A year of initiative, expansion, and connection at Central

Published:

January 5, 2024

Author:

Marisa Nadolny

A look back at the year 2023 at Central offers more than a glimpse of rear-view successes. A promising future also comes into focus thanks to numerous efforts undertaken last year by faculty, students, staff, campus leadership, and our community partners. From national nods for great academic programs to innovations that set the university apart from its peers, more business, industry, and government leaders than ever have taken note of the special things going on at Central.

From a very long list of options, we selected some major accomplishments that made 2023 a big year at Central. View more great moments here.

SPRING 2023

Governor Ned Lamont and members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation attended an observance of the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine on Feb. 23 at Alumni Hall. Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz led the program, which included remarks of four Ukrainians forced to flee their communities when the Russian invasion began.
In May, Dr. Kristine Larsen ’85 received the designation of Connecticut State University Professor. Dr. Larsen, a professor of Geological Sciences, joins a select group of professors in the Central system who hold the title. Faculty chosen for this award demonstrate excellence in teaching, a record of outstanding scholarship, and service to the university community.
More than 2,400 students graduated from Central Connecticut State University during two outdoor commencement ceremonies on May 13 at Arute Field. Dr. Jannette Carey ’77 and Bill Berloni ’89 served as commencement speakers.
Governor Lamont announced on May 16 state investments and collaboration plans to address educator shortages in Connecticut. Central Connecticut State University continues to play a large role in that effort through partnerships with school districts to create pipelines to teaching programs, including the Educators Rising program; the NextGen Educators Program; and the Special Education Teacher Residency program.
The History Department received a $60,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, which will fund a project crafted by Dr. Leah Glaser and her research team. Titled “Finding Your Place: Teaching the History of People of Color in Connecticut,” the project will produce curriculum and resources on communities of color for Connecticut K-12 educators.
After a three-year wait, the family of Dr. C.J. Huang-Jen, who bequeathed more than $6 million to the university, visited Connecticut on May 20 to view the C.J. Huang Recreation Center. The visit marked the first time the Huang family visited the building, which opened on Jan. 21, 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the university’s plans for a May 2020 dedication ceremony.
Close watchers of the Central Duck-cam met the first of Stanley the duck’s new arrivals during the afternoon of May 22. Stanley welcomed a grand total of eight ducklings, who started exploring their new world and each other within hours of hatching. On May 23, Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator Selby carefully escorted the family to Stanley’s preferred location at Stanley Quarter Park.

SUMMER 2023

Central celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Polish Studies program in June. Established in 1974, the Polish Studies Program works to inform the larger community of Americans about the “history, culture, achievements, language, art, films, and everything else that makes Poland, Poland,” according to Polish Studies Chair Mieczyslaw B. Biskupski.
The National Security Agency validated the Cyber Defense track within the Cybersecurity program at Central on June 13. To receive program validation from the NSA, academic institutions must demonstrate that it engages in significant community involvement, academic activities, and institutional practices in cybersecurity.
The National Science Foundation awarded a $400,000 grant to the Computer Science Department at Central on June 22. The grant award will fund a project titled “Scaffolded Computing Projects for the Social Good,” which builds upon Central’s ongoing work with nonprofits and community organizations through its Software Engineering Studio.
Dr. Rahul Singhal, an associate professor of Physics and Engineering Physics, received the System-Wide Board of Regents Research (BOR) Award. The BOR annually recognizes faculty members from each CSCU school for excellence in teaching and research. The system-wide award is given to one faculty member who best exemplifies high quality research among the nominees from throughout CSCU. Dr. Singhal’s research centers on sustainable energy storage systems.
On Aug. 24, Central Connecticut State University revealed its new logo system and marketing tools at the annual employee kickoff meeting. The logo was last updated 20 years ago. The new marketing logo includes an icon rendering of the university clock tower at Davidson Hall, in a nod to the legacy logo.

FALL 2023

A surprise visit by two guests made for a memorable first day of classes on Aug. 29. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona ’97 and Governor Ned Lamont are longtime supporters of the state education system, and after a lunch meeting on opening day, they decided to visit Cardona’s alma mater to talk with President Toro and Lamont’s friend and former colleague, Dr. David Blitz, a professor of Philosophy.
The Central marching band and color guard took to the football field for the first time since 2019. The band is led by Dr. James Minnix, who joined the faculty of the Music Department over the summer.
The Latin American, Latino, and Caribbean Center received a grant in September from Connecticut Humanities to support several Hispanic Heritage Month events. This year’s events include public programs on Puerto Rican, Peruvian, Mexican, and Brazilian culture through music, dance, film, and lectures.
Governor Lamont issued a proclamation on Sept. 25 lauding efforts by Central and the Consolidated School District of New Britain to promote digital equity and innovation in education through esports. The proclamation cited “the success of the collaborative efforts of Central Connecticut State University, the Consolidated School District of New Britain, and Worldwide Youth Networks (in creating an) innovative ecosystem for experiential learning.”
Dr. Carol Ammon ’73 returned to her alma mater for Homecoming weekend, and on Oct. 5, she spoke with students, faculty, and staff at Torp Theatre about her career in research, business, and medicine. She encouraged students to consider the “limitless” career possibilities in STEM fields.
The Connecticut Supreme Court visited Central on Oct. 19 to hear two cases as part of its “On Circuit” program. The visit marked the first time that the justices heard arguments at Central since the program began in 1986.
Professor Andreas Weißenbach of the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) in Mosbach, Germany, visited Central on Oct. 24 to sign a student exchange agreement and meet with President Toro. The agreement will broaden the academic and cultural opportunities available to students at Central and DHBW through coursework and internship opportunities.
Central thanked a generous donor on Oct. 26 when university leadership revealed the John Eismont and Anna Sielawko Advising Suite at the university’s Applied Innovation Hub. Sielawko committed to a gift of $500,000 in January 2022 to establish the John Eismont and Anna Sielawko Engineering Scholarship Fund, which supports scholarships for Central undergraduates who are pursuing studies in the field of engineering.
The university took a healthy step forward with the soft opening of the Central Community Health Education Clinic on Oct. 23. The clinic aims to address healthcare disparities in the surrounding community while providing students with hands-on healthcare experience. Services will include blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol screenings along with health-fitness and body composition assessments.
On Nov. 15, the National Security Agency announced named Central a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) through academic year 2028. Central became eligible for CAE-CD designation in June, after the NSA validated the university’s Cyber Defense academic program.
Central forged a new partnership in November with the national nonprofit Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities committed to higher education civic and community engagement. Central will serve as one of the nine inaugural host sites for its Campus Climate Action Corps program.
Central became a proud new member of the First Scholars national cohort in December. Powered by the Center for First-generation Student Success, First Scholars offers institutions a customized model for transforming institutional infrastructure and supports to advance first-generation student success.
During a visit to campus on Dec. 12, Hanwha Aerospace USA signed an agreement with the Central Connecticut State University Foundation to pledge $200,000 over the next four years. The pledge will support a Mechanical Engineering lab on the third floor of in the Applied Innovation Hub at Central.
On Dec. 14, the Board of Regents for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system approved Central’s proposal to establish a new College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. The college will bring together the academic departments of Nursing, Social Work, Nurse Anesthesia Practice, Physical Education and Human Performance, and Counselor Education under the leadership of a new dean.
The International Technology and Engineering Educators Association named Central a 2023-24 STEM School of Excellence on Dec. 15, citing the university’s “outstanding commitment to providing a robust Integrative experience through STEM programs.”
The Central Connecticut State University alumni community grew by 350 members following the university’s Dec. 16 winter commencement ceremony in Welte Auditorium. Dr. Richard Fichman ’73 served as commencement speaker.