Eastern Connecticut State University

Walter Scudder '25, a four-year starting midfielder and two-year captain on Eastern Connecticut State University's men's soccer team, was named one of three recipients of the Little East Conference (LEC) Student Athlete-of-the-Year Award for the 2024-25 academic year.

Now going strong for four decades, Eastern Connecticut State University hosted 44 hopeful first-year students during its annual Summer Transition at Eastern Program/Contract Admissions Program (STEP/CAP). Coordinated by Christina Irizarry and Kolin Ebron of the Office of Opportunity Programs, STEP/CAP is designed to provide a smooth transition into higher education for select incoming students over the course of six weeks with the help of student community leaders.

Eighteen first- and second-year students majoring in STEM fields participated in a residential program this July meant to support historically underrepresented students in the sciences. Modeled after the National Science Foundation's Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program, the two-week Eastern-funded initiative included a transitional "bridge" program for incoming first-year students and a research institute for sophomores.

Thirteen biology students at Eastern submerged themselves in research on oceanic ecosystems as part of two global field courses (GFCs) on San Salvador Island in the Bahamas this past May 2025. The courses, titled "Oceanic Island Ecology" (BIO 319) and "Tropical Biology" (BIO 320), were taught collaboratively by biology Professors Kristen Epp, Brett Mattingly, and Joshua Idjadi.

Members of Eastern Connecticut State University's incoming Class of 2029 caught their first glimpse of college life across six different sessions of SOAR, an immersive two-day orientation experience facilitated by student orientation counselors, known as SOCs.

More than 800 Eastern Connecticut State University students received undergraduate and graduate-level degrees in the 2024-25 academic year, which culminated this past May with two commencement ceremonies at the conclusion of the spring 2025 semester.

Nine students at Eastern Connecticut State University participated in biology Professor Barbara Murdoch's summer research institute titled "Hands-on Undergraduate Research with Cutting-Edge Sequencing Technology: Transforming Abstract Concepts into Tangible Discoveries." According to her, the project brought together students from a variety of scientific disciplines to experiment with powerful research technology that's not typically available to undergraduates. "The participants included biology, psychology, and health sciences majors, none of whom had prior experience with molecular biology or DNA sequencing," said Murdoch. "The participants are to be commended for their phenomenal results from DNA sequencing, interpretation of their data, and for their poster presentations."

Six students at Eastern Connecticut State University bound art with prose in art Professor Lora Lee's summer research institute titled "Tell Your Story Through Picture Books." According to Lee, storytellers learned how to plan, write, and illustrate books that reflected their voices and personal stories. "Books are a powerful medium. They allow us to express creativity, connect with like-minded people, and produce something tangible that's fun to make, read, and hold," she said. "I've always been amazed by how creative and unique our students are. They have so many ideas and compelling stories to tell."

Eastern Connecticut State University's Department of Communication, Film, and Theatre held its annual honor society induction ceremony on April 3 at the Fine Arts instructional Center Concert Hall. Eastern's chapter of the Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society inducted 21 students. Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Association's official honor society for four-year colleges and universities, inducted 23 students.

Eastern Connecticut State University recently released its Dean's List for the spring 2025 semester, in which 1,302 students were recognized for maintaining high GPAs.

Eight physical education (PE) students at Eastern Connecticut State University earned top accolades at the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America National Convention and Exposition, held this April in Baltimore. Two Eastern teams beat stiff competition at the SHAPE America College Bowl, earning first and second place, respectively. The annual convention and exposition gathers health and PE teachers from across the country for a weekend of networking, workshops, educational sessions, and a "Jeopardy" style competition. The competition, which typically sees more than 20 teams, tests students in their knowledge of PE, health, anatomy, physiology, adapted PE, national standards, nutrition, dance, and gymnastics, among other topics.

Eastern's Office of Opportunity Programs hosted the Dream Awards, where students were recognized for their achievements and TheDream.US class of 2025 received stoles to showcase at graduation. Taking place on March 28 in the library's Paul E. Johnson, Sr. Community Conference Room, the event served as a night of celebration and inspiration for TheDream.US scholars at Eastern.

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 Connecticut State University's 2025 Equity and Social Justice Awards recently honored three students for their commitment to civil rights, systemic change, and advocating for underserved groups. The ceremony took place March 28 in Eastern's Art Gallery.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.