Newsflash
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Eastern Celebrates Two New Buildings
The concept of individualized instruction for students has long motivated Margaret “Peg” Wilson, professor emeritus at Eastern Connecticut State University. For decades, Wilson sought to convince educators like David G. Carter, new chancellor of the CSU System, that institutions should invest in preschool programs which focused on student needs. Her patience and perseverance paid off on Feb. 28 as she watched University and state officials cut the ribbon on the new Child and Family Development Resource Center.
“Dr. Carter always wanted to do a building that would accommodate individual learning programs,” Wilson said afterwards. In honor of her efforts, the University has named the $12.5 million complex after her.
The center, first envisioned by Wilson and Education Professor Jeffrey Trawick-Smith more than 15 years ago, is a “new school” model for the state and nation. The 40,000-square-foot facility combines comprehensive services for children and their families with teaching and research facilities for University faculty and students.
Earlier in the day, Carter and state officials joined Eastern President Michael Pernal at a groundbreaking ceremony for the $45.85 million Science Building, which will consolidate all of Eastern’s science departments into one 173,509-square-foot facility. Construction on the facility is expected to be finished in early 2008.
“I am looking forward to a first-class academic building delivered on time and on budget,” said Connecticut Department of Public Works Commissioner James T. Fleming during the ceremony, held in the Paul E. Johnson, Sr. Community Conference Room.
Eastern Recognizes Alumni and University Friends
Four members of the Eastern Connecticut State University community were recognized for their leadership and service at the 2006 President’s Leadership Gala on Feb. 23 at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts. Two alumni and two retired Eastern professors received the awards, presented by the ECSU Alumni Association.
Roger B. Boucher, Jr. ’95 received the Distinguished Alumni Award for his work in the field of neuroscience. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Lauren Perrotti-Verboven ’91 for her work at Camp Horizons. Emeritus professors Ann Marie Orza and Ann M. Curran received the Hermann Beckert Friends of the University Awards.
Three Student-Athletes Honored in Memory of Holly Zimmerman
Congratulations go to Lindsay Karsmarski, Jenn Orme, and Laura Tigonsini, this year’s winners of the Holly E. Zimmerman Memorial Award. The award has been presented annually since 1994; 20 students have received this recognition since its inception. The award is given to female athletes in their junior or senior year who are majoring in an area of health and physical education, with strong academic credentials, sound character, and a commitment to service to the Department of Athletics. Karsmarski is a four-year basketball letter winner, Orme is a four-year letter winner in soccer, and Tigonsini is a three-year letter winner in the cross-country program. For additional information, visit http://www.easternct.edu/depts/athletics/index-2-5-06.htm.
The University’s annual Bowlathon on March 4 at WilliBowl raised more than $15,000 for Eastern’s Community Youth Scholarship program. The pins were flying left and right as 128 participants on 32 teams competed for high scores while raising funds to support $1,000 scholarships for incoming freshmen from 14 area high schools.The Willimantic Winnelson team led by Chris Darrow (top male bowler) registered the highest scores for the two games. Charter Communications, Pepsi, and Wal-Mart served as the lead sponsors for this event. Millstone had six teams participating, led by captain Lew Crone, and generated nearly $4,000 in gifts and corporate matching dollars.
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