Published:
The Criminology & Criminal Justice Department was deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague and dear friend, Art Kureczka, on August 4, 2023 (Obituary).
After retiring from the Wethersfield Police Department, Art served as a full-time lecturer at Central from 2001-2003 before moving on to develop and lead the Criminal Justice program at Capital Community College. He continued to serve as an adjunct professor in our department at Central, sharing his expertise in law enforcement and crisis debriefing with hundreds of students. During his initial time with our department, he served as co-director of our Field Studies program and contributed to much of the structure and content that still exists today. He also played a significant role in strengthening transfer agreements between the community colleges and the CSUs, serving on the Criminal Justice Advisory Board and Transfer Articulation Program workgroup. Art always filled the room with a positive energy, a great laugh, and a sincere smile; his impact will continue to live on through generations of students and colleagues who had the privilege to know him. In addition to his legacy in the criminal justice field and our department, he was a cherished friend – the kind you can text at any time for advice, to share the highs and lows of life, or even to vent about the ever-elusive work-life balance. He always made you feel better after a chat; his uplifting outlook was what compelled his friends and his students to want to be in his company. Moreover, he was someone you could count on to do and say the right thing and it was always with other people’s needs in mind. Although Art had many talents, his availability and desire to help others including colleagues, students, new instructors, police officers, the community, the university/college system, and many more was most notable. His energy, his laugh, and his smile will be deeply missed.