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Eastern Professor Wins Connecticut State University System’s Top Teaching Award
(left to right) CSUS Chairman Lawrence McHugh; Professor Fraustino; President Núñez; Professor McNeil; and Trustee John Doyle Lisa Rowe Fraustino, a Fulbright Scholar, internationally known children’s book author, and associate professor at Eastern Connecticut State University, has been named the recipient of the Connecticut State University System’s (CSUS) Teaching Award. Kenneth McNeil, associate professor of English at Eastern, won a university-level Trustee Award honoring his research. The awards were presented by the CSUS Board of Trustees at its April meeting at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.
Fraustino was honored for her creation of a writing minor and for developing courses for the new liberal arts curriculum at the university, her attentive and effective advising and mentoring of students, her support for learning beyond the classroom, her work with area high schools, and her pedagogical contributions as a Fulbright Scholar. She was selected from a field of four candidates for the award, all of whom received university-level Trustees Awards in recognition of the caliber of their teaching.
“The quality of teaching and level of research throughout the university system is truly remarkable, and the scholarship by these faculty members is both inspiring and significant,” said Board Chairman Lawrence D. McHugh.
“Dr. Fraustino believes that excellent teaching means mentoring students, and she starts by being an excellent faculty advisor,” said Eastern President Elsa Núñez. “Students frequently request her because of her reputation as an attentive and effective advisor. Professor Fraustino’s contributions go far beyond her own classroom to impact the entire University community. As popular and supportive as she is on campus, Dr. Fraustino’s national and international reputation is equally outstanding.”
McNeil won a university-level Trustee Award honoring his research. He has received national and international recognition for his work in English literature and the British writers of the Romantic period, including writers of the Scottish Highlands such as Sir Walter Scott and women authors such as Ann Grant and Queen Victoria. McNeil has enriched the notions of national and ethnic coherence through original research and his conceptualizations of the interplay between cultures, extending to Mexican-American ballads.
His research also involves “Border Theory,” which Núñez called “a provocative examination of our fixed ideas of border boundaries and national identities. In short, it forces us to rethink our notions of ethnicity and ethnic coherence in a way that is both relevant and timely—especially in this election year, as we consider questions of immigration and the permeability of national borders.”
Eastern Hosts Eighth Annual Research and Exhibition Conference
On April 19, Eastern’s School of Arts and Sciences hosted its Eighth Annual Research and Exhibition Conference in the Student Center and Alvin B. Wood Support Services Center. More than 60 projects were presented by Eastern undergraduates. (Above) Fannie Brayboy (left), a senior majoring in biochemistry, presents her research on “Alzheimer’s Disease and Neurofibrillary Tangles in the Cingulate Gyrus.” Professor Gloria Calurso was Brayboy’s faculty mentor. Also, Tanya Stone (right), a senior majoring in English, provides an analysis of medieval art found in Christian pilgrimage. Professor Meredith Clermont-Ferrand served as Stone’s faculty mentor.
The students presented research on numerous topics, including “Women and Leadership: Lessons from Burma,” “Records of Eroded Sediments in Human Induced Canyons in Southwest Georgia,” “Logo Design for the Willimantic Whitewater Partnership Trail, Parks, River Initiative,”and “Verbal and Visual Cues as Predictors of Color Choices.”
On April 30, the School of Education and Professional Studies held its eighth annual Excellence Expo in several locations around the campus, including the Betty R. Tipton Room in the Student Center, Charles R. Webb Hall, and the Paul E. Johnson Sr. Community Conference Room of the J. Eugene Smith Library.
The expo featured a poster session, a gallery photography exhibit with a color slide show and framed prints, marketing plans, and research presentations in Webb Hall. WECS-FM (90.1), Eastern’s campus radio station, broadcasted “All-Ears Radio Theatre.” The research presentations covered subjects such as communication public service announcements, education, master’s comprehensive portfolios, and economics.
Eastern Gets New Radio Station
On May 1, Eastern hosted a dedication ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new studio for WECS-FM, the university’s student-run radio station. The new studio is on the west outside wall of the Media Building and features a large window and outside deck to allow for interaction between station personnel and the public.
In addition to new space for station radio announcers and disc jockeys, WECS has new production and broadcast equipment, which will allow for improved production and performance capabilities. Positioned in the middle of one of the University’s main corridors, the broadcast studio’s outdoor speakers, patio and broadcast windows are constructed to attract and raise the public’s awareness of the station.
“The move reflects Eastern’s dedication to keeping pace with the technological and social changes occurring in mass media in the 21st century,” said Curtis Ehler, student manger of WECS. “WECS’s new broadcast studio is completely networked and digitally controllable, expandable to meet the growing needs of the radio and audio fields. With social networking becoming an increasingly important element in the media among youths and young professionals, the new location is designed to be in the center of the Eastern community.
Lourdes Ardel is United Way Volunteer of the Year
Lourdes Ardel, manager of compensation and training, received the Maurice Heon Sr. Volunteer of the Year Award at the Windham Region United Way’s annual meeting on April 9. The award was given in recognition of Lourdes’ outstanding volunteer service to the community. In addition to a plaque presented to Ardel, $1,500 was awarded to a non-profit of her choice — KidsafeCT of Rockville, CT. This organization helps children and families that have been affected by child abuse. Right, Ardel, center, is congratulated by her husband, Craig, and Eastern President Elsa Núñez.
Over the past several years, Ardel’s work in the community has ranged from United Way and KidsafeCT to Coventry High School’s Project Graduation committee and the Coventry Jaycees. She also volunteers at Eastern for the Thursday Night dinners at the Knight House; is a member of the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, and Transgender (LBGT) Safe Space Committee; serves as a SAGE Mentor; and has worked with students, staff and faculty for three years performing in “The Vagina Monologues.”
Money for Manners
Enterprise Rent-a-Car donated $2,500 to the Career Services Fund of the Eastern Connecticut State University Foundation. The funds supported the Etiquette Luncheon and Workshop held in April, where Eastern students learned business etiquette, table manners, and networking skills.
Eastern Holds Reception for New Students
On April 20, Eastern faculty, administrators, staff, and current students greeted more than 1,900 students, parents, siblings, and friends who attended a reception for new students. Eastern’s Concert Chorale performed and the new students enjoyed the very popular “Eastern Palooza,” organized by students and staff. Eastern Palooza, an outdoor festival with live music, novelty activities, and free food, has become a tradition that is held on the same day as the admitted student’s reception. This year, the live music portion was performed by six student bands in a battle-of-the-bands competition with music from almost every genre. Novelty activities included childhood games and toys including chess, checkers, supersized tricycles, and an oversized-chair photo station. Barbeque was everywhere as Sodexho Food Services spread tables around the perimeter of the Hurley Lawn.
All of the students attending the reception have been offered admission for the fall 2008 semester. Most of the students have already committed to attend Eastern, while others make up their minds after attending the reception. When it was all over, many of the new students said the program was interesting and informative, and left them with a very positive feeling about Eastern. Most importantly, said Kim Crone, “student, faculty and staff participation and enthusiasm reinforced to the incoming students they made the correct decision in choosing to enroll at Eastern.”
On April 3, the Office of Career Services hosted an education and social services career fair. More than 250 students explored opportunities in teaching, social work, human services and counseling. Sixteen alumni recruiters were among the 50 employers.
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