Eastern Connecticut State University

Ian Valeta, a senior computer science major at Eastern Connecticut State University, has become involved on campus in a variety of ways. Most recently, he was accepted into Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE), the international honor society for the computing and information disciplines. This involvement has paid off: in December 2024, Valeta was one of only 34 recipients nationwide to receive a $1,000 UPE scholarship.

Eastern's first cohort of nursing students was honored at the university's inaugural "white coat ceremony" on Jan. 23 in the Fine Arts Instructional Center Concert Hall. A rite of passage for nursing students across the world, the ceremony marks the beginning of students' clinical education and their commitment to compassionate patient care. During Eastern's ceremony, 28 students donned their white coats and received a "Keeping Healthcare Human" pin from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, whose namesake established the ceremony in 1993. The students will now begin on-site clinical experience at two sites this semester: Pierce Memorial Baptist Nursing and Rehabilitation in Brooklyn and Westview Health Care Center in Killingly.

Two history students and a professor at Eastern Connecticut State University recently took a national stage to share their work on the sociopolitical impacts of three cornerstones of American culture: fast food, alcohol and tobacco. Senior Emma McCormack and Professor Thomas Balcerski presented at the American Historical Association (AHA) conference from Jan. 3-5 at the New York Hilton hotel in New York, NY. Junior Emma Schafer attended and was inspired by the breadth of historical topics being discussed at the conference.

Eastern Connecticut State University recently released its Dean's List for the fall 2024 semester, in which more than 1,300 students were recognized for maintaining high GPAs.

Twelve students from Eastern Connecticut State University's Department of English showcased their literary research at the Connecticut State University (CSU) Undergraduate English Conference on Nov. 1. The event was held at Central Connecticut State University and allowed undergraduates to share their scholarly and creative projects, developed under the mentorship of faculty members Allison Speicher, Susan DeRosa and Ken McNeil.

More than 1,000 students are concluding their first semester at Eastern Connecticut State University this fall 2024. The new students include 808 first-time and 275 transfer students who are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate-level programs.

Students at Eastern Connecticut State University honed new skills and explored career interests this fall semester through a variety of paid, pre-professional experiences known as co-ops. Opportunities spanned industries such as insurance services, data analysis and sports coaching.

Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Activity Board (CAB) again earned various accolades at this year's National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) Providence Conference. The meeting took place Oct. 24-26 at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

More than 100 first-generation students from Eastern Connecticut State University were inducted into the Tri Alpha National Honor Society on Nov. 8, recognizing their academic achievements despite the challenges of being the first in their families to attend college.

Eastern held two showings of "The Last American Jackrabbit" on Nov. 1, an original play directed and written by students Xsyanni Jackson and Kane Waggoner. The only student-made performance of the fall 2024 semester sold out its evening show and scheduled a matinee performance to accommodate its large audience. Both were held at the Delmonte Bernstein Studio Theater.

Several student leaders and interns at Eastern Connecticut State University's Center for Community Engagement (CCE) are spearheading various outreach programs in Willimantic this semester. The common denominator for each volunteer is personal development through their commitment to community outreach.

Eastern Connecticut State University will be featured on Amazon Prime's "The College Tour" next spring as one of the show's season 13 episodes. Filming took place on Eastern's campus Oct. 7-11, showcasing a diverse group of 10 students and alumni who represent life at Connecticut's only public liberal arts university.

This summer, 21 students from the Department of English at Eastern Connecticut State University traveled to Florence, Italy for six weeks. The annual trip is part of English Professor Christopher Torockio's creative writing abroad course.

More than 800 Eastern Connecticut State University students graduated in the 2023-24 academic year, which culminated with two commencement ceremonies at the conclusion of the spring 2024 semester. The University's undergraduate ceremony occurred May 14 at the XL Center in Hartford, CT, and the graduate-level ceremony occurred May 11 on Eastern's campus.

Eastern Connecticut State University welcomed its newest Warriors to campus this June during the annual Student Orientation Advising and Registration (SOAR) program. Through the guidance of student orientation counselors (SOCs), hundreds of incoming students from the Class of 2028 acquainted themselves with Eastern's campus and pondered their collegiate aspirations during four separate two-day orientation sessions.

With the Class of 2024 recently graduated, many of Eastern's newest alumni are beginning their careers while others are choosing to continue their studies. Here are a few of the graduates pursuing advanced degree programs.

The Department of English at Eastern Connecticut State University honored graduating seniors at its spring semester English Night on May 1. The event featured awards and student presentations.

English majors were honored at the close of the fall 2023 semester during English Night, an annual celebration in which awards and presentations were given and students were inducted into the Sigma Tau Delta honor society.

Eastern Connecticut State University physical education majors won the College Bowl at the Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CTAHPERD) fall conference this November, among other achievements.

Brainstorming paid off for Eastern Connecticut State University computer science students Ian Valeta and Diego Hernandez Ramirez when their plan for a tree-planting digital game won them the top prize at the Hack4Delta Sustainability Hackathon Sept. 15-17 in Hartford.

Eastern Connecticut State University's men's and women's track and field teams recently began their winter 2023-24 seasons. The men's roster consists of 37 student-athletes, while the women's roster consists of 25 student-athletes.

The Honors Program at Eastern Connecticut State University recognized 19 graduating seniors at its annual reception this past May in the University's J. Eugene Smith Library. The event celebrates students who completed an honors thesis, the program's capstone requirement.

For the second year in a row and fourth year overall, Eastern physical education teacher candidates have won the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America National College Bowl.

The Student Activities Office at Eastern Connecticut State University recently concluded its fall session of the LEAP leadership program. Standing for "Learn, Explore, Achieve, Perform," the program is designed to help students develop their leadership skills through a variety of workshops. This semester's session trained thirteen students.

Eastern Connecticut State University's Office of Housing and Residential Life has hired 63 resident assistants (RAs) for the 2021-22 academic year. The RAs oversee 14 residential buildings as the work to provide programming and foster community among student residents.