Eastern honors retirees for decades of service

Eastern Connecticut State University recently bid farewell to 20 dedicated employees who retired over the past year. These individuals served in a wide range of roles — from tenured faculty and administrative staff to members of the custodial team — leaving their mark across all corners of the University. Several of the retirees returned to campus on May 30 for a special luncheon hosted by President Karim Ismaili in their honor.

“This event is a new tradition, and like all good traditions, it begins with appreciation,” said Ismaili. He highlighted the collective contributions of the nine retirees in attendance, who together represented 226 years of service, with individual tenures ranging from 18 to 33 years.

“That number is staggering,” said Ismaili. “It reflects the dedication, passion, and consistency that each of you has demonstrated throughout your careers. Whether your impact was felt in classrooms, offices, residence halls, or the daily operations that keep our campus running — you made a difference.”

In total, the 20 retirees contributed a combined 402 years of service to the University. “You’re not just part of Eastern’s history,” Ismaili added. “You are Eastern’s history.”

Among those honored was Cynthia Washburne, associate director of athletics, who retired after 26 years of service. A 1985 Eastern graduate, Washburn said, “This school changed my life. When I came back as an employee, I wanted to give back to the students, and I’m grateful that I had a job that allowed me to do that.”

Custodian Norma Nichols, who spent 20 years on the housekeeping staff, echoed the sentiment of pride and connection. “I love to clean,” she said. “I started on second shift and loved the professors, then moved to first shift and loved the students — getting to know them by name.”

Nichols also noted the positive spirit on campus: “We’re a family. Everyone is equal. I wish I could be here longer to see (Eastern) grow.”

That sense of community was a common theme among retirees. Eric Germain, director of environmental health and safety, reflected on his 26-year career: “Eastern is like a family — small enough to get to know everyone. I’ll miss the conversations with people.”

Many retirees gained experience across multiple departments during their tenure. Over her 25 years at Eastern, Administrative Assistant Monica O’Connor worked in human resources, the former Department of Communication, and the Office of Counseling and Psychological Services.

“It’s been good getting to know both sides — the students and the administration,” she said. “I loved seeing how the campus has changed. I’ll miss the students and watching their transformation from freshman year to graduation.”

Shellena Pitterson, a drafter with 18 years of service, emphasized the uniqueness of working on a college campus. “I really enjoyed meeting the staff and the relationships with coworkers — there are so many people I’ve had the pleasure of working with.”

Pitterson also recently completed Eastern’s master’s program in management. “I wouldn’t have gained the knowledge or had the ambition to go back to school had I not worked here,” she said.

Speaking to retirees, Ismaili concluded: “Thank you for everything you’ve done for Eastern. And most of all, thank you for being part of this community — for helping to build the foundation on which our future continues to grow.”