Newsflash
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Kuang Weilin, deputy consul general of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York City, visited Eastern Connecticut State University on Nov. 30-Dec. 1 to share his perspective on China’s “Peaceful Rise” and to pave the way for possible exchange programs between Eastern and China. On Nov. 30 he told a crowd of more than 100 students and faculty that China was moving rapidly into the global economy and urged students to find out more about its progress. On Dec. 1, Kuang was the guest of honor at a luncheon in the Connecticut Room. The deputy consul general shared gifts with President Nuñez and expressed the hope that Eastern can establish an educational and cultural exchange with his country. Kuang’s colleague, Wang Wenhua, education consul, will serve as liaison for any exchange planning that takes place.
Eastern Hears First Hand Account of Darfur
On Dec. 3, Gabriel Bol Deng, a member of the Lost Boys of Sudan and a survivor of the atrocities in Darfur, gave a eye-opening account of the genocide taking place in Sudan. The talk was followed by a candlelight vigil and a collection in support of Amnesty International. Eastern’s Amnesty International chapter sponsored the event. The Eastern Connecticut State University chapter of Amnesty International meets every Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the Unity Center. The chapter’s mission is to inform and educate students about the human rights and to promote social awareness on the Eastern campus.
Eastern Gives Blood
The fall blood drive was held Dec. 4-6 in support of the American Red Cross.
Shown here is the ARC mascot, “Blood Drop.”
Floyd Bagwell Retires
Floyd Bagwell, director of the Learning Center and a big part of the Eastern community since 1985, retired this month. A special surprise party on Dec. 15 allowed Floyd’s family and his Eastern family of friends to celebrate and recognize his contributions to the University. In addition to his steady hand of support provided to Eastern students over the years through the Learning Center, Floyd has been the executive director of the Connecticut Collegiate Awareness and Preparation Program (ConnCAP) since its inception in 1997. Through Floyd ’s leadership the program has provided readiness skills and the motivation to attend college to hundreds of first-generation college students. ConnCAP was honored in December 2004 by First Lady Laura Bush with a national Coming Up Taller Award.
Up and Out of Poverty
On Dec. 7, Professor Jaime Gomez, chair of the Department of Communication, premiered his documentary, “Up and Out of Poverty: An Activists Perspective,” in Webb 110. Social activist Ron Casanova, the subject of the documentary, joined Gomez for comments following the viewing. Casanova, whose name in English ironically means “new house,” was born in Puerto Rico and grew up as an orphan in New York. Following a life of street living, alcoholism, incarceration, drug abuse, and a HIV positive diagnosis, he has spent the better part of the past 15 years traveling the country to advocate for the homeless. His compassion for people and desire to help those in need is noteworthy for its directness, simplicity, and humility. Gomez’s documentary makes the point that the issue of homelessness is rooted in the causes of poverty — lack of education and gainful employment. “Building someone a home is nice,” says Casanova in the film, “but if they don’t have the skills or education to maintain that home and their lifestyle, we haven’t done them much good.”
东方人,东正教徒
The Chinese Language and Culture Club raised awareness and funds for the club on Nov. 7. in the Webb Hall lobby. Club members dressed in Chinese costumes and sold personalized, hand-made Chinese characters on rice paper. (According to Lexiconer.com, an online dictionary, the Chinese letters at the beginning of this caption say “Eastern!”)
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