Eastern unveils portrait of former President Núñez

Eastern Connecticut State University is presenting for the first time the new portrait of recently retired President Elsa M. Núñez from April 7–27 in the Art Gallery as part of “136 Years of Eastern Leadership,” an exhibition of Eastern’s leaders over the years.

The special exhibition is one of many activities and events scheduled as part of President Karim Ismaili’s inauguration on April 11 as Eastern’s seventh president.

Other presidential portraits in the exhibition include those of Principal Arthur Morrill (1889–93), Principal George Phenix (1893–1904), Principal Henry Burr (1904–18), Principal and Eastern’s first President, George Shafer (1918–47), President J. Eugene Smith (1947–66), President Searle Charles (1966–70), President Charles Webb (1970–88) and President David Carter (1988–2006).  

Núñez’s portrait was painted by noted Old Lyme artist Jack Montmeat, who has also painted portraits for former Yale President Richard Levin, other Yale dignitaries, University of Connecticut officials, and a number of Connecticut preparatory schools.

Working from several photographs of Núñez, Montmeat prepared a pencil sketch that was approved prior to putting paint to canvas. “I loved every step of the process,” said Montmeat in describing his work. “What is fun is that you have no idea what the end product is going to be like — sizes, angles, colors all must be sorted out. It’s an adventure. Each subject is different; I enjoy all the steps.”

Montmeat’s portrait of Núñez features rich colors and precise details down to the names of prior Eastern presidents on the President’s Medallion chain.

Núñez, who served as Eastern’s sixth president from 2006–24, said, “It is an honor to have my portrait on display with the other former Eastern Connecticut State University presidents as part of President Ismaili’s inauguration week. I look back on my 18 years at Eastern fondly and am very proud of Eastern’s long and distinguished history.”

“136 Years of Eastern Leadership” can be viewed in the Art Gallery, located in the Fine Arts Instructional Center, during the following hours:  Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.; Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. –7 p.m.; and Saturdays, 11 a.m. –3 p.m.