Eastern Magazine Fall 2025 Looking Back & Moving Forward

Looking Back & Moving Forward A Brief History of Eastern Connecticut State University

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or more than 136 years, Eastern has been a place of learning, opportunity, and service. What began as a teacher training school in downtown Willimantic has grown into Connecticut’s designated public liberal arts university, where generations of students, faculty, and staff have worked together to advance knowledge and strengthen communities.

This brief history reflects the people who shaped Eastern — leaders who expanded its reach, educators who inspired their students, and graduates who carried Eastern’s mission into the world.

The Early Years 1889-1918 The “normal school” movement in the United States emerged in the mid-1800s to train qualified elementary school teachers for the expanding public education system. Initially housed on the third floor of the former Willimantic Savings Institute, Eastern began as the Willimantic State Normal School (WNS) in 1889, enrolling 13 young women in a two-year teacher training program under the guidance of first principal Arthur B. Morrill.

By 1894, the school relocated to its first The first Willimantic State Normal School building was occupied in 1894, and served as the sole classroom and administrative building for 49 years.

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Willimantic State Normal School (WNS) opens

dedicated building, which served as the institution’s sole academic and administrative facility for 49 years until it was destroyed by a fire in 1943. To enhance teacher training, WNS partnered with a local “model school” — known as Windham Street School — in 1912 to provide hands-on student teaching opportunities. This expansion marked an early commitment to experiential learning, shaping the institution’s evolution into what is now Eastern Connecticut State University.

George P. Phenix named second principal (1893-1904)

1889

1891

Arthur B. Morrill named first principal (1889-1893)

WNS holds first graduation

1893

1894 WNS relocates from Main Street to permanent location

Miriam Skidmore begins tenure (1904-1928) as the lead trainer for student teachers

Arthur B. Morrill

George H. Shafer

Arthur B. Morrill, a Yale graduate, left New Britain Normal School to open WNS in 1889.

George H. Shafer’s tenure as the school’s fourth principal — and later as president — spanned the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and World War II. During this period, he oversaw the opening of the school’s first dormitory, which housed 80 women and was named after Henry T. Burr, WNS’s third principal.

Shafer directed the school’s transition to a four-year curriculum in 1937, leading to its renaming as Willimantic State Teachers College (WSTC). On Sept. 27 of that year, Shafer was formally installed as the college’s first president. By 1939, WSTC had enough male students to form its first men’s basketball team. In 1941, the George Shafer poses with faculty in 1924. college expanded its academic offerings with its first bachelor’s degree in science.

During Shafer’s tenure, Connecticut faced severe economic and environmental crises. Unemployment hit 26% by 1932 amid the Great Depression. The devastating 1936 flood and 1938 hurricane further tested the state. World War II brought both challenges and economic growth, with more than $8 billion in aviation and munitions contracts boosting Connecticut’s economy. However, rationing of essentials like gasoline and canned goods became routine.

1889-1893

1918-1947

George P. Phenix 1893-1904

The second principal of WNS, George P. Phenix led the school’s move to a new building.

Henry T. Burr 1904-1918

Henry T. Burr served as WNS principal during the World War I era and oversaw construction of a model school where student teachers could practice their craft.

The original Willimantic State Normal School building was destroyed by fire in 1943 and reopened in 1948.

The 1898 women’s basketball team won their league championship.

Henry T. Burr named third principal (1904-1918)

1904

George H. Shafer named fourth principal/first president (1918-1947)

1912 Windham Street Model School opens

1918

Windham Street School burns down (reopens in 1928)

1921 Burr Hall opens (first dormitory)

1924

First bachelor’s degree offered (science)

1937 WNS renamed Willimantic State Teachers College (WSTC)

1941

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J. Eugene Smith

locations, acquiring new land “up the hill” and adding a student union, academic buildings, and the first men’s dormitory.

The 1950s brought stability compared to prior decades of economic turmoil, with student life flourishing through clubs, athletics, and cultural activities, including study tours to Canada, Cuba, and Mexico. Yet, the decade also reflected broader cultural changes, with youth rebellion rising alongside rock ‘n’ roll and figures like James Dean.

Postwar Connecticut struggled with job losses as defense contracts ended, but the GI Bill expanded access to higher education, boosting male enrollment. Academically, WSTC launched its

1947-1966

James Eugene Smith became president of WSTC in 1947, following his tenure at Windham High School and as a WSTC faculty member. His leadership marked a transformative era as the campus grew beyond its original Valley and Prospect Street

The new classroom and administration building — later named Shafer Hall — opened in 1948.

first graduate program in education in 1957 and was renamed Willimantic State College in 1959, reflecting its growth. In 1971, after Smith’s retirement, the campus library was dedicated in his honor. Though relocated, the original library now serves as the Alvin B. Wood Support Services Center.

Robert Wickware, known affectionately as “Mr. Science,” teaches class.

President J. Eugene Smith and Juliette Burstermann, who was the first African American professor in New England when she joined the faculty of Willimantic State Teachers College in 1948, are reunited in this 1990s photograph.

Searle Charles 1966-1970

During his brief tenure as the college’s third president, Searle Charles led the school through another name change: Eastern Connecticut State College. He also saw the completion of Goddard and Hurley Halls and the opening of Keelor Hall, the school’s first early childhood education facility.

Students gather for lunch in the Burr Hall dining room.

J. Eugene Smith named second president (1947-1966)

1947

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1948 New administration/ classroom building opens (later named Shafer Hall)

Warriors baseball team (1961)

First graduate program offered (education)

Name change: Willimantic State College

Searle Charles named third president (1966-1970)

1957

1959

1966

Winthrop Hall opens (former student union)

1967 Name change:

Softball wins first of five national championships

1970

Charles R. Webb named fourth Eastern Connecticut president (1970-1988) State College

1981

Charles R.Webb 1970-1988

Charles Richard Webb served as Eastern’s fourth president from 1970 to 1988, overseeing remarkable growth and transformation.

Enrollment increased from fewer than 1,000 to more than 4,000 students, while nine new buildings were added to the North Campus.

Webb introduced academic programs in environmental earth science, communication, and

computer science, and reorganized the institution into three schools: Arts and Sciences, Education and Professional Studies, and Continuing Education. In 1983, Eastern officially became Eastern Connecticut State University, reflecting its broadened mission.

Webb also championed Division III athletics, growing varsity sports from four to 11 teams, including six teams for women. His push for the Sports Center in 1971 supported Eastern’s athletic success, including the softball team’s 1981 national

Webb Campus Developments

championship — Eastern’s first of 10 national titles in baseball and softball.

Webb’s presidency paralleled a period of major societal change.

Inspired by the Civil Rights and Women’s Rights Movements, students engaged in environmental activism, gender equality, and affirmative action. Study abroad programs expanded, fostering a more global outlook. Culturally, the 1970s–80s shaped student life with fashion trends like bell-bottoms and miniskirts, dorm room novelties like lava lamps, and popular films such as Star Wars and Saturday Night Fever.

• Burnap Hall (1970) • Crandall Hall (1970) • Original library (1970) — now Alvin B. Wood Support Services Center • High Rise and Low Rise Apartments (1971) • Sports Center (1973) • Robert K. Wickware Planetarium (1974) • Student Center (1975) • Occum Hall (1984) A 1970s aerial photo of Eastern Connecticut State College’s growing campus.

Sports Center

David G. Carter 1988-2006

From 1988 to 2006, President David G. Carter led Eastern through its most ambitious period of growth, doubling the campus footprint with the addition or renovation of 15 buildings, including new residence halls, athletic facilities, academic buildings, and the iconic Foster Clock Tower. This expansion addressed a more than 40% enrollment increase during his tenure.

Academically, Carter strengthened Eastern’s liberal arts mission, earning formal approval from the Connecticut State University System Board in 1998 and joining the Council of Public Liberal

The 1978 graduation procession was headed by President Webb (left) and Governor Ella T. Grasso (right), who provided the keynote address.

David G. Carter named fifth president (1988-2006)

1983 Name change: Eastern Connecticut State University

1988

Eastern joins the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC)

1998 CSU Board of Trustees approves Eastern’s liberal arts mission

2004 Student Residential Village opens in 2005 (Laurel Hall, Nutmeg Hall, Constitution Hall).

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J. Eugene Smith Library President Carter enjoyed visiting students in class.

Arts Colleges (COPLAC) in 2004.

The updated Liberal Arts Core (LAC) curriculum accompanied an expansion to 33 undergraduate majors, 49 minors, and three graduate programs.

Eastern broadened its global presence through exchange agreements with institutions in Sri Lanka, France, Japan, Uganda, Brazil, and more, boosting study abroad participation and international enrollment.

The era also reflected millennial culture, with the rise of the internet, cell phones, instant messaging, and popular grunge and hip-hop music. Students embraced environmental sustainability, social justice, and community service, underscoring Eastern’s renewed commitment to civic engagement and global awareness.

Carter Campus Developments

Noted social activist Jesse Jackson was the keynote speaker at Eastern’s 1992 commencement.

• Charles R. Webb Hall (1992) • Frederick R. Noble Hall renovation (1992) • Dr. Arthur L. Johnson Unity Center (1997) • Baseball stadium (1998) and sports complex (1999) • Niejadlik Hall (1998) • Admissions Building (1999) • Foster Clock Tower (1999) • J. Eugene Smith Library (1999) • Mead Hall (1999) • Frederick A. Gelsi and Leslie T. Young Hall (2002) • First parking garage (2003) • Constitution, Laurel, and Nutmeg residence halls (2005) • Margaret S. Wilson Child and Family Development Resource Center (2006)

Luva Mead Hoar ’42 (left) and Bernice “Bunny” Niejadlik ’50 stand with President Carter in front of the construction of two new residence halls in 1997, named in their honor in 2001.

President Núñez reads a story to children in the Child and Family Development Resource Center.

Charles R. Webb Hall

Michael Pernal serves as interim president

First "Day of Giving" (community Thanksgiving meal)

2006

2007

Elsa M. Núñez named sixth president 24 (2006-2024)

Softball field relocated to Mansfield Athletic Outdoor Complex

2009

Student Center renovated and reopened in 2008.

Science Building opens

2011

Elsa M. Núñez 2006-2024

Elsa Núñez, a native of Puerto Rico, became Eastern’s president in 2006, making history as the first Latina to lead a New England public university. Her tenure strengthened Eastern’s academic profile, expanded access to higher education, and improved student success. By 2021, Eastern was ranked #1 among New England public universities by U.S. News & World Report for three consecutive years.

A champion of educational equity, Núñez positioned Eastern as a national leader in supporting undocumented students. In 2016, TheDream.

US selected Eastern as a pilot site for its scholarship program, which has since enrolled more than 350 Opportunity Scholars with a 97% retention and 89% graduation rate. She

also consolidated academic resources into the Academic Success Center, boosting support services and helping Eastern achieve the highest four-year graduation rate among Connecticut’s state universities.

Campus life thrived as student clubs grew from 60 to 100, the Student Center was remodeled, and diversity efforts expanded through the Arthur L. Johnson Unity Wing.

Sustainability and civic involvement flourished with the Center for Community Engagement, on-campus food pantry and thrift shop, and the student-led Day of Giving.

Núñez’s presidency navigated global and technological changes — smartphones, social media, the 2008 recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic — fostering resilience while advancing Eastern’s mission of access, inclusion, and excellence.

Eastern’s first cohort of TheDream.US scholars (2016)

Karim Ismaili 2024-Present

Karim Ismaili became Eastern’s seventh president on July 31, 2024, having previously served as executive vice president and provost at Bridgewater State University. A first-generation college student, Ismaili grew up in London, England, and Vancouver, Canada, earning a master’s degree in criminology

from Cambridge University and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Western Ontario. After beginning his career as a criminology professor in 1997, he transitioned to higher education leadership in 2006.

In his first semester at Eastern, the University launched the Eastern Liberal Arts Core (ELAC), a streamlined curriculum emphasizing critical thinking, ethical reasoning, communication, creativity, and

quantitative literacy.

Ismaili also conducted a “Listening and Learning Tour” to engage with the campus community and approved the filming of an episode of Amazon’s The College Tour to showcase Eastern to a national audience. Ismaili’s leadership marks a new chapter of growth, innovation, and opportunity for the University.

Karim Ismaili named seventh president (2024-present)

2022

Fine Arts Instructional Center opens in 2016.

Baseball wins fifth national NCAA championship

2024 President Ismaili mingles with students during the annual Student Involvement Fair.

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