door was always open. He was more than willing to help and he knew everybody’s name.

Please share any favorite or interesting memories that took place while you were at Eastern.

Johnson: The most memorable educational moment was definitely my trip to Bermuda with Biology Professors

Mashia: Research the field. Make sure it’s something you really want to get into because it’s a huge investment both in time and finances. I would also say that if you are considering one profession, look at others. If you are thinking about dentistry or chiropractic, look at medicine or vice versa. You may think you are interested in one field but another might spark an interest. I would also recommend keeping student loans to a minimum.

Johnson: You should get a good understanding of the commitment involved by exploring all of your options thoroughly and immersing yourself in the fields that you are interested in.

Did you have a favorite professor or mentor at Eastern when you were an undergraduate?

Why was that person important to you?

Falck: Biology Professors Grace Rovozzo and Mike Gable and Biochemistry Professor Alan Wright were great.

They each inspired a curiosity to ask questions and taught you to think about things. They weren’t just interested in you memorizing and regurgitating facts. They were more interested in equipping you to think about things and to understand things at a greater depth.

Johnson: Pretty much the entire science faculty. They were all professional, experienced, selfless and sincere in their approach to educating and cultivating students’ minds.

They were also very supportive of students and wanted us to take our education to another level outside the classroom. They encouraged us to go on study tours, do research, and teach alongside them as teaching assistants.

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Dr. Mark Mashia ’89

Mike Gable, Ross Koning and Charles Booth. At the crack of dawn we were out and about, studying tropical biology, pursuing our own little research projects and making good friends.

Falck: The faculty members at Eastern were always very approachable. They functioned as both faculty and friends. I remember one time at the end of the year before graduation. It was enjoyable to talk to the faculty as people and I remember that I had a really interesting conversation with Professor Alan Wright.

He shared with me and another student that when he was finished with his Ph.D. he went to work in industry. He said that everything he worked on was very secretive and he couldn’t share anything he was working on with his colleagues. He was a creative and outgoing person and finally made the decision to switch to teaching. I am sure it was a very significant financial change for his family, but it made me realize how committed he was to teaching.

Changing Paths When Carla (Banelli) Goodwin ’69 of North Easton, MA, came to Eastern, she planned to pursue a career in education. Instead, she found her way to a career as a forensic psychologist with a private practice. She is also one of three commissioners who oversee the fiscal, personnel and operational matters of the Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission.

What was your major at Eastern?

I started as an elementary education major with a double minor in psychology and English literature but decided that education was not for me when I was a senior. I found instead that I loved psychology. I had Professor Leo Schneiderman for abnormal psychology and absolutely loved his class.

When did you know you wanted to become a forensic psychologist?

It wasn’t as though I had a plan for what I wanted to do — it was like I planted little seeds here and there as I went along. I was a fifth-grade teacher, then became a guidance counselor and eventually a director of guidance. I did psychological testing for children with special needs in schools part time while I was home with my daughters when they were young.

I taught at a college while studying psychological testing and abnormal behavior and child development. I became licensed in Massachusetts and started my private practice in 1978. I started doing work for the Massachusetts courts in 1982 and I received my Ph.D. from Walden University in 1996.

Mashia: The thing that struck me the most is the sense of community at Eastern. You literally said “Hi” to every single person you came across. Doors were always open, people were outside hanging out. I really valued that.

Did you have a favorite professor or mentor at Eastern when you were an undergraduate?

Betty Tipton, who was dean of women at the time. She pushed me and taught me that as a woman, I could be whatever I wanted to be. She saw something in me that I did not know about myself at the time. I am also forever grateful for her helping me procure a full fellowship for a master’s in guidance and counseling at the University of Bridgeport.

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M

More than 10,000 family and friends cheered on their graduating seniors at Eastern Connecticut State University’s commencement exercises on May 24, held off campus for the first time at the XL Center in Hartford.

Keynote speaker and veteran radio personality Faith Middleton ’71 told the 1,191 graduates, “You will be fine,” as they respond to the economic “rough patch” the nation is facing. Middleton, an icon at WNPR for three decades, referenced a number of technological advances that she said were poised to rekindle the United States and world economies

in the next few years — alternative energy, nanotechnology, photonics, hypersonic air travel and “smart” robotics, to name a few. “There’s a better world ahead,” she said.

Noting her interest in Galileo, who introduced the concept of inertia, Middleton urged the graduates to adopt an attitude of positive inertia — “For now, take any job you can find — bagging groceries, mowing lawns or even volunteering somewhere. It builds character,” even if the graduates have to wait for something more permanent and substantial. Middleton recalled that many of the celebrity guests on her radio show have acknowledged hard times and odd jobs “picking grapes, mopping floors and making sandwiches” until they got their big break.

In giving her charge to the graduates, Eastern President Elsa M. Núñez urged the students to “Build your careers on the values that you have been taught. Tomorrow begins today.”

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James Woulfe ’09 gave the senior class address. He described the journey he and his classmates have taken as “transformational — from our beginnings four years ago as frightened teenagers to today as men and women, ready for the real world.” Referencing the job-hunting challenges graduates now face in the current recession, Woulfe predicted that his classmates would find strength in adversity, and said, “These challenges will unlock the potential found within each of you.”

Several state dignitaries brought greetings to the assemblage, including State Rep. Kevin Ryan (139th District), who read a citation from Governor M. Jodi Rell proclaiming May 24 as “Eastern Connecticut State University Day.” Frank Ridley, chairman of the Board of Governors of the Department of Higher Education, said he was confident that most of the graduates would stay in the state to become “active citizens of the great state of Connecticut.”

CSUS Trustee David Panciera also encouraged the graduates to “fulfill your dreams and build bright futures right here in Connecticut.” Louise Feroe, CSUS senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, told the graduates they should “take a moment — take a whole day” to enjoy themselves, “but then get busy. We need you. The world is waiting for you.”

Earlier in the program, Núñez and Panciera conferred honorary degrees on Middleton and Jonathan Daube, recently retired president of Manchester Community College.

Daube gave the Class of 2009 a homework assignment, asking each of them to write a thank you letter to someone who had made a difference in their lives. He also said that

Eastern’s Commencement at Hartford’s XL Center on May 24 featured honored traditions (“Make a Wish” fountain, far left; graduates and their families, second from far left) as well as new experiences (“Jumbotron” at lower left, and the XL arena, far right). Graduates listened intently to Commencement Speaker Faith Middleton ’71, National Public Radio personality and Eastern alumnus (second from left). Honorary degrees were bestowed on Middleton and Jonathan Daube (second from right), recently retired president of Manchester Community College, while President Núñez gave the festivities a big “Thumbs Up!” (third from right).

the word “commencement” was a fitting name for the day, a day when the students were “looking forward to a life full of possibilities.”

Jaime Bondi ’09, senior class president, announced that the class gift was the creation of an endowed scholarship in the name of the Class of 2009, following an Eastern graduating class tradition.

Music was provided by the Thread City Brass Quintet, led by Professor Robert Lemons, and by the bagpipe music of St. Patrick’s Pipe Band. “America the Beautiful” was sung by Elizabeth McDermott ’09. The Governor’s Foot Guard Color Guard presented the U.S. and Connecticut flags.

A carefully planned study of death anxiety among university students, a short story depicting the life of a young drug-addicted mother, and the measured assessment of wind power potential in Willimantic are examples of how undergraduate research is flourishing at Eastern Connecticut State University. Every year in every discipline, Eastern students undertake original research and creative projects, working closely with faculty mentors to understand and perform the professional activities within their chosen field.

By Meghan Carden

M

Many people assume that undergraduate research is reserved for the sciences; however, undergraduate research activity can be performed in any discipline. Faculty members are continually looking for different ways to align undergraduate research with their expertise, through traditional research, service learning, field experience or creative activities.

For instance, on average, more than 330 independent study projects are undertaken in the School of Arts and Sciences’ 12 departments every year.

“Undergraduate research can be viewed very broadly,” said Drew Hyatt, professor of environmental earth science and one of Eastern’s leading advocates for undergraduate research. For Hyatt, the process begins in the classroom when he describes ongoing research projects to

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first-year students. He also introduces sophomores and juniors to research techniques through practicum classes.

From there he approaches a few select students about doing summer research at Providence Canyon State Park in Georgia, a geological mother lode he has visited for several years.

The students typically follow their summer research with a semester of independent research and finish up by presenting their work at conferences both on campus and in professional settings.

While performing semester-long research, Hyatt and his independent study students make the most of the University’s resources, including the Church Farm property in Ashford, owned by the ECSU Foundation, Inc. He teaches students different research techniques at the farm and supervises other students while they gather

sedimentary records and study human-induced change in the Church Farm Pond or collect 180-degree fisheye imagery in order to depict the geomorphology of the property.

Terry Lennox, assistant professor of visual arts, involves her students in undergraduate research through experiential learning that prepares them for careers while they work on projects with community value. Students in her Web Design I class created a website for Growing Stronger, Inc., a Willimantic-based mentoring and service program. “I was wowed by the students,” said Lynn White, program director of Growing Stronger. “A tremendous amount of time and talent was given towards this project.”

Lennox worked with Art Professor June Bisantz on another project to mentor two independent study stu-

dents, Lloyd Gevry ’08 and Jonathan Dalton ’08, as they designed banners for the 20th anniversary of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.

James Canton, Hole in the Wall’s chief executive officer, was surprised at how well the students captured the feel of the camp. “The end product was an artistic, inspiring, beautiful way to message the growth of the camp,” Canton said.

Not all undergraduate research projects are conducted through independent study. Lennox discovered a project that was too broad for one or two independent study students, believing that Bisantz and her Graphic Design III class would be a better fit to take on the challenge. The project, which began in fall 2008, was in support of the Connecticut Forum on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities. Lennox, who serves as a member of the forum’s statewide advisory committee, worked as a liaison between the class and the client, while Bisantz’s students created printed and online materials for the forum.

Bisantz divided her class into four teams: brochure, posters and signs, conference folder and web design.

The students took it from there, coordinating their design approaches and responding to client feedback.

“They had to respond quickly and continually to client feedback,” said Bisantz. “This project had built-in challenges and frustrations such as tight timelines and delayed client communication, which were important because they were real-world challenges that cannot be experienced any other way.”

The project also taught students how to design for audiences with disabilities. “Designing products for the forum provided us with a better understanding of designing with accessibility in mind,” said Scott Buka ’09.

Buka said he learned to consider how the website would look to someone with color blindness, or how a blind

person using a screen reader can navigate the site. “We have a tendency to think of others like ourselves. In this class we couldn’t do that.”

Perhaps the best way to witness what Eastern students are learning through undergraduate research is at the Arts and Sciences Research Conference and Exhibition and the Professional Studies/Education Excellence Expo, both held on campus since 2000. The scope of undergraduate research is on display at these events, with poster presentations, artistic exhibits, poetry and fiction readings, and presentations on research findings. Eastern students often go on to present at regional and national conferences and professional meetings and display their artwork in local exhibitions.

(opposite page) Students review the research and creative work of fellow scholars at the 10th Annual Arts and Sciences Research Conference and Exhibition held on campus. (above) Art Professor Terry Lennox reviews artwork with design students Brian Russo, Bryan Gabiga and Alyson Cranick, who were working on a project for the Connecticut Forum on Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities. Professor June Bisantz is in the foreground, back to the camera. (left) Environmental Earth Science Professor Peter Drzewiecki assists students Brian Clark, Toni Langevin, William Oster, Eric Lindquist and Amberlee Nicoulin in retrieving a three-meter long vibracore from Providence Canyon State Park in southwest Georgia. The group was part of an 11-member team conducting a field study on erosion and other geological conditions at the site using ground-penetrating radar and terrestrial laser scanners purchased to equip the new Science Building on Eastern’s campus.

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By Dwight Bachman

Peter Caton ’80 and U.S. Coast Guard Reserve Lt. Commander Wilbur Velarde M.S. ’04 are on different sides of the globe, but they have at least two things in common — each has benefited from an Eastern Connecticut State University education and both serve our nation as members of the U.S. State Department’s overseas team.

Caton joined the Navy out of high school, serving as an electronics technician on nuclear submarines while earning his associate’s degree at Mohegan Community College. Using the GI bill to support his family, he enrolled at Eastern and majored in environmental earth science, benefiting from the guidance of professors such as Ray Smith and Steve Kenton. “Ray always said, ‘you’re paying your money, so get the most out of your education.’ I took as much as I could,” he said. Kenton convinced Caton to concentrate in mathematics, a decision Caton says greatly impacted his life.

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After Eastern, Caton landed a job at the University of Connecticut’s marine research lab as a research assistant, and later took a position as a senior instructor with a computer company. He eventually secured a job as a security engineering officer with the U.S. State Department, which was looking for someone with a science degree and an electronics background. Caton had both, and received top clearance to work on the U.S. Embassy’s new building in Moscow. It was determined that the building was riddled with Russian listening devices, described by Caton as “state-of-the-art technology right out of science fiction,” and it was demolished and rebuilt.

During his career, Caton served five years on the Secretary of State

protective detail, where he traveled the world and met Secretaries George Shultz, James Baker, Warren Christopher, Lawrence Eagleburger and Madeleine Albright. After that assignment, he spent several years in research and development, evaluating new security technologies. He retired from the payroll in 1999, but has continued working for the State Department as a contractor ever since. (top left) Peter Caton ’80 and his wife, Peggy (Sharps) Caton ’87, stand in an arch of the Bouillion Castle in Belgium where Godfrey de Bouillion launched the first Crusade; (above) Wilbur Velarde M.S. ’04 with his wife, Melinda Sue, and children, Wilbur Andres, 12, and Bethany Melinda, 10.

(left) Caton relaxes across the Moscow river from the Cathedral of the Annunciation inside the Kremlin walls; (lower right) Velarde shakes hands with U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman during a March 2009 visit.

Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, the site of America’s largest overseas consulate.

Caton now serves as team leader for an international group of NATO engineers to ensure that NATO’s new $1.4 billion European headquarters is free of terrorist hazards and listening devices. “My education, regardless of the specific field of study, has opened many doors for me and my entire family,” said Caton. “I am glad that I went to school as an older student.

I also liked the accessibility of all my professors and the intimate classes at Eastern.”

Caton’s interest in serving his nation abroad appears to be infectious. His wife of 38 years, Peggy (Sharps) Caton ’87, graduated summa cum laude in history and works for the State Department as a foreign services officer specializing in economics. She is assigned to the U.S. Mission to the European Union. “I have my current job because she was assigned to Brussels,” said Caton. “Together, we are a powerful team.”

As for Velarde, he stays busy these days as a full-time U.S. Department of State Foreign Service Officer in

At his current post, Velarde is part of a team of diplomats responsible for non-immigrant, immigrant and U.S. citizen services such as adjudicating non-immigrant and immigrant visa applications; passport and citizenship cases; applying the Immigration and Nationality Act fairly and promptly; and serving hundreds of thousands of visiting and resident U.S. citizens in Mexico. The consulate is the world’s largest immigrant (and one of the top 10 non-immigrant) visa units.

Since 2002, Velarde has earned two postgraduate degrees — his Master of Science in Organizational Management from Eastern in 2004, and his Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI, in 2006.

“Eastern was a great experience,” said Velarde. “I enjoyed the excellent professors, my classmates and the library.

I especially enjoyed the class on critical thinking.” Velarde recalls Professors Wendy Everton, Ron Lowy and Elizabeth Scott as wonderful mentors.

“They all instilled in me a passion to learn. And they are great human beings because they challenged us to do our best,” he said.

Velarde also performs reserve military duty at the Coast Guard’s Office of International Affairs and Foreign Policy in Washington, D.C., where he assists the commandant on strategies, foreign policy matters and the general impact of Coast Guard operations in Mexico.

Before these current positions, Velarde worked for three years as a Coast Guard engineering officer in Cape Cod, where he was in charge of the operation and maintenance of tactical patrol boats. He also oversaw the weapons division and training of more than 100 people in the unit. Simultaneously, Velarde was one of only two operations managers at Tankship International, where he coordinated cargo/voyage information between ship owners, agents and charters for commercial tanker ships.

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also Now it’s . s r e g a n ee ts. time of t y studen s it a s p r e a iv ly n ger simp necticut State U is no lon s e Con m a g ideo Eastern v f o g r in e y b la P um rk for a n

By Amy Brenner-Fricke homewo

T

The electronic gaming industry has spurred a booming job market for those with an interest in the technology behind the games. In fall 2008, Eastern began offering a minor in computer game design, with the goal of teaching students skills for a career in a business that now generates roughly as much revenue as Hollywood’s domestic boxoffice receipts. Students with such a minor may work with animation, game engines, mathematics, modeling, network design, and state-of-the-art hardware and software.

Eastern’s computer game design minor addresses the needs of students interested in simulation, human/machine interaction and gaming. Because success in this field demands excellent problem-solving skills and multidisciplinary teamwork, the Game Design minor requires expertise from several academic disciplines and covers both the artistic and computational needs of the field, according to Gary Rommel, professor of computer science.

Rommel and Joel Rosiene, associate professor of computer science, created the minor with input from June Bisantz, professor of visual arts; Sharon Butler, associate professor of visual arts; Anthony Cornicello, associate professor of performing arts; Anne Dawson, professor of visual arts; William Lugo, assistant professor of sociology; and Jay Nilson, adjunct professor of visual arts.

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“The minor includes courses in music, art and computer science. We will also be adding courses in sociology, English and communication,” said Rommel, adding that the minor was created at the suggestion of Jennifer Keyes ’09 of Brookfield, who majored in computer science.

Keyes brought the idea to Rommel, who then got together with the other professors to create the curriculum.

“Professor Rommel always asks us what we want from our classes and our major. A lot of students play video games, and I knew there would be a big interest in a game design minor,” said Keyes, who also helped research the

Although the School of Arts and Sciences houses the minor in game design, undergraduate students from across the University are eligible to complete it. When Malachi Maynard ’09, a recent graduate from Canterbury who was already double-majoring in graphic design and theatre arts with minors in writing, dance and studio art, heard about the new game design minor, he decided to work those course requirements into his schedule as well.

variety and types of classes that should go into the program’s curriculum.

Eastern’s game design minor consists of 15 credits.

Required courses (six credits) include classes in 3D Imaging/Animation and Video Games with Game Engines. Nine credits of electives are selected from offerings in the Mathematics, Visual Arts and Computer Science Departments. A particular emphasis is placed on courses in visual arts and communication, according to Butler.

“Game designers need to know how to draw. We suggest students take a traditional drawing class, and learn about the use of colors, figure drawing, typography and character development,” she said. “There’s a huge narrative component to video games.”

“This minor demonstrates the success of an interdisciplinary curriculum,” added Rosiene. “The program is not just science — it is a merger of art, liberal arts and science with courses that cut across several distinct disciplines.”

“I’ve always been fascinated with game design. Having the courses in art and writing are really useful, because they help you build games up from the core,” said Maynard, who plans to attend graduate school to pursue an advanced degree in computer game design.

“I want to hone my skills and have that extra knowledge, so when I go into the gaming field, I can be more competitive. By having a diverse background in the arts, I can draw on more fields in creating my games.”

According to Rosiene, Eastern’s new minor is certain to be a popular program because computer games are an important part of our culture — and they are here to stay. “Gaming is actually representative of the pinnacle of computer science, because it involves parallel processing, computer architecture and more. Although it has the word ‘game’ in the title, it is actually very complex. Gaming is the ultimate interdisciplinary art,” he said.

“My mom always said you can’t get anywhere by playing games,” added Maynard. “It’s fun proving her wrong!”

At left: Jennifer Keyes ’09 of Brookfield and Chris Kellner ’09 of Ashford collaborate on a computer game design program. Above, Kellner (far right) watches with senior Kevin Crosby of Norwich and junior Justin Beebe of Ledyard as Stephen Pulaski, a senior from Franklin, tries his hand at “PacMan’s Revenge,” a game created by Kellner in Computer Science Professor Gary Rommel’s class.

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S

By Allison Kelley ’09

Since its inception in 2008, the First-Year Liberal Arts Colloquia Program at Eastern Connecticut State University has added 41 new courses to an already diverse and contemporary set of class offerings.

The program is part of the first-year experience at Eastern, designed to engage students in the intellectual life of the University. Recognizing the need for a more active partnership between students and faculty members, Eastern’s staff has tailored colloquia towards the interests of today’s college students. Each discussion-oriented colloquium introduces students to academic standards and practices that develop the skills of good scholarship.

Courses such as “Pirates and Piracy in the Modern Cultural Imagination,” “Pop to Hip Hop: Issues in Contemporary Art Since 1960,” and “Why Nations/Peoples Go to War” are a few of the electives.

Each colloquium topic was developed by the professor through the incorporation of his or her interests and knowledge in the field. Students work closely with the faculty member, developing the critical reading, logical thinking and effective communication skills necessary for a successful academic career and life beyond the University.

might lead and make connections among them. My hope with this class was to begin with a topic that might at first seem frivolous or silly — something one couldn’t possibly take seriously — and then explore what happens when we do take it seriously,” said Pauley.

Anthropology Professor Julianne Jennings teaches “Mixed-Blood Indians in Southern New England.”

As a Cheroenhaka Nottoway Indian, Jennings sees the course as a vehicle to educate students about the misrepresentations of Native people promulgated in literature, film and the classroom.

“Most students do not have the opportunity to hear Native American educators in the classroom and learn the true history and culture of the First People. This course offers students the opportunity to change the way they think about Native Americans in 2009,” she said.

“I came to the idea of a first-year colloquium on pirates because I was struck by the fact that there seemed to be images of pirates everywhere in our popular culture,” said English Professor Benjamin Pauley. He combined this interest with his main area of study in 17th- and 18th- century literature.

Eastern students are thrilled to dive into course offerings that veer off the traditional path. Kathryn Harner, an English major from Oxford, opted for “The Blues: Cultural Expression,” taught by Communication Professor John Hale. “We watched films that taught us about the blues from the perspectives of famous blues and rock ‘n’ roll musicians. We also watched live performances from decades ago,” she said. “It’s interesting to learn about the roots of blues music because it has influenced so many other types of music. I didn’t expect to learn something like this at Eastern. It’s a nice break from math and history!”

“For me, the hallmark of a liberally educated mind is the capacity to pick up ideas, examine them, see where they

Students in Professor Joel Rosiene’s Robotics: Science Fact and Fiction colloquium course included, clockwise from top left: Alexandros Mathioudakis of Greece, Justin Ferrari of Coventry and Michelle Dupuis of Killingworth.

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philanthropy

Ellen Lang ’81 and Jason Budahazy ’09 Address Scholarship Recipients

W

hen more than 150 students who had won competitive scholarships turned out at the Student Center Café for the annual ECSU Foundation, Inc., scholarship reception on April 15, they were greeted not only with congratulations from President Elsa Núñez, but also by a rousing call to action from scholarship donor Ellen Lang ’81 and the gratitude of recent graduate Jason Budahazy ’09.

“I was a nontraditional student with two small children who had to utilize Pell Grants and student loans,” said Lang, who is secretary of the ECSU Alumni Association Board of Directors and an endowed scholarship donor. “I know firsthand how tough it is to work, care for children and family and keep up with coursework.” Lang emphasized that her degree from Eastern, which led to a master’s degree in public health, was the best investment she ever made, and noted that graduates will substantially increase their earning power.

“The scholarship assistance you receive carries with it a responsibility to give back to Eastern,” she said. “In giving back, I established a scholarship so that others in similar situations may have the same assistance that I received.” Lang and her husband, Dr. James Watson, established the Ellen L. Lang Endowed Scholarship in 1998 to recognize nontraditional students returning to Eastern to obtain undergraduate degrees.

networking opportunities. “Contribute with your time or your ideas,” she said. “Mentor a student. Be creative, as there are many ways to get involved.”

Budahazy, who graduated in May, was the mastermind behind Eastern’s annual Thanksgiving “Day of Giving” dinner for community residents who are patrons of local soup kitchens and other social service agencies. He first organized the holiday meal in 2007.

“Because of these tough economic times, it makes it more difficult for students to receive financial aid, be approved for loans and pay tuition even at public universities. Some past recipients and maybe even some recipients in this room today may not have been able to attend Eastern if it were not for the ECSU Foundation Scholarships,” he said. “I think you would agree that a scholarship award of as little as $500 or $1,000 can literally make or break the decision of having to drop out or attend part time versus full time.”

Budahazy thanked Lang for her generosity as a donor.

“Although I did not receive your scholarship, I did receive one from a donor of your same generosity. If not for alumni 2009 ECSU Foundation, Inc., Competitive Scholarship recipients are like yourself, not only would I pictured in the Student Center stairwell following the April 15 reception. not be up here speaking today, A total of $190,000 was awarded to a record 223 students. More than 490 students applied for assistance, the largest pool since the inception but more importantly, none of the Foundation scholarships. of these students would be in this room today. So I’d like to thank you and all of the donors from this year, last year and all the prior years, for investing in the education and futures of Eastern students. Your generosity is making a difference for Besides contributing to the Annual Fund or to an endowed scholarship fund, Lang encouraged students to become active so many students.” members of Eastern’s Alumni Association, as it provides great E ASTERN

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Giving a

HIGH to Eastern

5

This spring, Eastern’s Office of Institutional Advancement initiated the “High Five” program to encourage young alumni to begin contributing to their alma mater starting in their senior year. A pilot program began with the Class of 2009 and the Class of 2008.

Alumni commit to a five-year pledge starting with a $5 gift, increasing each year by $5, and ending with a $25 gift in year five. This fall, the program will be extended to alumni in all the classes starting with 1999.

“Clearly we are looking at ways of starting a tradition of giving with our young alumni,” said Kenneth DeLisa, vice president for institutional advancement. “Many of our recent graduates had an opportunity to live in the new residential housing, and benefited from the beautiful Student Center, Science Building and Child and Family Development Resource Center. They appreciate the fact that Eastern has them well postured to face the current competitive job market. The ‘High Five’ program makes it possible for them to commit to a five-year pledge.

“I am pleased with the way this new program has been received,” added DeLisa.

“As students at Connecticut’s public liberal arts university, Eastern undergraduates have always understood the importance of giving back to the local community. The ‘High Five’ program is just an extension of this shared value.”

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Class of ’54 Alumna Honors Memories of Classmates with Gift Ruth Rosebrooks ’54 was the first-ever recipient of the George Shafer-Frederick Noble Scholarship. The scholarship covered her entire tuition bill for her senior year: $25. This made a lasting impression on Rosebrooks; she even saved the notification letter she received among her mementos from Willimantic State Teachers College. “The scholarship support may have only been $25 but it was money that I didn’t have,” she said. “I felt that once I was out of school, it was my time to give back. “ Rosebrooks learned the value of giving back to her alma mater from her mother, a 1916 graduate of Morrisville State College (MSC), a unit of the State University of New York System. In 1956, in celebration of her 40th reunion, Lounette C. Rosebrooks established an endowed scholarship at MSC and contributed in memory of each of her deceased classmates. Rosebrooks still supports her mother’s scholarship at MSC, but believed it was time to start this tradition where her own heart lies — at Eastern.

This year, in celebration of the 55th reunion of the Class of ’54, Rosebrooks made a gift of $1,700 to the ECSU Foundation, Inc.’s NRY Scholarship

in honor of each of the 17 members of the class who have passed away. “What made us so close is that we were a small class. We even traveled together our sophomore year as part of our teaching experience,” she said, adding that the teaching trip with her classmates brought her up through New England into Canada, even stopping for a visit with Grandma Moses in her home.

Those members of the Class of ’54 honored through Rosebrook’s gift: Frederick Banning, Edmond Barry, Nora (Panciera) Carey, Diana (Borgers) Chittenden, Marilyn (Bonnin) Desjardins, J. Lawrence Deveau, Clarence Edmondson, Barbara (Byles) Frost, Diane (Brown) Hegenberger, Barbara (Meckensturm) Hoops, William Korba, Audrey (Wootton) Longo, Constance Parker, Dorothy (Burtiss) Sheffield, Patricia (Shea) Trymbulak, Fannie (Coman) Tedeschi and Irma (Spandorf) Semel.

The NRY Scholarship was established in 1994 to benefit future teachers and honor three longtime Eastern faculty members: Professors Joe Narotsky, David Rand and Ralph Yulo. The award is made annually to promising students in the field of education.

Ruth Rosebrooks ’54, right, poses for a photo with Eastern President Elsa Núñez and Kenneth DeLisa, vice president of institutional advancement, at the President’s Jubilee Luncheon on May 1.

on campus

Eastern Nets Grants for Teacher Quality Programs Eastern Connecticut State University has been named the recipient of two Teacher Quality Grants from the Connecticut Department of Education.

A three-year grant to participate in the teacher-quality partnership program, “Science Matters! Building Content and Literacy Knowledge,” will provide funding for the current year of up to $117,000. Eastern is eligible to apply for additional funding the next two years.

It begins this summer and involves 30 teachers from the towns of Norwich, Windham, Killingly, Madison and Somers. The teachers will attend 10 days of content-intensive professional development in science, technology and literacy presented by faculty from the University’s School of Arts and Sciences.

Faculty in Eastern’s Education Department also will provide hands-on learning for specific teaching environments.

Teachers will spend one day at the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford, focusing on connections to literature and literacy. They will also work with staff from Project Learning Tree at the

Connecticut Forest and Park Association and the University’s Institute for Sustainable Energy.

A

ccounting Society Hosts Annual Dinner

The project director for the grant is Janelle Day, associate professor of education. Other Eastern faculty managing the “Science Matters!” project include Susannah Richards, assistant professor of education and project co-director of the grant, and Catherine Tannahill, associate professor of education, who is project coordinator.

Eastern was also awarded $96,300 for a teacher quality enhancement grant to support a “Mathematical Modeling: A Bridge to Secondary and College Mathematics” program. Co-directors of the project are Education Professor Hari Koirala and Mathematics/Computer Science Professor Marsha Davis.

The program, to be held this summer, will help develop effective mathematics pedagogy in 25 local teachers in grades six through 12. Eastern faculty members will present a 10-day intensive professional development workshop in mathematics, technology and writing.

Business Administration Professor Kevin Lim chats with Christine Lemieux of South Windsor (left) and Ergys Guni ’09 at the Accounting Banquet.

Eastern’s Student Accounting Society played host for the 15th Annual Spring Accounting Banquet on April 30. Organized by Moud RuJoub, professor of business administration and coordinator of the University’s Accounting Program, the dinner brought students and alumni together along with corporate partners from throughout the Northeast who support Eastern’s students by providing experiential learning opportunities.

More than 120 guests were in attendance.

Blum Shapiro, CSCPA, Stephen Pedneault, and Whittlesey & Hadley were all thanked for their support of Eastern students, as was Professor Emeritus William Sisco, who presented the annual “Founders of Accounting” Scholarship.

Guests were greeted by Bozhena Pekhnik ’09 and Joseph Grigerek ’10. President Elsa Núñez applauded the University’s Accounting Program, noting that Eastern has the highest percentage of students who pass the CPA exam on the first attempt of any college or university in Connecticut.

The featured speaker was Nilima Shah, associate chief accountant with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

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on campus ing it a visible part of Eastern’s academic landscape, helping students and faculty explore gender issues such as female image and identity, women and war, family issues, lesbian culture, minority women, women in education, women in the workplace, and women and violence.

From left: State Senator Edith Prague (D-19th District); Jennifer Paradis ’11 of Rockville/Vernon and Eastern English Professor Marcia McGowan.

Eastern Names Winners of Ella T. Grasso Awards

by Emily Bonoyer ’10

An Eastern Connecticut State University student, a Connecticut state senator and the director of women’s studies at Eastern were named the recipients of the University’s first-ever Ella T. Grasso Distinguished Service Awards at a reception held March 18 on campus.

The award recognizes leaders who have made contributions towards advancing women’s rights and issues of gender equality in memory of former Connecticut Governor Ella T. Grasso.

Sen. Edith Prague ’65, who has represented the 19th Senate District since 1994, won the community award.

Prague is one of Connecticut’s longestserving public servants. A longtime Columbia resident, she champions the causes of many under-represented groups. Prague has advocated for female correctional workers who were victims of sexual harassment; advocated on behalf of workers, primarily female, who suffered from sick building syndrome; and led the fight against creating a toxic landfill in Franklin.

English Professor Marcia McGowan, affectionately called one of Eastern’s “feminist founding mothers” for her help in establishing the University’s Women’s Studies Department and Women’s Center, was also named as an award recipient. From 1979 to 1981, McGowan worked on a Title XX grant for the development of the Women’s Studies minor. She has directed the program for more than 20 years, mak-

Sociology major Jennifer Paradis ’11 of Vernon/Rockville won the student award. Paradis has assumed a number of leadership roles in programs and organizations on campus, focusing on outreach and advocacy of women’s issues and gender equality. She is a founding member and current vice president of Eastern’s Lesbian Gay Straight Student Alliance. She also chairs the SGA’s budget and management committee, works part time in the Office of Career Services and speaks to student groups across Connecticut about women’s issues and equality.

Jean de Smet, first selectwoman of the Town of Windham/Willimantic, delivered the keynote address.

Dean’s Cup Competition Winthrop Hall residents celebrate after capturing the trophy in Eastern’s second annual Dean’s Cup competition in May.The contest stretches over a nine-month period, with all 12 residence halls participating in various activities and events to accumulate points toward a final tally. Points are counted for highest cumulative GPA and participation in community service events, along with other activities.

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E

astern Students Visit the “Big Apple”

On April 8, Eastern students showed their school spirit on national television as members of the CBS “Early Show” outdoor audience. The trip, sponsored by Eastern’s Public Relations Student Society of America, was made possible in part by Eastern alumnus Adam Wurtzel ’07, who works as an audience coordinator at the “Early Show.”

From left: CSUS Board Chairman Lawrence D. McHugh; Professor Wendi Everton; Professor Dennis Canterbury; Eastern President Elsa Núñez; John Doyle, member of the CSUS Board of Trustees; and David G. Carter, chancellor of the Connecticut State University System.

Canterbury, Everton Honored with CSUS Trustee Awards

by Allison Kelley ’09

Dennis Canterbury, associate professor of sociology, has been named the recipient of the Connecticut State University (CSUS) Trustees Research Award for 2009. Wendi Everton, associate professor in the Department of Psychology, won a university-level Trustee Award honoring her teaching. The awards were presented at a recent meeting of the CSUS Board of Trustees.

and for her continuous participation in collegial work, including curriculum development and the enhancement of teaching. She was one of four CSUS professors, one per university, to receive a teaching award.

Wurtzel gave students a tour of the show’s set and the CBS Broadcast Center that houses smaller studios for the “CBS Evening News,” “Inside Edition” and “Guiding Light.”

He also arranged for the Eastern students to engage in a question-and-answer forum with “Early Show” hosts Harry Smith and Maggie Rodriguez.

“I am very proud of Professors Canterbury and Everton for receiving the CSUS Board of Trustees research and teaching awards this year,” said Eastern President Elsa Núñez. “The scholarly work and impassioned teaching they perform each day make them very worthy of these awards.”

Canterbury was honored for his contributions in advancing the field of sociology related to development and globalization, encompassing issues of sustainable development, good governance, African and Caribbean development and development theory, alternative development theory, neoliberal globalization and international economic partnerships. He was selected from a field of four candidates for the award, all of whom received universitylevel Trustee Awards in recognition of the caliber of their research.

During their recent trip to New York City, Eastern students had a front-row view while “CBS Early Show” hosts Maggie Rodriquez and Harry Smith interviewed actress Tracy Ullman.

“Harry Smith told us about one of his most memorable interviews. On his birthday last year he interviewed Barack Obama and when Obama came into the room he was carrying a cupcake singing ‘Happy Birthday, Harry.’ Smith just seemed like your average guy…who the president gave a cupcake to,” said Allison Kelley ’09.

Everton was recognized for her teaching innovation, effective instructional approaches and research supervision, Professor Dennis Canterbury

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on campus

E

astern Opens New Veterans Center

On March 19, Eastern dedicated its new Veterans Education and Transition Services (VETS) Center. The center, which is designed to meet the educational and transitional needs of almost 200 veterans at Eastern, is staffed by veteran and nonveteran student workers. In addition to admissions counseling and academic advising, staff are available to assist veterans with financial issues (GI Bill, tuition waivers) transfer credit evaluations and other veterans’ benefits.

“Lost in Translation 3” Brings Campus and Community Together More than 100 Willimantic area businesspeople, educators, public officials, members of the local Latino community and other local leaders attended “Lost in Translation 3: Community Connections,” a free, half-day seminar held on April 15 in the Betty R. Tipton Room of the Student Center.

that strengthening connections beyond Willimantic will be critical to economic development in the region.

Breakout topics in the morning included a review of the services available to local small businesses; a workshop on overcoming cultural differences in a multicultural environment; a session

The center also provides a space for veterans to relax and socialize. “The center helps acclimate veterans to an academic atmosphere,” said Caleb Diebolt ’09, veteran and program coordinator for the VETS Center. Senior Rebecca Shea, also a veteran and an office assistant in the VETS Center, agreed. “It is nice to have a place where you feel welcome.”

For more information, call (860) 465-0402.

Doreen Fuller, superintendent of Windham Public Schools, presented a workshop on building a stronger support system for local students.

The event, co-hosted by the ECSU Foundation, Inc., the Chamber of Commerce/Windham Region and Bauzá & Associates of Hartford, followed two successful workshops held at Eastern in October 2007 and May 2008.

Above, Army National Guard Sergeant Sean Richmond ’09 (left) talks with Stan Beckford, part-time professor in the Department of Business Administration. Beckford has spent 22 years in the Army, with his most recent tour of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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While the themes of bringing together Willimantic’s mainstream and Latino communities and supporting local economic development were continued from the first two events, Lost in Translation 3 focused on engaging Eastern students in the Willimantic community.

Chamber Executive Director Roger Adams welcomed participants and encouraged businesses in attendance to connect more with Eastern and the K-12 school system. Adams also said

on expanding relationships between the University and the community; and a dialog on how to build a stronger support system for local schoolchildren.

During his luncheon speech, keynoter Sean Bender, director of the Center for Community and Learning Partnerships at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, said that “universities are the economic engine of the 21st century.”

“We are undergoing an educational evolution,” he said, “where learning takes place in the community. Universities will become like the Marine Corps for service. This is about more than picking up trash; it’s about investing in the community and the community investing in the university.”

on campus

Eastern’s Distinguished Latin American Award Winners Named

by Esté Yarmosh ’09

On April 22, the 2009 Latin American Distinguished Service Awards were presented to an Eastern Connecticut State University student, a local health services coordinator and a member of Eastern’s administration.

Honorees included community member Maria Lazaro of Windham; Eastern student José Luis Maldonado of Willimantic; and Carmen Cid, faculty member and dean of Eastern’s School of Arts and Sciences. Carlos Ojeda Jr., a poet, writer and motivational speaker, was the keynote speaker.

Maldonado, a 2009 graduate from Willimantic, majored in communication with a minor in sociology and was honored for his ongoing involvement in campus and community activities. He was the president of Eastern’s Men Achieving Leadership, Excellence and Success (MALES) Club.

Lazaro is the coordinator of the “Promotores de Salud Program,” a program located in Kramer Middle School in Willimantic, part of the Eastern Area Health Education Center (AHEC) that connects the Spanish-speaking community and the health care system.

Lazaro was instrumental in encouraging women in the Health Literacy Class at Kramer Middle School to voice their

Left to right, Eastern President Elsa Núñez; José Luis Maldonado; Maria Lazaro; and Carmen Cid, dean of Eastern’s School of Arts and Sciences

concerns to their community health provider. She also participates as an active member of the health care team. Lazaro coordinates two primary programs. The “Lunch and Learn Program” for migrant farm workers focuses on HIV testing.

The second program for women is “De Mujer a Mujer Program (Of Women To Women).” Forty percent of the women participating in this program have had a mammogram, and 100 percent of the women have been tested for HIV. Cid is a nationally recognized ecologist who has been a mentor, scholar and leader on campus and in the community and at Eastern.

Cid’s work on recruitment and retention of women and minorities in the sciences has earned her national recognition.

Her “Urban Ecologist” interactive science kit for fourththrough sixth-graders was part of an award-winning “Women in Science” series funded by the National Science Foundation.

Eastern Names Winners of King Awards

by Emily Bonoyer ’10

Eastern Connecticut State University honored three individuals on Feb. 25 at its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Awards Reception.

Jessica Dybdahl ’09 from Storrs/Mansfield was a member of the student organization People Helping People, and student president of Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society. Dybdahl’s biggest project was creating weekly trips to Lyon Manor, a home to 30 adult residents who have a variety of mental and physical issues.

Meredith James, associate professor of English, received the award in the faculty/staff category. James promotes awareness of cultural and social identity as the faculty advisor for the Native American Society and Eastern’s campus chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

From left, Jessica Dybdahl, Rufus Jones and Meredith James are congratulated

by Eastern President Elsa Núñez.

The community member award was presented to Windsor resident Rufus Jones. Jones has been involved with Eastern’s student club Men Achieving Leadership Excellence and Success (MALES), and provided leadership and direction for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Oratorical Contest.

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on campus

H

anrahan and Hobbes Receive Barnard Awards

by Emily Bonoyer ’10

Sara Hanrahan ’09 of Oakdale and Tristan Hobbes ’09 of Utica, NY, were honored at the 21st annual Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Awards ceremony on April 21.

Sara Hanrahan

Tristan Hobbes

Hanrahan, a mathematics major with a concentration in secondary education, has a 3.98 GPA and has earned the SMART Scholarship and the ETS (Education Testing Service) Recognition of Excellence in Mathematics for scoring in the top 15 percent on the Praxis II for math content knowledge.

“Sara’s passion is for teaching mathematics to young people,” said Eastern President Elsa Núñez. “She has a particular interest in working with students who struggle with the subject.”

Hobbes is a communication major and sport and leisure management minor with a 3.80 GPA. He is captain of Eastern’s baseball team and was named to the Little East Conference First Team, ECAC All-New England First Team, CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors Association) Academic All-America District 1 First Team and the Little East Conference All-Academic Team.

“Maintaining a successful balance between academics and athletics requires self-discipline and time management skills. Tristan has distinguished himself academically, athletically and as a citizen of the Eastern community,” said Núñez.

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Eastern’s First-Ever Community Service Awards

by Allison Kelley ’09

Eastern inaugurated its first-ever Community Service Awards on April 22 in the Child and Family Development Resource Center. The awards, which celebrate “ordinary people” who accomplish extraordinary things through service, were presented to an Eastern Connecticut State University student, a staff member, a student club and a Willimantic community partner.

The Community Catalyst Student Award was presented to social work major Amy Gorman, a junior from Cromwell. Gorman was honored for her active participation in Eastern’s serviceoriented student club, People Helping People. She also mentors teens at the Windham Teen Pregnancy Prevention Center; volunteers weekly at the No Freeze Hospitality Center; and served on the planning committee for Eastern’s Day of Giving and Town Pride/Town Wide community service initiatives.

The Catalyst Award in the faculty/staff category was presented to Nutmeg Hall Director Mark Connolly, who was hon-

ored for engaging his hall residents in numerous community service projects and fundraisers, including a camera drive and a sock collection drive.

The Eastern Outdoors Club won the Community Event Award for organizing the Earth Day Trail Run. George Hernandez, a small-business specialist at the Spanish American Merchant Association (SAMA), won the Community Partner Award. Hernandez teaches business startup classes to local entrepreneurs and spoke to a multicultural anthropology class at Eastern.

Eastern student Monica Rochon, staff member Irene Cretella and the Eastern Rugby Team were also recognized.

Rochon helped organize the “Capture It Camera Drive,” a movement to collect old cameras for use by Windham High School students. Cretella was honored for her work in Eastern’s numerous blood drives, and the rugby team was recognized for volunteering at Willimantic’s Covenant Soup Kitchen.

A Day at the Capitol Students Nate Oldham and Rebecca Scott helped staff Eastern’s exhibit booth during “Connecticut State University System Day at the Capitol,” held May 13 in Hartford.

They answered questions about Eastern’s Center for Community Engagement and the myriad of service-learning opportunities available on campus.

athletics

Eight Eastern Athletes Named All-Americans in 2008-09

Top, from left: Hobbes; Gilblair; Castillo; Rathbun Below, from left: Lane; Simmons; McFetridge; Bedini

Four Eastern Connecticut State University student-athletes attained All-America status this past spring, bringing to eight the total number of honorees during the 2008-09 academic year.

The All-America total of eight is the highest in one year for Eastern athletics since 1989-90, when eight student-athletes in three sports received the honor, seven of them playing on the national championship baseball and softball teams that spring.

Headlining this year’s All-America crop is baseball player Tristan Hobbes ’09 of Utica, NY, who was recognized as Eastern’s first-ever ESPN The Magazine/College Division Academic All-America. He was a first-team choice to the team. Hobbes was one of only two selections from New England.

“This is a very deserving honor and is a fitting end to his career at Eastern,” said head baseball coach Bill Holowaty of his 2009 team co-captain. “His accomplishments in the classroom and on the baseball field speak for themselves. He’s just a good, all-around kid – everyone likes and respects him.

Tristan has been a great example for future ballplayers here.”

The University’s other seven All-America selections were utility player Shawn Gilblair ’09 of Windham and junior third baseman Melvin Castillo of Danbury in baseball; freshman

right-handed softball pitcher Molly Rathbun of Hebron; defenseman Steve Lane ’09 of Groton and senior midfielder DJ Simmons of Mystic in men’s lacrosse; center Ashley McFetridge ’09 of Canton in women’s basketball; and defender Kyle Bedini ’09 of Manchester in men’s soccer.

Gilblair and McFetridge were first-team selections to their respective All-America teams. Rathbun and Bedini were second-team selections, and Castillo a third-team pick.

Lane and Simmons achieved honorable mention status.

A pitcher and position player, Giblair was named NCAA Division III Player-of-the-Year by the American Baseball Coaches’ Association (ABCA) for the second time in his career, in the process becoming the first player in program history to be named to the All-America first team as many as three times. Castillo repeated the third-team accolades which he earned as a freshman in 2007.

In the Little East Conference this year, Rathbun was named Rookie-of-the-Year in softball. McFetridge, one of only 10 players nationwide chosen to the team, repeated as Player-ofthe-Year in basketball. Lane was Defensive Player-of-the-Year and Simmons Offensive Player-of-the-Year in lacrosse.

Behind their All-Americas, the baseball, softball, women’s basketball and men’s lacrosse teams all qualified for NCAA tournament play, while the men’s soccer team was the No. 1 seed in the ECAC New England Division III Tournament.

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athletics

E

Holly E. Zimmerman Memorial Award

astern Alumnus Elected to Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame

Ashley McFetridge ’09 became the 26th recipient of the Holly E. Zimmerman Memorial Award during post-game ceremonies Feb. 7. Joining McFetridge are her parents, Cynthia and Ken, and committee chairman David G. Yeo (far left). The award is given each year in honor of the late Eastern student-athlete Holly E. Zimmerman. Nominees must be studentathletes or student trainers majoring in Physical Education or Sport and Leisure Management with an overall gradepoint average of 2.70.

Former four-year Eastern basketball letterwinner Michael Cotela ’80 was inducted into the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Alumni Association Hall of Fame on Jan. 31 during a ceremony in Ansonia.

A Shelton native, Cotela graduated from Eastern with a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1980 and received his master’s degree in counseling from the University of Bridgeport in 1983. In 1999, Cotela received his doctorate in education with a specialization in children and youth programming from

Joining Michael Cotela (center) at the induction were Marc Rubera, former Eastern classmate (left), and Clyde Washburne (right), assistant basketball coach at Eastern during Cotela’s playing days.

Nova University. For the past 26 years he has worked for the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley in his hometown.

Cotela played four seasons of basketball under former head coach Bob Fisk and assistant coach Clyde Washburne from 1976 through 1980, serving as a senior captain.

Today, as the director of operations for the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Cotela oversees four Boys & Girls Club units. Cotela is also an adjunct professor at the University of Bridgeport and a national training associate for Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

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The men’s lacrosse program celebrated its sixth Little East Conference playoff championship in nine years May 2 with a 12-8 win over Keene State College at Thomas Nevers Field.

Men’s Lacrosse Team Regains Little East Championship One year after failing to qualify for the Little East Conference men’s lacrosse championship match for the only time, Eastern Connecticut State University returned to the top with a 12-8 victory over Keene State College before an overflow crowd May 2 at Thomas Nevers Field.

Top-seeded Eastern won its sixth Little East Conference playoff championship in nine years by rolling to its eighth

straight win, snapping the six-game streak of second-seeded Keene.

The LEC playoff title was the first for the Warriors under second-year head coach Justin Axel, who has directed the Warriors to the second-most overall wins in program history. All four head coaches in the program’s history have now won at least one LEC playoff championship.

athletics

“C

oach” Geissler Missed by All

Athletes Recognized for Academic Excellence A total of 33 student-athletes received an E-Club Scholar-Athlete Award at the annual awards banquet held May 3 in the Betty R. Tipton Room in the Student Center. Nineteen Outstanding Scholar-Athlete and 14 Scholar-Athlete awards were presented to junior and senior athletes with minimum cumulative grade-point averages of 3.15.

Outstanding Scholar-Athletes included Christina Amato, Jackie Bivona, Michael Brady, Sandra Brautigam, Sam Buczek, Alex Cavanaugh, Kim Church, Maureen Kop, Maxim Fantl, Douglas Hackenyos, Tristan Hobbes, Will Lathrop, Shawn McLaughlin, Megan Puzacke, Meghan Ryczek, Jaime Seligmann, Sarah Swann, Kelsey Watson and Jessica Wilson.

Scholar-Athletes included Erika Barber, Courtney Bedocs, Amy Gould, Clara Juncadella, Christine Lemieux, Jimmy McConville, Ashley McFetridge, Anthony Mendez, Katie O’Toole, Mike Palo, Ben Raccio, Katherine Redman, David Tignonsini and Ashley Tuggle.

A total of 33 student-athletes received scholarathlete awards at the annual awards banquet on May 3.

Major award honorees were also recognized on May 3. Baseball player Tristan Hobbes of Utica, NY, received the Francis E. Geissler Senior Male SportsPerson-of-the-Year Award; the Bonnie J. Edmondson Senior Female SportsPerson-of-the-Year Award went to Nicole Stefanik of Coventry, RI. Kyle Bedini was honored as Male Athlete-of-theYear; Ashley McFetridge was named Female Athlete-of-the Year; the Male Rookie-of-the-Year Award went to Nick Nedwick; Molly Rathbun was named Female Rookie-of-the-Year; and the Morrell Service Award went to Ashley Sullivan.

Coach Nevers Honored with Prestigious Gold Key Tom Nevers, the winningest soccer coach in the 48-year history of the Eastern Connecticut State University men’s soccer program, received a Gold Key Award from the Connecticut Sports Writers Alliance at its annual Gold Key Dinner, held April 26 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington. Nevers is the second Eastern coach to receive a Gold Key, joining head baseball coach Bill Holowaty, who received his in 1989.

A native of Mansfield, Nevers was the founder of the Eastern men’s soccer program in 1961, was a charter inductee into the Eastern/E-Club Hall of Fame in 1986, and also was inducted into the Connecticut Soccer Hall of Fame in 2001. He compiled an 18-year record of 153-76-14 for a 65.8 winning percentage. Eastern’s soccer and lacrosse field was named in his honor in 2001.

Former Eastern head soccer coach Tom Nevers

Francis E. Geissler, legendary coach at Eastern Connecticut State University, passed away on July 13. Geissler was hired in 1948 as the first athletic director at what was then Willimantic State Teachers College.

During his 29 years of service to the college, Geissler was also baseball coach, basketball coach, director of health and physical education and the University’s registrar. Geissler was also a longtime soccer and football official and was active in New England officiating circles.

“Whether you are talking with students who have benefited from the Francis E. Geissler Scholarship, sitting at a basketball game in Geissler Gymnasium or reminiscFrancis E. Geissler ing with longtime Eastern alumni, the indelible impact of Mr. Geissler on this University is clear,” said Eastern President Elsa Núñez. “In recent years, even when his health was not good, Mr. Geissler would honor Eastern by coming to University events. We cherish those moments and will miss him greatly.”

In addition to his years of service to Eastern’s athletic programs, Geissler also donated generously over the years to the ECSU Foundation, Inc., in support of Eastern students.

“We all are deeply saddened by the news of Francis Geissler’s passing,” said Joyce Wong, director of athletics. “He was a respected mentor to our coaches, and our student athletes were honored by his presence at their games. He often gave them pep talks and words of encouragement as he rooted for them from the sidelines.”

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class notes

’34

Estelle (Novack) Konesni grew up

in Sterling and taught elementary school for 34 years in Sterling, Pomfret, Putnam and Canterbury. She preferred second grade because “they believe everything you tell them at that age.” Estelle married in 1941 and her husband, a veteran of World War II, worked for more than 25 years with the Department of Motor Vehicles. They had five biological children and adopted three. Including Estelle, there are nine teachers in her family.

’36

Adeline M. (Jaskiewicz) Fleming celebrated her

93rd birthday in February by visiting her daughter, Jeanne, and son-in-law, Leonard, in Palo Alto, CA. She was Leonard’s guest at a Stanford women’s basketball game, which brought back happy memories of her days as a student-athlete in college. Adeline was center for the women’s basketball team at Willimantic Normal School. “All I can say is, if we’d played Stanford, we would have lost. Of course, I stood 5 feet 7 inches and was considered one of the tall ones!” Adeline sends her best wishes to her classmates and athletic chums.

’39

Barbara (Linderme) Stockton taught grades three, four

and five in Middletown for 25 years.

She and her husband retired to Sandwich, NH, in 1977.

’47

Rena Graff Kameros is re-

tired and living in Boca Raton, FL. She would love to hear from any alumni living in south Florida.

’49

Frances (Wilcox) Potter

received her M.Ed. from Boston University in 1952 and then taught for a year at Camp Hakata in Japan.

In 1980 she retired from the Ventura Unified Schools System in Ventura, CA. Frances lives with her husband, Gordon Potter, in Columbus, KS.

’53

Irene Cannon Hartley

recently completed 55 years in the field of early childhood education, first as a teacher, then as a university professor and director of the University Lab School. She finished her career with the National Association for the Education of Young Children as a validator for preschools and daycare centers seeking national accreditation.

’54

Diane (Leandri) Panciera

lives with her husband in Hollywood, FL, where they continue their work in the funeral care industry.

They enjoy their children and grandchildren and extend warm greetings to classmates and friends. Ruth P. Rosebrooks is proud to see that fellow classmate Albert Wojtcuk was honored with the 2009 Distinguished

32 E ASTERN Summer 2009

Alumni Award. Ruth received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2004.

’55

Lois (Kennedy) Archer recently cel-

ebrated her 96th birthday in Cromwell with her family. Lois lived for many years in Pomfret Center. After receiving her teaching degree, she taught elementary school in Woodstock. Lois has traveled to Europe and Asia and continues to enjoy bridge and the company of friends and family.

’59

Harriet (Baum) Mason has been

married to her husband, Ralph, for 49 years. They have three grown children and four grandsons. The couple is loving retirement and lives in an active-retirement community.

Herbert Shedroff began his career in 1960, teaching science at the junior high level in East Hampton. From there he became principal at Gilead Hill School in Hebron and then at D.F. Burns School in Hartford. Currently Herbert is supervisor of student teachers at Saint Joseph College in West Hartford. Francis C. Stevens retired in 1989 and went to work as an historical interpreter at Old Sturbridge Village for 17 years.

’62

Sereyna Wallace ’05 and Sabryna Wallace ’05 show off their Eastern pride at the Hartford Area Alumni Reception.

Eastern Alumni Around the United States Eastern continues to reach out to alumni across Connecticut and around the country with events that help alumni stay connected. During the spring, President Elsa Núñez hosted alumni receptions in Glastonbury and West Hartford; Philadelphia, PA; and Washington, D.C. In her remarks, Núñez updated alumni on the University’s strategic plan, the 10-year master plan, and other ongoing efforts to make Eastern “A University of First Choice.”

The Office of Alumni Affairs also continues to host “Networking Happy Hours” throughout the Northeast. During the spring, events were held in Willimantic, Hartford, Norwich and Manchester; New York; and Boston and Springfield, MA. The “Networking Happy Hours” are a great opportunity to network socially and professionally with other Eastern Alumni — and the first beverage is free, courtesy of the Office of Alumni Affairs.

For more information on alumni events taking place in your area, visit www.easternct.edu/alumni/alumni_friends/ or the “ECSU Alumni Association” group on Facebook. To make sure you don’t miss anything, stay current with all the latest campus news through “Newsflash,” Eastern’s e-newsletter. Send your e-mail address to alumni@easternct.edu.

Judith (Bloch) Vertefeuille

had paintings exhibited at the Jonathan Trumbull Jr. House in Lebanon. She received the basics of art instruction from former Art Professors Julian Akus and Esther Cohen, and while living in Burr Hall on campus she completed large pastel murals to hang in the main reception room. After graduating with her teaching degree, Judith became interested in colonial art and studied with Rebecca Roure of Hampton, learning how to stencil, complete theorem paintings, gold leaf trays and Pennsylvania Dutch oil designs.

’63

Nelson Quinby is retired but keeps busy as the chairman of the Great Decisions Foreign Policy Association and working on the Board of Directors for the Naples Council on World Affairs. Sherry (King) Medeiros retired in 2004 after 34 years of teaching in New Bedford, MA. In addition to teaching second grade, Sherry also helped to initiate a Title I program known as “Literacy Coaches” in which she was assigned to several elementary schools to prepare and execute lessons that modeled best teaching practices. Sherry has two daughters and three grandchildren. She now resides in West Wareham, MA. Lita (Pellettieri) Murphy recently wrote about her “three careers.” Career 1 included the birth of her daughter and teaching for 17 years in Newington, Hartford and Manchester, and in Amherst, MA. She left teaching to begin career 2, obtaining a degree in chemical engineering and moving to New Jersey to become a reliability engineer at Ft. Monmouth. She retired in 2005 as Program Manager Satellite Communications Control for the military. In 2005, Lita moved to Worden, IL, to begin career 3 as “manager/barn goddess/alpaca mama” for “Prairieland Peruvian Alpacas,” the farm she owns with her husband. Jim and Ann (McGrath) Logan recently moved to Spring Hill, FL. Jim taught

class notes algebra for 34 years until his retirement in 1997. Ann earned a master’s degree in psychotherapy and worked for a psychiatrist for 20 years, first as a family therapist and eventually with schizophrenic and bipolar patients. Jim and Ann have four children and seven grandchildren, and have opened their home to 25 foster children over the years. The Logans have their Life Masters in duplicate bridge, and have played in a number of tournaments around the country.

Bert Nussbaum returned to his native New Jersey after graduation, teaching elementary and middle school in Hillside and Westfield and working as a guidance counselor in South River. In retirement, Bert works part time at both Rutgers and Monmouth University writing and administering grants, supervising student teachers and developing in-house programs for field practicum liaisons. Bert and his wife, Judi, who have one daughter, divide their time between Lakewood, NJ, and Delray Beach, FL. Bert serves on Eastern’s Alumni Association Board of Directors, and volunteers as the correspondent for the Class of ’63.

’69

Edward Gaffney was appointed to

the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. A former Republican state representative from Grosse Pointe Farms, Edward’s appointment is for a term expiring June 12, 2012. Jane (Bitgood) Gestrine is enjoying retirement in Kingman, AZ, after 26 years working in public libraries and six years with the Court Appointed Special Advocates Program.

’72

Susanne (Rondeau) Leuck ’72/M.S. ’87 retired from teaching and pursued

a second career as an EMT for the Gardner Lake Volunteer Fire Co. in Salem. She is also an American Heart Association CPR instructor. In 2008, Susanne taught CPR to the entire eighth-grade class at Salem School and also taught them how to use an automated external defibrillator. Susanne writes, “The kids were great and their timing for the compressions was terrific!”

’73

Bill McKee applauds the opening of

the new Veterans Center on campus.

He noted that he was one of four Vietnam vets who approached Dean Robert Wickware in 1970 about creating the original Vets Club, the purpose of which was “to get us excused from the physical education requirement at that time.” According to Bill, “We felt our military physical education and experience should exempt us from such a silly waste of our academic time. Now, 40 years later, I realize it would have benefited my career in hospital administration had I received some golf lessons during the first semester of my education at Eastern.” Bill resides in Willimantic.

’74

Sharon (Barnes) Breen has been

teaching for 35 years in the Canterbury Public School System. She is married and has three daughters, all of whom are in education.

Her youngest daughter, Meghan K. Breen ’09, graduated from Eastern in May.

Dembek Provides Training for Influenza Pandemic Zygmunt F. Dembek ’73 (above, far right) recently served on a team from the Center for Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine (CDHAM) of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD. Dembek traveled to Abidjan, Cote d‘Ivoire and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in the summer of 2008 to provide training to public health officials.

The West African countries were deemed a priority to receive assistance and training by the CDHAM for avian and pandemic influenza preparedness.

“There is a worldwide concern that the H5N1 influenza virus could evolve the potential to be transmitted from birds to humans, and also to develop antiviral medication resistance, thereby becoming the next worldwide influenza pandemic virus,” said Dembek.

Dembek, who holds a Ph.D. and two master’s degrees in addition to a B.S. in biology from Eastern, is an Army Reserve scientist who has been mobilized since 2005 to active military duty at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick, MD. While in Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire, Dembek and the CDHAM team conducted four days of intensive influenza preparedness training in each country for government physicians, nurses, veterinarians, laboratory technician, and healthcare and communications professionals.

’76

Francis Doherty is the founder and

president of AquaTox Research of Syracuse, NY, a specialized testing company that analyzes and consults on the effects of toxins on aquatic organisms and animal species. He launched the firm in 1992. After receiving his biology degree at Eastern, he earned a master’s degree at Ohio University and a Ph.D. at Virginia Tech, both in zoology.

’82

George Jordhamo has worked at

IBM for the past 25 years. He is currently the senior engineering manager for IBM’s 300mm semiconductor operations in New York. He has three children, all in college.

’83 ’86

Susan Jordhamo is in her 19th year

teaching science at the secondary level in the Arlington (NY) Central School District.

Eunice C. (Byers) Basta works in Arlington, VA, for QinetiQ North America as a program support executive. Robert F. Polito Jr., senior vice president of Webster Bank, has been named Connecticut 2009 Veteran Business Champion of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Robert, an Army veteran, has worked tirelessly for veterans, especially through a business loan program for veterans, including those serving overseas.

He lives in Madison with his wife, Lori.

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class notes

’87

David Panteleakos is administrator

of Westview Health Care Center in Dayville. A recent issue of U.S. News and World Report ranked Westview Health Care Center among the top nursing homes in the nation.

The 103-bed skilled nursing facility received the report’s rank of honor, collecting a perfect five stars in the four government rating areas. Only 27 of more than 15,000 nursing homes nationwide received this rating.

’88

Jeffrey Konin is an associate profes-

sor and the executive director for the Sports Medicine and Athletic Related Trauma Institute at the University of South Florida in Tampa. He was recently appointed vice-chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine.

’89

Irene Ginty is an animal operations

specialist for Priority One Services at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD.

’91

In July 2007, Kris Mach-Urillo biked 478 miles across Iowa in seven days with more than 10,000 riders in the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI). Her husband, who also rode, biked an extra loop and rode 500 miles. Regina Rega graduated from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles in 2005 with a Masters of Planning and Development (Urban Planning).

’93

Dennis Savage has produced Christian

radio and television programs throughout southern New England and Long Island and for PAX-TV since graduation. He is currently producing “Bring ’Em Back to Life,” a familyfriendly TV series about antique cars and trucks and the salvage yards where they are discovered. Dennis has also joined a group of other professionals in the area called the Southeastern Connecticut Film Makers.

The group produces short films and members host events for local producers to showcase their work to the general public.

’94

’96

Mark Andrews

has been reappointed by the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CSCPA) to serve as a member of its

Advisory Council for the organization’s 200910 activity year. Mark, who earned a master’s degree in accounting and taxation from the University of Hartford, is a tax manager for ESPN in Bristol. Beverly (Cook) Davis attended Eastern while serving on active duty in the U.S. Navy and working in health care. When she retired as a chief petty officer after 20 years, a Navy alumnus steered her to a position as a cost analyst with NAVAIR. Beverly began her career with NAVAIR in 2001 and now works as a senior cost analyst. She recently received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award. Beverly is married and has three children and two grandchildren. She coaches youth volleyball and continues to play volleyball herself. Brian DuPerre is employed as associate general counsel for UnitedHealthGroup. He serves as lead counsel on matters pertaining to their commercial business operations, claim transactions, portals, e-health/e-commerce, HIPAA, privacy and security. Brian also serves as chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Housing Authority of the Town of Somers and as president of the Board of Directors of both Somers Housing Management, Inc. and Somers Housing Management-Phase II, Inc. He resides in Somers with his wife and two sons. Marc Freeman is among only 50 scientists nationwide who has received a six-year appointment to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Early Career Scientist Program. The $200 million program pays the salaries of the scientists and gives them each $1.5 million to fund their research. Marc, who is an assistant professor of neurobiology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, is studying the fruit fly to understand how the glial cells that support and protect neurons are involved in the way injured neurons behave, which could help design therapies for spinal and nerve injuries as well as neurodegenerative disease.

Scott Voogd lives in Norwalk, Iowa, with his wife, Darcy, and their sons Evan, 7, and Aidan, 5.

Scott is an earth science teacher at Lincoln High School in Des Moines. He is also the school’s boys soccer coach, IT Team coach and technology coordinator.

Joseph D’Addio has been associated

Mark Andrews

with the Jive Label Group for the past 10 years. He was recently promoted to National Director, Top 40 Radio Promotions. He resides in Arlington, VA, with his wife, Melissa.

’97

David Bosso, a social studies teacher

in Berlin, was named the 2009 Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the Connecticut Council for the Social Studies. After graduating magna cum laude from Eastern, David received a master’s degree in education from the University of Hartford and a Master of Arts degree from Central Connecticut State University.

’99

Beth Girard has been teaching hip-hop

dance classes at Eastern Connecticut Ballet School in East Lyme since the summer of 2007. Jennifer (Padegmas) Karcich is married to Derek Karcich ’00. They are proud parents of their 3-year-old daughter, Kaia, and 1-yearold son, Braden.

’01

Michael Pietruszka traveled to Mos-

cow, Russia, to train physical education teachers in that country on inclusion through two projects coordinated by an advocacy group called Perspektiva. One project, called “I Can,” focused on including disabled students in afterschool activities such as tennis. Another project was “Promoting Inclusive Schools in Moscow,” a program that seeks to include students with special needs in physical education classes with regular students. Michael gave advice on how to structure lessons and utilize equipment, and even taught some lessons through translation.

’02

Kymson Brazee III is a project man-

ager with Rabinowitz Glass of Philadelphia. He resides in Media, PA, and is engaged to Rianna Meinert.

’03

William McEwen earned a master’s

degree from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work in 2005. He works with survivors of traumatic and acquired brain injury through the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Josh Perry won a Sports Emmy for “Best New Approach: Coverage” for a weekly, live-streamed show called “Fantasy Football Now” that ran during the 2007 NFL season on ESPN.com. Josh writes, “I was the only designer in the group so I got to make all the fun animations and operate the broadcast graphics.” To view the animation reel, go to www.joshperrydesign.com.

’04

Bonnie Enes is a published poet,

with her work appearing in College Poetry Review, Pegasus, Shapes, Canvass and numerous other publications. She was awarded first prize in the Cyclamens and Swords Poetry

greetings from the alumni association The paradox of modern times is that, despite all the wireless communications, cell phones and web-based technologies, keeping in touch with friends in today’s mobile society remains a challenge. We want to be sure that we stay connected with our alumni, and you can help. Tell us what’s happening in your professional and personal lives. And let us know how we can stay in touch — we communicate with more than 8,000 alumni via e-mail, but that’s less than half the total number of alumni who are active. Send us your e-mail address (simply e-mail alumni@easternct.edu to get the ball rolling), and we will let you know about reunions in your area, campus events and other important Eastern news. Stay in touch!

Dan Canavan ’97, president of the ECSU Alumni Association

34 E ASTERN Summer 2009

class notes Contest in 2009. She has also won multiple awards in the Windham Area Poetry Festival.

Bonnie is a writer, artist, teacher, photographer and columnist and resides in Bloomfield.

Frederick Gordon is a firefighter for the District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department.

He resides in Rockville, MD.

’05

Elizabeth Johnson is the vice presi-

dent of commercial lending at CU Business Capital in East Hartford. Marie (Pelkey) LeBlanc has accepted a position as the publicity and marketing manager for the University of Connecticut School of Business.

Erin McParland is a model and makeup specialist at ESPN. While at ESPN, she began appearing on camera to deliver weather updates for Fantasy Football broadcasts. Erin’s career has moved into acting, and she appears in the movie “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” with Matthew McConaughey.

’06

Phyllis Cappuccio received her

Master of Science in Management from St. Joseph College in December 2008.

She works as a program manager at End Hunger Connecticut! Inc. in Hartford. LaToya Smith is an editorial assistant at Black Enterprise magazine. She performs administrative and editorial duties and assists in coordinating the publication process from manuscript to book.

She also investigates story ideas for the magazine, which involves extensive Internet research, writing and interviewing. LaToya graduated from Boston University in 2008 with a M.S. in print journalism. Veronica Wright is a project manager with the Navy Federal Credit Union in Vienna, VA. Her job has taken her around the world, most recently Singapore.

’07

Marriages

Chelsea Adams has been employed

with the Hartford Board of Education for one year as the internal communications specialist. She plans on pursuing a master’s degree in the fall of 2009. Jenna Castle is a graduate student at the University of Connecticut studying agriculture resource economics with a focus on environmental policy. Adam Wurtzel is audience coordinator for “The Early Show” on CBS. He coordinates all of the audience members who arrive bright and early each morning for their chance to be on national television. He also tells corny jokes to get the audience excited before going on air. Adam hosted a large contingent of Eastern students in April, and is looking forward to seeing many more Eastern alumni in the audience.

’08

Ashley Biegert is the night/week-

end manager at New York Islanders Iceworks, the official practice facility of the New York Islanders. Kevin Douglas completed his Master of Social Work with a concentration in policy at the University of Pennsylvania. Alyssa Goodin received a Master of Social Work with a concentration in policy from the University of Pennsylvania. Kate Tedford is serving a year in the Americorps State and National program working at Everybody Wins! Connecticut, a literacy and mentoring organization dedicated to increasing low-income children’s success in school and in life through one-on-one reading experiences. Kate is working on a program called Power Lunch, where adult volunteers travel to elementary schools once a week to read with students. Kate mentions that volunteers are welcome as there are always waiting lists full of children ready for mentors.

Kevin J. Geissler ’97 to Lisa Marie Lindsey

on Sept. 26, 2008 Amy Gray ’98 to Dennis Bialowas on

Nov. 3, 2008 Erin Fraley ’01 to Dennis Tegmier on

Aug. 3, 2008 Jillian Werner ’05 to Justin Planz on

June 21, 2008

In Memoriam Marion (Wilbur) Bridges ’36 Grace (Main) Culver ’33 Isabel (Ukleja) Franklin ’36 Frances R. Freeman ’49 Madeline Gauthier ’72 Rose (Goldblatt) Heller ’29 Frances (Williams) Lasch ’36 Elois Leveille ’36 Mary (Kelly) Meehan ’42 Helen (White) Mullen ’33 Ellen E. Pasay ’11 Heather Quadrato ’95 Ruth (Borges) Ridgeway ’29 Ruth (Abrahamson) Wheeler ’39

Game On! On April 24, Adam Wurtzel ’07 co-hosted “GSN Live!” from 3 to 6 p.m. on the Game Show Network (Channel 80 on Charter Cable in Willimantic).This interactive “show-within-a-show” airs during the commercial breaks of game shows such as “Family Feud” and “The Weakest Link” that air during the three-hour slot. It features games that viewers can play to win prizes over the phone, highlights from classic game shows, interviews, behind-the-scenes views of GSN and celebrity appearances. At left,Wurtzel poses with Fred Roggin, sports anchor at KNBC-TV in Los Angeles and regular host of “GSN Live.”

E ASTERN

Summer 2009

35

final thoughts

As you can see from the cover and accompanying story in this issue of EASTERN Magazine, the Church Farm Center for the Arts and Sciences in Ashford is a wonderful addition to the University, providing Eastern students and faculty with a natural habitat and an historic house and barn suitable for a wide range of arts and scientific experiences. We are very grateful to Joseph and Dorothy (Church) Zaring for their generous gift and are committed to maintaining the farm’s pastoral charm.

As much as we are humbled by this wonderful resource, we recognize that most alumni and friends of Eastern are not in the position to donate real property to the University. Even so, they

continue to give generously. Despite the nation’s current economic troubles, our annual giving actually increased in the fiscal year just being concluded. While this steady stream of philanthropy does not include extraordinary donations such as the Zarings’, annual gifts are the lifeblood of the University, representing the generosity of several thousand Eastern faithful and allowing us to offer scholarships and other important services to students.

University’s stature. Scholarships for students with unmet financial need; value-added practical experiences such as field study, undergraduate research and internships; and enhanced use of facilities such as our new Science Building, are all examples of your philanthropy at work.

Even as the ECSU Foundation, Inc., continues to encourage planned giving opportunities for donors, our focus over the coming years will be to increase the number of alumni and other contributors. It will be important to broaden our base of support to help sustain Eastern in difficult economic times and to enhance the University’s reputation. This is because one of the criteria of the U.S. News and World Report rankings is the percentage of alumni who give, not the amount of dollars raised. Your gifts, regardless of size, can help improve the quality of an Eastern education and the

Kenneth J. DeLisa Vice President Division of Institutional Advancement P.S.: Should you want to make a donation today, please use the donor form found below. You may complete, tear off and return it with your check or credit card information to: ECSU Foundation, Inc., 83 Windham St., Willimantic, CT 06226. You will be joining the ranks of many Eastern supporters who are helping us become a University of First Choice.

As always, thank you for believing in Eastern.

Please complete and return with your check or credit card information to: ECSU Foundation, Inc., 83 Windham St., Willimantic, CT 06226 I/We wish to contribute to the Annual Fund Total Pledge $___________________________________________ __ to be paid in two installments __ to be paid in three installments Amount Enclosed $_______________________________________ Balance Due $___________________________________________ Please designate my gift to:_ _______________________________ Gif t Levels Tower Society.......................................................... $5,000 and above E.R. Noble Associates...............................................$1,000 to $4,999 The 1889 Society............................................................$500 to $999 The President’s Circle.....................................................$300 to $499 The Century Club.......................................................... $100 to $299 Friends of Eastern............................................................... $50 to $99

36 E ASTERN Summer 2009

Method of payment: __ Check enclosed Please make check payable to: The ECSU Foundation, Inc. Charge: __ VISA __ MasterCard __Discover __ AMEX Account #_ ________________________________________ Exp. Date: _____ Signature: __ I/We would like to contribute via a transfer of stock __ I/We have made a provision for Eastern in my/our will __ This gift is being made in honor of/in memory of _________________________________________________ __ My/my spouse’s employer will match my gift (form enclosed) If you have already sent in your gift, please accept our thanks.

Eastern Warriors Debut New Athletics Logo The Eastern Warriors have a new look!

The new logo became effective on May 1, and will be used to brand and promote all Eastern athletic teams and functions. The development of the logo was a deliberative process taking many months, and involved the input of students, coaches and the Student Athlete Advisory Council. Over the next year as budget allows, additional elements of the athletic brand, including a new mascot and a possible spirit band, will be developed.

While the Warrior logo shown above is the official one, there will be other elements used to identify Eastern’s athletics teams.

The Eastern “E” and the shield with the “E” will also represent the Warriors.

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Willimantic, CT Permit No. 12

e c n e v Pro

PROVENCE May 25-June 2, 2010

ce Proven n e A ix

Markets down the street from the hotel

du Gard t n o P Avignon Le s L

ubéron

Join fellow Eastern Connecticut State University alumni and discover magical Provence—a land of colorful sunflowers, fields of lavender, lush vineyards and charming towns. Your base is Aix-en-Provence, a lovely town of impressive architecture, sun-drenched promenades and fashionable shops. Discover the villages of Les Lubéron, view the ruins at Arles and visit delightful Les Baux. Marvel at the magnificent palace at Avignon and the Pont du Gard. Learn about wine and olive oil production, and enjoy some of the finished products. Join us on this travel experience that promises to be magnifique! $2,595 per person, plus V.A.T. and air fare.

For more information, call 800-323-7373.