Eastern Magazine, Spring 2024

18 Years Committed to Excellence and Opportunity

President

Elsa M. Núñez

www.ecsufoundation.com/annual-fund

This is my 35th — and final — Eastern Magazine message, as I will retire in June after 18 years as president. I find myself reflecting on how far we have come and how much we have accomplished over those 18 years.

Over the course of my presidency, Eastern has been guided by three successive strategic plans, each developed through the joint efforts of administrators, faculty and staff, and each critically important to Eastern’s evolution. So much has come about as a result! We have new, relevant 21st-century academic programs that remain true to our liberal arts mission. Experiential learning and support services empower our students to become the best version of themselves while modeling collaboration, inquiry and expression. We use social media to aggressively tell the Eastern story. We even ran an ad that aired on Telemundo during the Super Bowl!

But these are the things we are called to do, for the next generation of Eastern students — Generation Alpha — will be the most tech-savvy and most informed

Farewell But Not Goodbye

generation in history. We are preparing for tomorrow’s students by offering in-demand academic programs grounded in the liberal arts. And we are using technology to deliver the Eastern message in the most effective ways.

When new students arrive in the fall, they will find a University with a new, reimagined Liberal Arts Core curriculum that is relevant, current and rigorous. Outside the classroom, they will be embraced by a student experience that is robust, thought-provoking and engaging; one that offers countless opportunities to develop leadership skills while opening windows to the world. We know these efforts are working, as demonstrated by record-high retention and graduation rates. Our graduates are wellprepared to launch their careers in a constantly changing environment, for they are curious, eager to ask questions and enthusiastic in the pursuit of their dreams.

While our graduates embark on successful careers, their civic engagement will be key to preserving our American democracy. In a world that needs more civility, I encourage our graduates — and every member of the Eastern family — to be generous and committed to making positive change.

I am grateful for every member of this extended Eastern community — the students who inspire me, the faculty and staff who are committed to student success and the alumni, parents, friends and community

partners who support our students through their professional expertise and generous gifts. Words will never convey my profound sense of gratitude and pride. We have made Eastern better by working together as an intellectual family in service to our students and communities. And I believe Eastern is poised for an outstanding future.

Day by day, moment by moment, the world shifts dramatically in the face of constant technological, social and economic change. A new president will have their own opportunity to lead Eastern, building on our proud, 135-year history. I leave Eastern secure in knowing that the University is in great shape and primed for new leadership, new ideas and new discoveries. I leave Eastern knowing that you will support the new president, as you have supported me.

I will see many of you in the days to come, so I shall not say goodbye. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.”

Elsa M. Núñez President 2006-24

Nursing students will learn skills in simulation labs

By Ed Osborn

CAMPUS BRIEFS

As the first students in Eastern’s new bachelor’s degree in nursing take prerequisite classes and other academic coursework, the University and its Hartford HealthCare partners continue to build the program behind the scenes. In remodeled space on campus in Goddard Hall, students will be using new simulation labs to learn nursing skills with instructional equipment that includes a virtual dissection table, “high fidelity” medical mannikins, hospital beds and more.

Over time, students will use the facilities to simulate and learn a range of nursing skills, including setting up an IV, taking vital signs, changing sterile dressings, administering medications and other patient care.

Completed by Eastern’s in-house construction crew of carpenters, plumbers and electricians, the new labs include a simulated maternity room (Room 124), adult care facility (Room 125) and doctor’s office (Room 128). Two other rooms in Goddard Hall were also renovated: one as the new anatomy classroom and the other to be used for EMT training and other health sciences courses, with new training tables, podium, projector and screen.

“The Health Sciences and Nursing Department is delighted with the new instructional spaces the University has constructed for use by our students and faculty,” said Yaw Nsiah, department chair.

“In addition to students in our nursing program, other health sciences and EMT students will benefit from the dedicated spaces and the range of instructional equipment we now have at our fingertips. In combination with the simulation lab being created at Windham Hospital by our wonderful partners at Hartford HealthCare, we will be able to give students high-quality hands-on experiences to prepare them for clinical success.”

Nursing students use a high-fidelity pediatric mannikin and virtual dissection table in renovated simulation/classroom spaces in Goddard Hall. The new and renovated spaces total nearly 3,500 square feet.

To provide Eastern students with additional practical experience, Hartford HealthCare is constructing a 6,700-square foot simulation lab at Windham Hospital. The space will include an OB-GYN room complete with infant and adult mannikins to simulate live births, as well as other simulation facilities and equipment.

Campus thrift shop offers students recycled finds

By Noel Teter ’24

Thrift shopping is a beloved pastime of many college students. Eastern recently designated a space on campus where students can enjoy this activity while contributing to the University’s sustainability efforts. The “Thrift Warriors” thrift shop opened in February in Winthrop Hall.

The campus thrift shop is part of an enhanced commitment to sustainability across Eastern, led by the Institute for Sustainability. The shop is “a student-run place where the campus community can donate gently used items and where students can get the items they need, free of charge,” said Patricia Szczys, director of the institute.

At the opening, students browsed lightly used clothes, houseware and school supplies. As with any thrifting trip, their motives ranged from fashion to personal economics and environmental consciousness.

“Our generation is heavily invested in thrifting,” said junior Logan Brennan, who is aiding a social media effort to raise awareness of the campus thrift shop. This movement is largely “fashion-based,” as college students are interested in “vintage clothing,” he said.

First-year student Jannik Wille enjoys thrifting as a social activity, a way to enhance his wardrobe and, most importantly, a sustainable pastime. “It’s a great way to help the environment,” said Wille. “It makes you feel good.”

Given the rise of fast fashion, college students are looking for an alternative that is healthier for the environment. “We all know that there are items we no longer want that are still useful,” said Szczys. “That’s really the foundation for enculturating ourselves to reuse, upcycle and reduce wasteful lifestyles.”

Thrift Warriors staff and volunteers Madison Cromwell (left), Briana Santos (middle) and Ode Balan (right) greet “shoppers” at the thrift shop’s grand opening.

Author Jeff Benedict ’91 tells the story of ‘The Dynasty’

By Noel Teter ’24

Jeff Benedict ’91 visited Eastern in March to discuss “The Dynasty,” his nonfiction book-turned-television docuseries about the New England Patriots’ dominance in the NFL from 2001 to 2019. Benedict held a master class on turning journalism into storytelling and participated in a Q&A session following a screening of the first episode of the Apple TV+ docuseries.

Now a New York Times bestselling author who has also written “LeBron,” “Tiger Woods” and other acclaimed titles, Benedict shared insights he has gained throughout his career that have helped him to strengthen his storytelling. He encouraged students to diversify the platforms for which they hope to write: “I go into (writing a book) with the hope that it can also be a story in other media.”

Benedict emphasized to the students the importance of being concise in writing. “You don’t want the reader thinking about your words; you want the reader visualizing what you’re saying,” he said. “If you can trim a letter off a word, do it.”

Benedict reflected on his time at Eastern. “This brings back surreal memories of being a student here,” said Benedict, who majored in history. “I never would have imagined then that I would get to do this job.”

Speaking of presenting his work to his alma mater, Benedict added: “To sit with a bunch of students where I went to college and watch this film ... I would rather do this here than do it in Los Angeles.”

“The Dynasty” is a 10-part docuseries covering the 20-year run of the Brady-Belichick-Kraft era of the Patriots and the team’s six Super Bowl wins, as well as its internal strife. Benedict is an executive producer of the series, which is produced by Brian Grazer’s and Ron Howard’s Imagine Documentaries.

Below: Benedict answers questions about his book and Apple TV+ docuseries during a Q&A session moderated by Brian Shactman, host on WTIC-AM 1080.

Above: Jeff Benedict presents on storytelling during a master class at Eastern.

4 advanced grad programs move fully online

By Lucinda Weiss

Four accelerated online graduate programs designed to meet the needs of working professionals began in the spring 2024 semester, with master’s degrees offered in Accounting, Management, Special Education and Applied Data Science.

The program in Applied Data Science is brand new, whereas the others had been previously offered as semester-long programs. All four programs will now be offered fully online with courses that are seven weeks long, allowing students to potentially earn a master’s degree in one year.

The courses are asynchronous, meaning that students can engage with the materials on their own schedule. Students will have opportunities for online meetings through virtual class discussions and virtual faculty office hours.

“This makes our advanced graduate programs responsive to students’ needs,” said Niti Pandey, dean of the School of Education and Professional Studies and the Graduate Division. The new format is intended “to meet our working adult learners where they are in terms of their continuing education and work-life needs.”

The online degree programs provide opportunities for working adults who “found it challenging to travel to campus on nights and weekends to participate in our programs in the more traditional format,” Pandey said. “Moving our programs fully online and asynchronous has allowed us to make our programs accessible to a diverse group of potential graduate students across and outside of Connecticut,” she said.

The new Applied Data Science online program is designed for “individuals looking to change or accelerate their careers by learning how to solve data-centric problems,” said Garrett Dancik, professor of computer science and the data science master’s program coordinator. The online M.S. in Accounting program is designed for professionals seeking a CPA license or those who want a more senior-level accounting position.

The online master’s degree in Management is designed for professionals who want to improve their leadership and management skills and advance in their career. The Special Education master’s program is for experienced certified teachers or teacher candidates and other professionals who work with special education students. Scan for more information:

www.easternct.edu/graduate-division/online

What would make them stay?

Teachers persevere in a challenging environment

Story by Lucinda Weiss

Illustrations

by Nicholas Khan 17

n 1889, the first cohort of women was enrolled in the new Willimantic State Normal School, established by the Connecticut General Assembly to train teachers in a two-year program. “Normal” schools, from the 16th-century French term “école normal,” were training primary school teachers throughout the United States. In 1891, 22 women graduated in the Willimantic school’s first finishing class.

Connecticut had 1,110 one-room schoolhouses in 1899, so there were a lot of teacher spots to fill. Flash forward more than 130 years, and the state reported a shortage of about 1,300

teachers in 2023, prompting the General Assembly to consider whether to streamline the state’s teacher certification process.

Eastern Connecticut State University, the liberal arts university that evolved from the Willimantic State Normal School, continues to attract students who want to be teachers. For fall 2023, 9.5% of the 5,233 first-time applicants to Eastern marked education as their preferred major. Mark Fabrizi, professor of education and department head, said the program prepares “high-quality, well-prepared and resilient” teachers. In 2021-22, Eastern’s Education Department graduated 106 certified teachers, about the same number as in the previous two years.

But the teacher shortage, in Connecticut and nationwide, is fueled by more than a certification hurdle. Teachers already employed by school systems are dropping out at an alarming rate. “Increased stressors causing teacher exodus,” headlined a Connecticut Education Association (CEA) survey last fall. Addressing the teacher shortage is the CEA’s top legislative priority in 2024. “K-12 teachers are quitting. What would make them stay?” was the title of a March 2023 McKinsey & Co. research report. “People don’t want to be teachers anymore. Can you blame them?” asked Jessica Gross, author of a Sept. 13, 2023, New York Times opinion article.

Nationwide, the number of students graduating with bachelor’s degrees in education has fallen more than 50% from 176,307 in 1970-71 to 85,058 in 2019-20, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Staffing has always faced ups and downs, said a November 2022 report by the Annenberg Institute at Brown University. But “the current state of the teaching profession is at or near its lowest levels in 50 years,” wrote the researchers, Matthew A. Kraft at Brown University and Melissa A. Lyon at the University of Albany.

What’s making people leave the profession? McKinsey cited poor compensation, an unsupportive culture, the stress of the job and a lack of respect for teachers. The Annenberg/Brown report added to the mix the threat of school shootings — 159 teachers were shot on the job from 1970 to 2022, it reported.

These problems have been percolating for some time, but the COVID pandemic provided the tipping point, several Eastern alumni and faculty said.

“Being a teacher now is far more

difficult than before the pandemic,” said Logan Tonucci ’15, a teacher for nine years who taught at a middle school in New London and is now at Griswold High School. Where students used to be receptive and kind and cared about learning, they are now distant and uninterested, she said. She left teaching briefly in 2021-22 but returned because she missed her students.

High expectations

Teachers now are expected to be parents, create curriculum, become special education experts, provide resources that districts can’t supply and make multiple lesson plans per class to accommodate everyone’s needs, she said.

“Teachers are superheroes, but unfortunately, not even superheroes can fix the problems that society creates,” she said. “I would not go into education knowing what I know now.”

She is not alone. That push and pull — the pressures that have piled on teachers versus their love of teaching — is troubling others, too. Nearly

three-quarters of Connecticut teachers surveyed by the CEA this past fall said they were likely to leave or retire early, up from 38% in a survey just three years earlier.

It’s not for lack of preparation. Graduate survey data compiled by Eastern’s Education Department show a high level of satisfaction with the program. Conditions on the job, however, are less satisfying, even for those with a strong desire to teach.

“Teaching is simultaneously the thing that fills me and depletes me,” said Kay Bishop ’10 M ’19, who taught in New London for a year and has been at Norwich Free Academy for four years. Her second year of teaching was during the pandemic lockdown, and, she said, “I am not sure it has been easy for me yet.” She has seen a decline in student engagement. When students are used to watching videos while playing a game, it is difficult to get them to focus on literature.

The hardest part of the job is not having enough time, particularly due to the hours spent planning outside of school, she said. “The trouble is when you care so much and you give up your downtime to be there for the kids, it can be draining emotionally.”

“Would I do it again? Yes,” she said. “Is there a lot that needs to change to make it more sustainable? Yes.”

Sarah (Froehlich) Halley ’16 has taught for eight years, two at North Windham Elementary School and six at Brooklyn Elementary. She has experienced highs and lows. “I have had those memorable classes where everything aligns and you have an amazing year, and I have had the classes that test you every day and make you feel that every time you take three steps forward you take one step back,” she said.

She has seen a drop in morale and growing stress among teachers over

Pros Cons

the past few years, especially since the pandemic. “There have been several teachers in my building alone that have left teaching completely due to this,” she said. “Don’t get me wrong — I absolutely love what I do, but with the demands of the job and what I know now, I would have picked another career,” she said.

Solving the problem

What could fix the problem? Higher pay for teachers is routinely cited in research reports and by teachers themselves. “Our profession is one of the very few professions that has not seen a wage increase that matches the cost of living since 1993,” said Tonucci. Ninety-nine percent of the 7,635 K-12 Connecticut educators surveyed by the CEA last fall put higher salaries at the top of a list of proposals to address the teacher shortage.

Other solutions polling higher than 90% in the CEA survey were more

planning and preparation time, limiting non-teaching duties, more effective disciplinary policies, reducing class

third-grade teacher in Vernon.

“No one would be where they are today if it weren’t for a teacher,” she said.

Would I do it again? Yes Is there a lot that needs to change to make it more sustainable? Yes Kay Bishop

sizes, more mental health support for students and more teacher autonomy.

The realities facing teachers today are not lost on current education students, but the students are undeterred.

Teacher salary issues and stress are “definitely a concern,” said Jenna Rice, a senior majoring in elementary education and history/social sciences. When she tells people she is going to be a teacher, the response is, “Really? Why?” she said. But she is “hoping that it’s everything I envision in my head.” She has wanted to be a teacher since she was in elementary school, inspired by her

Nicole Pepe, a senior liberal studies major who is entering Eastern’s Early Start master’s degree program in education to earn a master’s degree in five years, said she was inspired by aunts and a grandmother who taught and are now retired and by working as a counselor and director at a children’s camp in her hometown of Cheshire. “I have always loved working with children,” she said. “Their excitement about the world makes me excited.”

Pepe is president of Eastern’s Aspiring Educators club and secretary of the statewide Aspiring Educators,

which includes prospective teachers at colleges around the state and is sponsored by the CEA. She is aware of teacher dissatisfaction; the club works with the CEA on issues before the legislature to try to make things better, she said. Higher salaries for teachers and more resources for school systems would “make it not as daunting” a profession to go into, she said.

Paying student teachers would help alleviate the financial stress on education students, who must pay for their education costs at the same time they

Emily Bartoshevich, a sophomore double majoring in liberal studies and elementary education with a concentration in natural sciences, wants to teach science in upper elementary and perhaps middle school. That makes her a rare find. Science teachers are one of the biggest shortage areas according to the Connecticut Department of Education.

She has wanted to be a teacher since she was young. “I was the kind of kid to line up her stuffed animals and play school,” she said. She is concerned

in the same classroom at Westbrook High School. “In a time where so many teachers are leaving the profession, it is encouraging to see how much my grandfather truly loves his job,” Bartoshevich said.

Yet even her grandfather finds that teaching is different now. “The number of tasks teachers are responsible for performing has increased significantly,” said Savage. The amount of paperwork required and the deadlines for it have made a huge difference, he added.

Still, he would “absolutely” go into

No one would be where they are today if it weren’t for a teacher Jenna Rice

student teach for 10 weeks and are often unable to work a second job during that period, said Emma Sands, a senior. Sands is president of the statewide Aspiring Educators and plans to teach secondary history.

“While I recognize that low salaries and high dissatisfaction rates are the reality in education, and that is sad to hear, I am more discouraged that the only narrative around education seems to be a negative one,” she said. “The teaching profession is filled with so many positive benefits that deserve to be celebrated,” she added.

about teacher dissatisfaction. “It makes me sad to see so many teachers leaving, as I have always thought of education as a field one goes into because of their passion and love for teaching,” she said. “I’d rather have a career that I loved and made less money doing than a career I hated but came with a high salary.”

One of her inspirations is her grandfather, Kenneth Savage, who at 76 has been teaching science for 54 years

teaching again, he said. Savage is applying to renew his certification this year, something required every five years. He tends to get some of the most difficult students in his class, perhaps, he said with a laugh, because he worked for 40 years as a part-time police officer. He has “reasonable skill” in getting students to be productive in his class, he joked.

Current education students Emma Sands, Jenna Rice, Nicole Pepe and Emily Bartoshevich

Illustration by Kevin Paquin

“When that happens, it’s very rewarding,” he said. “It’s one of the most rewarding parts of being a teacher.” The student becomes not only a better student but a better person, he added.

Nothing is better than seeing the progress students have made, said Kaitlyn Kennedy ’14 M ’16, who teaches ninth grade at Manchester High School. “The amount of impact you have as a teacher is just exponential,” she said.

She did not teach during the pandemic, a period that soured many on teaching. She left teaching for three years to work as a coordinator with the Connecticut Rise Network and later as a freshman success coach. But she “felt called back to the classroom,” returning this past year, and she is now also working on a doctorate in education.

Kennedy, who has played and coached soccer for years, including at Eastern, said she was inspired by her coaches and her mother and grandfather, who were educators. And her students are enthusiastic, she said. “You have to celebrate the small wins — it’s a stressful job.”

She also credits strong support from administrators. “There has never been a time where I’ve needed support that I haven’t gotten it,” she said.

Preventing teacher burnout

Administrative support is critical, said Fabrizi, chair of Eastern’s Education Department. The problems teachers face are preventable, he added. “We’re chasing teachers out, but a good mentor program in a school system can go far in counteracting that.” He holds administrators responsible for this. Young teachers should not be assigned the lowest-level students, he said, which routinely happens when older teachers take the honors classes and the best students.

“I always felt it should be the reverse,” he said. In 11 years as a department chair at North Branford High School, where he taught English, he

work,” and poor funding for schools. All of these reflect a lack of value, she said.

The teaching profession is filled with so many positive benefits that deserve to be celebrated Emma Sands

never asked a teacher to teach a class that he wouldn’t teach, he said. He recalled a math teacher, a colleague early in his career, who was hired for her first job. She was not given a permanent classroom, had an awful schedule and was assigned all the lowest-level students. She left after eight months. “Because she was given such little support, she was set up for failure,” he said. “You lose a lot of young teachers that way.”

Fabrizi became a teacher 30 years ago, and even then, half of teachers left within three years, he said. The pay is never as good as people would like, he said, but “you don’t become a teacher because you want to make a lot of money.”

“In a difficult profession like teaching, you have to find your joy someplace,” he said. And that, he said, is with the kids. Showing respect for teachers is also important in retaining them, he said. He tells his education students that people need to realize, “You’re paying me for my expertise.”

Teaching faces systemic problems that have been made worse by the pandemic, said Laura Rodriguez, assistant professor of education. “I think we should be worried,” she said. The systemic problems include low pay, that teaching is still considered “women’s

Rodriguez began teaching in 1989 and has taught science at schools all over the country — from Michigan to Ohio to South Carolina and Connecticut. She is involved with Eastern programs to encourage high school students to go into STEM careers, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will choose to teach science, she cautioned.

“When people go into a science degree, they can do lots of other things that pay more money,” she said, and that attract more prestige. “If we’re going to attract the best and the brightest, that needs to change.”

“I chose to teach because I love teaching,” she said, echoing Eastern students and alumni teachers. “To me, teaching is the most important work.” She encourages students to question potential employers to find out how the school plans to support them. With the current shortages, teacher candidates should interview the school, as well as the school interviewing them, she said.

The silver lining for new teachers in the current environment, she said, is, “They’re pretty much guaranteed a job.” E

Support a future teacher Donate to one of 17 scholarships for education majors

18 years committed to excellence and opportunity

By Ed Osborn

Thursday, Aug. 17, 2006, was a sunny summer day in Willimantic, CT. It was also the occasion for Willimantic’s monthly “Third Thursday” street festival, and took place only a week after Elsa Núñez had assumed the reins as the sixth president of Eastern Connecticut State University. “I will never forget that day,” said Núñez.

Third Thursday cordoned off several blocks of Main Street in downtown Willimantic and the area was transformed into a carnival, with street vendors, musicians, face painting, food trucks, mimes on stilts and other entertainment. Among the many people the president met that day was a woman from her hometown of San Sebastián, Puerto Rico. The woman thanked Núñez for coming to Eastern and Willimantic. “It was as if I was her relative. I realized in a much deeper way that I belonged in this community. I was not aware of Willimantic’s connections to Puerto Rico when I took the job.”   More than one-third of Willimantic’s population is Latino today, due to Puerto Rican workers recruited by Willimantic companies and later immigration. “I was someone who looked like

them. They were proud and joyous. I realized what my role in the community could be. My presidency had to include a strong presence in the community. Eastern students respected and felt part of Willimantic, and the town, in turn, was respectful and proud of the University.”

planning process to build trust, consensus and shared values across the campus.

From humble beginnings

When Núñez was eight, her father moved their family from the rolling hills of western Puerto Rico to the promise of opportunity on the mainland, where they settled in Newark, NJ. The family knew no English, and Núñez learned to read the new language from the newspaper’s sports pages. There were no bilingual programs back then. Her father and mother both worked in factories to support their family, her father as a foreman at the Fedders air conditioning factory.

With the sacrifice and support of her parents, Núñez honed her academic skills at an all-girls Catholic high school. The only Latina at Montclair State College, Núñez got her college career off on good footing thanks to her freshman English professor, Morris McGee, a Korean War veteran confined to a wheelchair. With McGee’s personal guidance, Núñez brought her writing up to college standards. With the support of family and friends, Núñez earned her bachelor’s degree at Montclair, later receiving her master’s degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University and her doctorate at Rutgers University.

President Núñez’s first job was at Ramapo College, New Jersey’s public liberal arts college, where she learned the value of a broadbased liberal arts education. Administrative positions in The City University of New York system and later the University of Maine system prepared her for the challenges of becoming Eastern’s sixth president in 2006. She was also the first Latina president of a public college or university in New England.

Planning a shared future

In addition to getting to know the local community and establishing relationships with faculty and staff, President Núñez’s priority was developing a new strategic plan for the University, using the

“I believe our first strategic plan (2008-13) was critically important to my presidency,” said Núñez. “It was ambitious but not unrealistic — we ended up meeting 95% of our objectives. One of the most important outcomes was to align our budget with the strategic plan. It pointed to the strategic plan as a compass, directed our spending and depoliticized my presidency.”

Núñez cited a number of elements of the plan that she felt were particularly important to implement, including the consolidation of academic support services into the Academic Success Center; a comprehensive retention program for at-risk students; the increase of faculty positions by 20%; and an increased focus on on-campus, residential life.

“When President Núñez started her first strategic plan, I said to her that she was the right person, with the right tools, at the right time to move Eastern to be highly recognized as a top-tier university,” said Ron Lowy, retired business administration professor and strategic planning co-chair. “She proved to everyone that that was true.”

President Núñez and her parents, Carmen and Juan, commemorate the Carmen and Juan Núñez Endowed Scholarship.

Headed toward graduate school

More than 300 people on campus invested 10,000 hours of their time to forge a plan that reflected Eastern’s mission and laid out a blueprint for collaboration, innovation and progress. The plan also attracted more than $7 million in federal and private grant support. “People worked hard together and saw the results of their work,” said Núñez. “It was a campus-wide effort, not just that of management.”

Balancing quality and access

“Richard Jones-Bamman, retired now from the Department of Music, said to me one day, ‘Elsa, we can be elite without being elitist.’ I have taken his message to heart, and I believe it has informed our campus community,” said Núñez. “The faculty and staff really believe in our mission and have embraced expanding educational access in concert with our liberal arts mission; this has been an inspiration to me. We have been able to provide a rigorous undergraduate liberal arts education, coupled with providing access to underserved students.”

The foundation of Eastern students’ education is the liberal arts core, which has recently been restructured to focus more clearly on a finite set of fundamental workplace and life skills. “One of my primary goals was to continue to update the liberal arts core curriculum,” said Núñez. “The faculty spent several years conceiving a more focused core. Now, we have five solid learning outcomes — communication, creativity, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, quantitative reasoning — and a structure that allows faculty to assess student learning while giving students marketable skills that any employer will value.”

Another important goal of the president and an objective that continues to be part of the strategic plan is offering academic majors that are responsive to the state’s economy and attractive to today’s students. “The State of Connecticut needs an educated workforce,” said Núñez. “Eastern is playing an active role in preparing our graduates for rewarding jobs that help drive our economy. Our faculty has responded with a lot of hard work in developing curriculum and programs that are leading to fulfilling, in-demand careers.”

"The faculty and staff really believe in our mission … We have been able to provide a rigorous undergraduate liberal arts education, coupled with providing access to underserved students."

Graduates of the health sciences major are going on to careers as doctors, nurses, physical therapists and allied health professionals. The new data science major reflects the growing need for data analytics across all occupations. Other programs developed during Núñez’s presidency include majors in nursing and criminology; concentrations in cognitive neuroscience and exercise/sport science; minors in bioinformatics, medical interpreting in Spanish, cannabis cultivation and chemistry, and genetic counseling; and masters’ degrees in applied data science and special education.

Eastern’s relevant academic majors and strong liberal arts core are grounded by a range of experiential learning opportunities that inform students’ classroom instruction. “What we need is to give students the skills to compete in the job market and to relate their classroom experiences to the workplace,” said Núñez of invaluable out-of-class learning gained through internships, studying abroad, research and service learning. “We provide a liberal arts education practically applied.”   Núñez points to the faculty as Eastern’s strength. “I have great admiration for our faculty. We could not have achieved our

President Núñez takes a group photo with the 2016 inaugural cohort of Opportunity Scholars, alongside TheDream.US co-founder Donald Graham (center, back) and Mark Ojakian (left), former president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities.

academic reputation or increased retention and graduation rates without their work. Their first commitment is to teaching their students, yet they also are judged by their scholarship. It’s inspiring to see our professors go the extra mile.”

Equity is more than access

“I believe strongly that access programs cannot just be about providing a doorway into college,” said Núñez. “What happens afterward?” With grants from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education, Eastern has been able to build and strengthen its academic support programs with a centralized Academic Success Center located on the ground floor of the library. The center offers peer tutoring, professional advising, career counseling, math/writing centers and more, with most students using one or more services each year.

In addition, an early warning system and predictive modeling have allowed Eastern to institutionalize support for at-risk students, reaching them before crises develop. Most recently, the Office of Opportunity Programs was created to target different groups of students with select interventions. “Each student has different support needs,” she said. “Equity is based on providing those differentiated services.” In the past decade, first-year to sophomore retention at Eastern has increased 10% — from 74% to 84%.

While leading a strategic planning process committed to improving Eastern’s academic reputation was a priority, Núñez also wanted to reach out to students previously left out of the opportunity for a college education. “When I first visited the counseling staff at Hartford Public High School in 2007, I was seeking a pathway to college through which we could support students with potential who, due to life’s circumstances were not ‘college material.’ The head counselor said he could identify students with ‘grit,’ and we agreed the recipe for success was getting them out of their home environment by having them live and study on our campus.”

The program gained financial support from a variety of sources, including the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the Walmart Foundation, the U.S. Department of Justice and others. Ultimately, the Dual College Initiative, as the program was named, had a graduation rate seven times that of all Hartford high school students.

Estela Lopez, a longtime friend of Núñez and former academic vice president for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, facilitated that first meeting at Hartford Public High School. “In that moment I saw once again the real Elsa, not a talker, but a doer who believes in providing opportunities to young people so they can reach their potential and become productive citizens,” she said. “Her words are never empty because she utters them with the conviction of making them become a reality.”

The success of the Dual College Initiative and Eastern’s strong track record for retaining Latino students led to another historic partnership. In 2016, Donald Graham, former publisher of the Washington Post, launched TheDream.US foundation, dedicated to providing financial support to undocumented students from states that limited their ability to receive a public university education.

President Núñez mingles with community members during Eastern’s Day of Giving, an annual Thanksgiving celebration that began in 2007.

Eastern became one of the two pilot programs and today is the largest TheDream.US partner, with more than 350 students enrolled as Opportunity Scholars. These students are among the highest achieving groups on campus, with a 97% retention rate and 89% four-year graduation rate. In 2020-21, all four Student Government Association officers were Opportunity Scholars, just one example of their on-campus leadership.

“It makes me very proud that these outstanding students have been able to get a first-class education at Eastern while knowing they could do so in a safe place, given the political climate around immigration,” said Núñez. “They aren’t singled out. They feel safe here. And they have developed emotionally, academically and socially as a result.”

In

service to the community

If expanding educational access to students from underrepresented populations has extended Eastern’s reach across the nation, making an impact back in the University’s hometown of Willimantic reflects the president’s personal commitment to family and community. When she arrived at Eastern in 2006, community service was a requirement of residential students but it was not well organized.

The 2008-13 strategic plan established the Center for Community Engagement (CCE), which opened in 2009 and coordinates an impressive program of one-time and ongoing service projects ranging from after-school programs to work with local addiction recovery services. Since the

CCE’s inception, students have volunteered upwards of 10,000 hours each academic year.

“Elsa has integrated Eastern into the town, with students participating in so many great projects to help meet the needs of our residents,” said local philanthropist and longtime Eastern supporter David Foster. “We are so fortunate she was here for the past 18 years, bringing about so many positive changes in the community at the same time she has done so much for Eastern students.”

Sustainability: Protecting our planet for the future   Eastern has been a steward of the environment for decades, establishing the Institute for Sustainable Energy in 2001 while implementing energy conservation measures throughout the campus.

President Núñez has built on this legacy as she continues to lead by example. Throughout her administration she has actively supported Eastern’s three-pronged approach to sustainability: an academic arm (the Center for Sustainability Studies); a statewide outreach program (the Institute for Sustainability); and sustainability programs on campus through the Green Campus Committee.

In addition to her leadership and active involvement on campus, Núñez has been a national advocate for sustainability on college campuses, as a frequent speaker on the topic and as a member of the Board of Directors of Second Nature, the sponsor of the Climate Leadership Network.

“It is impossible to overestimate the impact that Elsa has had on the higher education sector,and in our case, how she helped lead national efforts to address climate change and sustainability,” said Tim Carter, president of Second Nature. “Herdesire to see urgent change is matched only by her understanding that any solution has to be equitable and just. Her ability to do all this with grace, warmth and generositymade Elsa a true inspiration for me, and I’m honored to have had the chance to work alongside her.”

More than 100 courses throughout Eastern’s curriculum now address issues of climate change and sustainability. In addition, on-campus sustainability initiatives range from recycling, composting and a community garden to energy-efficient lighting and food waste management. Five of the University’s buildings have been constructed to the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED standards, and Eastern’s Climate Action Plan commits to carbon neutrality by 2030.

David Foster: “We are so fortunate she was here for the past 18 years, bringing about so many positive changes in the community at the same time she has done so much for Eastern students.”

Atheletics: Balancing sport and study

Another Eastern tradition is excellence on the athletic field, going back to 1898 when the women’s basketball team won its league championship. President Núñez has again shown her own personal leadership in supporting Eastern athletics, and Division III athletics in general, as the chair of the Little East Conference’s (LEC) Presidents’ Council and later as a member of the national Presidents’ Council of NCAA Division III.

President Núñez tours the LEED-certified Science Building during its construction in 2008.

“Both my children were athletes in high school, and I am a big fan of our Warriors,” she said, noting “it was a thrill of a lifetime” being in the stands at the 2022 national NCAA Division III World Series in Cedar Rapids, IA, when the Warriors baseball team won their fifth national title.

Under Núñez, Eastern student athletes have excelled on the field and off. Recently the Warriors won the LEC Commissioner’s Cup for the sixth consecutive year for the best overall athletic performance among conference members. Eastern has also won the LEC Presidents’ Cup a record seven times for having the best overall GPA among its student athletes.

COVID: A challenge for the ages

Núñez and her Eastern team have certainly been met with challenges, none more demanding than the COVID-19 outbreak. On March 13, 2020, the University sent students home for spring break and hoped for a short reset before returning to on-ground classes in early April. Instead, following safety protocols issued by the governor’s office, the entire campus community went remote for the balance of the semester.

While faculty and students engaged in online learning, President Núñez organized and implemented a special campus-wide task team to facilitate a high level of communication in the new “virtual world” that had been thrust upon the state and country. The COVID campus-wide response team effectively implemented and monitored all safety protocols,

President Núñez takes the camera during a class in the Communication Building’s television studio.

including the eventual management of a vaccination program for the entire student body.

In 2020-21, the team continued to coordinate a hybrid campus environment, with systems set up for social-distanced classrooms, weekly student testing, virtual student activities, remote student services such as counseling, and quarantining and caring for students with COVID.

“President Núñez encouraged us to keep our mission at the forefront of our planning,” explained Ken DeLisa, retired vice president for institutional advancement and chair of the COVID Incident Response Team. “We are a residential campus providing a personalized liberal arts experience, and the president wanted to protect and maintain those standards.”

Philanthropy: Serving students through the generosity of alumni and friends

Although state funding and tuition account for much of Eastern’s budget, scholarships for students with unmet financial need are generously supported through the financial assistance of Eastern alumni and friends. “We have worked hard to enlist alumni to support Eastern,” said Núñez, explaining that the success of Eastern alumni, especially in Connecticut, will be a good base for the next president to build on.

The ECSU Foundation, Inc., manages the University’s endowment, which has grown from $4 million to $20 million during President Núñez’s tenure. During her time at Eastern, significant support has come from such regular donors as the Jeffrey P. Ossen Family Foundation and the SBM Charitable Foundation. Major estate gifts include the Dorothy E. Brown estate gift, valued at $4.8 million; the John C. Hicks estate gift, valued at $800,000; and the gifting of the Church Farm Center for the Arts and Sciences by Dorothy and Joseph Zaring, valued at $2.5 million. Scholarship support for students has also grown due to President Núñez’s leadership, growing from $100,000 to $850,000 in fiscal year 2022.

“I started my career as a member of the faculty, and I will end it as a member of the faculty!”

Individual alumni and other donors have also supported the University through the Annual Fund; in fiscal year 2016, 2,478 alumni were among the 4,252 total donors supporting Eastern. For seven straight years (2012-18) total giving topped $2 million annually.

What’s next?

Núñez is confident that Eastern will move forward under new leadership. “Young, gifted scholars coming to Eastern to teach will be catalysts for new ideas, new perspectives and strong learning opportunities for our students,” she said.

“Our brand is strong. As Connecticut’s public liberal arts university, Eastern will have the opportunity to further advance its brand. As we draw students from across the state and beyond, we can build an increasingly national reputation.”

As for her own plans, Núñez will be teaching public policy part time at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. “This will keep me engaged intellectually, inspired by young minds, and it will be fulfilling to help young people earn their degrees. I started my career as a member of the faculty, and I will end it as a member of the faculty!” E

President Núñez reads to preschool children at Eastern’s Child and Family Development Resource Center.

Gifts enhance Center for Connecticut Studies' public profile

PHILANTHROPY

By Lucinda Weiss

astern’s Center for Connecticut Studies will acquire new collections and promote its mission and activities to the public with the help of three recent gifts totaling $20,000. The gifts will enable the center to purchase materials needed as it begins the process of making its history collections digitally available, said Thomas Balcerski, associate professor of history and the center’s new director.

Sandra Roth, the wife of the late David Roth, founder of the center and an Eastern history professor for 23 years, and the Roth’s daughter, Deborah, each gave $5,000 to the center.

“When my husband David founded the Center for Connecticut Studies in 1970, he was passionate about making Connecticut history accessible to both lay and academic researchers and providing quality resources for teachers across the state,” said Sandra Roth, who is a former member of the ECSU Foundation Board.

“We are heartened to know that the center is well positioned to advance the study of Connecticut history and will benefit Eastern students and faculty for generations to come. David would be very proud,” she said.

“My daughter Deborah and I are grateful to Dr. Barbara Tucker, professor emerita of history and former director of the center, for her stewardship of the center for the past three decades,” she said. Tucker also gave $10,000 to the center, where she became director in 1986.

“My emphasis was on collection development, especially concerning Connecticut history, culture and politics east of the river,” Tucker said. “To that end, the Center now holds the Windham and Willimantic archives; state material, especially relating to the New Deal; and Civil War records and memorabilia among other proceedings and reports.”

“With the invaluable help of archivist Tara Hurt and her staff, these were made available to the public,” Tucker said. With Balcerski taking over as the new director, “I wanted to provide him with some of the resources that would allow him to enact his ideas and values and to improve the visibility of the center,” she said.

“I am pleased to report that work is underway at the center to increase its usable space for research and classroom activity, to make room for its growing collections, and to attract researchers, both in-person and remotely,” said Balcerski.

The center is located on the fourth floor of the J. Eugene Smith Library.

Tom Balcerski (standing) works with students in the Center for Connecticut Studies, analyzing historical documents.

Barbara Tucker

Career prep benefits from Enterprise donation

Enterprise Holdings, which operates Enterprise, Alamo and National car rental companies, has donated $35,000 over the past 14 months to the Career Services Fund, which supports students through the Office of Career Success at Eastern. The fund supports student networking events, interview preparation for women business students and a career readiness conference. It helps students obtain professional attire for interviews and supports a career expo for first-year students.

Katherine Maroney, talent acquisition specialist at Enterprise, said Enterprise has hired 15 Eastern students and alumni in the Hartford area alone in the past year. “We donate to Career Services to support their goals and to provide diverse opportunities for students to work on professional development and

prepare for their transition after graduation,” she said. “We appreciate their

partnership and look forward to continuing to support their work.”

KeyBank gift funds opportunity scholarships

A$10,000 gift from the KeyBank Foundation will fund a scholarship for the Summer Transition to Eastern Program (STEP/ CAP). The six-week summer program builds academic skills and is an alternative path to admission for invited students, helping them prepare for the rigors of college coursework.

“Since our office became a reality a little over two years ago, we have been working hard to remove roadblocks from the everyday life of the students in our programs,” said Christina Irizarry, director of Opportunity Programs at Eastern. “While our STEP/CAP students face many challenges both in their academic and personal life, funding their education will forever be the biggest hill to climb. It is for this reason that scholarships make the biggest impact for our STEP/CAP students at Eastern.”

The scholarship gift was one of 25 charitable donations made by the KeyBank Foundation to nonprofits in its Connecticut and Western Massachusetts markets. KeyBank is headquartered in Cleveland.

“The KeyBank Foundation has provided more than $50,000 in contributions over the past three years, earmarked for the STEP/CAP program,” said Joe McGann, director of Institutional Advancement at Eastern. “These donations have helped students who have significant unmet need. We are grateful for this critical support.”

Katherine Maroney, talent acquisition specialist at Enterprise (second from right), presents a donation beside Eastern’s Ben Pauley, interim associate provost, Clifford Marrett, director of diversity and inclusion affairs, and Provost Bill Salka.

Philip Morales ’99

Philip Morales ’99 is a self-employed software engineer based in Virginia. His steady record of giving to Eastern grew this spring with a generous five-figure gift, establishing the Philip Morales ’99 Technology and Mathematics Endowed Scholarship. He explained why he’s proud to make Eastern a philanthropic priority.

What were some of your favorite moments about going to school at Eastern?

I would say the happy moments were many. However, I think walking across that stage to graduate after it took me some nine years to finish was an accomplishment. Also very important was the instrumental guidance and advice I received from many staff and faculty throughout my journey at Eastern, in particular Dr. David Carter and Dr. Stanley Battle pushing me to make sure I finished and graduated no matter what!

Did you have a mentor and/or a favorite class at Eastern?

Dr. Stanley Battle was my mentor at Eastern and was a pivotal proponent in me graduating from Eastern. I was not

on the path to graduate on time. I had many meetings with him in his office and our conversations ranged in all areas both personal and professional. He encouraged me to persevere, stay focused and believe in my abilities, as well as to be aware and sensitive to the cultural differences of everyone in life. Most importantly, as you make it in this world, always remember to give back to others less fortunate or to help others to accomplish their goals. We just never know who we may be helping.

How did Eastern prepare you for your career?

I think the answer to this can come from many areas; for instance, critical thinking is something I learned from many of my classes at Eastern. I read so much diverse material at Eastern, from all my prerequi-

Why I Give

sites to concentrating on my major. I had plenty of discussions with professors and other students and understood different perspectives on different topics.

What was the impetus to start the Morales Scholarship?

I think it relates to all the professors and staff who helped me get on track and graduate from Eastern and the conversations with Dr. Carter and Dr. Battle encouraging me to give back once I made it out there in the world. There are so many students with potential, and if I can provide help to one or two, I am humbled and happy to do that.

Why is it important that alumni give back to their alma mater?

For me, it’s about supporting our future students and future leaders. Additionally, helping a little with making Eastern’s academic programs stronger by getting or attracting top faculty, having cutting-edge programs, innovation and technology implementation in the world, and providing financial support for Eastern. Overall, I hope to help make education accessible to a diverse range of students throughout Connecticut.

Recipients of the Philip Morales ’99 Technology and Mathematics Endowed Scholarship will be Connecticut residents in good academic standing who are members of a traditionally underrepresented group, demonstrate financial need, and are from one of the following majors: data science, computer science, mathematics or business information systems.

From campus to c SUSTAINING

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides a blueprint for peace and prosperity for peopl that addressing socioeconomic inequalities is intricately tied to mitigating the effects of climate change. Eastern is p

Among the Center for Community Engagement’s many service opportunities are weekly programs with local soup kitchens and homeless shelters.

Shawn’s Cupboard is Eastern’s on-campus food pantry for students, stocked with produce and nonperishable food items.

The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office is available to support students’ emotional development.

Eastern is a host institution for Jumpstart, a national early education program meant to help children from low-income areas develop literacy skills.

Eastern community members who take the Safe Zone training serve as advocates for the LGBTQ+ community by learning language and practices to better understand gender/sexual identity.

The bioswale filtration system located just outside of the Science Building collects rainwater runoff and simulates a natural riverbed full of native vegetation.

Eleven electric vehicle charging stations are available across campus and in the parking garages. The stations are free and available to students, staff and the general public.

Accounting students have participated in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program since 1999, helping to steer millions of dollars in tax refunds back into local economies.

build

“Lead in Ener Environ Des Easter n buildin energyand sus

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

community, sustainability takes many shapes BY EXAMPLE

e and the planet. Containing 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the plan is an urgent, global call to action, recognizing roud to follow the UN’s interdisciplinary approach with numerous shining examples of sustainability.

has five E Dified ings. ng for ership gy and mental gn,” ’s LEED gs are e fficient t ainably ucted.

The Office of Equity and Diversity advises the University community on equitable hiring practices and procedures, affirmative action plans, equity policies and civil rights issues.

The mission of the Institute for Sustainability is to serve as a resource and leader in the transition to sustainable practices on campus and in Connecticut.

The new Thrift Warriors shop is available to students to donate and take (free of charge) gently used clothing and housewares.

With three 800-foot vertical wells, the High Rise residence hall has one of the largest geothermal installations in Connecticut.

Biology students have traveled to the Caribbean for decades to study tropical marine biology.

The Arboretum is Eastern’s on-campus nature preserve, containing 20 acres of walking trails, wetlands and more than 30 species of native trees.

The JEDIs — Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion — are a group of faculty who are determined to create a campus-wide climate that supports Eastern’s BIPOC students.

9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17

Eastern is partnering with Hartford HealthCare for its new nursing program, helping to reduce the nursing shortage in Connecticut.

The Eastern Ga

THE BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT is home to several faculty biologists who are experts in plant-related science. This guide provides gardening tips by professors Bryan Connolly (organic gardening and horticulture), Elizabeth Cowles (insects and entomology), Jonathan Hulvey (fungal diseases and plant pathology) and Brett Mattingly (invasive species and ecology).

WATER THE ROOTS

(advice by Professor Connolly)

Roots are the only parts of the plant that effectively take up water.

• Avoid wetting the plant leaves, as moisture can encourage fungal spores to germinate and cause disease.

• Water during the cooler parts of the day. This allows the water to soak into the soil and not just evaporate.

• Water less frequently and deeper. This encourages the roots to grow deep, making them more drought resistant.

FEED THE SOIL

(advice by Professor Connolly)

Organic matter in the form of compost benefits the soil by increasing water-holding capacity and biological diversity, which can help decrease root diseases. It also adds micronutrients for plants to use.

NATIVE VS. NON-NATIVE

(advice by Professor Mattingly)

Although the exotic flowers of non-native plants may be appealing, they can be a risky choice.

When planted in your yard, non-native plant species can become invasive as they grow rapidly and spread throughout the landscape. They won’t stop at your yard; they can spread into surrounding natural areas and crowd out other plants, reducing diversity and degrading the habitat.

Native plants, on the other hand, are adapted to our climate and can tolerate

our seasonal changes in temperature and precipitation. Since they’re acclimated, they often require less water and fertilizer.

"By choosing native plants, you are getting benefits beyond the blooms. You’ll contribute to the sustainability of the local habitat, attract wildlife and prevent the spread of destructive invasive species."

Brett Mattingly

AVOIDING DISEASE

(advice by Professor Hulvey)

Vegetable plants are susceptible to many diseases that may adversely impact fruit production and the plant’s overall health, as well as spread throughout the garden.

• Rotate plantings so you’re not planting the same vegetable in the same location year after year, which can increase the odds of disease outbreaks.

• Promptly remove plants with heavy disease symptoms.

• Avoid transplanting seedlings that have spots or blights, as this is a common way to accidentally bring new diseases into your garden.

• Remove plant debris before turning the soil over in your garden plot — some disease microbes can leave resistant spores in the soil that can persist for years.

• Place mulch around your plants, which will help hold moisture and prevent plants from making direct contact with the soil, where disease organisms are found.

FOR THE POLLINATORS

(advice by Professor Cowles)

A pollinator is anything that helps carry pollen from the male part of the flower to the female part of the same or another flower, enabling the plant to become fertilized and produce fruit.

Did you know that honeybees are not native to the Americas? Honeybees were introduced from Europe by colonists. Other bee pollinators include bumblebees and solitary nest bees, such as mason, leaf-cutting and carpenter bees.

• Augment your garden with bee nesting sites to further assist these insects.

• Don’t forget non-bee pollinators, such as moths, butterflies, beetles, hummingbirds and flies.

UNDER-APPRECIATED BUT FABULOUS NATIVE POLLINATOR PLANTS (by Professor Cowles)

• Hemp dogbane attracts an extraordinary variety of pollinators. One insect that feeds on this plant, the dogbane beetle, is arguably the most beautiful beetle found in North America.

• The top of the list for sheer quantity of nectar produced is mountain mint (Pycnanthemum spp.), which blooms mid- to late-summer when

there is often a shortage of nectar from other plants.

• All three species of milkweed native to New England (common, butterfly and swamp) provide copious quantities of nectar and feed endangered monarch butterfly caterpillars.

rdening

Swelling Seas

As sea levels rise, even small storms can have catastrophic impacts. This was the message from environmental earth science Professor Bryan Oakley following a streak of stormy weather this winter that left the picturesque seaside community of Watch Hill, RI, three feet underwater.

“The storm surges we’re observing today give us glimpses of sea level rise in the future,” said Oakley, a coastal geologist, adding that three feet of sea level rise is a very real possibility later this century.

For the past 12 years, Oakley and his students have been studying storm-driven shoreline change at Napatree Point, a mostly undeveloped barrier spit adjacent to historic Watch Hill. A rarity for the built-up coast of southern New England, this pristine landform allows scientists to monitor shoreline behaviors in their natural state.

“Monitoring the coastal ecosystem of Napatree Point helps us to examine shoreline changes over time with minimal human interruption,” said Oakley. “As storms become more frequent and intense, this allows us to predict what future conditions might be like.”

Storms drive shoreline change with strong waves and surges that “overwash” and erode dunes and barriers. Furthermore, as storms increase in frequency, shorelines have less time to recover between events, making them increasingly susceptible to the turbulent sea.

“Recovery of the beach takes weeks, recovery of the dunes takes years,” said Oakley, explaining that sand deposition by the churning ocean recovers the beach, whereas windblown processes restore dunes — a much slower recovery.

Demonstrating how mobile shoreline features can be, Oakley has found that the Napatree barrier has moved one full width landward in the years since the Great Hurricane of 1938 — a distance of approximately 100 meters.

Communicating this research to the greater Watch Hill community is the other half of Oakley’s efforts. Through his course “Coastal Geologic

An aerial view of the present location of the Napatree barrier — the red outline shows the location of the barrier in 1939.

Professor Bryan Oakley with former students (left to right) Madie Varney ’18, Jennifer Croteau ’19 and Allison Augenstein ’19, who all worked on research projects at the Napatree Point Conservation Area.

Shifting Shores

Hazards,” students recommend mitigation strategies to counter the threats of sea level rise, coastal erosion and storm surge. To facilitate this outreach, Oakley serves as a science advisor with The Watch Hill Conservancy.

“Dr. Oakley and his students are incredibly active on Napatree and provide critical information that directs our management activities,” said Daniel Cole, conservation area manager with The Watch Hill Conservancy. He pointed to the Eastern group’s work measuring changes in dune elevation, tidal flushing, the ecology of green crabs in the Napatree lagoon and the extent of seagrass habitat off the Napatree shore.

“Dr. Oakley’s expertise in barrier beach dynamics and his quarterly GPS-based elevation transects allow us to understand the timing of dune recovery following large storms,” said Cole. “And his students’ creative solutions to mitigate the impacts of sea level rise on this village and those like it prompt lively discussions.”

In describing a class assignment, senior Jonathan Lepire said, “We were tasked with creating three different mitigation plans for the Watch Hill community against flooding and storm surge when accounting for two feet of sea level rise.” Their strategies included constructing a boardwalk to maintain beach access, bolstering the existing beach with large geotextile tubes to protect against storm surge, and extending a sheet piling seawall to prevent — or delay — the sea from advancing inland.

Oakley says that most of the available mitigation strategies are covered in the acronym REAM — retreat (from the coast), elevate (structures), adapt (by allowing water to pass through), and mitigate (by adding artificial barriers).

Of all these strategies, however, he says “retreat” is the only sure solution. “Coastal communities need to think forward by moving back, to lessen impacts in the future.” After all, “sea level is not going down.”

Researchers investigate climate change impacts on coastlines

By Michael Rouleau ’11

Bay Street in downtown Watch Hill, following a storm in January 2024

Jonathan Lepire ’24and Alexia Alberts measure the bathymetry of the flood-tidal delta at the Napatree Point lagoon.

Olivia Gentile ’24 (left) and Daria DiBiasio ’25 conduct sediment coring on the Napatree barrier to better understand the impact of past storm events.

Katrisha Bell ’20 and Tom Zimmerman ’20 collect images for photogrammetric modeling of the Napatree shoreline — a project in conjunction with EES Professor Drew Hyatt.

SUSTAINABILITY STARTS AT HOME

Eastern’s sustainability director explains how individuals can counter climate change By Patricia Szczys

While addressing the complex challenges of climate change will require massive systemic changes, there are contributions that individuals can make at home, right now, to positively impact the environment. These science-backed solutions can make individuals and families more resilient to climate risks while also reducing climate apathy and sparking change in their communities.

LET’S START WITH OUR FOOD CHOICES.

Up to one-quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions (GGEs) are generated by our food, agricultural processes and associated land use. Simple actions like reducing food waste and shifting to a plant-based diet, however, can significantly reduce our individual carbon contributions.

Approximately 15% of GGEs are linked to raising livestock for meat and dairy. Adopting a single meatless day a week saves about 7,000 gallons of water and avoids 416 pounds of carbon emissions over the course of a year. Shifting to locally grown and seasonally appropriate food reduces emissions and pollution associated with transportation, saving fuel resources that are often globally sourced. Purchasing food from local farmers keeps that money in your local economy. Planting your own garden produces food right at home and has added benefits for personal health and environmental quality by supporting pollinating insects. Gardening also reestablishes your connection to the rhythms of nature and to your neighbors.

FOOD WASTE IS ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTOR

OF EMISSIONS.

More than 30% of food grown globally is never eaten and is the most common item in trash bound for landfills (24%) or

incinerators (22%). When food is thrown away, the energy and chemical inputs required for growing, transporting and refrigerating that food are also wasted. Furthermore, when food ends up in landfills, anaerobic decomposition produces methane, a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.

Keeping food out of landfills and incinerators should be a top priority. Don’t be afraid of the “ugly” fruits and vegetables, buy only what you will eat and use kitchen scraps to feed a flock of backyard chickens or for home composting. Composting avoids methane production and supports the microbial and invertebrate organisms that, in turn, produce rich organic matter for your garden.

ENHANCING THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF OUR HOMES IS ANOTHER GGE-REDUCING SOLUTION WE CAN IMPLEMENT.

Use cold water in the washing machine and ensure that each load is full. When replacing appliances, water heaters and HVAC systems, choose electric and energy-efficient models. Use smart thermostats to optimize heating and cooling when the house is not occupied. Consider an electric vehicle the next time you purchase a car or solar panels when you replace the roof, and consider the impact of your air travel — in the U.S., air travel is the fastest growing sector of individual climate emissions.

WE HAVE THE SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE EMISSIONS AND TO MITIGATE THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

Now we need to implement them and scale them. Our political and economic systems are slow to change, so a first step can be to change our own behaviors. Doing so positively influences family and friends, clarifies where our personal priorities are and highlights where our systems fall short. This informs where we can focus our advocacy for systemic change at the local and national levels.

Patricia Szczys, executive director of the Institute for Sustainability

ATHLETICS

Warriors make waves at LEC swimming championships

Women claim first crown

The Eastern Connecticut State University women’s swim team dethroned 16-time defending Little East Conference (LEC) champion Keene State College as the Warriors won their first conference championship at the 22nd Annual LEC Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships on Feb. 18.

Eastern, which had finished second to Keene State nine consecutive years between 2009 and 2017, totaled 805 points to beat runner-up Bridgewater State University (786) by 19 points. Keene was third with 780 points.

In all, Eastern swimmers were accorded All-LEC honors with top3 finishes a total of 32 times — 16 in individual events and 16 in relays. Sophomore Natasha Frisch led Eastern with 54 points in her three individual events, while senior Maya Brody and junior Allison Ronan followed closely with 53 points each.

Fifth-year Head Coach Sarit Gluz, who was named Coach-ofthe-Year as the men’s coach two years ago, was selected as women’s Coach-of-the-Year for the first time following the completion of the meet.

Men surge to second place

Led by four 50-plus scorers and nine record-breaking performances, Eastern finished second at the LEC Men’s Swimming & Diving Championships on Feb. 18. Trailing Keene State by seven points after the second day, Eastern outscored the Owls by two points in the final standings, finishing second to Bridgewater State University.

Eastern’s 800-yard freestyle relay team (centered in navy) recorded one of the Warriors’ five first-place finishes at the Little East Conference championships. Pictured clockwise from top left are Nico Iannucci, Joseph Sylvester, Ben D’Addario and Connor Scully.

In all, Eastern swimmers were accorded All-LEC honors with top-3 finishes a total of 36 times — 16 in individual events and 20 in relays. Junior Joseph Sylvester led Eastern with 56 points, first-year swimmer Nico Iannucci following closely with 54, sophomore Sam Hurlburt adding 52 and junior Connor Rego contributing 51. Those four top scorers, along with junior Ben D’Addario, all earned All-LEC recognition in all three of their individual events.

Head Coach Sarit Gluz

Men’s golf team makes it three straight titles

For the third time in as many years, Eastern Connecticut State University won the LEC Men’s Golf Championship after registering a two-day team total of 590 at the Riverside Golf Course in Portland, ME, in early October. Eastern senior co-captain All-America Ashton Lewis came from behind to earn medalist honors for the third consecutive season. He was tied for fifth with a six-over 76 on the opening day of competition and responded by firing the low round of the championship on the second day with a five-under 65, giving him a two-day score of 141.

Eastern’s top four golfers all finished in the Top 10, thus earning All-LEC recognition. With the team victory, Eastern earned the automatic bid awarded to the conference championship team and will compete in the NCAA Division III tournament for the second straight year. The tournament is scheduled for May 14-17 at Boulder Creek (NV) Golf Club.

Men’s soccer recognized for sportsmanship

Eastern is the only reporting men’s institution within the United Soccer Coaches (USC) to have earned a Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award during the 2023 season. A total of 43 programs nationwide qualified for the award, 42 of which were women’s programs. Eastern was one of nine New England institutions — all in Division III — to receive an award this past fall.

The award is given to USC members at four levels — platinum, gold, silver, bronze — based on the number of yellow or red cards received. Eastern earned a silver award this year after qualifying for bronze in each of the previous six years, all under 17-year Head Coach Greg DeVito.

Women’s basketball fights breast cancer

“All Warriors, One Fight,” was the battle cry of those in attendance at Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium on Jan. 27. Facing conference rival Southern Maine at home has always been special, but this year’s contest was extra special, as approximately 30 women who have had or are currently fighting breast cancer were recognized and honored. These women come from local communities including Hartford and Willimantic, with many others being honored in the hearts of all those in attendance. All proceeds were earmarked for the Susan G. Komen fund for breast cancer research.

“This achievement makes me so proud!” said Eastern Director of Athletics Lori Runksmeier. “To be the only men’s team in the nation to win this award is amazing, but even more than that, Coach DeVito’s ability to build a culture in which this team is regularly recognized for ethics and sportsmanship is extraordinary.”

In addition to the Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award, Eastern has qualified for a USC Team Academic Award 10 times under DeVito, and in back-to-back years won the USC Team Pinnacle Award, which is presented to a program that wins a Team Ethics Award, Team Academic Award and has a minimum season winning percentage of 75%.

Congratulations Hall of Fame Class of 2023

season title in unbeaten fashion for the third time in four years and went on to their second LEC tournament title in four years.

Arielle (Cooper) Porter ’13 was a softball player who reached base safely in 75 consecutive games and batted .484 in her two final All-America seasons. In a 177-game career as a four-year starting third baseman between 2010-13, Cooper was twice named an All-American — earning firstteam recognition as a senior when she was additionally honored as Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and LEC Player-of-the-Year. That year, she became the program’s first first-team All-American third baseman and set program season records in batting (.538), slugging (1.076) and on-base (.629) average, hits (71), home runs (16), extra-base hits (34), total bases (142) and runs (61).

James Schult ’11 hit and pitched the Warriors to four NCAA Division III baseball tournaments and three LEC regularseason and tournament titles in four years between 2008 and 2011. He led or shared the team lead in 18 hitting and pitching categories as a senior in 2011 when he was named Playerof-the-Year by both the National College Baseball Writers of America and American Baseball Coaches Association, as well as ECAC and LEC Pitcher-of-the-Year.

Left-handed pitcher Ryan DiPietro ’14 was a national Pitcher-of-the-Year and two-time All-American who helped the Warriors win back-to-back regional baseball championships in a three-year career. The winningest left-handed pitcher in the program’s 75-year history, DiPietro was a three-year starter between 2003 and 2005 before being drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the sixth round of the 2005 MLB draft. DiPietro won 29 of 32 decisions and holds the current record by winning 19 straight decisions starting at the midway point of his freshman season in 2003 until the championship game of the 2004 national tournament.

Kyle Savage ’09 was a four-year All-LEC men’s lacrosse selection who started all possible 70 matches in goal and backstopped the Warriors to two NCAA tournament appearances between 2006 and 2009. A two-time team captain, he earned first-team honors as a senior in 2009 when the Warriors won the LEC regular

Karen Sweet ’98 was a powerful outside hitter and skilled server on four consecutive NCAA Division III tournament-qualifying women’s volleyball teams between 1994 and 1997. Sweet was a two-time All-New England selection by the New England Women’s Volleyball Association (NEWVA) and senior selection to the 12-person American Volleyball Coaches Association All-New England Region team and to the NEWVA Senior Classic.

Little East Conference Hall of Fame Inductee

Molly Rathbun ’12 led the LEC in softball pitching wins for four straight years as a four-time All-American and seven-time LEC major award-winner between 2009 and 2012. Rathbun is one of the most decorated softball players in the history of the conference, earning conference Pitcher-of-the-Year honors three times, Player-of-the-Year and Rookieof-the-Year once and LEC tournament MVP twice. With Rathbun, Eastern qualified for four NCAA tournament berths and won back-to-back regional championships to advance to national tournaments.

Eastern’s Class of 2023 inductees. From left: Kyle Savage, Karen Sweet, Ryan DiPietro, Arielle (Cooper) Porter, James Schult

Matches Mad e

Life changed for Bette Shea ’75 in the fall of 1972 when she met Terry Lomme ’74 in psychology class. She signed up for the course late after making a schedule change. “Happenstance can open the door to some wonderful outcomes, as it did in this case!” she recalled. “Terry was enrolled in the course, and it was the beginning of a wonderful romance.”

The two dated for the rest of their time at Eastern and married in June 1975 shortly after her graduation. The Lommes will celebrate their 49th anniversary in June. As Bette describes it, “We have been married for 49 wonderful years!”

Terry transferred to Eastern after being discharged from the Coast Guard in 1970 and attending a community college. He became a resident assistant at Winthrop Hall and later was a dorm director at Burr Hall. He also participated in intramural sports — softball, water polo and basketball — and coached a women’s intramural softball team. He majored in psychology and minored in sociology, studies that turned out to be very helpful to his career as an attorney and as an elected Old Saybrook probate judge serving nine shoreline towns.

Bette majored in education and worked as a resident assistant in Crandall Hall. She was “terribly homesick” as a freshman and credits her physical education teacher, Floretta “Pinky” Crabtree, with making her feel valued and nurtured. “She brought out the best in everyone,” Bette said. Bette went on to have a 35-year teaching career in East Haddam.

Terry also recalls strong mentoring from Dean Robert Meshanic and Dean Betty Tipton. Both Bette and Terry took advantage of the small student population and campus at Eastern to meet others and forge strong friendships.

The couple have lived in Essex for 30 years. They enjoy boating on the river, eagle watching and vacationing in Newport, Nantucket and Block Island. Terry is a car enthusiast and Bette loves to garden.

The Lommes

The Lommes returned to campus recently for an alumni reunion. “We were incredibly impressed by the enhancement and modernization of the campus,” Bette said. Their great nephew is now a first-year student at Eastern. “We hope that the current students will enjoy their time at Eastern and will be able to use their education as much as we did,” said Terry.

The McIsaacs

Dan and Melissa (Heath) McIsaac ’12 first met more than 10 years ago when they were students at Eastern. Dan majored in communication and Melissa majored in English, but it was a shared class in Renaissance literature that broke the ice and made them acquaintances. They went separate ways after graduating, only to reunite at their all-time favorite restaurant, Willi Brew, six years later in 2018, when their relationship officially kicked off.

“Eastern felt like home, and everyone who attended and worked there felt like family.”

During another visit to Willimantic in 2021, they took a walk around campus. Melissa recalls Dan being suspiciously quiet during the drive. “He was so nervous, so I kind of knew what was up,” she said. When they reached the water fountain in front of the Student Center, Dan kneeled and proposed. “He told me that’s where he remembered first seeing me and that it felt right to go back to where it all began, to a place that is so special to us.”

Melissa’s time at Eastern was special because, in addition to meeting her future husband, it was also the place where she made lifelong friends, gained independence and felt at home. For Dan, his time at Eastern was “nothing short of amazing.” From the first days of orientation until the day he graduated, Eastern felt like home, and everyone who attended and worked there felt like family. Not only did it connect him with Melissa, but also to an incredible group of friends that he will cherish forever.

On Oct. 29, 2022, they had a beautiful, rustic New England fall wedding beside family and friends, and spent their honeymoon in New Hampshire. They look forward to attending music festivals and traveling to the Pacific Northwest in their near-future adventures.

Dan is currently employed with a marketing company that he loves and Melissa is back home at Eastern, working as a counselor in the Office of Financial Aid. In love with the unique and rural southeastern part of Connecticut, they recently bought a house in the area, where they spend each day as best friends, partners and the proud parents of two very chunky pups.

a t Eastern

ALUMNI NOTES 1950s

Dorothy (Hartwick) Young ’51 and Ralph Young ’51 like to check in with the Office of Alumni Affairs every now and then. Dorothy writes, “How lucky we have been to share 71 happy years together, but we try not to stray too far from the lake or home.”

Gladys (Seidel) Bingham ’53, Jean (Britt) Derby ’53, Rita (Ostergren) Jackson ’53, along with Evelyn (Hansen) Franson ’53 and Ray Franson ’53 have been sending cards or notes to each other for 70 years, and in 2023 the Fransons celebrated 70 years of marriage, proof that friendships from Eastern really can last a lifetime!

Carol (Montgomery) Bush ’57 writes, “When Eastern Magazine arrives, I immediately look and hope to find news from my 1957 classmates. I’m always happy when there’s good news and sad when there are illnesses or deaths.”  Carol resides in Albuquerque, NM.

William Hargreaves ’59 was named “Trustee Emeritus” at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA. Bill served for more than two decades in volunteer leadership roles at the museum, which houses the world’s largest and most significant collection of Rockwell’s work.

1960s

Jim Forrest ’63 and Betty (Rowe) Forrest ’66 wrote, “Jim spent 35 years as a teacher and 42 years as Lebanon town treasurer. He was also an EMT, and he built our house in 1968. Betty also taught in eastern Connecticut before serving as a principal in both Killingly and Windham.”

RETIRED? HARDLY. BARBARA (FITTS) CAIRNS ’59 BROADENS HER WORLD

Barbara (Fitts) Cairns ’59 retired in 1999 after nearly 40 years of teaching around the world and serving as an elementary school principal in the Panama Canal Zone. But retired doesn’t seem like the right word to describe her life. This year she has published her 12th book, “Jacob Joins the Cow Cavalry,” a young adult historical novel about the Civil War; tutored at a preschool; volunteered as a docent at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park near her home in Florida; and planned a trip to South Africa. For her 86th birthday in February 2023, she went skydiving. “Thirteen of my friends went to watch, but nobody else wanted to go up,” she said.

Her activities as a state park docent are equally adventurous. At 7 a.m. on her volunteer days, she is the human side of sensory enrichment for the park’s wildlife. “I play soccer with a bobcat,” she said.

Growing up in Hampton, CT, she wanted to be a veterinarian. A pastor at the church where she taught Sunday School convinced her that she had talent as a teacher, and she enrolled at Willimantic State Teacher’s College, as Eastern was then known. “It was the best decision I ever made,” she said.

After graduating in 1959 she attended Lexington School for the Deaf during the day and in the evenings earned a master’s degree in special education for the deaf and hard-of-hearing at Columbia University. She taught for seven years in Seattle, then joined the Defense Department schools, teaching in Labrador, Canada (where she learned to fly solo in a Cessna), Bamberg, Germany, (where she met her English husband) and Panama.

Sherry (King) Medeiros ’63 enjoyed making calls to her classmates for their 60th reunion. “It was so nice catching up with everyone that I’m hoping to do it again for our 65th!” Sherry still resides in Rochester, MA, after having lived in West Wareham and New Bedford, where she taught her entire career. She taught first through fourth grades and finished her career as a literacy coach. In retirement, Sherry enjoys exercise classes, reading and going out with friends. She has three grandsons, all in college.

Lita (Pellettieri) Murphy ’63 taught math to high school students for 17 years in Connecticut and Massachusetts. After teaching, she got her chemical engineering degree at UMassAmherst in 1983. She worked at Fort Monmouth in New Jersey, was chief manager for the U.S. Army Satellite Communications Control and retired after 22 years. She purchased a farm in Worden, IL, where she and her husband raised alpacas for 12 years, then moved to San Antonio, TX, to be near her daughter.

By Lucinda Weiss

After retiring in 1999, she traveled widely, including a trip to Kenya and Tanzania, fulfilling a childhood dream to go to Africa. Since her husband’s death three years ago, she has traveled with the Lady Journey Seekers and the Road Scholars. She also belongs to a couple of writers’ groups. Her lifestyle advice? “You live a lot, you love a lot and you laugh a lot,” she said. “There’s too much negativity in the world.”

Each year the Vermont Council on Literacy awards the John T. Poeton Award to a top literacy classroom teacher in Vermont. Recipient Jack LaPlante ’66 is the author of two books, “Stories from the Fifties, East Hartford Style” and “The Odyssey of a Polish Patriot.” He presented a copy of the latter to Eastern’s J.Eugene Smith Library for the library’s Alumni Authors Collection.

1970s

Debra Pallatto’74 writes, “I retired as a professor of education and global studies in Worcester in May 2019. Since then, I continue to volunteer at Brit’s Home (an orphanage in Haiti), and started Brit’s Academy, a school for 66 children/teens. After retirement, I served as interim minister in three local churches in the area and currently serve as settled pastor at the Second Congregational Church of Coventry (CT). I also love traveling to Italy every year where I have dual citizenship.”

William Hargreaves '59

Barbara (Belport) ’74 and Arnold Davis ’73 met at Eastern in 1971 and married in 1973. “We just celebrated our 50th anniversary by taking our family — our two daughters, their husbands and our two grandchildren — to Disney World for two weeks. What a great trip! We are semi-retired, doing lots of volunteer work and much, much more!”

Hilario Huertas ’73 retired from Eversource after 39 years of service.

Shea Jezek ’73 writes, “Retirement has opened many rewarding and exciting avenues. After suffering an injury while training for a half-marathon, I decided to investigate the challenges of running triathlons. That was more than a decade and 15 triathlons ago. This past summer I ran two triathlons including the 2023 Block Island Triathlon, where I placed first in my age group for the seventh time! My standard poodle, Zena, and I are a Pet Partner animal therapy team. Every week we visit adult day care facilities and health/rehabilitation centers in hopes of bringing cheer to the residents. Best of all, my grandson, Ryan, is a freshman on Eastern’s swim team!”

Scott Rhoades ’73 still paints New England scenes and images and any other subject matter that interests him. He has won numerous awards, and his paintings have appeared in national and international publications. Visit www.scotterhoadesart.com.

Laraine (Segar) Rodriguez ’73, M’81 received her M.S. in reading from Eastern while teaching at Chaplin Elementary School. Over her 30-year career, she taught grades one through four at various times, sometimes in combination. “It took me 10 years to graduate, so I have waited a long time to get my Golden Diploma!” Laraine lives in Hampton, CT.

Joanne (St. Martin) Shea ’73 writes, “I’ve been retired for 13 years from Canterbury Public Schools after having taught first and second grades for 35 years. I have been enjoying vacations out West as well as traveling to Hawaii, Alaska, Ireland, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.”

Beth (Harper) Larkins-Strathy ’74 writes, “I retired this past summer after working in the field of education for 49 years!” Beth taught public school for 33 years, was a public-school administrator for three years, and associate dean and professor at Quinnipiac University School of Education for 13 years. She still teaches part time.

“Leadership, Literacy and Logic” is the title of an article by Pamela J. Bernardo ’79, published in the fall 2023 issue of The Pennsylvania Administrator, the official journal of the Pennsylvania Principals Association. She has been an educator for more than 40 years, including service as a middle school principal and adjunct college professor. She now resides in West Wardsboro, VT, and is the Multi-Tiered System of Support and Educational Support team coordinator at Windham Southwest Supervisory Union 49 in Wilmington, VT.

1980s

Dan Kara ’81, technology business analyst and integrated media veteran, is vice president of research and analyst services at WTWH Media. In this role, Dan provides the WTWH Robotics Group with research and analysis on how robotics, automation and intelligent systems can be used to improve business performance and address societal challenges.

Tom Roath ’81 resides in southern New Jersey just outside of Philadelphia with his wife Francine (Daros) Roath ’82. They have two daughters, Hilary and Brianna. After nearly 30 years of working for Ryder Systems, Tom now handles sales for the Miller Transportation Group, a family-owned company providing auto/ truck sales, leasing and fleet services in the Philadelphia/southern New Jersey market.

Gemetta Neal-Goulet ’82 received the Collaboration Award for her work with students and the local community. Gemetta is a physical education teacher at the Capital Region Education Council, Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts.

Terri (Knobloch) Wilson ’82 is president of the Avon Historical Society and is leading the renovation of a one-room school that dates back to 1823. The schoolhouse will feature two permanent exhibits when it reopens in 2024.

Sharon Teel ’83 has started a new position as director of safety and security at Mystic Aquarium.

Daniel Johnson ’84 is the new president/senior consultant at Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Homeland Security and Cyber Security LLC. Dan has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma and a master’s degree in cybersecurity from Webster University.

Daniel Bueno ’86 is an applicant services program specialist with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He assists applicants with accessing FEMA assistance as they recover from natural disasters.

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Beth (Harper) Larkins-Strathy '74

Pamela J. Bernardo '79

Ken Wolslegel ’87 presented his new film “EARTH2023” at Eastern this past fall. The film answers questions about the future of Earth and its inhabitants by examining science related to climate change and biodiversity. Ken graduated from Eastern with a degree in environmental earth science and now works as a freelance speaker and presenter on environmental advocacy.

Adam Baldinger ’88 has held positions at Harvard’s Museum of Comparative Zoology since 1997, first serving as the curatorial associate (collection manager) in the Department of Malacology (mollusks). At the present time he is the curatorial associate in the Department of Invertebrate Zoology. He is responsible for specimen acquisitions and has coordinated many collections improvement projects along with the digitization of collections data, in addition to supervising the day-to-day activities within the department.

Lisa Jordan ’88 has started a new position as associate instructor/reading interventionist at Montessori Magnet School in Hartford.

Sister Mary Rose Reddy M’89 has started a new position as director of Catholic identity and mission in the Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Manchester, NH.

1990s

The Society of Financial Service Professionals elected Jacqueline Baldwin ’90 to its national board of directors. Jacqueline has more than 36 years of experience in the financial services arena, has served FSP’s Connecticut Chapter in multiple capacities, and currently serves as chapter president. Jacqueline is a financial advisor with B & L Financial Architect in South Windsor. She also works with entrepreneurs and small-business owners to design and implement retirement plans, succession plans and key employee financial plans.

John Toolan ’90 has been named vice president of executive search for Cooper Coleman, a national nonprofit executive search firm. In his new role, John will use his years of expertise in advancement and new business development.

Mary Dolan Collette ’91 was named interim assistant principal at Riverside School in the Greenwich Public School System. Mary has been an educator since 1993, first as a second- and third-grade teacher, and then as a language arts specialist. Her most recent positions were elementary program facilitator and summer school principal, where she supervised staff while focusing on early literacy and summer boost programs.

ALUMNI WEBINAR SERIES

At your fingertips. On your time.

Just because you graduated doesn’t mean you stopped learning. As an alum, you have exclusive access to a range of online learning tools. Past webinar topics have ranged from career development and exploring your ancestry to bitcoin and public speaking. New webinars each week! Learn more at alumlc.org/easternct

Vanessa Collins ’91 moved to California the summer after she graduated from Eastern. In 2022 she became an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. “I am one of the pastors at Glad Tidings Church in San Francisco, where I’ve been on staff for 11 years.”

Jill (Roby) Eisman ’92 has started a new position as document control specialist at Infleqtion, a global company that delivers high-value quantum information. For more than 25 years she was the race director at Racing Underground, LLC.

Rohan Masakorala ’92 is a maritime shipping expert and CEO of the Shippers’ Academy in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The Mohegan Sun named Guy Greene ’93 the vice president of online marketing for its iGaming division, Mohegan Digital. Guy will drive the overall marketing strategies that support the expanding footprint of Mohegan Digital’s online gaming products, which include MoheganSunCasino.com in Connecticut and PlayFallsViewCasino.com in Ontario, Canada.

Anthony Menard ’93 has started a new position as director of human resources at Norwich Free Academy. He was a principal in the East Hartford Public Schools system for more than 11 years.

Brian Birrell ’95 is a new admissions representative at Lincoln Tech in East Windsor.

Vanessa Collins '91

John Toolan '90

Adam Baldinger '88

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Deborah Chipperfield ’96 has started a new position as senior vice president of human resources, supply chain and operations at Flowers Foods & Subsidiaries. U.S. Flowers Foods is the second-largest producer and marketer of packaged bakery foods in the United States.

Rebel Interactive Group has named Bryan Czajkowski ’96 as its new chief operating officer. This appointment sees Bryan returning to Rebel, where he was the company’s first hire as the vice president of technical strategy and later as chief technology officer. Rebel Interactive Group is a digital marketing agency based in Cheshire, CT.

Shanda Hinton ’96 is a new Strategic Advisory Board member at the Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership, a global authority on leadership, gender equity and inclusion. Shanda is chief diversity officer of the aerospace company RTX.

Paula Duckworth ’99 has started a new position as client service navigator at Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc.

2000s

Kevin Booker Jr. ’00, ’08, ’10 is an educator, motivational speaker and social justice advocate. He was the featured speaker at a campus event hosted by the Intercultural Center in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Chad West ’00 has a new position as subcontract manager, staff, at Lockheed Martin, where he supports Integrated Warfare Systems & Sensors (IWSS) in Mission Systems & Weapons.

Tara Girshick ’99 is the new director of digital operations technology at Sanofi, a French multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company headquartered in Paris. She spent the previous 16 years with Kross Engineering.

Daryl Gross ’99 has started a new position as account manager at Accounting Resources Inc. in Glastonbury, CT.

Nancy Marin ’99 is a legal assistant at the law firm of Rosina Hunt in East Providence, RI.

Matthew Przybyl ’03 has started a new position as director of information technology at Citrin Cooperman, one of the nation’s largest professional services firms. Matt was a systems analyst with Withers Bergman for more than 14 years.

John Regan ’03 has started a new position as partner account manager at Funnel, a leading marketing data hub.

Laura (Flotte) Litchfield ’01 has started a new position as senior client advisor at The Hartford.

Bonnie Bryden ’03 is at WPRI-12 in Providence, RI, where she just celebrated her 17th year. She is the production coordinator for the Rhode Show, the station’s local lifestyle program, as well as the senior studio technician for all news programs.

Andrew Capasso ’03 is the new co-anchor on the FOX SA morning news on KABB in San Antonio, TX. He was previously the anchor for the top-rated morning newscast at KOLD in Tucson for eight years and has worked as an anchor/reporter for stations in Jacksonville, FL; Baton Rouge, LA; Pennsylvania and Montana.

Temeka White ’99 is director of strategic sourcing and logistics at Motivair Corporation, which designs, engineers and services liquid cooling and data center cooling technology.

Anthony LaPia ’03 has a new position as division vice president at Dayforce. Headquartered in Toronto, Dayforce HCM is a SaaS Solution for payroll, benefits, workforce management, human resources, talent management, document management and analytics.

Ryan Parker ’03 was both an organizer and a contributor to “Coming Out of COVID: A Celebration of Poetry, Prose and Community.” The anthology, consisting of poems and essays from writers across Connecticut, was published in early 2023 and grew out of live poetry events that sought community responses to the pandemic.

Kate Scheuritzel ’03 is serving as secretary of the board of America’s Service Commissions, which is jointly responsible for administering more than 80% of AmeriCorps state/national grants and supports more than 40,000 AmeriCorps members. She is director of programs at Serve Connecticut.

Rebecca Stearns ’04 is a policy associate at the University of Southern Maine. For 10 years she was an emergency medical services instructor at the New Britain EMS Academy.

Milton Jackson ’05 is the new vice president and head of customer growth at The Hartford.

Mark A. Light Jr. ’05 was promoted to senior vice president and chief banking officer at Jewett City Savings Bank.

Paul Luis ’05 has a new position as senior account executive at Aon, a global professional services firm that provides a range of risk, reinsurance, retirement and health solutions. Prior to that, he was a senior M&A broker at Aon.

After a 10-year career in marketing at Hartford HealthCare, Allison Mahon ’05 is a brand manager at PowerPhone.

Traci Resler ’05 has started a new position as community impact associate at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

Milton Jackson '05

DERRICK GIBBS ’08 SETS ROOTS IN BUDDING CANNABIS

INDUSTRY

After founding the Middletown-based home healthcare agency Change Inc., entrepreneur Derrick Gibbs ’08 is setting roots in Connecticut’s newest industry: recreational cannabis.

One year since the state’s January 2023 legalization of recreational cannabis, Gibbs and co-founder Carl Tirella Jr. have opened a chain of adult-use retail stores under the name Budr Cannabis, focusing on destigmatizing cannabis use and providing education to customers.

Mary Ellen Smith ’05 is the new director of application services at the University of Hartford. This will be her second stint at the university, having worked there as lead system analyst until 2014.

An artistic transom window created by stained glass artist Theresa Cashman ’06 appeared on the HGTV show “Rico to the Rescue.” Theresa is the owner of TLC Stained Glass in Santa Fe, NM, where she teaches classes, completes commission work, and repairs and restores old or broken stained glass panels.

Budr currently operates two retail-only stores in Danbury and West Hartford, with a third on its way in Tolland and three more in the pipeline for Bridgeport, Stamford and Stratford.

The two business partners exercise caution when approaching municipalities with their business plan. “There’s a lot of fear and pushback over who the customer base might be,” said Gibbs, “... over the (supposed) characters who would come to the store.”

Nonetheless, Gibbs has found their customer base to be the most diverse clientele he’s worked with, catering to a wide range of ages and ethnic backgrounds.

Addressing concerns from the community, Gibbs highlights the professional and respectable appearance of Budr's stores, designed to counter skepticism and convey a serious business image, steering away from stereotypical pot leaves and neon signs.

As a social-equity venture — one of the state’s classifications for cannabis businesses — Budr has a company-wide goal to employ 50% people of color. Additionally, each store under the Budr umbrella supports different social causes, such as homelessness in greater Tolland and sponsoring summer camps in West Hartford.

Educating customers is a core focus for Gibbs and Tirella. Although their stores are for recreational cannabis, their goal is to share medical information with the broader market, providing valuable insights into the effects of different cannabinoids and terpene

By Michael Rouleau '11

profiles. The duo noted that customers come into their stores seeking relief for a range of issues, including anxiety, sleep problems, depression and nausea.

While they cannot make medical or health claims, Budr staff members, known as “bud-tenders,” do make recommendations. “Our job is to educate and recommend products based on customers’ desired effects,” said Tirella.

However, the cannabis industry comes with its fair share of challenges. Despite legalization at the state level, cannabis remains a Schedule 1 controlled substance federally, posing hurdles in banking, lending and insurance. As the state rolls out its recreational market, thousands of business applicants are competing for a limited number of licenses. Zoning issues, moratoriums in towns and restrictions on marketing further complicate the business landscape.

Melinda (Matthews) Delaney ’06 is senior director, program management at PRIA Healthcare in Torrington, CT.

Badou Franck ’06 MBA, PMP, PBA is IT portfolio manager at Rialto Capital in Miami, FL. He recently obtained an edX verified certificate for Portfolio Management, Governance and the PMO.

Catherine Seaver ’06 is faculty and program coordinator of computer information systems at Connecticut State Community College-Tunxis in Farmington.

Melissa (Silvernail) Batulevitz ’06 was named Mansfield’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. She was cited for being a passionate, dedicated teacher and for creating the student-led writing center at Mansfield Middle School, as well as the Writing Center Club and Student Newspaper Club.

Jessica Bate ’07 is rejoining the Housatonic Valley Regional High School faculty as the library media specialist. She is finishing her Master of Library and Information Science degree at Southern Connecticut State University. Jessie previously worked as a health and physical education teacher and, most recently, as the high school’s library assistant for the past two years.

“I know of no other business with so many barriers to entry,” said Gibbs, adding that state and municipal taxes total up to 30%, and substantial upfront costs for security and infrastructure create additional hurdles.

Gibbs’ entrepreneurial spirit was fostered during his time at Eastern as a business administration major and as the founder of Change Inc. He sees coping as the common thread between his two ventures, whether he is helping home health clients develop strategies or Budr customers find stress relief through cannabis.

Jodee (Garber) Caruso ’07 is head of production at Atomic Kid Studios, LLC, an award-winning animation and live-action production studio, specializing in 2D/3D animation, explainer videos, event keynotes and augmented reality.

Christopher Dutton ’07 LCSW, was recently promoted to the director of clinical operations for Outpatient Psychiatric Clinics at the West Hartford-based Bridge Family Center. In this role, he is responsible for the overall operations of the clinics including staffing, compliance, licensing and regulation, revenue management and improved efficiencies. Chris earned a Master of Social Work in Administration degree from the University of Connecticut.

Ashley Scherben ’07 is a fourth-grade teacher at Morris Elementary School in Lenox, MA, where she was recently recognized as Teacher of the Month. She has spearheaded multiple successful initiatives at the school, including a donation drive benefiting victims of domestic violence through the Elizabeth Freeman

Jodee (Garber) Caruso '07

Center. She also initiated the national Girls on the Run program, which seeks to inspire and help girls build confidence and other skills through interactive lessons and physical activities.

Daniel Benoit ’08 is regional territory manager at Thomsen Foodservice in Rhode Island, after spending nearly eight years with US Foods as a district sales manager.

David Steven Brown ’08 is the new principal at Somers High School. Previously he had been principal at EASTCONN. He earned his M.S. from the University of New Haven in 2014.

Marcus Pinchera ’08 is the new senior sales manager at HireRising, Greater Phoenix Area. He had previously worked for 12 years at RandStad Technologies.

Michael M. Gale ’09 has started a new position as assistant professor of counseling psychology at Springfield College.

2010s

Anslem Elumogo-Gardner ’10 is head of strategy and operations at AdvanceEDU in Denver, CO.

Hillary (Malin) Gileau ’10 is a senior clinical specialist at Indivior, a specialty pharmaceutical company.

Tim Murphy ’10 is director of business development dining and events at Elior North America. He had previously worked as a regional sales director for the Compass Group.

Daniel Caless ’11 has started a new position as a service specialist at Cummins Inc., where he has worked since 2022.

Lauren Biatowas ’12 is technical lead at Yale University in New Haven.

Wiley Dawson ’12 has been accepted by the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education into its Ph.D. in learning, leadership and educational policy program. He will focus on higher education, racial justice and decolonization. He is currently the assistant director of the Center for Career Development at UConn’s Hartford campus.

Elizabeth Hesterberg ’11 is the new deputy director of corporate partnerships at World Food Program USA in Washington, D.C. She has worked there for six years.

Colin Dunn ’12 has started a new position as patient navigation specialist at Yale New Haven Health where he has worked since October 2018.

Judith (Frankel) Halpern ’12 is the new director of performance and quality improvement at the Bridge Family Center in West Hartford, a comprehensive, regional nonprofit agency that provides a broad range of services for children and families.

Cory Gabor ’13 has started a new position as strategic marketing operations manager at Anaconda, Inc. in Austin, TX. Anaconda is the world’s most popular Python/R platform for data science, machine learning and AI.

Jeffrey Drew ’08 has started a new position as a special education teacher at Consolidated School District of New Britain.

Nicholas Kszepka ’11 is the new general sales manager at Eastside Motoring in Waltham, MA.

Amanda Katz M’08 has started a new position as an assistant professor at Utah State University. In addition to holding an M.S. in Secondary Education/English and Language Arts from Eastern, Amanda earned an M.A. in history from Carnegie Mellon University and an M.A. in humanities and social thought from New York University.

Mike Merritt ’08 has started a new position as senior staff data engineer at The Hartford. He has been with The Hartford for seven years.

Kevin Narus ’08 has a new position as senior SDO manager at Staples in Manchester, CT.

Alicia (Dixon) McKenzie ’11 is the new director of the African American Cultural Center at the University of Connecticut. Most recently, Alicia was director of in-

stitutional diversity, equity and inclusion at Bryant University.

Samantha Armitage ’12 is the new community engagement manager at Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia in Richmond.

Burhan Kaya ’13 has started a new position as agile team coach at Werfen in Bedford, MA. Werfen is a worldwide leader in specialized diagnostics in the areas of hemostasis, acute care diagnostics, transfusion, autoimmunity and transplant.

Pullman & Comley, LLC announced the promotion of Michael Marafito ’13 to member of the firm. Michael is an attorney with the property tax and valuation practice, where he negotiates with municipalities and revaluation firms and appears before local boards of assessment appeals to contest inequitable tax assessments. For the past three years, Michael has been named to the Connecticut Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” list. In addition to his B.S. in accounting from Eastern, Michael received his J.D. from Quinnipiac University School of Law.

Beth (Lewis) Mendoza ’13 welcomed baby Mariana in March 2023. Beth noted that her favorite memory of Eastern is playing laser tag in the quad.

Alicia (Dixon) McKenzie '11

Wiley Dawson '12

Brittney Senerth ’13 has started a new position as TGH program director at Noank Community Support Services, where she has worked for more than five years.

Thomas Vickers ’13 is the new general manager at Action Athletics in Norwood, MA.

Jack Duggan ’14 is the new manager at Bonny’s Equipment Rentals in Abington, MA. Prior to that he was a construction specialist at Heritage Improvements, Inc.

Marc Tate ’14 has started a new position as IT supervisor-customer experience service management with the State of Connecticut. He had previously worked for more than six years for the Town of Westerly, RI.

Marc Volza ’15 is the new network director at WeCall.

Benjamin D. Williams ’15 has been named to the board of the Angel Investment Forum. Founded in 2004, AIF members invest their time, talent and money in supporting companies with solid business models and growth potential. Benjamin is also CEO of ARSOME Technology, which has developed hundreds of personalized AR/VR simulations.

After serving as a residence director for two years, Joscelyn N. FernandezNeubert ’16 has been named interim assistant director of housing operations at Salem State University.

Clint Gosselin ’16 has a new position as housing services outreach coordinator at the University of Connecticut.

Following a six-year stint in the U.S. Navy, William Jack ’16 started a new position as operations supervisor at Pike Engineering in Fort Mill, SC.

Sarah Denihan ’16 has started a new position as managing division director at Creative Financial Staffing (CFS), West Hartford.

Matthew Hicks ’15 has been named assistant dean for student engagement and leadership at Providence College. “I’ll provide direction for orientation, student activities and leadership programming and contribute to the introduction of ‘The PC Path’ student learning and development program.”

Kaylee Latham ’15 used her professional expertise as an outpatient counselor at the Institute of Living to prevent what may have been a suicide attempt. While walking her dog at the Cheney Rail Trail in Manchester, Kaylee encountered a young woman on a bridge, looking like she was ready to jump. Kaylee was able to engage the teenager and keep her calm until police arrived. Kaylee was with Hartford HealthCare when she volunteered as a mental health worker in 2016 while she pursued her B.A. in sociology at Eastern. She is now a licensed professional counselor associate.

Former television news anchor Lauren (Zenzie) Rovella ’15 is now a multimedia content manager with Avelo Airlines, where she is producing short- and long-form content for Avelo’s internal communications and social media. Lauren worked as a reporter and fill-in anchor for Hartford’s FOX 61 morning newscasts and was promoted to traffic anchor last year. Prior to working at FOX 61, she worked at NBC affiliates in North Dakota and Massachusetts.

Samantha Skeels ’16 is the new marketing and communications associate at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History in Hartford.

CINDY ARCHIBALD ’17 GIVES NEW MISSION TO VETERANS

By Noel Teter '24 • Photo by Garrett Twele

After completing military service, many veterans return home with a desire to continue serving. An organization called Veterans Base Camp, led by Eastern alumna Cindy Archibald ’17, has been established to help veterans fulfill this sense of mission post-military.

“It doesn’t end when they leave,” said Archibald of veterans’ engrained desire to serve. As executive director, she describes Veterans Base Camp as “a home between here and there,” where veterans receive housing and support as they work on the issues that brought them to the camp in th first place.

Located in rural eastern Connecticut, the nonprofit organization operates a food pantry and vegetable garden to support food-insecure community members. It was recently awarded $25,000 from the Lipinski Rural Initiatives Award by Farm Credit Northeast to construct a greenhouse to grow its gardening program.

This development will provide more opportunities for veterans and college students alike, as Veterans Base Camp often enlists the help of Eastern interns. Archibald studied social work at Eastern, where she learned an “ecological approach” to the field and the importance of considering the “impact of a person’s whole environment.”

Archibald synthesizes this philosophy into a “strength-based approach” to helping veterans flourish in the aftermath of service. In this approach, she helps veterans get “hooked on pursuing their passions” rather than fixating on their deficits, she said.

One veteran has become a photographer in his time at the camp, while another recently got his coaching certificate for high school soccer. Yet another has taken an interest in business and plans to buy a comic book bookstore.

Archibald has become familiar with the struggles facing veterans. “War and combat change their

worldview,” she said. “The drama of everyday life as a civilian confuses and annoys them when they have lived the reality that a ‘good day’ is when no one dies.”

Veterans Base Camp also holds clothing and toy drives for families of veterans, as well as the “Backpacks for Life” initiative, which provides military-grade backpacks to homeless veterans. This April, the camp hosted David’s Race, a fundraiser in memory of David Guy, a former Marine and resident of Veterans Base Camp. Following his military service, Guy’s wife and two young daughters were killed by a drunk driver.

“When I met David in March of 2022, he was 82 years old and living in a motel because he was homeless,” said Archibald. In a TV interview concerning his move to Veterans Base Camp, Guy said, “This is home, and every veteran should have one.”

Matthew Hicks '15

Lauren (Zenzie) Rovella '15

Lauren Teta ’16 is a new senior account executive at On Ideas, a full-service advertising agency in Jacksonville, FL.

Caitlyn Braasch ’17 is a universal banker at Dime Bank in Taftville, CT.

Stephanie Carroll ’17 has been promoted to assistant comptroller at the Connecticut Bankers Association. In her new role, Stephanie will assist in the active preparation of financial and budget reporting, supporting the CBA’s annual financial audit process. She will also assist in the review and implementation of financial controls and systems within the CBA. She will continue to administer the accounts payable and receivable, payroll and general ledger account reconciliation processes. Stephanie joined the CBA in 2021.

Brittany Noonan ’17 is a new senior product manager at Amwell in Boston. She graduated magna cum laude from Eastern’s business information systems program and received her M.S. from the University of Connecticut in 2020 in business analytics and project management.

Abigail Caselli ’17 has been named an assistant professor of psychology at Western New England University. Caselli previously served as an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and as an associate faculty member at Post University. She received her Ph.D. in social psychology from Syracuse University.

The Mahaska County Historical Society/ Nelson Pioneer Farm and Museum in Iowa has appointed McKenzie “Mac” Hardeman Korte ’17 as museum director. Mac has held several positions in museum education and management at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and the Mystic Seaport Museum. His experience and background in new methods and technologies in the museum field will allow him to focus on sustainable, community-focused initiatives intended to cultivate new generations of museum and community members.

James Heath-Ringrose ’18 has started a new position as senior business systems specialist at Travelers in Franklin, TN.

Ryan Kelly ’18 was named Teacher-of-the-Year in East Haddam. In the four years Ryan has been in East Haddam, he has advocated for the value of physical education and physical activity, expanding classes to include pre-K and adapted PE. The school’s Kid’s Heart Challenge, participation and fundraising has nearly tripled since Ryan took over running the event.

Avgoustis Tiniakos ’17 has started a new position as claims supervisor at Progressive Insurance in Newington, CT.

Michael Crowley ’18 is the new senior regional manager at Trinity Solar in New Jersey.

Jenfrey Florentino ’18 is assistant director of student activities at Eastern. “I am a proud Eastern alumnus who has made my way back to Eastern as professional staff. I am an entrepreneur, with several businesses and ventures. I consider myself a curator and connector of dots!”

Weronika Lewkowicz ’17 has started a new position as anatomy and physiology program coordinator and lecturer at the University of New Haven.

Brandon Martins ’17 is a new admissions counselor at Eastern.

Gabriela Meza ’17 has started a new position as manager, finance for SalonCentric at L’Oréal, New York. She earned her M.B.A. from the Stern School of Business at New York University in 2023.

Cooper Goslin ’18 has been promoted to senior associate, sponsor and specialty finance at Webster Bank. He joined Webster in 2022. Cooper and Lauren Biancardi ’18 were married in October 2023.

Cara Lang ’18 has started a new position as Terminal 5 production runner at AEG in Los Angeles. AEG is a leading sports and live entertainment company.

Connor McCarthy ’18 has a new position as account executive-college/high school at On Deck Sports in Boston.

Jasmine Torres ’18 has been promoted from corporate communications coordinator to corporate communications specialist at Edgewell Personal Care in Shelton, CT.

High school students pick from various one-week residential programs

To learn more about the programs or schedule an info meeting SCAN HERE

Matthew Voelker ’18 has been promoted to assistant vice president/ junior commercial loan officer at Jewett City Savings Bank. He most recently held the position of senior commercial credit analyst. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut.

Brittany Noonan '17

Abigail Caselli '17

Ryan Kelly '18

Nicole Bosse ’19 is a new clinical supervisor at Clarity ABA in South Hadley, MA. Clarity ABA specializes in serving children with learning and behavior support needs, teaching them life skills including communication, self-advocacy, executive functioning, safety and self-regulation. Nicole received her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis from Westfield State University in 2021.

Brookelyn Cornelio ’19 has started a new position as onboarding talent acquisition supervisor at Numotion in Rocky Hill. She has been employed by the company for more than four years.

By Noel Teter '24

Throughout his seven semesters at Eastern, jazz drummer Evan Wood ’24 performed regularly in Connecticut and Massachusetts. In his final semester in fall 2023, however, he started breaking into the New York City music scene, a world-renowned destination for jazz musicians.

Starting with a show at Fiction, a jazz lounge in Brooklyn, Wood has continued to perform at several clubs and lounges throughout the city, expanding his network and familiarity with the scene. Wood performs with variations of his namesake band, the Evan Wood Group, as well as Stattic, a rhythmic jazz group he’s been part of for years. He also has a private music instruction business.

The Evan Wood Group plays modernized jazz standards with a flexible lineup typically consisting of guitar, upright bass, drums and trumpet. Modern jazz standards, according to Wood, leave “more room to be expressive” than their predecessors, especially for drummers: “Our role is more involved.”

Wood explained some of the challenges of being a modern musician in the age of social media. “Having a social media presence is like a resume to the world,” he said. “If I’m not posting actively, then it looks

like I’m not playing much, and then it looks like, ‘oh, maybe this guy’s not serious about what he’s doing.’” Wood credits Eastern with helping him develop a strong network, which he says is critical for the music industry. “I’ve met people who are important to my developing career,” he said of his mentor and music lecturer Matt Bronson. In addition to helping him get gigs, Bronson introduced Wood to other professionals in the industry, such as recording drummer and bandleader Jonathan Barber, who is now Wood’s drum instructor.

Much like his work, Wood views his education as something to be worked for rather than handed to him. “What you put in is what you get out,” he said. To Wood, music students should use their education to answer the questions, “How are you going to work as a musician, and what are the skills that are necessary to make that happen?”

Nick Kukla ’19 is a science teacher at Barrows STEM Academy in Windham. He was named a “sustainability advocate” by the Global Schools Program sponsored by the United Nations. He is one of 3,400 teachers from 100 countries to apply for the program’s advocacy training and resources.

Wood River Health Services in Hopkinton, RI, announced that Calli Duthrie ’19 has joined its team as an integrated behavioral health clinician. Calli has worked in outpatient settings and mobile crisis, treating at-risk youths in the community. At Wood River she will work with children, adolescents and adults. She earned her B.S.W. from Eastern and her M.S.W. from Fordham University.

Julie Ercolani ’19 is a school counselor at Plainville High School in Plainville, CT.

Kyle Heibeck ’19 has started a new position as senior accountant at Mapletree in New York City after working two years for LAZ parking.

To Wood, performing in New York is about creating future opportunities. “I think it’s important for me to perform in a setting where the standard is a little bit higher,” he said. “As much as I feel at home in Connecticut, I’d like to eventually feel at home in New York City, too.”

Gabriela Mikunda ’19 has a new position as senior accountant at MMNT Certified Public Accountants in Manchester, CT.

Ethan Schaefer ’19 is a new marketing coordinator at MDVIP, a primary care physician group in Boca Raton, FL.

Marissa Simonetti ’19 is the new sales and service manager at Alo Yoga, Greater Boston.

2020s

Natnael Belay ’20 is the lead technical program manager of Google’s Android Jetpack program. He is responsible for spearheading the critical end-to-end pipeline of more than 200 Android Jetpack libraries to both internal teams and external developers, to build mobile applications that reach billions of end users. “My goal is to continue to be a thought leader in my community, sharing and teaching others about certain best practices. In addition, I hope that my story inspires Black youth to enter the tech industry.”

Anthony Choronzy ’20 is starting a new position as director of lacrosse development at Nantucket Youth Lacrosse. He had previously been a physical education teacher at Nantucket High School.

Nicholas Cortes ’20 has started a new position as data entry assistant at Spark Therapeutics, Inc.

Kelsey Cunningham ’20 is working as a human resources specialist at ABLE Home Healthcare where she processes payroll and assists employees.

Nick Kukla '19

Natnael Belay '20

EVAN WOOD ’24 BREAKS INTO NEW YORK CITY JAZZ SCENE

Emily Flood ’20 has started a new position as a paraprofessional at Westport Public Schools in Westport, CT.

Natalia Lozano Ramirez ’20 has started a new position as a coding apprentice at Road to Hire in Fort Mill, SC.

Alandra Maine ’20 serves on the board of the Long Hill Estate Authority at Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown, CT.

Ryan Marron ’20 has started a new position as business analyst at Charter Communications in Stamford. He earned his M.B.A. from Sacred Heart University in May 2023.

After seven years with the Connecticut Army National Guard as an automated logistical specialist, Katrina Piotrowski ’20 started a new position as a quality assurance specialist at the Defense Contract Management Agency in Andover, MA.

Lindsay Allard ’21 has started a new position as a golf shop attendant at the Springfield Country Club.

Cigna has hired Noah Guarino ’21 as a risk and underwriting senior analyst II.

Ayinde Johnson ’21 is an SMB account executive at Stampli, an accounts payable automation platform simplifying invoices, approvals and payments.

Erin Lenihan ’21 is a school counseling intern at West Haven High School.

Jim Minor ’21 has started a new teaching position at Torrington Middle School.

Jafet Aparicio ’21 is a data engineer-business insights and analytics LDP senior consultant at Travelers.

Casey Barrett ’21 is a new account specialist in global supply chain at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford.

Elizabeth Colon ’21 is a career consultant for Indigenous Career Futures at Arizona State University’s Career Services in Tempe, AZ.

John Ferrara ’21 is a sales representative at Axon in Scottsdale, AZ. Axon develops technology and weapons products for military, law enforcement and civilians.

Katie Pescartello ’21 is the new office manager at TM Burrows Associates, LLC. In her new role, Katie will work closely with clients, including Secor Auto Group, as the benefit liaison to various insurance companies.

Sydney Collentine ’22 was named varsity field hockey coach at New Fairfield High School. She was a four-year starter on the Eastern field hockey team and is currently a seventh-grade science teacher at John Read Middle School in Redding, CT.

Alexander Deangelis ’22 has started a new position at Fidelity Investments in Smithfield, RI.

Diana Damian ’23 has started a new position as a milieu counselor at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Zachary Doty ’23 is a robotic camera operator at CBS Sports in Stamford, CT.

Nhi Lam ’23 has started a new position as an environmental science specialist at Triumvirate Environmental in Somerville, MA.

Grace Carlos ’23 is president of the Connecticut Chapter of the Young Democrats. The organization held a public hearing on Jan. 29 in Hartford to build its issue priority list as a way to amplify Generation Z voices ahead of the legislative session.

Dylan Tillman ’23 conducted research on the endangered northern blazing star wildflower that will be published in the Native Plants Journal.

Ingrid Velazquez ’23 has started a new position as a billing design analyst at Spectrum in Charlotte, NC.

Emily Watling ’23 has started a new position as eelgrass collaborative research assistant at the Connecticut National Estuarian Research Reserve in Groton.

Jonathan Wilson ’23 has been named assistant director of athletic communications at Emmanuel College in Boston. In this role, Jonathan will assist in the promotion and coverage for all athletic teams as well as manage social media accounts, game day operations and the development of internship opportunities.

Grace Carlos '23

Diana Damian '23

Dylan Tillman '23

Jafet Aparicio '21

Mary Lou Keables ’55

Former Faculty • Mansfield Center, CT • Jan. 18, 2024

Anna (Stankewich) Alfiero ’62 Waterford, CT • Aug. 19, 2023

John W. Freudenstein ’62

Storrs Mansfield, CT • Aug. 23, 2023

Wilfred H. Gladue ’63

Niantic, CT • Jan. 8, 2024

Cecelia (Coleda) Messor ’63 Oakdale, CT • Sept. 7, 2023

Janet (Viets) Corl ’64

Mechanicsburg, PA • Nov. 26, 2023

Richard J. Gwiazdowski ’64

Brooklyn, CT • Dec. 29, 2023

Barbara (Ford) Jacobs ’64

Norwich, CT • Jan. 21, 2024

Lucy (Shea) Sweeney ’64 Manchester, CT • Jan. 6, 2024

Elaine (Avery) Effman ’65 Grantham, NH • Jan. 11, 2024

Virginia (Mendenhall) Peterson ’65

Hadlyme, CT • Jan. 8, 2024

Ann J. Morin ’66, M’71

Canterbury, CT • Nov. 6, 2023

Jane M. Jackman M’74

Storrs Mansfield, CT • Jan. 7, 2024

In Memorium

Valerie (Alves) Alexander ’75

Portland, CT • Jan. 25, 2024

Anthony J. Brandenburg ’75

Encinitas, CA • Oct . 3, 2023

Robert S. Neborsky ’75

Hampton, CT • Sept. 21, 2023

Ronald D. Pires ’76

Norwich, CT • Nov. 3, 2023

Lisbeth Mary Sheehan ’77

Norwich, CT • Jan. 30, 2024

April (Blevins) Carroza ’82

Middlebury, CT • Sept. 2, 2023

Margaret (Leeney) Cotter ’82

Frederick, MD • Jan. 31, 2024

Raymond E. Gliha ’82

Manchester, CT • Aug. 14, 2023

Cynthia Jane (Ereshena) Hodis ’82

Chaplin, CT • Oct . 1, 2023

Therese L. Zimmerman ’84

Hooksett, NH • Jan. 16, 2024

Kathy Faber ’85

Somers, CT • Nov. 25, 2023

Bruce R. Isner ’85

Dallas, TX • Dec. 9, 2023

Lisa (Seman) Fitzpatrick ’87

Mebane, NC • Dec. 28, 2023

Karen E. Leffingwell ’87

Oakdale, CT • Oct . 29, 2023

Thomas E. Williamson ’87

Waterford, CT • Aug. 31, 2023

John M. Lucas ’88

Chaplin, CT • July 7, 2023

James M. Shifrin ’88

Lebanon, CT • Sept. 30, 2023

Clarisse A. Pillion ’90 Columbia, CT • Jan. 20, 2024

Robert R. Jackson ’94

Hartford, CT • Jan. 24, 2024

Mary Jane Newman M’95 Coventry, CT • Dec. 10, 2023

Vincent Angelo Moore ’96

Hamden, CT • Jan. 15, 2024

Gregory J. Thomson ’00, M’02

Willington, CT • Jan. 3, 2024

Susan Leser ’02

Marlborough, CT • Aug. 13, 2023

Timothy E. Hippe ’07

The Villages, FL • Jan. 25, 2024

Taina Faith Foreman ’09

Trumbull, CT • Oct. 16, 2023

Elaine Adelia Hickey Herman ’10 Preston, CT • Jan. 28, 2024

Mitch Beauregard ’11

Hampton, CT • Dec. 1, 2023

Laura Mary Zenk ’22

Raleigh, NC • Sept. 5, 2023

Madeline Bernstein

Friend of the University • Niantic, CT • Oct. 2, 2023

Michael Conrad Desjarlais

Former Staff • Windham, CT • July 15, 2023

Katalin Rita Eibel-Spanyi

Former Faculty • Manchester, CT • Nov. 3, 2023

Wendi Jill Everton

Professor Emeritus • Storrs Mansfield, CT • Jan. 5, 2024

Claire M. Gregoire

Former Faculty • Dayville, CT • Nov. 16, 2023

George H. Kahkedjian

Former Staff • Waterbury, CT • Feb. 25, 2021

John J. Lombard

Professor Emeritus • Coventry, CT • Dec. 16, 2023

Jeanette E. Millette

Former Staff • Willimantic, CT • Oct. 17, 2023

Jean Stencel

Former Staff • Norwich, CT • April 4, 2023

Gary A. Sterner

Professor Emeritus • West Hartford, CT • Dec. 6, 2023

REMEMBERING PROFESSOR WENDI EVERTON

Wendi Everton, professor emeritus of psychology, passed away on Jan. 5, 2024. She had retired from Eastern in 2019 due to health issues.

Everton taught at Eastern for 18 years and was formerly chair of the Psychological Science Department. In 2009 she won a Connecticut State University Trustees award honoring her teaching innovation, instructional approaches and research supervision. She was part of an organizational research group in psychology along with Professor Peter Bachiochi, studying workplace attitudes and employee behavior.

Known for singing out loud and sharing funny stories, she was “bigger than life in so many ways,” recalled Bachiochi. “She was known to break into song with little or no prompting, just the right cue — in class, in the hall, in her office, anywhere on campus,” he said. “Those who knew her, whether as students, colleagues or mere acquaintances will never forget her generosity, thoughtfulness and her sense of humor.”

“Wendi was an amazing friend and colleague who was supportive, generous and larger than life,” said her colleague Melanie Keyes, professor of psychology. “Her fun and positive energy was infectious and the sounds of her laughter and singing in the psychology hallway are deeply missed.”

In 2016 Professor Everton established a scholarship fund in memory of her brother, Steven B. Everton. Donations may be made to the fund in care of the ECSU Foundation.

Make a Gift in Honor of President Núñez

The Dr. Elsa M. Núñez Endowed Scholarship was launched in conjunction with President Núñez’s inauguration in 2007. The fund has grown substantially over the years due to the generous support of Eastern alumni, friends and the Nellie Mae Foundation. Scholarships are awarded to students in good academic standing with unmet financial need.

“Many Eastern students would not be able to graduate from college without the assistance of others,” said ECSU Foundation President Justin Murphy ’98, Esq.

“Supporting this scholarship in Dr. Núñez’s name allows us to make a difference for Eastern students with unmet financial need as they pursue their educational goals. I encourage all Eastern alumni and friends to consider contributing to the Dr. Elsa M. Núñez Endowed Scholarship in honor of her 18 years as president of Eastern.”

SUPPORT EASTERN STUDENTS

Eastern Celebrates & Family Day • Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 SAVE

Celebrate the Jubilee Class of 1974 and conncet with fellow Alumni and current Warriors.