Eastern Connecticut State University

The following students were named to Eastern's Dean's List for the spring 2011 semester.

Eastern Connecticut State University's 121st Commencement took place at the XL Center in Hartford on May 22. In all, 1,077 undergraduates and 102 graduate students earned their degrees.

Eastern Connecticut State University's 121st Commencement took place at the XL Center in Hartford on May 22. In all, 1,077 undergraduates and 102 graduate students earned their degrees.

The School of Arts and Sciences at Eastern Connecticut State University held its 10th Annual Student Research Conference and Exhibition on April 16. The conference took place in several locations across the campus, including the Science Building, Wood Support Services Center and the Student Center. More than 85 students supported by 35 faculty mentors presented nearly 80 projects and presentations showcasing 11 departments and 13 majors in the School of Arts and Sciences. The following students were among the exhibitors:

Eighteen math majors and one faculty member at Eastern Connecticut State University were inducted into the national sociology honor society, Alpha Kappa Delta, on May 11. The society recognizes students who have an officially declared sociology major or demonstrate a serious interest in sociology, are at least a junior (third year), have accumulated an overall GPA of 3.0, rank in the top 35 percent of their class in general scholarship, have maintained a 3.0 GPA in sociology courses, and have completed at least four regular courses in sociology prior to initiation. The following students were among the inductees:

The School of Education and Professional Studies and the Graduate Division at Eastern Connecticut State University held its 11th Annual Excellence Expo on May 4. Students presented their work on a variety of topics, including economics; marketing; math and science in early childhood education; communication law and ethics; sport and leisure management; teaching typical and exceptional learners; and systems analysis, among others.

Seven Spanish majors at Eastern Connecticut State University were inducted into the national Spanish honor society, Sigma Delta Pi, on May 7. Qualifications for inductees include three years of college-level Spanish (18 semester credit hours), including at least three semester hours of Hispanic literature or Hispanic culture and civilization at the junior level; a 3.0 GPA in all Spanish courses taken; rank in the upper 35 percent of their class and have completed at least three semesters. The following local students were among the inductees:

Fifteen students majoring in social work at Eastern Connecticut State University were inducted into the national social work honor society, Phi Alpha, on April 30. The society provides a closer bond among students of social work and promotes humanitarian goals and ideals. Phi Alpha fosters high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement. The following local students were among the inductees:

Eight health and physical education majors at Eastern Connecticut State University were inducted into their national honor society, Alpha Upsilon Chi, on May 5. The society establishes an intellectual climate by providing instruction for future professionals in the areas of health, physical education, recreation, and sport and dance, and recognizes students for their academic achievement, service and professional involvement in their field.

Students from Eastern Connecticut State University's Theatre Program performed "Echoes: Voices from the Church Farm" on May 6 and 7 at the Church Farm Center for the Arts and Sciences which is located in Ashford.

The School of Education and Professional Studies and the Graduate Division at Eastern Connecticut State University held its 11th Annual Excellence Expo on May 4. Students presented their work on a variety of topics, including economics; marketing; math and science in early childhood education; communication law and ethics; sport and leisure management; teaching typical and exceptional learners; and systems analysis, among others. The expo also featured a photography exhibit, an ePortfolio competition, and a preview of the of the Association of Information Technology Professionals Windham Non-profits website.

On April 26, 12 history majors at Eastern Connecticut State University were inducted into Alpha Mu Alpha, Eastern's chapter of Phi Alpha Theta. The society promotes the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. The society recognizes students who have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours (four courses) in history, have a minimum GPA of 3.1 in history, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and are in the top 35 percent of their class.

Students majoring in economics at Eastern Connecticut State University were inducted into Omicron Delta Epsilon on April 21. Eligible students must earn a 3.25 GPA overall and must have taken at least 15 credits of economics classes. The society is dedicated to the encouragement of excellence in economics and seeks to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves in their academic programs.

Eastern Connecticut State University graduate students were inducted into the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society on April 9. The society was established to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. Kappa Delta Pi recognizes students who sustain an honored community of diverse educators by promoting excellence and advancing scholarship leadership, and service.

Eastern Connecticut State University undergraduate and graduate students were inducted into the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society on April 9. The society was established to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. Kappa Delta Pi recognizes students who sustain an honored community of diverse educators by promoting excellence and advancing scholarship leadership, and service.

The Center for Community Engagement at Eastern Connecticut State University held a Community Service Expo on April 14 to showcase the service programs and projects that students have been working on during the past academic year. Awards were given out in a variety of categories.Local celebrities from the Willimantic area served as judges for the expo. The judges presented the People Helping People (PHP) student group with the Going Green award for its recycling initiative.

Eastern Connecticut State University's Theatre Program presented "Working, the Musical," April 12-17 in the Harry Hope Theatre in Shafer Hall.

Twelve marketing majors at Eastern Connecticut State University were inducted into the Alpha Mu Alpha honor society on April 19. The society is committed to the advancement of excellence in the field of marketing and recognizes senior undergraduates who have a marketing concentration in the Department of Business Administration and hold a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.25.

Student volunteers from Eastern Connecticut State University gave Coventry a "spring cleaning" on April 9 and received a warm reception from grateful townspeople. Approximately 200 volunteers registered for "Community Day 2011," putting in a 4- to 5-hour workday to clear hiking trails, paint the band shell at Patriots Park, landscape that and several other parks and spruce up other town facilities, including the Nathan Hale Homestead and two properties of the Coventry Historical Society. In all, Eastern students worked on 16 different projects during the day.

Twenty-four business majors at Eastern Connecticut State University were inducted into Delta Mu Delta, the international honor society for business administration, on April 19. The society recognizes academic excellence of students in a community that fosters the well-being of its members and the business community through life-time membership.

Two Eastern Connecticut State University students along with an Eastern professor and a local community member were recipients of the 2011 Ella T. Grasso Distinguished Service Awards on March 30 at a ceremony in the J. Eugene Smith Library.

Forty-eight students majoring in communication at Eastern Connecticut State University were inducted into the Tau Nu Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta on April 7 at 4 p.m. in Eastern's Student Center Theatre. The society recognizes students who have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, have a communication studies GPA of at least 3.25, are in the upper 35 percent of their graduating class, are enrolled in good standing and display a commitment to the field of communication. The following students were among the inductees:

Sixteen biology majors at Eastern Connecticut State University were inducted into the TriBeta Honor Society on April 8 at 2:30 in Eastern's Science Building. The society Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) is dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. The following students were among the inductees:

Sixteen Eastern Connecticut State University students from the American Marketing Association (AMA) helped Eastern walk away with six awards at the 33rd Annual International Collegiate Conference held in New Orleans, LA, March 24-26. The Eastern contingent received a trophy for being one of the top AMA chapters, winning a silver award while competing with more than 300 chapters internationally. "This is an incredible accomplishment," said chapter advisor and Marketing Professor Katalin Eibel-Spanyi. "Our students excelled in chapter planning, professional development, membership building, community services and communications."

Students from Eastern Connecticut State University's Performing Arts Department performed shorts from the Phoenix New Play Series on March 12. This year's new play consisted of three short plays.

June Bisantz, professor of digital art and design at Eastern Connecticut State University, and Harrison Judd, photographer and digital archivist to Maurice Sendak, produced "The Screen Project," Connecticut's first Urban Screens event, on Feb. 11-21. The event was held at five locations on Main Street in Willimantic. The ECSU Design Group, a team of 10 student artists from Eastern Connecticut State University's Digital Art and Design program who designed promotional materials and billboards for the event, also exhibited.

A team of Eastern Connecticut State University students have been named winners of the Best Student Documentary Short in the national Broadcast Educators Association Annual Media Festival Awards for 2011. The awards will be presented in Las Vegas in April.

Eastern Connecticut State University theatre students and their productions were recognized at the annual Region I Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), held at Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, MA, from Jan. 25-30.

On Feb. 10, students in Eastern Connecticut State University's Theatre Department performed "Fab Fables," the culminating project of the fall 2010 Children's Theatre class, which was taught by Ellen Faith Brodie, professor and director of theatre. "Fab Fables" included two short plays that focused on American tales and magical themes. The short play entertained audience members with 18th-century Connecticut folklore. The other featured short play, "Wiley and The Hairy Man," took audiences deep into Louisiana.

Local Eastern Connecticut State University students recently participated in the Drama Society production of "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead" on March 18 and 19.