Inside Eastern

June 03, 2025

Stop & Shop donation supports Shawn's Cupboard Local grocery store presents donation during grand re-opening

The Willimantic Stop & Shop grocery store presented Eastern with a generous donation in support of its efforts to combat food insecurity on campus. Presented during the store’s grand re-opening on May 30, the donation will support the University's food pantry, Shawn's Cupboard.

June 02, 2025

Eastern honors retirees for decades of service ‘You are Eastern’s history’

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.

May 29, 2025

Mary Grant gives powerful endorsement of the liberal arts at Eastern commencement University president and friend of Eastern receives honorary degree

Mary Grant, president of the Massachusetts School of Art and Design, was the featured speaker at Eastern Connecticut State University’s 135th Commencement Exercises, held on May 20 at the XL Center in Hartford, CT. Grant, who also received an honorary degree from Eastern at the ceremonies, told the graduating class of 2025, “You are the creative leaders, the thinkers, the change makers our world wants and needs.”

May 21, 2025

Excellence Awards honor 8 outstanding faculty, staff members Bachiochi named 2025 Distinguished Professor

Eight faculty and staff members received Excellence Awards at the close of the 2024-25 academic year, announced at the spring University Meeting on May 9. Awards recognized outstanding teaching, scholarship, and service. This year’s Distinguished Professor Award went to Peter Bachiochi, professor of psychological science for more than 20 years.

May 21, 2025

'The Future is Bright': Eastern graduates 900 at 135th commencement

More than 900 undergraduate students from Eastern Connecticut State University crossed the stage at the XL Center in Hartford on May 20, celebrating the University's 135th Commencement Exercises. Degrees were conferred from the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education and Professional Studies, recognizing a diverse graduating class whose accomplishments reflect Eastern's mission as Connecticut's only public liberal arts university.

May 21, 2025

Eastern PD honors fallen 'peace officers'

Eastern Connecticut State University’s Department of Public Safety recognized first responders who have lost their lives in the line of duty in a ceremony on May 15, known as Peace Officers Memorial Day, on the Public Safety lawn.

May 21, 2025

Library research awards honor outstanding scholarship Projects span globalization in Russia, depression, revisionist history, and pre-term birth

The J. Eugene Smith Library's 2025 Library Research Awards honored four students for outstanding scholarship on May 16. Seniors Emma McCormack and Saoirse Ward received the awards, while first-year student Jackson Smith and senior Erika Jones received honorable mentions.

May 20, 2025

University Meeting focuses on planning, recognition, resilience

Faculty and staff filled the Student Center’s Betty R. Tipton Room on May 9 for the spring University Meeting. As the academic year draws to a close, the gathering recognized employee milestones and excellence, while university leaders provided important updates on enrollment and budget planning in anticipation of the fall 2025 semester.

May 19, 2025

Graduating artists celebrated at Senior Art Exhibition

The Department of Art and Art History at Eastern Connecticut State University invited its graduating seniors to showcase their masterpieces at the annual Senior Art Exhibition in the Fine Arts Instructional Center Art Gallery. The exposition featured more than 105 individual objects created by 40 students in a versatile display of artistic media.

May 15, 2025

Fun Mud Day brings spirited fun for young children

Eastern’s Child and Family Development Resource Center (CFDRC) hosted children from its program and from E.O. Smith High School in Mansfield for its 11th annual “Fun Mud Day.” The event, coordinated by education Professor Darren Robert and CFDRC Director Niloufar Rezai, is an opportunity for special-needs children to navigate makeshift obstacle courses with high spirits and mediated risk.