Eastern Connecticut State University

Seven Eastern Connecticut State University students, accompanied by Assistant Professor of Theatre J.J. Cobb, traveled to Oahu, HI, from Jan. 1-13, to perform a series of theatrical pieces ranging from scenes to monologues to readings. The trip was the culmination of the Site-Specific Theatre course the group had taken during the fall semester, when they wrote their performances and learned about the history and culture of Hawaii.

A number of Eastern Connecticut State University students participated in the Study Abroad program during the fall 2012 semester. Study Abroad allows students to gain cultural insight while living in a host country for a full semester or academic year. Students attend a university in their country, take classes, and earn Eastern credits. Countries that students traveled to range from England to Costa Rica.

Several local Eastern Connecticut State University students recently participated in the Willimantic Screen Project in partnership with Thread City Development, Inc., the town of Windham, CT, and the Willimantic Brewing Company. The "Green Lights" project promotes recognition of the Last Green Valley, a National Heritage Corridor located in eastern Connecticut and south-central Massachusetts.

A group of Eastern Connecticut State University students attended the Region 1 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) from Jan. 29 - Feb. 2. The event was held in Hyannis, MA.

Eight Eastern Connecticut State University students traveled to San Diego, CA, with Assistant Professor of Economics Behroz Baraghoshi, in January to participate in the annual Conference of the American Economic Association (AEA). Students attended sessions of their interest and saw how new ideas in those fields were presented. They also were able to ask questions or comment. "The vastness of the subject matter was really apparent, and the numerous lecturers discussing completely different topics were very interesting," said Bailey Wilber, president of the Economics Club and coordinator of the trip. "It opened up a new way of thinking about economics and made me eager to study more."

Eastern Connecticut State University recently released its Dean's List for the fall 2012 semester.

Eastern Connecticut State University recently released its Dean's List for the fall 2012 semester.

Eastern Connecticut State University recently released its list of newly enrolled students for the spring 2013 semester.

Eastern Connecticut State University students plunged into the waters of Coventry Lake at Patriot's Park on Dec. 1 for the annual Coventry Penguin Plunge to raise money for the Special Olympics. Students collected donations from family, friends and local businesses.

Eastern Connecticut State University's Percussion Ensemble performed in Shafer Hall on Eastern's campus on Dec. 8.

Eastern Connecticut State University's Department of English recently inducted students into the Sigma Tau Delta international English honor society.

Eastern Connecticut State University's Center for Early Childhood Education (CECE) recently released a new video about a three-year effort to improve the language and early literacy skills of more than 500 children in Windham, Connecticut. In 2008, the center was awarded a U.S. Department of Education Early Reading First grant to implement the Community Partners for Early Literacy (CPEL) project. In partnership with the Windham Early Childhood Center (part of Windham Public Schools) and the Child and Family Development Resource Center (CFDRC) at Eastern, the CECE provided professional development and literacy coaching to 50 teachers and paraprofessionals and supported families in engaging in literacy activities at home.

In 2008, Eastern Connecticut State University's Center for Early Childhood Education (CECE) was awarded a three-year, $3.9 million Early Reading First (ERF) grant from the U.S. Department of Education to implement the Community Partners for Early Literacy (CPEL) project. Eastern was one of only 31 agencies and public school districts throughout the United States to be chosen for "Early Reading First" grants out of nearly 400 applicants. In partnership with the Windham Early Childhood Center (part of the Windham Public Schools) and the Child and Family Development Resource Center (CFDRC) at Eastern, the CECE provided professional development and literacy coaching to 50 teachers and paraprofessionals and supported families in engaging in literacy activities at home. The CPEL program helped approximately 600 preschool-age children in Willimantic and provided Eastern undergraduate and graduate students from various majors with important experiential learning opportunities. The students worked as oral language assessors, classroom substitutes and literacy kit managers, and were considered critical to the project's success.

On Nov. 21, Eastern Connecticut State University held its sixth annual "Day of Giving Community Celebration," a Thanksgiving dinner for community members who are patrons of local soup kitchens and other social service agencies. The Day of Giving was started in 2007 by Eastern student Jason Budahazy '09. Eastern's Center of Community Engagement is now responsible for coordinating the event.

Twenty-one Eastern Connecticut State Universty students and alumni were among more than 140 presenters at the Third Annual Northeast Regional Undergraduate Research Conference, which took place recently on Eastern's campus. The conference was sponsored by the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC).

Eastern Connecticut State University faculty and student researchers announced results of the 2012 TIMPANI Toy (Toys That Inspire Mindful Play and Nurture Imagination) study on Nov. 16 in the University's Child and Family Development Resource Center (CFDRC). The annual TIMPANI study is a nationally recognized research project to identify the best toys for promoting the cognitive and social development of young children. The study, conducted through Eastern's Center for Early Childhood Education (CECE), examines how young children in natural settings play with a variety of toys.

Ten Eastern Connecticut State University students recently participated in a poster project as part of Visual Arts Professor June Bisantz's Eastern Design Group course. The students designed posters for the Windham Hospital Auxiliary's 17th Annual Autumn Gala, which was held recently at the Marriott Hotel in Hartford.

Students and staff from Eastern Connecticut State University recently attended this year's National Association for Campus Activities conference in Hartford, CT. Student Campus Activity Board (CAB) coordinators took home honors for several categories including Excellence in Programming, Best Poster, Best Themed Campaign and Best Traditional Promotion for their division.

The Theatre Program at Eastern Connecticut State University presented the Neil Simon autobiography, "Biloxi Blues," in Harry Hope Theatre in Shafer Hall. The play was performed on Oct. 18-24 with admission opened to Eastern students, faculty and staff, as well as the general public.

Eastern Connecticut State University has welcomed 23 first-year students to the University Honors Program. Freshmen are admitted to the program by the University Honors Council on the basis of their high school standing, accomplishments, and recommendations, only after they have been accepted into the University.

On Oct. 25, four Eastern Connecticut State University students attended the Family Youth Internet Gambling conference, which was sponsored by the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG) at Water's Edge Resort and Spa in Westbrook, CT. The students presented their "Campus Gambling Awareness Program" poster.

Eastern Connecticut State University recently released its list of resident assistants for the fall 2012 semester.

The following local students are members of this year's Eastern Connecticut State University swim team:

Eastern Connecticut State University recently released its list of resident assistants for the fall 2012 semester.

Eastern Connecticut State University recently released its list of newly enrolled students for the fall 2012 semester.

Eastern Connecticut State University recently released its list of newly enrolled students for the fall 2012 semester. The following local students are attending Eastern this fall:

Biology students at Eastern Connecticut State University had the opportunity to participate in an intensive 12-day field experience in Costa Rica earlier this summer that focused on various aspects of tropical forest ecology and conservation issues confronting developing countries in the neo-tropics.

Accompanied by Associate Professors of Communication Olugbenga Ayeni and Denise Matthews, the group of 18 students traveled to London and Paris in late May to learn about different platforms of European media and how they compare to American media.

From May 19-29, 12 Eastern students accompanied Art Professor Gail Gelburd on a global field course to Cuba.

Eastern's Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) program, mandatory for all new first-year students, took place on campus June 25-July 13.