Newsflash
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“Man alive, this is some good food! And they put so much on my plate! I hope they don’t mind if I take a plate home!” That was the reaction from one of many needy men, women, and children who filled up Hurley Hall to participate in Eastern’s “Day of Giving” on Nov. 21.
The University fed more than 400 people who could not afford to have a full-course Thanksgiving meal with all the classical trimmings — huge helpings of moist, delicious turkey, garlic potatoes, cranberry sauce, vegetables, and dessert.
“A university exists to serve its community, and I want to tell you how happy I am that we can share Thanksgiving with you this year,” Eastern President Elsa M. Nuñez told the crowd. “I’ve never seen anything quite like this. I am so proud of our students, faculty, and staff, and all the volunteers who made this possible.”
The event was conceived and organized by Jason Budahazy, a junior from Bridgeport majoring in sports and leisure management. “I wanted to do something on a large scale that would help people less fortunate. Many homeless people live right around us and have no food to eat,” said Budahazy. “ I got very emotional hearing some of those people tell me how grateful they were.”
Budahazy’s dream was supported by Sodexho Food Service; Eastern’s Student Government Association; all university student clubs; Eastern faculty and staff; area soup kitchens and social service agencies who provided transportation; Proforma, a Massachusetts-based t-shirt company; the ECSU Foundation Inc.; and local grocery stores. A campus-wide canned food drive netted 10,000 cans to complement the dinner.
Budahazy says he hopes the event will move other universities in the Connecticut State University System to have a “Day of Giving” so that the event becomes statewide.
Kappa Delta Pi Inducts Eastern Honorees
Twenty students in teacher education programs at Eastern Connecticut State University were inducted into the Epsilon Nu chapter of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), the national honor society for educators, on Dec. 8 in the Paul E. Johnson, Sr. Community Conference Room of the J. Eugene Smith Library.
Inductees included Erin Bagdikian (Enfield), Kaitlin Beavan (Norwich), Emelia Brackbill (East Hampton), Cara Brown (Manchester), Kristin Churila (West Hartford), Katherine Dudzinski (Bristol), Sarah Erb (Griswold), Jonathan Ferris (Storrs), Carrie Fleischer (Tolland), Nicole Henry (Columbia), Susan Mike (Columbia), Jennifer Miner (Manchester), Drew Mizak (Mystic), Ashley Reklaitis (Burlington), Kaitlynn Seipold (East Haven), Ashley Smith (Moosup), Lindsey Smith (Somers), Jaclyn Wilkinson (Durham), Chelcey Williams (Hartford), and Dawn Witham (Wells, ME).
Chapter officers assisting Associate Professor of Education Catherine Tannahill in the induction ceremony included President Tiffany Bucko (Colchester), Vice President Jessica Schlask (Waterbury), Secretary Allison Cook (Farmingdale, NY), Treasurer Stephanie Conforti (Milford), Historian/Public Relations Officer Taylor Ackert (Coventry), and member participant Hillary Borges (Eastford).
Patricia Kleine, dean of the School of Education and Professional Studies, reminded the audience that Connecticut has the most stringent teacher certification standards in the United States, so credible that 43 of the other 49 states accept Connecticut-certified teachers without requiring retesting.
“You have a special place in my heart, for you have decided to make the ultimate contribution to our nation,” President Elsa M. Nuñez told the group. “You are about to embark on the task of teaching children the tools they need to be tomorrow’s leaders. You will do so not only by teaching them academic competencies, but also by helping them to learn ethics, social skills, and other important life lessons.”
Habitat for Humanity
On Nov. 13 and 14, approximately 20 members of Eastern’s Habitat for Humanity student chapter lived in cardboard boxes for 24 hours outside the Student Center, braving temperatures in the 20s. The annual event is intended to raise awareness of Habitat’s mission to eradicate substandard housing. The event raised more than $1,000 to support the local Windham Habitat for Humanity affiliate and the club’s trip to West Virginia this spring.
Eastern Adopts a Family
Though the family prefers to remain anonymous, the story deserves telling. The offices of AccessAbility Services and Counseling and Psychological Services adopted a family for the holiday season, and with the donations collected from across Eastern’s community, were able to provide a gift card to Stop and Shop for the family’s holiday meal along with plenty of gifts for the family to open on Christmas morning. (Right, left to right), David Tignonsini, a sophomore from Vernon majoring in business administration; Courtney St. Jacques, a senior from New Fairfield majoring in sports and leisure management; and Ashley Shattuck, a senior from Colchester majoring in social work, wrap gifts collected for the family.
“This is the fifth season we have adopted a family,” said Pamela J. Starr, coordinator of the Office of AccessAbility Services. “It is truly a heartwarming experience to drop off the presents to the family and see the pure joy on the faces of those who are home at the time.” The “Adopt-a-Family” program is sponsored by the Windham Area Interfaith Ministry (WAIM) to bring the holiday spirit to a local family who is in need.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award
Eastern Connecticut State University is accepting nominations for the 2008 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Awards. Nominees may be a part of the university community or from the greater Windham community. Nominations will be accepted through Feb. 1, 2008.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award recognizes members of the campus and local community whose actions demonstrate distinguished service in promoting King’s ideals to further the goals of diversity and social equality.
Awards will be given to a member of the community, a member of the Eastern faculty/staff, and to a member of the Eastern student body.
The awards recognize distinguished service in one or more of three areas: activities that represent a commitment to the goals of an integrated society, including activities beyond one’s work obligations; leadership in a program serving the needs of a diverse community, with efforts reflecting an attempt to unify groups and or to increase sensitivity; and planning and implementation of programs to broaden representation of underrepresented groups as students and employees.
The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Feb. 27, 2008 at 6 p.m. in the Paul E. Johnson, Sr. Community Conference Room of the J. Eugene Smith Library. To request a nomination form, please contact Indira Petoskey, coordinator of the Arthur L. Johnson Intercultural Center, by calling (860) 465-4421, or e-mailing petoskeyi@easternct.edu.
C.O.P.S. Open Rec Night a Huge Success
More than 700 students, faculty, and staff attended the 12th Annual C.O.P.S. (Community Oriented Policing for Students) Open Rec Night on Dec. 7. From 9 p .m. until 2 a.m., Rec Night participants enjoyed board games; a three-on-three basketball tournament; a racquetball tournament; volleyball; twister and obstacle courses; free massages; great music; and tons of food and door prizes.
“This event gives not only students, but everyone on campus, a chance to unwind prior to final exams in a safe, alcohol-free setting,” said Police Chief Jeff Garewski. “This year, many local businesses supported Open Rec Night at Eastern, and for that we are very appreciative.”
On Dec. 6 and 9, the Eastern Concert Chorale, directed by David Belles, chair of the Performing Arts Department, teamed up with the Concert Choir of Northeastern Connecticut to celebrate the 275th birthday of famed Austrian composer Franz Joseph Haydn.
The two choirs, accompanied by a 24-piece orchestra, were joined by nationally-acclaimed soloists Emily Truckenbrod, soprano, and Ben Davidson, tenor, as they presented Haydn’s 1798 Lord Nelson Mass at Saint Joseph’s Church in Willimantic on Dec. 6, and at Killingly Intermediate School in Dayville on Dec. 9.
The Lord Nelson Mass is also known as the Missa in Angustiis, translated as “Mass for Troubled Times.” It is so named because of Lord Nelson’s victory over Napoleon in the Battle of the Nile in 1798. Haydn is often regarded as the greatest composer of the classical era. It was under his expert tutelage that Beethoven was educated in composition.
Photo courtesy of Andrew Powaleny/Campus Lantern
Photo courtesy of Andrew Powaleny/Campus LanternPage 1
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