Alumni

Wadsworth Atheneum CEO to speak at Eastern’s graduate commencement ceremony

Jeffrey Brown ’79, CEO of the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, will be the keynote speaker for Eastern Connecticut State University’s Graduate Division graduation and...

Posted on April 25, 2023 by Ed Osborn

Eastern announces university chancellor Thomas Gibson ’96 as commencement speaker

Eastern Connecticut State University has announced that Dr. Thomas Gibson ’96 will be the keynote speaker for its 132nd Commencement Exercises, held May 16, 2023, at the XL Center in...

Posted on April 03, 2023 by By Michael Rouleau and Ed Osborn

Clarinetist Adella Carlson '20 returns to Eastern for alumni recital

Eastern Connecticut State University alumna Adella Carlson ’20 will make a welcome return to the Fine Arts Instructional Center (FAIC) Concert Hall on March 9 to perform a recital of...

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Noel Teter

Eastern Rugby, Covenant Soup Kitchen Take the ‘Plunge for Hunger’

Eastern Connecticut State University’s men’s rugby team hosted the 12th annual Olga Ezis “Plunge for Hunger” on Feb. 4 at Lauter Park in Willimantic. For the first time in...

Posted on February 07, 2023 by Noel Teter

Alumna Elaine Hill ’17 wins $25,000 Milken Educator Award

Eastern Connecticut State University alumna Elaine Hill ’17 was surprised with one of the nation’s most prestigious education awards, the Milken Educator Award, on Jan. 12 in a surprise...

Posted on January 19, 2023 by Noel Teter

New media studies alum shares experience from top film school

Eastern alumna Megan Campbell ‘21 returned to her alma mater on Nov. 14 to meet with undergraduates and discuss her experiences attending the nation’s top film school. Currently,...

Posted on November 18, 2022 by Jack Jones

Alumni celebrate 15th anniversary of Student Center

On Sept. 30, Eastern alumni were invited to the Student Center to celebrate the 15th anniversary of its renovation and opening. Approximately 50 alumni were in attendance for a nostalgic return to...

Posted on October 11, 2022 by Noel Teter

Alumni reunion teams with Family Day for festive weekend

Eastern Connecticut State University hosted its annual reunion weekend on Sept. 30–Oct. 1. For the first time in the school’s history, Eastern Celebrates occurred simultaneously with...

Posted on October 05, 2022 by Jack Jones

Virtual Andrej 5k draws international participation

The ECSU Foundation called upon the Eastern community to participate in the fifth annual Andrej 5k Fun Run & Walk from Sept. 16–18. The ceremonial race serves as a fundraising memorial...

Posted on September 28, 2022 by Jack Jones

Internship fair mingles accounting students with alumni

Eastern Connecticut State University students came eager with resumes in hand for the 18th annual accounting fair. Hosted by the Department of Accounting and Business Information Systems, the event...

Posted on September 22, 2022 by Molly Boucher

Eastern students, faculty produce WPKN documentary: 'The Greatest Radio Station in the World'

A faculty-student team from Eastern Connecticut State University produced a documentary on the legendary Bridgeport-based radio station WPKN-FM (89.5 FM). Titled “The Greatest Radio Station...

Posted on July 19, 2022 by Dwight Bachman

A Mentor in College and Career
Professor Tasneem guides first-generation students into computer science careers

Eastern faculty are known for developing close mentorships with students, helping them to master subject matter and even find success in the workplace after graduating. A classic example is Sarah...

Posted on July 13, 2022 by Dwight Bachman

English alumni collaborate on ‘cutting-edge’ writing studies book

Two Eastern alumni — Holly Ryan ’01 (formerly Holly Mandes) of Pawcatuck and Jason Custer ’11 of Vernon — have recently made a major contribution to the discipline of...

Posted on July 07, 2022 by Dwight Bachman

President Núñez and honorees at President’s Leadership Luncheon and Awards ceremony

Leadership Luncheon honors 4 outstanding donors, alumni
Ceremony returns after 3-year pandemic hiatus

Eastern Connecticut State University honored four members of its alumni and donor community on June 10 at its annual President’s Leadership Luncheon and Awards ceremony. The event gathered...

Posted on June 15, 2022 by Michael Rouleau

Health sciences graduate accepted into Yale public health program

Harley Webley ’21, a Health Sciences major with a concentration in Allied Health, will attend Yale University’s School of Public Health this fall. Webley, who also minored in sociology...

Posted on May 24, 2022 by Dwight Bachman

Eastern holds 26th annual accounting banquet
Attorney Joseph Lobe ’03 urges due diligence when reviewing contracts

The Accounting Program held its 26th annual banquet on April 19 in the Betty R. Tipton Room. The event gathered more than 100 accounting alumni, current students, faculty and university officials...

Posted on April 20, 2022 by Michael Rouleau

Recent health sciences graduates enter workforce, graduate programs

Three Eastern Connecticut State University Health Sciences alumni are advancing their careers to become a vibrant part of Connecticut’s public health workforce, including Brittany Cifarelli...

Posted on February 09, 2022 by Dwight Bachman

Three Eastern psychology alumni visit to discuss life after graduation.

3 psychology alumni speak on career paths and life after Eastern

Eastern Connecticut State University’s Department of Psychological Science held a series of three alumni events this fall. The events featured presentations from three alumni who spoke with...

Posted on December 06, 2021 by Bobbi Brown

2 biology research groups publish on camel spiders and endangered seabirds

Two alumni-faculty research groups from the Biology Department at Eastern Connecticut State University authored two peer-reviewed articles that were recently published in scientific journals. Jacob...

Posted on November 22, 2021 by Bobbi Brown

4 faculty, alumni behavior analysts publish physical activity studies

Three Eastern Connecticut State University alumni and one faculty member have been published in a special edition of the academic journal “Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice."...

Posted on September 29, 2021 by Molly Boucher

Eastern holds 4th annual Andrej 5k race

Eastern Connecticut State University held the 4th Annual Andrej 5K Fun Run/Walk at Mansfield Hollow State Park on Sept. 18. Sponsored by the Office of Institutional Advancement, the annual race...

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Bobbi Brown

Campus Briefs

Track alumni finish 10th in 95-mile relay; Art Gallery presents ‘Our Tears Are Sweet, Our Laughter Venomous’; Eastern employs therapy puppies to reduce back-to-campus anxiety; Students...

Posted on September 01, 2021

Alumna Paulina Palomo ’21 selected for competitive TV Academy internship

Recent Eastern Connecticut State University graduate Paulina Palomo ’21 is one of 50 participants nationwide selected for a Television Academy Foundation Internship in 2021. The eight-week...

Posted on August 05, 2021 by Michael Rouleau

Eastern grad, students pedal 600 miles to raise mental health awareness
'The Valley Boys Ride' benefits mental illness charity

Six Eastern Connecticut State University students and alumni recently concluded a 600-mile bike ride to raise awareness of mental health issues. The group, known as “The Valley Boys...

Posted on June 16, 2021 by Michael Rouleau

Campus Briefs

Zuzu Acrobats perform thrilling Kenyan acrobatics on campus; Baseball remains unanimous no. 1 in New England; Students and faculty awarded for research and mentorship at CREATE conference; Physical...

Posted on May 06, 2021

Joanne Michelle Ocampo ’11 and Tunde Olatinwo ’12.

Biology alumni speak on COVID-19, urge vaccination

Eastern Connecticut State University’s Biology Department hosted “Moving Forward: The Pandemic Tales of Two Eastern Alumni,” on April 28. Moderated by Biology Professor Joshua...

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Molly Boucher

Eastern alumni (from left to right) Lee '13, Link '14 and Galligan ’16.

English alumni speak on careers in financial technology and healthcare
‘English at Work’ panel features 3 recent graduates

Three English alumni from Eastern Connecticut State University spoke with students about their careers during an English at Work virtual panel on April 6. Kelly Galligan ’16, Marcia Lee...

Posted on April 07, 2021 by Michael Rouleau

EES prepares students for climate crisis and green economy
Spotlighting 2 concentrations: Sustainable Energy Science and Environmental Science

With climate change and an evolving “green” economy underway, the Environmental Earth Science (EES) Department at Eastern Connecticut State University is preparing students for some of...

Posted on March 11, 2021 by Michael Rouleau

Eastern alumni teach with caring and dedication during pandemic

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began a year ago, more than three million schoolteachers across the nation — from preschool to high school — pivoted to online learning in spring 2020 and...

Posted on March 01, 2021 by Ed Osborn

Eastern communication majors tell it like it is

In the age of social media and Google ads the need for competent and ethical professionals in the public relations and advertising fields has never been greater. Today’s consumers deserve and...

Posted on March 01, 2021 by Dwight Bachman

SLM students hear from alumni in the field

Charles Chatterton, associate professor of kinesiology and physical education at Eastern Connecticut State University, is hosting a series of virtual alumni visits for his classes during the spring...

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Molly Boucher

Anthony LaPia ’03, global sales director of strategic accounts business for LinkedIn, spoke with students in a virtual workshop on Feb. 10.

LinkedIn executive urges students to tell their story

This past month, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a gain of only 49,000 jobs nationwide, nearly 10 million fewer jobs than this time a year ago. Nonetheless,...

Posted on February 10, 2021 by Dwight Bachman

'We all have it': Broderick Sawyer '12 demystifies race-based trauma

Broderick Sawyer, a clinical psychologist and 2012 Eastern Connecticut State University graduate, spoke on race-based stress and trauma on Dec. 16 during the final University Hour presentation of...

Posted on December 24, 2020 by Michael Rouleau

Campus Briefs

#WarriorsGive raises $98,195; CCE volunteers produce educational videos for local children; Dean Carmen Cid serves as ESA research collection editor; Eastern holds Veterans Day ceremony; and...

Posted on November 18, 2020

Eastern's Fourth President Charles Webb Passes

Charles Webb, president of Eastern from 1970-1988, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Oct. 8. He had recently celebrated his 101st birthday with family and friends on Oct. 4.

Posted on October 21, 2020 by Ed Osborn

Golfers go for the Green to Support Eastern Students

Despite the uncertain times of COVID-19, 80 golfers participated in the annual Eastern golf tournament on Oct. 6 at the Wethersfield Country Club, sponsored by the ECSU Foundation, Inc.

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Ed Osborn

Recent New Media Studies graduate Wasan Hayajneh pursues degree in fine arts

Recent Eastern Connecticut State University alumna Wasan Hayajneh ’20 is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in animation at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

Posted on October 09, 2020 by Bobbi Brown

Eastern Alumna accepted into Connecticut Governor’s Innovation Fellowship

Eastern Connecticut State University alumna Julia Medina ’20 is one of 19 members of the first cohort of college graduates selected by the Connecticut Governor’s Innovation Fellowship...

Posted on September 04, 2020 by Bobbi Brown

Recent graduate Allison Lundy's honors thesis accepted for publication

Allison Lundy ’20, a recent graduate who majored in Early Childhood Education and Psychology, has been notified that her honors thesis, “Effects of Active Outdoor Play on Preschool...

Posted on July 17, 2020 by Dwight Bachman

Alum, LinkedIn Executive Encourages Confidence in Turbulent Economy

Anthony Lapia ’03, regional director of enterprise sales for LinkedIn Learning Solutions, joined a group of Eastern Connecticut State University students on Zoom to offer advice on how to...

Posted on May 18, 2020 by Dwight Bachman

Alumnus Jonathan Alpert on how to cope and thrive in COVID-19

Alumnus Jonathan Alpert ’95 is a NYC-based psychotherapist, author and performance coach. In light of the myriad struggles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Alpert recently authored two...

Posted on May 18, 2020

Eastern Alumna Starts Pathology Program at Quinnipiac University

Andrea Ferrigno ’19 has begun the Master’s in Pathology Assistants Program at Quinnipiac University. A pathologist assistant plays a critical role in helping the pathologist come up...

Posted on May 13, 2020 by Dwight Bachman

From a Distance, Alumni Keep in Touch with Students

COVID-19 may have created social distancing for Eastern students, faculty and staff, but the virus has not stopped Eastern alumni from doing a terrific job of staying in touch with their former...

Posted on May 06, 2020 by Dwight Bachman

English Alumni Share Unexpected Careers with Students

English Department graduates returned to Eastern Connecticut State University’s campus on March 10 to share their experiences in the workforce and discuss how their English degree has aided...

Posted on March 16, 2020 by Vania Galicia

Communication Alumni Help Shape Opinions in a Digital Age

In addition to traditional broadcast affiliates, the 21st-century television environment features on-demand news distributed digitally on cell phones and via social media platforms around the clock...

Posted on February 27, 2020 by Dwight Bachman

ESPN Recruits Students for ‘NEXT’ Program

Eastern Connecticut State University hosted representatives from ESPN on Feb. 11 who informed students of a new program called ESPN NEXT. The evening included a presentation about NEXT, a review of...

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Bobbi Brown

10 Years of TIMPANI: Annual Study Investigates the Paradox of Play

For millennia, toys have elicited joy and laughter in children. They are also fundamental to a young child’s intellectual and social development. In this modern world of smart phones, smart...

Posted on February 01, 2020 by Michael Rouleau

Five Alumni Return to Campus to Inspire Students

Five Eastern Connecticut State University alumni returned to campus on Nov. 21 to participate in a Promoting Academically Successful Students (PASS) Networking Dinner hosted by Eastern’s...

Posted on December 05, 2019 by Dwight Bachman

Michael Stenko, director of alumni affairs.

Eastern Alumni Encourage Students to LEAP into Network Building

On Nov. 13, Eastern’s Office of Alumni Affairs and the New Student and Family Programs hosted a LEAP (Learn, Explore, Achieve, Perform) leadership training program in the Paul E. Johnson Sr....

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Dwight Bachman

Eastern Presents 'Convergence' Dance Concert

Eastern Connecticut State University’s Theatre Program showcased “Convergence” on Oct. 24-27 in the Proscenium Theatre as the first in this year’s dance concert series. With...

Posted on October 31, 2019 by Bobbi Brown

President Elsa Núñez with the 12th class of Eastern Fellows: Cody Guarnieri ’09, Larry Smith ’77 and Justin Piro ’05.

3 Alumni Inducted into Eastern Fellows Program

Eastern Connecticut State University inducted its 12th class of distinguished alumni into the Eastern Fellows Program on Oct. 23. Cody Guarnieri ’09 is a lawyer and partner with the law firm...

Posted on October 24, 2019 by Michael Rouleau

Psychology Alumni Honor Professors Danforth and Everton

More than 100 psychology alumni gathered at Eastern Connecticut State University on Oct. 18 in honor of the retirement of Professors Jeffrey Danforth and Wendi Everton. Alumni in attendance were...

Posted on October 20, 2019 by Vania Galicia

Andrej 5K Raises more than $17,000 in Honor of Late Eastern Grad

The second annual Andrej 5K Fun Run/Walk, held Sept. 28, has raised more than $17,000 as of Oct. 10 in honor of late Eastern graduate Andrej Cavarkapa ’09. More than 150 people showed up for...

Posted on October 09, 2019 by Vania Galicia

Eastern Alumna Publishes ‘Planet Earth is Blue’ with Penguin Random House

Thousands of children across the country gathered around the television on Jan. 28, 1986, to witness the Challenger Space Shuttle take the first schoolteacher into outer space. The joyous occasion...

Posted on June 26, 2019 by Michael Rouleau

Eastern Alumna Onika Harry Recognized among ‘100 Women of Color’

Eastern Connecticut State University alumna Onika Harry ’03 of Windsor was honored last month at the 100 Women of Color Black Tie Gala and Awards ceremony hosted by June Archer & Eleven28...

Posted on May 09, 2019 by Jordan Corey

Eastern Alumna Wins 2 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

Eastern Connecticut State University graduate LaToya Smith ’06 has been named “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the New York...

Posted on May 07, 2019 by Dwight Bachman

Eastern Alumnus Receives Early-Career Award for Cancer Research

Eastern Connecticut State University alumnus Justin Brown ’09 was awarded the prestigious Early-Investigator Award by the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) Office of Disease...

Posted on October 18, 2017 by Jolene Potter

Eastern Names Alumni Fellows

Three alumni from Eastern Connecticut State University were inducted into the Eastern Fellows Program this September. In addition to joining the ranks of the university’s distinguished...

Posted on October 05, 2017 by Michael Rouleau

Distinguished Eastern “Fellows” Talk Careers with Students

Three esteemed alumni from Eastern Connecticut State University were inducted into the Eastern Fellows Program on Sept. 21. The program recognizes distinguished alumni while engaging them in the...

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Michael Rouleau

Alumnus’ Documentary Wins Third Place in Statewide Journalism Contest

Based on his investigative documentary titled “Eastern Explores,” recent Eastern Connecticut State University graduate Patrick Boyne placed third in a Connecticut Society of...

Posted on June 03, 2015 by Michael Rouleau