STEMmingtheTide - CCSU

themagazine for alumni& friends of central connecticut state university

Summer 2008

Homecoming Weekend October 17-19

STEMming the TideSchool of Engineering and TechnologyGrows to Meet Connecticut’s Demand

Central Focus Summer 2008 8/27/08 9:19 PM

John W. Miller

Letter from the President of Central Connecticut State University

We have recently concluded our May commencement ceremonies and, in addition to beinga wonderful day for our graduating students and their families, it was a moving reminderof exactly why we are here: to help our students achieve their dreams. On that day, some1,800 undergraduate and graduate students began the next stage of their lives in whichthey will become thoughtful, responsible, and successful citizens contributing to thehealth of our state's economy, culture, and civic life.

The stories of several of our graduates tell what makes CCSU so special. The twin broth-ers, Jahmar and Kahmar Morgan, for example, excelled in their classes and graduatedwith honors in finance, no doubt trading on skills they honed in an events managementcompany they founded and operated during their years here. They leave us to join UnitedTechnologies Financial Leadership Program. Yolanda Ayala earned a certificate inteacher education while working full time and maintaining the outstanding grade pointaverage that enabled her to graduate magna cum laude. Elizabeth Torres left the meanstreets of Hartford via our Educational Opportunity Program and excelled both in and outof the classroom at CCSU. She now begins her work of helping others to dream big and toachieve their goals. David Magnan, described as one of the very best student researchersCentral has ever seen, will soon pursue his dream in a Ph.D. training program in theGraduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. And finally,Edmund Grandahl received his Master of Arts in public history at the age of 88 and unde-terred by a previous stroke and blindness. These stories of tenacity, the passion to learn,and the desire to make a difference inspire us all to work harder and continually enhancethe quality of the educational experience we offer.

You will see in this issue of Central focus the story of a man who is very similar to thesestudents: tenacious, passionate about learning, and strongly moved to make a difference.The man is Anthony Bichum, whose extraordinary generosity will make it possible formore students to pursue their dreams at CCSU, to study and excel, and then go on tomake their difference too.

Dr. Jack Miller

President

Commencement 2008


CCSU Alumni Association

OfficersChristine I. Sullivan ’73, MS ’81, PresidentFrederick B. Agee III ’80, Vice PresidentAndrew J. Felder ’02, TreasurerFernando G. Rosa ’75, SecretaryWendell G. Davis Jr. ’89, Past President

DirectorsJoe Arnone ’59Elaina Brachman 6th Yr ’97, Ed.D. ’05Kevin Cranford ’81Keith T. Hall ’78, MS ’85Norman F. Hausmann ’54Kelley A. Hedley ’97John “Corky” S. Mazurek ’83, MSOM ’91P. Faith McMahon MS ’68Robert F. Mullins ’94Oleg V. Ouchakof ’74Justin J. Pagano ’64Daniel M. Siracusa ’79Karie G. Sowa ’06Ed Vescovi ’84Richard A. Wiszniak ’73

Ex-officioJohn W. Miller

Central focus Staff

Managing Editor: Jim H. SmithAssistant Managing Editor: Dorothy FinnCynthia B. Cayer MS ’00Joseph Gordon Jr. MS ’96Catherine (Healy) Jost ’74

SportsBart Fisher ’69

PhotographyRobert J. Wessman ’70

Design and LayoutSlingshot Multimedia

ContributorsStaff members of the offices of Development &Alumni Affairs, Marketing & Communicationsand Sports Information.

Central focus is published by Central ConnecticutState University, New Britain, CT 06050 for alumni and friends.

Central Connecticut State University is an AA/EOinstitution and a campus of the Connecticut StateUniversity System.

S u m m e r 2 0 0 8 • V o l u m e 5 I s s u e 1

c o n t e n t s

d e p a r t m e n t s

Feature Story: STEMming the Tide Growing School of Engineering and Technology. . 4

Happenings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Class Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-19

In Memoriam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Sports: CCSU Friends Aim for Olympic Gold;Mens Soccer Wins Northeast Conference . . . . . . 12

Tony Bichum Scholarship Fund: Engineeringa Future for Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

F R O M U S T O Y O U Addressing Connecticut’s growing workforce need for tal-ented graduates in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines,CCSU’s School of Engineering and Technology, which is profiled in this issue of Centralfocus, boasts an enviable track record of success.

Meet two outstanding alumni of the School. Paula Chapla ’78 was one of only a handfulof female technology students in the 1970s. She has enjoyed a remarkable career atSikorsky Aircraft in Stratford. And Walter Lehner ’81, MS ’84, vice president of Gar-SanCorporation, studied “construction management” at CCSU before most constructioncompanies even recognized the need for such expertise.

Also, in this issue, meet Anthony Bichum, a true “self-made man” whose generous giftto the University has made possible the endowed Anthony and Helen G. BichumScholarship Fund, which will benefit students in the School of Engineering andTechnology. Be sure to read about how the Blue Devils men’s soccer team won theNortheast Conference title. And learn how two Central alumni helped former NASCARdriver Geoff Bodine give the U. S. Olympic Bobsled team “an edge.”

It’s all in this issue of Central focus.

Enjoy!

The Central focus Editorial Staff

Letter from the President of Central Connecticut State University


4

between the SE&T’s rapid evolution and the University’smission to help meet Connecticut’s workforce demands.

“For the next 20 years, it is projected there will be asignifi cant gap between the number of STEM graduatesand the number of job openings in Connecticut,” saysDr. Kremens. “As Connecticut’s economy continues toevolve into a knowledge economy, the demand for highlytrained professionals in these areas will only increase.”

So how has CCSU succeeded in expanding SE&T enroll-ment even as students nationwide continue to shun thosefields? The SE&T, says Kremens, has strategically addedprograms and course offerings and aggressively reachedout to community colleges, high school and even middleschool students, teachers and counselors statewide andregionally, impressing upon them the opportunity aSTEM career offers and the accessibility on which CCSUhas long prided itself.

Change as a Constant

Like the very fields and disciplines in which it special-izes, the SE&T is constantly evolving. “That’s one of thethings I love about teaching technology – it is constantlychanging,” says Dr. Karen Coale Tracey, chair of the

Computer Electronics and GraphicsTechnology Department. “This is not a stag-nant learning environment. As technologychanges, we have to change in response,and our students must learn to adapt.”

The School has changed dramatically. Inmid-2007 it was formally renamed theSchool of Engineering and Technology,reflecting its broader offering of programsto meet 21st-century demands.

The School began offering undergraduateand graduate degrees in biomolecular sci-ences in 2005. A new degree program incomputer engineering technology has alsobeen added. Last year, the TechnologyEducation Department added engineeringto the fold. The program is now formallyknown as Technology and EngineeringEducation (K-12). And the development of amechanical engineering degree program in2006 added a new dimension to five gradu-ate and undergraduate programs alreadyoffered in engineering technology, which isa distinct course of study from engineering.

STEMming theTideSchool of Engineering and Technology

Grows to Answer Connecticut’s Call

The clarion call has sounded, and CCSU’s School ofEngineering and Technology is answering – swiftly,creatively and emphatically.

For more than a decade, the stark statistics regardingConnecticut’s changing economy and future workforceneeds – and the challenges our state and its public univer-sities face in meeting those needs – have become morewidely known. Connecticut long ago began its makeover toa knowledge-based economy, one in which the knowledgepossessed by workers (rather than a labor-oriented skillset) was the primary commodity desired by employers.

A 2003 report on the status of Connecticut’s technologyworkforce development, prepared by the Governor’s Officefor Workforce Competitiveness, predicts the supply ofgraduates in technology-based fields through 2010 will fallfar short of demand. While opportunity in the STEM disci-plines (science, technology, engineering and math) is blos-soming, Connecticut’s population is declining and, nation-wide, enrollment in these disciplines is falling.

Supply and Demand

Dr. Zdzislaw B. Kremens, dean of the School of Engineer -ing and Technology, says there is a direct correlation

School of Engineering and Technology students traveled to Reno, Nevadawith their creation "Smooth Passin Dude" to compete against 24 otheruniversities at the American Society of Manufacturing Engineers’ annualHuman Powered Vehicle Challenge.


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The late British author, inventor and futurist Arthur C. Clarkeonce proffered, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indis-tinguishable from magic.” This most certainly is the case atCopernicus Hall, home to CCSU’s rapidly expanding School ofEngineering and Technology (SE&T).

The evolution of the SE&T is nothing short of magical. Though itremains the smallest of CCSU’s five schools, it is growing thefastest. And while much is new, few realize that the School’sroots date back to the 1880s, when Charles A. Kunou intro-duced a “manual training” curriculum for elementary educationmajors at the then-New Britain Normal School.

In the 1930s, CCSU’s precursor, the Teacher’s College ofConnecticut, became the first institution of higher education inthe state to offer teaching degrees in industrial arts. In fact, itremains the only state college or university to do so, though theterm “industrial arts” has gone the way of the IBM Selectric®.In the mid-1970s, the School of Technology was formed as theUniversity expanded its curriculum beyond that which can onlybe applied in the classroom.

“The evolution of the industrial technology program was natu-ral. What happened was that even though our students were

Historically SpeakingtheTide graduating as teachers, they had such good technical trainingthat they were being hired by private companies,” says Dr.James A. DeLaura ’67, MS ’70, chair of the Department ofTechnology and Engineering Education and a faculty membersince 1976.

Today’s School of Engineering and Technology offers a diverserange of educational opportunities designed to provide stu-dents with a world-class education and real-world experience.New and evolving degree programs, state-of-the-art equipment,top-notch faculty andfacilities, vigorousrecruiting efforts anddynamic allianceswith private industryensure that CCSU isstrategically posi-tioned to meetConnecticut’s consid-erable high-techworkforce needstoday and into thefuture.

All told, the School’s five departments offer more than 20undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates, andspecializations.

The addition of the mechanical engineering program,with specializations in aerospace and manufacturing, was

continued on page 7

in response to a study performed by the School that sug-gested such a program was both feasible and necessaryin order to meet Connecticut’s increasing workforcedemands.

“So far, enrollment has far exceeded our forecasts,” saysDr. Alfred Gates, associate professor of mechanical engi-neering and the chair of the Engineering Department.“In our second year, we already have 80 students andplenty more who want to get in.

In biomolecular sciences, enrollment has jumped tomore than 140 from an original 40 undergraduates in2005. “Our department was created specifically to meetthe demand for training in molecular biology, biochem-istry and modern biological research,” says Dr. ThomasKing, department chair.

Dr. Tracey says the expansion in her department, too,reflects Connecticut’s workforce reality. “The computer

(l-r) Dr. Al Gates and Dr. Peter Baumann work with students AndyHamilton and Luke Ionno on an aerospace design.

Central Focus Summer 2008 8/27/08 9:22 PM Page 5

5

The late British author, inventor and futurist Arthur C. Clarkeonce proffered, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indis-tinguishable from magic.” This most certainly is the case atCopernicus Hall, home to CCSU’s rapidly expanding School ofEngineering and Technology (SE&T).

The evolution of the SE&T is nothing short of magical. Though itremains the smallest of CCSU’s five schools, it is growing thefastest. And while much is new, few realize that the School’sroots date back to the 1880s, when Charles A. Kunou intro-duced a “manual training” curriculum for elementary educationmajors at the then-New Britain Normal School.

In the 1930s, CCSU’s precursor, the Teacher’s College ofConnecticut, became the first institution of higher education inthe state to offer teaching degrees in industrial arts. In fact, itremains the only state college or university to do so, though theterm “industrial arts” has gone the way of the IBM Selectric®.In the mid-1970s, the School of Technology was formed as theUniversity expanded its curriculum beyond that which can onlybe applied in the classroom.

“The evolution of the industrial technology program was natu-ral. What happened was that even though our students were

Historically SpeakingtheTide graduating as teachers, they had such good technical trainingthat they were being hired by private companies,” says Dr.James A. DeLaura ’67, MS ’70, chair of the Department ofTechnology and Engineering Education and a faculty membersince 1976.

Today’s School of Engineering and Technology offers a diverserange of educational opportunities designed to provide stu-dents with a world-class education and real-world experience.New and evolving degree programs, state-of-the-art equipment,top-notch faculty andfacilities, vigorousrecruiting efforts anddynamic allianceswith private industryensure that CCSU isstrategically posi-tioned to meetConnecticut’s consid-erable high-techworkforce needstoday and into thefuture.

All told, the School’s five departments offer more than 20undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates, andspecializations.

The addition of the mechanical engineering program,with specializations in aerospace and manufacturing, was

continued on page 7

in response to a study performed by the School that sug-gested such a program was both feasible and necessaryin order to meet Connecticut’s increasing workforcedemands.

“So far, enrollment has far exceeded our forecasts,” saysDr. Alfred Gates, associate professor of mechanical engi-neering and the chair of the Engineering Department.“In our second year, we already have 80 students andplenty more who want to get in.

In biomolecular sciences, enrollment has jumped tomore than 140 from an original 40 undergraduates in2005. “Our department was created specifically to meetthe demand for training in molecular biology, biochem-istry and modern biological research,” says Dr. ThomasKing, department chair.

Dr. Tracey says the expansion in her department, too,reflects Connecticut’s workforce reality. “The computer

(l-r) Dr. Al Gates and Dr. Peter Baumann work with students AndyHamilton and Luke Ionno on an aerospace design.


6

Paula Chapla ’78, who was one of just a handful offemale students in the technology education pro-gram during the 1970s, is approaching 30 years ofservice with Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, one ofthe world’s leading designers and manufactur-ers of military and commercial helicopters. Inher earliest post-CCSU days she worked 90hours a week teaching wood shop in Sheltonduring the day while also earning an hourlywage operating machines on Sikorsky’s sec-ond shift. From those humble beginnings shemoved on tonumerous posi-tions of increasingresponsibility with-in the company.Today, as managerof major compo-nents for the com-pany’s Black Hawkhelicopter series,Chapla overseesproduction of spe-cialized medicalevacuation cabins.

But Chapla didn’t come to CCSU to study technolo-gy. She enrolled as a political science major. “I gotinvolved helping the School of Technology moveinto its new space at Copernicus at the time,” sherecalls. “That’s when I met all the industrial artsteachers. That changed my life. Talking with themabout electrical systems, cars, refrigerators –these were tangible things. It clicked for me.”

In her very limited “spare” time, Chapla is pursuinga master’s degree from Central. “In today’s world,especially with technology, it’s adapt or die,” shesays. “CCSU is adapting, and there is a world ofopportunity out there for engineering and technol-ogy students today.”

Walter Lehner ’81, MS ’84, knows all about adapting.Currently a vice president with Gar-San Corporationof Watertown, one of Connecticut’s leading construc-tion management and general contracting firms,

Lehner pursued an educa-tion in “construction man-agement” at CCSU at atime when a degree in thefield was foreign even toconstruction companies.That has all changed today,with Connecticut compa-nies snapping up construc-tion management gradu-ates more quickly thanCentral can produce them.

“Nobody knew back then what a degree in construc-tion management was,” says Lehner, who today isalso an adjunct faculty member within theDepartment of Manufacturing and ConstructionManagement. “If a construction company hired youback then, you were probably a civil engineeringgraduate from UConn or maybe had an architecturaldegree. When I was pursuing my master’s degree,there were no other students besides myself. I wasdoing independent study at seminars with individualprofessors.

“But today, construction management is a behemoth.Everyone is hiring construction management gradu-ates,” Lehner continued. “I feel fortunate to be a partof the growth at Central. Here at Gar-San, I’ve proba-bly hired eight or nine Central graduates already. Wehave the Central flag flying in our office.

“I see the program continuing to grow,” Lehner adds.“I see nothing stopping it and I see it getting moreacademically challenging and selective as more andmore students become aware of the program and thewonderful opportunity these careers offer.”

Like the School ItselfSE&T Alumni are Pioneers

On the Cover: In the cell culture laboratory of Central’s Biomolecular Sciences (BMS) Department are, left to right, Daniel Mori ’07, Thomas Pagliaruli ’05, Sheila Chery’07, Jeffrey Damiano ’04, Jason Bannock ’05, Francisco Ramirez, David Magnan and Shannon Soucy, a select team of BMS majors who received a CCSU/CBIA grant toperform independent research. Photo by Dr. Mike Davis.


engineering technology degree addresses a highlyneeded area, combining the high level of math andscience in engineering technology with the computerscience technical component,” she says. “We are con-stantly working to determine what skill sets are indemand in the workplace, and tailoring our programsto meet that demand.”

As for the technology and engineering education (K-12) degree program, it was, of course, the bedrockupon which (as technology education) the SE&T wasoriginally formed more than 30 years ago. CCSU, infact, has been producing educators – for more than100 years – who these days are teaching far morethan what some may recall as “industrial arts,” and itremains the only institution of higher education inConnecticut that prepares K-12 teachers to instruct intechnology andengineer ing subjects.

“I’m excited and quiteoptimistic about all thethings that are happen-ing at the School,” saysDr. James A. DeLaura’67, MS ’70, chair of theTechnology andEngineering EducationDepartment. “We’re put-ting out about 20 [edu-cation] graduates a yearright now, and most ofthem have jobs beforethey graduate. Ourgraduates are highlysought after and ourprograms are very wellthought of throughoutthe country.”

Gregory Kane ’76, astate consultant fortechnology education and engineering to the State ofConnecticut Department of Higher Education, praisesthe new K-12 program: “CCSU is one of the absoluteleaders among institutions with technology educationteacher preparation programs in the U.S.”

Dr. Jacob Kovel, chair of the Manufacturing andConstruction Management Department, says that hisconstruction management graduates are in highdemand as well, with CCSU alumni populating theemployment rosters of construction companies such asO&G Industries, Manafort Brothers, Gilbane, andmany more.

“Our [construction management] program is the onlyfully accredited undergraduate program at a publicuniversity in New England, and the largest programstudent-wise of any New England program, public orprivate,” says Dr. Kovel. Although CCSU’s program

graduated 30 students last year, Kovel estimates there areapproximately 90 new job openings in construction manage-ment every year in Connecticut.

Challenges Ahead

While CCSU’s SE&T has elevated its game, it is universallyunderstood that no single institution can meet the enormousworkforce needs of Connecticut’s future economy. That said,CCSU’s SE&T expects to do much more to grow the numbersof talented graduates prepared to step into the technologyand engineering workplace.

Dean Kremens notes that most SE&T students are fromConnecticut, and nearly 90 percent stay in Connecticut towork after graduation. This is more than double the regionalcollege and university graduate retention rate.

In addition, Kremens sees great opportunity in the prospectof attracting the kind of student to the School’s programswho, in the past, might not have even considered a career intechnology or engineering, or might have believed such aneducation was beyond his or her reach.

“Some 10 percent of high achievers don’t attend any collegeat all. There is a lot of talent in this group,” says Kremens.“As an accessible and affordable state university, we canattract diverse, underrepresented students. Our focus onindividual attention, our non-intimidating environment, andour various high-quality educational options make our schoolunique and attractive.”

One initiative that Kremens hopes will play a major role isthe “Go Aerospace!” recruitment project for the mechanicalengineering program’s aerospace specialization. The initia-tive, still in its formative stages and subject to available

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continued from page 5

Faculty members Adj. Prof. Donald V. Schaer ’72 (far left), Dr. James A. DeLaura ’67, MS ’70 (fourth fromleft), and Connecticut Department of Education Consultant for Technology Education, Engineering andAgricultural Sciences Gregory C. Kane ’76 (far right), and a group of SE&T students surround astronautBarbara R. Morgan, the first educator mission specialist in NASA’s Educator Astronaut Program, at theInternational Technology Education Association C onference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

continued on page 9


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Veteran stock market investors remember their first loss.For Tony Bichum, that’s going back a long way—morethan 70 years—to about 1936.

“I got started in the market when I was 18,” recalls Tony.“My first loss was Bristol Brass. It was selling at $8 ashare and, at the time, that was cheap.”

Fortunately for Tony, and for CCSU, he didn’t let the lossget to him. Armed with just an elementary school educa-tion and an innate sense for investing, Tony has made alot of money in stocks over the course of his life. But withno immediate family members to survive him, he hasdecided to use hisresources to supportscholarships in theCCSU School ofEngineering andTechnology. His gift,made up of a combina-tion of cash and estatefunds, is expected to bethe largest gift ever toCCSU by an individualdonor.

“This is a history-mak-ing gift that will bene-fit CCSU students formany years,” saidCCSU President JackMiller in announcingthe donation. “We aretouched by Mr.Bichum’s generosityand awed by the legacyit creates.”

Dr. Zdzislaw Kremens, dean of the School of Engineeringand Technology added, “The Anthony and Helen G.Bichum Scholarship Fund will enable many qualified stu-dents to pursue their dreams of a college education and goon to rewarding careers. We deeply appreciate this verygenerous gift.”

The eldest of six children born to Russian immigrants,Tony Bichum grew up in a modest New Britain neigh -borhood where he still lives today. He was raised in adown-to-earth manner consistent with the values andlifestyle of his parents, who worked in the mills.

Tony dropped out of school after seventh grade and tookon a series of odd jobs. He worked the tobacco fields, andhe swept and paved roads for the City of New Britain. Atage 13, he became a shoeshine boy at Putnam andCompany, a local brokerage firm, where he developed akeen interest in the stock market.

“I learned the stock market on my knees shining shoes atPutnam’s,” says Tony. “I watched those boys putting up

Engineering a Future for Othersthose tags—it was all manual back then—and it fascinat-ed me. The first time I had a buck, I started investing. I’velost money; I’ve made money. But I’m happy.”

At age 16, Tony left home and joined the CivilianConservation Corps, a relief program created by PresidentFranklin Roosevelt for unemployed young men. When hereturned to New Britain, he attended trade school andbecame a tool and die maker. He was hired by SkinnerChuck Company in 1939 and stayed with the com pany for25 years. He joined the army during World War II andwas sent to Holland and then Germany, where, 18 months

into his tour of duty, hesustained a serious chestinjury and was given anearly discharge.

Tony and his wife,Helen, the daughter of aPennsylvania coal miner ,were married in 1950.She worked in the officeof Stanley Works andthey enjoyed married lifeuntil her death in 1984.

According to PaulGianaris ’70, whosefather and uncle weregood friends with Tony,Helen is partiallyresponsible for the cou-ple’s financial success.

“Mrs. Bichum managedthe household well.That’s how they accumu-lated their wealth. They

didn’t have to dip into their investments to cover house-hold expenses. They kept compounding and reinvestingthe dividends.”

Despite his financial success, Tony regrets not havinggone to college. “I’m a firm believer in education,” he says,“because I never had it. I came from a family that promot-ed education, but I left school early and went to work. Iwish now I had gone to college, because if you have aneducation and you know where you want to go, nothingcan stop you.”

Tony decided to donate the money to Central, in part, onthe advice of Paul and another good friend, DianeAbraham, who works in the CCSU Office of GraduateAdmissions.

Paul explains, “He was going to have his bank manage atrust for scholarships and we said to him, ‘If you’re goingto give it for scholarships, why not give it directly to theschool?’”

Dr. Zdzislaw Kremens, dean of the school of Engineering andTechnology, shares a moment with Tony Bichum at a reception inBichum’s honor at CCSU.


Dr. Nidal Al-Masoud (left) works with a studentin the Fluids Lab.

9

Diane lives on the second floor of Tony’s house and hashelped care for him and other members of his family overthe years. “He’s a good guy. I’ve known him for some 37years,” she says. “I was 20 when I moved there with mymom. We used to have dinner together. If I had a problem,I’d discuss it with him. He’s helped me quite a bit. Nowthat Helen and my mom are gone, Tony and I take care ofeach other.”

Tony has used some of his savings to travel extensively,both with his wife and since her passing. He has been toRussia four times, and has traveled throughout Europe, theUnited States, and Canada. These days he stays busy inspite of—or perhaps because of—his age. He works outthree mornings a week in the fitness center at the Hospitalfor Special Care. He attends church every Sunday. Andmost mornings you can find him at the McDonald’s on WestMain Street, enjoying a cup of coffee with friends.

“Tony is one of those people who says what’s on his mind,”says Paul. “Sometimes you can have disagreements withhim over small things, but if you look beyond that you findthat he’s softer than he comes across. I nicknamed him‘Happiness’ because when he comes in for coffee everymorning, he greets an old friend by picking up his hat, kiss-ing him on the head, and putting the hat back on. He looksforward to that.

“Tony has a lot of wonderful qualities,” Paul adds. “He iskind. Loyal. Honest. He has a sense of humor. And hebelieves in education.” All qualities that money can’t buy.

– Martha Perry

The Anthony and Helen G. Bichum Scholarship Fund willprovide scholarships for full-time undergraduate andgraduate students in the CCSU School of Engineeringand Technology. Using interest from the principal endow-ment, the University expects to award at least five schol-arships this fall, and that number could grow significantlyover time. While the formal scholarship criteria are stillbeing finalized, school officials hope to attract applicantsfrom underprivileged and underrepresented groups.

“We want to reach out to groups that historically havenot pursued careers in engineering, including womenand minorities,” says Dean Kremens.

Mr. Bichum was honored at a special luncheon on cam-pus on March 13. In addition, the ManufacturingLaboratory in the CCSU School of Engineering andTechnology has been dedicated to the Bichums to com-memorate their generosity.

Bichum Scholarship Fund ToBenefit Talented Students

funding, is designed to recruit high schoolstudents into the engineering field.

The initiative’s selection process would tar-get high-achieving high school juniors, witha focus on women and minorities. Selectedstudents would work on specially designedengineering projects with CCSU faculty andstudents on campus; visit major aviationcompanies in Connecticut; attend a summerinstitute with on-campus accommodations;and culminate their experiences with a tripto NASA in Texas to learn about theadvanced engineering challenges facing theaerospace industry.

A Responsibility to Meet

CCSU’s rise in SE&T enrollment, in the faceof a converse national trend, indicates it isalready having success attracting new, per-haps heretofore untapped, groups of stu-dents. But with this success comes responsi-bility.

“Having admitted new students, we face tworesponsibilities,” says Dean Kremens. “Weneed to retain them in our school, and weneed to make them as successful as possiblethrough timely graduation. In this way, wewill not only help many individuals maketheir dreams come true, but we will signifi-cantly contribute to the state’s economicprosperity.”

– Dennis Buden

continued from page 7


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A P P E N I N G SH

Class of 1957 at 50th reunion.

Carol A. Ammon ‘73, chair of the Christiana Care Health System, andfounder and former CEO of Endo Pharmaceuticals, is shown here withformer teacher and mentor Dr. Timothy Shine after a lecture for studentsand faculty on the CCSU campus.

Pamela Lizotte-Valentin ‘03and Daniel Ruiz at a recep-tion following a CCSU stu-dent-faculty performanceof The Tempest.

Richard D’Aquila ‘77, executive vicepresident and COO at Yale-NewHaven Hospital, presented “HealthCare’s Perfect Storm and the CareerOpportunities it Will Create” at arecent forum on campus.

Jerry Pagano ‘64 andKathy Fagan at a recep-tion following a CCSUstudent-faculty perform-ance of The Tempest.

(l-r): Amy Clarke 6th Yr ‘04, principal of SpencerSchool in Middletown; Dr. Karen Beyard,Professor of Educational Leadership andDirector of the Ed.D. program; and Mary BethIacobelli 6th Yr ‘01 and current doctoral studentin Cohort 2007, principal of Vance School inNew Britain, at a recent networking reception.

(l-r): Senator Donald DeFronzo, Senator Dan Dibicella, StateRepresentative Joseph C. Serra and Connecticut StateUniversity Trustee Richard Balducci ‘65 presented a checkfor $10,000 from the Connecticut General Assembly’s Italian-American Legislative Caucus Educational Fund to the CCSUFoundation, Inc. in support of study abroad opportunities forCCSU students.

(l-r): 2007 grads and theater majorsMary Jo Calvo, Kimberly Wheeler,and Jaime Morano at a receptionfollowing a CCSU student-facultyperformance of The Tempest.

Scott Pioli ‘88, right, vice president of player personnel for the NewEngland Patriots, chats with students following his presentation of“Building a Championship Tradition” on the CCSU campus.


10

A P P E N I N G SH

Class of 1957 at 50th reunion.

Carol A. Ammon ‘73, chair of the Christiana Care Health System, andfounder and former CEO of Endo Pharmaceuticals, is shown here withformer teacher and mentor Dr. Timothy Shine after a lecture for studentsand faculty on the CCSU campus.

Pamela Lizotte-Valentin ‘03and Daniel Ruiz at a recep-tion following a CCSU stu-dent-faculty performanceof The Tempest.

Richard D’Aquila ‘77, executive vicepresident and COO at Yale-NewHaven Hospital, presented “HealthCare’s Perfect Storm and the CareerOpportunities it Will Create” at arecent forum on campus.

Jerry Pagano ‘64 andKathy Fagan at a recep-tion following a CCSUstudent-faculty perform-ance of The Tempest.

(l-r): Amy Clarke 6th Yr ‘04, principal of SpencerSchool in Middletown; Dr. Karen Beyard,Professor of Educational Leadership andDirector of the Ed.D. program; and Mary BethIacobelli 6th Yr ‘01 and current doctoral studentin Cohort 2007, principal of Vance School inNew Britain, at a recent networking reception.

(l-r): Senator Donald DeFronzo, Senator Dan Dibicella, StateRepresentative Joseph C. Serra and Connecticut StateUniversity Trustee Richard Balducci ‘65 presented a checkfor $10,000 from the Connecticut General Assembly’s Italian-American Legislative Caucus Educational Fund to the CCSUFoundation, Inc. in support of study abroad opportunities forCCSU students.

(l-r): 2007 grads and theater majorsMary Jo Calvo, Kimberly Wheeler,and Jaime Morano at a receptionfollowing a CCSU student-facultyperformance of The Tempest.

Scott Pioli ‘88, right, vice president of player personnel for the NewEngland Patriots, chats with students following his presentation of“Building a Championship Tradition” on the CCSU campus.


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Distinguished Alumni Honored

The 2008 Distinguished Alumni Service Award recipient,Atty. Frederick W. Odell ‘66, is an expert on roses, golf, hock-ey, and constitutional law. He has distinguished himselfthrough his work with and for innumerable local, stateand regional civic and community agencies, and his com-mitted and forceful advocacy for causes that include theNational Multiple Sclerosis Society and SpecialOlympics.Fred is a past president of the CCSU AlumniAssociation. Whether serving as a member of theWethersfield Park and Recreation Commission or theNew Britain Charter Revision Commission, or workingas a special public defender in Connecticut’s SuperiorCourt system, he has always put service to Centralhigh on his list of priorities.

Christian G. Gutierrez ’96, MS ’03, recipient of the 2008Young Alumni Service Award, recently returned toCCSU and his position as assistant director of recruit-ment and admission, after serving with the U.S. armedforces active reserve in Iraq, where he was deployed asan intelligence officer. While recruiting, interviewingand advising incoming freshman are Chris’s primaryfunctions he has mentored hundreds of students as advi-sor to many student clubs. He has also served as a direc-tor of the CCSU Alumni Association.

Dr. Gale G. “Gigi” Brown, Jr. ’74 transferred to CCSU to playcompetitive volleyball under Dr. Brenda Reilly, a decisionthat led ultimately to her being honored as the 2008Kaiser Alumni Service Award recipient. The ConnecticutVolleyball Hall of Fame recognized her contributions tothe sport in 2002, and in 2006 she was inducted intoCentral’s Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame. After graduating from CCSU, Gigi earned a medicaldegree and, subsequently, completed residencies in inter-nal medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation.Gigi’s tireless support benefits numerous athletic andsocial causes, including the CCSU Brenda A. ReillyMemorial Scholarship Fund, the Women’s SportsFoundation, the Connecticut Women’s Basketball Hall ofFame, and Share Our Strength.

Five Inducted into the CCSU Alumni AssociationAthletic Hall of Fame

Stan House ’99 was the leading running back of his era atCCSU. He set records for most rushing attempts, mostyards gained in a single season and career, and mostyardage and touchdowns in a single game. He was anexceptional student as well, and has continued his suc-cess in business as the president of a successful sportscard and memorabilia company.

CCSU Alumni Association AwardsSeven alumni and one coach were honored by the CCSU Alumni Association

in recent ceremonies at the Farmington Club in Farmington.

An outstanding pitcher and football quarterback, JohnIovino ’76 has held the record for lowest earned run averagein CCSU history for 35 years. A Gladstone Award winner,John was Central’s top scholar-athlete during his seniorseason, and successfully pursued a dual career as educatorand coach, twice being named Connecticut High SchoolCoach of the Year.

Damian Johnson ’98 has held the record – 1,734 – for mostpoints scored in men’s basketball since 1993, averaging16.5 points per game over the course of his remarkablecareer. Also outstanding academically, Damian earned theGladstone Award as a senior and went on to a successfulcareer in technology. He was named a CCSU School ofTechnology Outstanding Alumnus in 2006.

Tula Kofitsas ’94 was the Most Valuable Player in theLiberty Tournament in her first season of CCSU women’sbasketball. A Gail Rutz Award recipient, signifying bothher academic and athletic prowess, she tallied 1,258 pointsduring her remarkable collegiate career and later playedprofessionally in Greece and the United States. Kofitsas isthe president of Tails of Rye Canine Physical Rehab inRye, NH.

Vic Stone, honored posthumously, was one of Central’smost successful coaches. He established CCSU’s women’stennis program at an elite level, winning at least oneleague championship in every conference played, whilecontinuing to play and win himself, both nationally andinternationally. He took over the men’s team and turnedthem into consistent winners as well.

– Bart Fisher

(l-r): Fred Odell ’66, Stan House ’99, John Iovino ’76, Damian Johnson ’98,Gigi Brown ’74, Tula Kofitsas ’94, Eric Stone, Chris Gutierrez ’96, MS ’03,Sarah (Stone) Seifer.


P O R T SS

It started as a negative. Famed former NASCAR driverGeoff Bodine watched the U.S. Olympic Bobsled Team do sobadly at the 1994 winter games in Lillehammer, Norway,the former Daytona 500 winner simply couldn’t fathom howit could happen. He reasoned the American team had thecoaching and the athletes to contend for a medal. Some -thing else must be lacking. That something, he reasonedcorrectly, was competitive equipment.

He told the disappointed USA bobsledders he was going tobuild them a cutting edge sled that would all but ensurebetter results. There was, however, a slight problem.Bodine was one of the world’s best drivers, but he knew vir-tually nothing about bobsleds. That’s where a couple ofCCSU alumni, Phil Kurze’72 and John Morgan ’72, came in.

Bodine partnered with Chassis Dynamics and WhelenEngineering, where Kurze is vice president of the MotorSports division. Kurze knew his old friend and formerLambda Phi Alpha fraternity brother Morgan came from along line of bobsled racers, connected the dots and the restis history. The two men hadn’t seen each other “in 30 yearsor pretty close to it,” says Kurze. But Morgan, who lives in

CCSU Friends Aim for

Rarely will you hear a coach, especially one as competitiveand demanding as CCSU’s Shaun Green (far left inphoto), say his team “achieved all the goals we set out toaccomplish at the beginning of the season.” But those werethe exact words the veteran coach used when Central’smen’s soccer team won the Northeast Conference champi-onship, made a run in the NCAA tournament and gaineda national ranking. “I truly believe our players earned thisfinal recognition," he added.

How “Sweet” it was for Men’s Soccer

Olympic Gold

Lake Placid, N.Y. and has a TV production company spe-cializing in bobsled coverage, was keen to get on board. Itdidn’t hurt that they had a mutual friend—named GeoffBodine.

Now, American bobsleds built in Oxford, Conn. under thewatchful eyes of chassis engineer extraordinaire BobCuneo and Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project President Phil Kurzeare among the best on the planet, piling up medals galorein world class competition.

Says Kurze, “There’s no salary that could equal the satis-faction I get out of this. These kids (the members of theU.S. Bobsled Team) are so dedicated, it provides atremendous amount of pride to be able to help them.”

He’s pointing to the 2010 games in Vancouver, BritishColumbia. “Everything we’ve done,” he says, “is aimed atbuilding the best bobsled in the world for our guys. It’sreally exciting.”

The Blue Devils finished 25th in the National SoccerCoaches Association of America/adidas rankings and 30thin the College Soccer News national poll. CCSU finishedahead of such traditional national powers as Duke,Harvard, Virginia and DePaul after an improbable lateseason surge made Green’s squad the first CCSU team inany sport to make the “Sweet 16” of an NCAA Division Itournament.

With just a 2-8-2 record after their first dozen games ofthe season, the Blue Devils played “near perfect” soccerthe rest of the way. All-North Atlantic Region stars YanKlukowski and David Tyrie led CCSU to a nine-gameunbeaten streak which included the Northeast Conferencetitle and a pair of 3-2 post-season triumphs over heavilyfavored Harvard and Tulsa, before losing to UMass in thenational quarter-finals.

You can’t blame Green, who survived a near-fatal heartattack two years ago, for being one of the happiest coachesin the country.

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Phil Kurze ‘72, left,and John Morgan ‘72.


P O R T SS

It started as a negative. Famed former NASCAR driverGeoff Bodine watched the U.S. Olympic Bobsled Team do sobadly at the 1994 winter games in Lillehammer, Norway,the former Daytona 500 winner simply couldn’t fathom howit could happen. He reasoned the American team had thecoaching and the athletes to contend for a medal. Some -thing else must be lacking. That something, he reasonedcorrectly, was competitive equipment.

He told the disappointed USA bobsledders he was going tobuild them a cutting edge sled that would all but ensurebetter results. There was, however, a slight problem.Bodine was one of the world’s best drivers, but he knew vir-tually nothing about bobsleds. That’s where a couple ofCCSU alumni, Phil Kurze’72 and John Morgan ’72, came in.

Bodine partnered with Chassis Dynamics and WhelenEngineering, where Kurze is vice president of the MotorSports division. Kurze knew his old friend and formerLambda Phi Alpha fraternity brother Morgan came from along line of bobsled racers, connected the dots and the restis history. The two men hadn’t seen each other “in 30 yearsor pretty close to it,” says Kurze. But Morgan, who lives in

CCSU Friends Aim for

Rarely will you hear a coach, especially one as competitiveand demanding as CCSU’s Shaun Green (far left inphoto), say his team “achieved all the goals we set out toaccomplish at the beginning of the season.” But those werethe exact words the veteran coach used when Central’smen’s soccer team won the Northeast Conference champi-onship, made a run in the NCAA tournament and gaineda national ranking. “I truly believe our players earned thisfinal recognition," he added.

How “Sweet” it was for Men’s Soccer

Olympic Gold

Lake Placid, N.Y. and has a TV production company spe-cializing in bobsled coverage, was keen to get on board. Itdidn’t hurt that they had a mutual friend—named GeoffBodine.

Now, American bobsleds built in Oxford, Conn. under thewatchful eyes of chassis engineer extraordinaire BobCuneo and Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project President Phil Kurzeare among the best on the planet, piling up medals galorein world class competition.

Says Kurze, “There’s no salary that could equal the satis-faction I get out of this. These kids (the members of theU.S. Bobsled Team) are so dedicated, it provides atremendous amount of pride to be able to help them.”

He’s pointing to the 2010 games in Vancouver, BritishColumbia. “Everything we’ve done,” he says, “is aimed atbuilding the best bobsled in the world for our guys. It’sreally exciting.”

The Blue Devils finished 25th in the National SoccerCoaches Association of America/adidas rankings and 30thin the College Soccer News national poll. CCSU finishedahead of such traditional national powers as Duke,Harvard, Virginia and DePaul after an improbable lateseason surge made Green’s squad the first CCSU team inany sport to make the “Sweet 16” of an NCAA Division Itournament.

With just a 2-8-2 record after their first dozen games ofthe season, the Blue Devils played “near perfect” soccerthe rest of the way. All-North Atlantic Region stars YanKlukowski and David Tyrie led CCSU to a nine-gameunbeaten streak which included the Northeast Conferencetitle and a pair of 3-2 post-season triumphs over heavilyfavored Harvard and Tulsa, before losing to UMass in thenational quarter-finals.

You can’t blame Green, who survived a near-fatal heartattack two years ago, for being one of the happiest coachesin the country.

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Phil Kurze ‘72, left,and John Morgan ‘72.


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Campus Obituaries

Ruthe Wright Boyea, assistant professor of education, emeri-ta, passed away December 7, 2007 at the age of 89. A veter-an of World War II, Ruthe served as a second lieutenant andwelfare and training officer in the WAVES (Women Acceptedfor Volunteer Emergency Service). She began her career atCCSU as an assistant professor of English and, in 1977,became the administrator of the woman's center, which wasrenamed the Ruthe Boyea Women's Center upon her retire-ment from the University in 1989.

Dr. William F. Donovan Jr., professor of history and socialsciences, emeritus, died January 10, 2008 at the age of 79.Bill joined the faculty of Central Connecticut State Universityin 1955 as a professor of history and social sciences, andwas a supervisor of secondary education social sciencemajors at his retirement in 1992. Following his retirement hecontinued to serve the University as a visiting professor atEastern Mediterranean University in northern Cyprus.

Dr. Hakim A. Salahu-Din, associate vice president and chief,planning and institutional effectiveness, emeritus, died April14, 2008. Hired by CCSU in 1990, Dr. Salahu-Din had taught atboth university and public school levels. Prior to that he was inlaw enforcement and he served in the U. S. Army and MarineCorps during the Vietnam War. He retired from CCSU in 2007.

Josephine B. Wicas, assistant professor of education, emeri-ta, died September 3, 2007. Mrs. Wicas' professional careerranged from operating room nurse and Navy nurse (duringWWII) to supervisor of health in the elementary schools ofWinthrop, MA and first and second grade teacher in theGlastonbury schools. For more than 20 years she was profes-sor of elementary education at Central Connecticut StateUniversity, where she served as role model and mentor to hun-dreds of future school teachers until her retirement in 1986.

Central Connecticut State University will undergo a com-prehensive evaluation visit, October 19-22, 2008, by ateam representing the Commission on Institutions ofHigher Education of the New England Association ofSchools and Colleges.

The Commission on Institutions of Higher Education isone of eight accrediting commissions in the United Statesthat provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis.Accreditation is voluntary and applies to the institution asa whole. The Commission, which is recognized by the U.S.Department of Education, accredits approximately 200institutions in the six-state New England region.

Central Connecticut State University has been accreditedby the Commission since 1947 and was last reviewed in1998. Its accreditation by the New England Associationencompasses the entire institution.

For the past year and a half, Central Connecticut StateUniversity has been engaged in a process of self-study,addressing the Commission’s Standards for Accreditation.An evaluation team will visit the institution to gather evi-dence that the self-study is thorough and accurate. Theteam will recommend to the Commission a continuing sta-tus for the institution; following a review process, theCommission itself will take the final action.

P L E A S E C O M M E N T !

The public is invited to submit comments regarding theinstitution to:

Public Comment on Central Connecticut State UniversityCommission of Institutions of Higher EducationNew England Association of Schools and Colleges209 Burlington RoadBedford, MA 01730-1433E-mail: [email protected]

Comments must address substantive matters related tothe quality of the institution. Comments will not be treat-ed as confidential.

Written, signed comments must be received by October22, 2008. The Commission cannot guarantee that com-ments received after that date will be considered.Comments should include the name, address, and tele-phone number of the person providing the comments.

The Commission cannot settle disputes between individ-uals and institutions, whether those involve faculty, stu-dents, administrators, or members of other groups.Individuals considering submitting complaints against anaffiliated institution should request the separate Policyand Procedures for the Consideration of ComplaintsMade against Affiliated Institutions from the CommissionOffice.

Memorial gifts may be made to the CCSU Foundation, P.O. Box 612, New Britain, CT 06050

CCSU Reaccreditation Process


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Walter F. Dudding and Pauline(Anderson) Dudding, who married

on Thanksgiving Day in 1942, celebrat-ed their 65th wedding anniversary onNovember 26, 2007. Their four childrenhosted a party in their honor at theNew Jersey home of their daughter,Joan (Dudding) Brown ’74. Pauline's formerTCC classmate, roommate, and maid ofhonor, Priscilla (Tomlinson) Griffiths ’42,attended, as did the couple's childrenand their spouses, grandchildren andother relatives and friends. Paulineworked as a math teacher at NorwalkHigh School until their children wereborn. Walter was a teacher and, later,administrator at Norwalk High Schoolin a career that spanned almost fourdecades. They currently live inLakewood, NJ at Harrogate, anindepen dent life care community.

Jean (Smith) Lobaugh and MelvinLobaugh celebrated their 50th

wedding anniversary on November 2,2007 with a renewal of their vows at acandlelight ceremony. Jean taughtschool for 35 years in Ellington, NewCanaan and York Springs, PA, and, forthe last 24 years, in Vernon. She wasVernon's first Teacher of the Year.

Dr. Donald P. LaSalle, founder ofTalcott Mountain Science Center

and Academy in Avon, retired as pres -ident of the center, but remains pres -ident of its board of trustees. In 2005,LaSalle was selected to receive the pres-tigious Outstanding Profes sional Awardfrom the University of Connect icut’sNeag School of Education AlumniSociety for his vision 40 years ago todevelop a science center that wouldfocus on students involved as practicingscientists. Dr. William P. Ward, retiredsuperintendent of schools for Newing -ton, and Constance (Pappalardo) Ward,reside in Fort Lauderdale, FL andspend their summers in Quechee, VT.

Roberta (Jozwinski) Demers hasreturned to Orange, after 45

years in Massachusetts but spends win-ters in Hobe Sound, FL. An active vol-unteer with the Charles River Water -shed and the local General Federationof Women’s Clubs, she looks forward tocontinuing those interests in Florida,while wearing her red hat.

William F. Sutton MS ’69 retiredafter 43 years as an educator,

including six years in Connecticut and37 years in Montgomery County, MD

where he taught reading and worldstudies, and served as middle schoolathletic director. He resides inGaithersburg, MD.

Dr. Paul E. Bracke is a licensedclinical psychologist practicing as

a psychotherapist and executive coachin Oakland, CA.

Raymond S. Marino, an art teacherin Middletown Public Schools for

37 years, retired in July 2007 and is arealtor with William Raveis RealEstate Company in Middletown.

Atty. James H. Duzak announcesthe publication of his book,

Mid-Life Divorce and the Rebirth ofCommitment. An experienced divorcelawyer, divorce mediator, relationshipcoach, and one-time owner/operator ofa dating service, Jim practiced law formany years in the Boston area, andmost recently served as a full-timedivorce mediator for the MaricopaSuperior Court in Phoenix, AZ. Peter H.Richards retired from Nashoba RegionalSchool District in Massachusetts wherehe had been the director of athleticsand dean of students.

Joan L. Mansigian MS ’75 is theschool psychologist at Natchaug

Elementary School in Willimantic.Daniel F. Meucci is president and chiefexecutive officer of Meucci &MacGregor Associates, LLC inNewport, RI. Richard R. Roberts is a

financial services executive withMetropolitan Life in Johnson City, NY.

Gail (Jones) McClellan, along withher husband, Bob, owns and

operates the Olde Burnside BrewingCompany (brewers of “Ten Penny Ale”)in East Hartford, and is the founderand coordinator for the Pipes in theValley Celtic Music Festival held eachfall in downtown Hartford. Barbara(Shaw) McKinney is an instructionalresource teacher at Goodwin Elemen -tary School in East Hartford, and anaward-winning author of children’sbooks. Her latest is Waterwords:Rhymed and Defined. Lynn (Tata)Plummer and her business partner,John Loyer, were honored with theHME Excellence Award for TopRespiratory Provider in the Nation atthe 2007 Medtrade Exposition inOrlando, FL. The main office of theircompany, J & L Medical Services islocated in Waterbury. Lyle R. Ressler isbusiness manager at ConnecticutChildren’s Place.

Joyce (Bourassa) Frederick MS ’84,first grade teacher at Hatton

Elementary School in Southington andan artist, is Southington’s 2007-08Teacher of the Year. Kathi Libermanretired from the State of ConnecticutDepartment of Children and Families

Marriages

Anne E. Goeckler ’97, MS ’04& Phil Fischer 10/19/07

Lisa N. Frechette ’02, MS ’05& Eric Fanelli 7/13/07

Devon M. Stecker& Mark J. Ludwig ‘02 7/14/07

Jennifer A. Spada& Kevin M. Violette ’02 5/18/07

Laura J. Mikulski& Steven M. Gaber ’04 5/26/07

Kristin M. Gallant ’04& Jason R. Lehmann 6/17/07

Audra Ozols ’05& Matthew J. Gannon 11/10/07

Erin J. Mierzejewski ’06& Christopher F. Barbiero ’06 9/29/07

Karie G. Walczewski ’06& Kevin J. Sowa ’06 7/20/07

Pamela A. Clarke& Eric J. Nuzzi ’07 9/1/07

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Dr. Nancy Busk Carlson ‘70, a profes-sor of optometry at New EnglandCollege of Optometry in Boston,MA, is the first recipient of the Dr.Lester Janoff Award for WritingExcellence in Optometric Educationfor her article, written with Dr.Elizabeth Hoppe, Instilling Ethicsand Professionalism in Today¹sOptometry Students.

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and is currently resident service coor -dinator for the Wethersfield HousingAuthority. She is co-chairperson of theConnecticut Association of ResidentService Coordinators in Housing andchairperson of Wethersfield’s senioradvisory committee. Hartford State’sAttorney James E. Thomas retired afternearly 30 years as a prosecutor and 14as state’s attorney in Hartford. Jorge F.Torres is a teacher for Bridgeport PublicSchools.

Isabelle (Barth) Curtiss, specializesin the personal financial plan-

ning disciplines of retirement, qualifiedplans, estate, trusts, and personalincome tax planning in Middlebury.

John C. Ellsworth MS ’80, MS ’84,chair of the technology depart-

ment at Southington High School,founded and is director of the VintageRadio and Communications Museum ofConnecticut, which focuses on interac-tive exhibits – from early telegraphs toa TV studio where visitors are able toget in front of and behind the camera.The museum recently reopened in newquarters on Pierson Lane in Windsor.

Dr. Joseph V. Erardi, Jr. MS ’86, aveteran educator and former

superintendent of Watertown PublicSchools, has been appointed superin-tendent of Southington Public Schools.Dr. Lori A. Seward has been promoted toprofessor of speech and theatre atSouth Georgia College in Douglas, GA,where she lives with husband, Dr.Michael Fisher. The Berlin Board ofEducation appointed Debra (Sheard)Thibault MS ’83 as literacy coordinator.Previously, she had a 28-year career asa Spanish teacher at Irving RobbinsMiddle School in Farmington. She isalso an adjunct instructor of graduatecourses in developmental reading andadolescent literature at the Universityof Bridgeport. Howard W. Wessenberg Jr.retired from the Connecticut vocationaltechnical system, having taught Eng-lish, history and related sciences atWilcox Technical School in Meriden forthe last 21 years. He was also a basket-ball official and worked field control forthe Yale University football team.Howard and his wife have relocated toCasco, ME.

James M. Masotti is vice presidentof commercial engines and serv-

ices for Asia and the Pacific for UnitedTechnologies Corporation at Pratt &

Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford.Diane Overman is an applications pro-grammer for Western HighlandsNetwork in Asheville, NC.

Richard A. Collins is a regulatorycompliance and product devel -

opment manager, certified insurancecounselor, and charter property andcasualty underwriter with AdmiralInsurance Company in Stamford. Heand Cheri (Miller) Collins ’81, a teacher atShelton Intermediate School, and theirson live in Newtown. William J. Tryonwas named manager of investor andpublic relations for Rogers Corporationin Rogers, CT. He is president andchairman of the board for FedconCredit Union. Edward B. Walsh is exec -utive director-national of the AmericanSociety of Professional Estimatorslocated in Alexandria, VA.

Joseph H. Greenier was nameddirector of engineering at Saint

Francis Hospital and Medical Center inHartford.

Karen (Plover) Brust MSOM ’91,finance director and treasurer for

the San Diego County Water Authoritysince 1998, was appointed city manager

of Del Mar, CA. Ronald V. Divinere ispresident and co-owner of KeyTech, aninformation technology staffing and con-sulting business in Hartford. Thomas H.Dougherty is an attorney practicing inPalm Beach Gardens, FL. Michael A.McBride is the curator and site admin -istrator at the Henry Whitfield StateMuseum in Guilford. He and Michelle M.M. McBride BA ’01, MA ’06, a preventionassociate with the Connecticut Councilon Problem Gambling, reside inWallingford with their three children.Dean C. Pagani was promoted to seniorvice president of public relations andpublic affairs at the media relationsfirm of Cashman+Katz in Glastonbury.Jeffrey P. Steinmiller (MS) is director ofthe Overman Student center atPittsburg State University in Pittsburg,KS, where he lives with his wife,Kathleen, and their two sons.

Linda (Heyne) Moschitto relocatedfrom Farmington to live at a

private airport in Carefree, AZ and isworking as a realtor. Regina M. Walsh(MS) is group home director for GileadCommunity Services, Inc. at AnchorageLane Therapeutic Group Home in OldSaybrook.

Joseph Coco, CPA joinedFederman, Lally & Remis LLC in

Farmington as a tax manager. Pre -viously he was with Blum Shapiro and,before that, with United Technologies.

Ginette (Gosselin) Ferszt ’74, an asso-ciate professor and coordinator ofthe graduate program in psychi-atric mental health nursing at theUniversity of Rhode Island,received the 10th annual Russell E.Dixon Volunteer of the Year awardfrom the Rhode Island Departmentof Corrections at its annual volun-teer appreciation and recognitionceremony. She brings her experi-ence as a bereavement therapist tothe female prison population on analmost weekly basis, co-facilitatingsupport groups for grieving and,more recently, pregnant women.

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Patricia A. Rado ‘74 was appointedpresident and chief operating offi-cer of the American StockExchange, responsible for manag-ing the operations and growth ofAmex’s businesses. Rado retired inJanuary 2007 from her job as chiefaccounting officer at the energycompany Public Service EnterpriseGroup Inc.


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Frederick J. Jortner, Sr. is a pro-duction scheduler for Arkema,Inc., manufacturer of diversifiedchemicals, in Kensington.

Jason J. Beaudin MS ’94, 6thYr ’99, veteran educator

and, most recently, assistantprincipal at Conard High Schoolin West Hartford, is the newprincipal of Avon High School.He and Sara Beaudin (MS ’99),reside in Avon with their threesons. Kristin (Olson) Blackburn iscost manager–notebooks for HewlettPackard in Houston, TX. Michael R.Blezard, CPA, CVA, is the partner incharge of business valuation services atPue, Chick, Leibowitz & Blezard LLCin Vernon. Michael and Michelle(Miclette) Blezard ’86 live in SouthWindsor. Laura (Van Steenburgh)Marchese is a major gifts fundraiserfor the School of Education andProfessional Studies at CCSU. Dr.Christopher Rickard is a chiropracticphysician at the Advanced Back &Neck Center in Bridgeport. Rickard isalso an adjunct professor of adjustivetechnique at the University ofBridgeport and is pursuing a post-doc-toral degree in chiropractic sports med-icine. In 2002 Dr. Rickard was honoredwith the Alumni of the Year Awardfrom Western States ChiropracticCollege in Portland, OR for hisvolunteer work at Ground Zero.

The Connecticut ScienceTeachers Association honored

Janice A. Mooney-Frank (MS) as ScienceTeacher of the Year. She teaches atThomas Edison Magnet Middle Schoolin Meriden. Steven E. Grahn was promot-ed to vice president at TD BanknorthInsurance Agency, Inc. and is responsi-ble for claims with the FutureCompWorkers Compensation TPA Divisionbased in Springfield, MA, overseeingclaims operations throughout all ofNew England.

Joseph C. Balskus was promotedto associate at Tighe & Bond,

Inc., a firm specializing in environmen-tal engineering. A registered profes-sional engineer in Connecticut and anationally certified professional trafficoperations engineer, he manages trans-portation and land development proj-ects for corporate, institutional, govern-ment and casino clientele. Christina M.Divigard moved from Hartford to

London, UK as part of an ING Grouptransfer and is now responsible forglobal communications for ING’s spon-sorship and involvement in Formula 1racing. William T. Donahue was appoint-ed president of Trust Company ofConnecticut, a division of NewAllianceBank. Donahue has been with TrustCompany of Connecticut for sevenyears and previously held positionswith the Bank of New York andConnecticut National Bank. Thomas E.Rubino is manufacturing coordinator atCovidien, a healthcare devices and sup-plies company.

Kellyann Chester-Ouellette, privatewoodwind instructor and owner

and founder of the Flute Institute andOther Woodwinds, now has studios inEast Hartford and Agawam, MA, inaddition to the first studio, whichopened in Vernon 10years ago. Theresa Drouinis an associate accountsexaminer for the Stateof Connecticut Depart -ment of Education inHartford. Thomas C.Hutton is general manag-er, responsible forstrategic and tacticalleadership in the devel-opment, validation,assembly and test ofcommercial and militaryaircraft engines at Prattand Whitney EngineCenter in EastHartford. Charlene D.Keeler MS ’04 is grouphome manager andchief therapist forGilead CommunityServices, Inc. atAnchorage LaneTherapeutic GroupHome in Old Saybrook.Patricia A. Stamidis MS ’96

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Pedro W. Douglas MSOM ’95 & Vladimir S. Voroneanu: a son, Bogdan Ami Douglas-VoroneanuLinda (Garofalo) ’92 & Joseph B. Brannan: a daughter, Isabella NicoleTammy (Hansen) ’94 & Chad E. Valk ’94: a daughter, Madison GraceCharise Floyd-Pickering ’96 & Carl Pickering: a son, Kyle JohnKatherine (Waleski) ’91 & William Roland, Jr.: a daughter, Claire EstelleErin (Morgan) ’98 & Kevin C. Gerstbrein ’98: a daughter, Emma NoelGayle (Knobe) ’98 & Adam Kuhr: a son, Jack NathanielEmily (Stone) ’98 & Steven J. Westerberg ’97: a son, Paul JohnMichelle (Mallett) ’01 & Michael McBride ’83: twins – Colleen Claire and Thomas JonathanJennifer (Rathbun) ’02 & Timothy Guernsey ’01: a son, Avery Robert

New Arrivals (Births/Adoptions)

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Veteran educator Joan E. Hurley ’90 MS ’97, a third-grade teacher at the University of HartfordMagnet School, is the Connecticut Teacher of theYear for 2007-2008. School principal Penny Jojinsaid “(Joan) Hurley goes beyond the traditionalrole of a teacher, taking the time to learn aboutthe interests, strengths and weaknesses of eachstudent. She has maximized the potential of eventhe most challenging students.”

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Bob M

acDonnell -- T

he Hartford C

ourant

is a Connecticut state school principalwith the Department of CorrectionsUnified School District #1.

John Bairos is manager for gov-ernment and community rela-

tions at Comcast. Karen (Moore) Kenneyis a vocational rehabilitation assistantfor Met Life Disability.

Glenn D. Piasecki MS ’97 began anew position as import/export

compliance specialist at GoodrichEngine Control Systems in WestHartford. David A. Plant is associate cre-ative director at TracyLocke in Wilton.“When not teaching eight-year-old girlsthe intricacies of the off-sides rule ofsoccer or collecting vinyl records fromthe 60s, 70s and 80s, I work on PepsiBrand, Pepsi Brand Activation, SierraMist, SoBe, Ice Breakers andMastercard.”

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William J. Coyle is director offinance and operations at Palm

Beach Day Academy in Palm Beach,FL. Clifford A. Rankin, CPA is a managerwith the Farmington firm of Harper &Whitfield, P.C. John-Paul Roczniak isassociate vice president for principalgiving at the University of ArizonaFoundation in Tucscon, AZ. Richard B.Stewart is a teacher for GwinnettCounty Public Schools in Lawrence ville,GA. Mark A. Terranova is a senior graphicdesigner at Bertz Design Group. Eric R.Wahl is global manager for project andportfolio management for NXP Semi -conductors in San Jose, CA.

Gregg M. Angelillo is regional mar-keting director for Lincoln

Financial Distributors in Philadelphia,PA. Lisa M. Bourque, CLTC is a financialplanner for Barnum Financial Group inShelton. She earned a masters degreein business administration at SacredHeart University where she was induct-ed into the Epsilon Chapter of DeltaMu Delta (National Honor Society inBusiness Administration). Carol(Campbell) Daly is a senior underwritingconsultant for Aetna in Middletown.John P. Loughran is accounting managerat Sun Life Financial in Windsor. RaghuM. Nandan (MS) is a project manager atAmerican SuperConductor, Inc. inWestborough, MA. Rev. John M. Santoneis associate pastor at St. Paul Churchin Glastonbury.

Shawn A. Anderson (MS) is dean ofstudent services at Minnesota

State Community and TechnicalCollege in Moorhead, MN. Charlene(Curtiss) Corbett is a student minister atUCC First Church in Windsor and ispursuing a Master of Divinity degree atAndover-Newton Theological School inNewton, MA. CareGuide, a total popu-lation health management company,announced the appointment of Daniel M.Galdenzi as senior vice president andchief information officer. Dan was mostrecently assistant vice president ofinformation technology at MetropolitanLife, and prior to that spent sevenyears at ConnectiCare, Inc. as directorof ebusiness and application develop-ment. Syed S. Jameel is accountingsupervisor for Field Aviation Company,Inc. in Mississauga, ON, Canada.Michele C. James is an accountant forZeta Beta Tau Fraternity, Inc. Robert J.Kane, Republican councilman fromWatertown, won a special election to fill

the state senate seat in the 32nd dis-trict. Jean M. Kostak (MSOM) joined theUniversity of Connecticut HealthCenter in Farmington as its diabeteseducation specialist. A former football,basketball and track athlete atStoneham High School in Stoneham,MA, David P. Pignone is the new health,physical education and athletic directorat SHS, his alma mater. Gregg W. Riccois the founder and president of GWRSearch Group in Southport (Fairfield),a personnel placement firm workingwith investment banks, hedge fundsand private equity funds.

John K. Bundy is senior projectengineer for Space & Sea

Systems International at HamiltonSundstrand in Windsor Locks. Pedro W.Douglas (MS) is associate vice presidentfor student affairs at California StateUniversity in Chico, CA. Lynne Ewing isa quality mentor at ADP in Jackson -ville, FL. Jason D. Newman, CPA is amember of the Farmington firm ofKostin, Ruffkess & Company, LLC.

Ndidi Susan Emeagwali was namedmanaging editor of Techniques

Magazine, published by the Virginia-based Association for Career and Tech -nical Education. Todd H. Grimes is anexperienced animator and co-founder ofEvil Plan Studios with T. J. Sullivan ’96.Todd’s production credits include:Barnyard: The Original Party Animalsfeature film, Hershey’s Really Big 3DShow stereoscopic ride, FoodFight! fea-ture film, Edward Fudwupper FibbedBig and Butt Ugly Martians. Todd iscurrently working as a director on theBarnyard TV series. TJ is a directorwith O Entertainment Productions inSan Juan Capistrano, CA. Todd andKelly (Clark) Grimes 2000 reside in RanchoSanta Margarita, CA. William J. Halla isa manufacturing engineer for GrositePrecision Components in Farmington.Brenden M. Healy, CPA is a tax managerfor Haggett Longobardi in Glastonbury.Barbara (Zembrzuski) Powell and her hus-band, Nathan, moved to Keller, TXwhere she began a job as senior soft-ware quality assurance specialist withthe Tarrant County government in FortWorth, TX.

Judith (Page) Barry is district salescoordinator for Aflac Insurance

Company in Portland. Christopher L.Dukes, university judicial officer atCCSU, was selected to serve as the

assistant director of the 2008 Associa -tion for Student Judicial Affairs DonaldD. Gehring Academy for StudentConduct Administration. Eric A. EatonMS ’03 teaches social studies at A. I.Prince Technical High School inHartford. Dr. Gregory J. Mizera (MS) is alecturer for the Department of Linguis -tics at the University of Pittsburgh inPittsburgh, PA. Jennifer Bruce Montaltojoined Avid Inc., an East Hartford-based marketing agency, as senior artdirector. Kimberly A. Timpany is associatedirector of leadership development atVirginia Polytechnic Institute andState University (Virginia Tech) inBlacksburg, VA. Michael P. Wolak is thenew executive director at the Rose CitySenior Center in Norwich, where hehas been the program administrator forthe past seven years.

Gayle (Knobe) Kuhr is relationshipmanager at ADP in Stamford.

Bruce D. Seymour is executive producerfor Fitter Happier Films whichproduced the movie A New Wave,starring John Krasinski, filmed inConnecticut.

Michael L. Cerullo is assistantoffensive line coach for the New

Orleans Saints. Hillary (Gordon) Foster isan education officer for the Ministry ofEducation in Montego Bay, Jamaica.John A. McDonald III is a materials man-ager at Pratt & Whitney in Atlanta,GA. Brian S. Montanari (MBA) is the

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Daniel B. Rouillard ‘03, was featuredin a story about rising stars in thefaculty of New York City publicschools in the December 2007issue of Esquire magazine. Dan isa science teacher at the HighSchool for Arts, Imagination andInquiry in Manhattan, and wasnominated by his principal.

By perm

ission of Esquire

Magazine. ©

The H

earst Corp.


Institute. Jodi M. Briggs is associatedirector of alumni relations atWorcester Polytechnic Institute inWorcester, MA. Rebecca Hamel is agraphic designer with A La CarteAcquisitions in West Hartford. Dr.JoEllen (Blunt) Sefton (MS) is an assis-tant professor in the Department ofKinesiology at Auburn University inAuburn, GA. Kathleen J. Weber is salesmanager for the Hilton Garden Innand Homewood Suites in Glastonbury.

Lisa Aschenbrenner is a microbiol-ogist with the U. S. Department

of Agriculture at Plum Island AnimalDisease Center in Orient Point, NY.Mary Frederickson earned a Master ofEducation in College Student Affairs atAzusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA.Sarah F. Kluge is an academic advisor at

1927Grace Lawlor Keilty 7/25/07Mildred Nahum Nossal 8/12/07

1928Olga Srogi Kaufman 11/9/07

1932Katherine Ambot Urban 10/2/07

1933Catherine Casey Stecchini 6/7/00

1935Daisy E. Kerr 11/17/07Mary Smedley O’Connell 7/8/07

1937Rosalind Schaefer Savitsky 9/18/03Beatrice Cohn Tamaren 3/5/07

1938Dorothy Cann Bennett 7/28/07Thomas L. Carroll 10/27/07

1939Sylvia Phelps Klecak 9/7/07Bernadine O’Donnell 8/31/07

1940Margaret D. Cenci 9/22/07Rhoda Anderson Ingram 5/4/07

1941Frank R. Carter 9/15/07Ruth J. Straub 10/26/07Leonard R. Tice 9/2/17

1942Merle Greiner Marlatt 9/29/05Herbert H. Wilber, Jr. 6/26/04Benjamin J. Zajac 9/25/07

1943Ann Cooke Coy 5/1/05

1946Betty Jane Petts Basile 7/29/07Robert J. Harrington 7/11/07

1948Catherine Kurys Leiner 9/29/07

1949Shirley Steinmiller Roche 8/30/07

1950James S. Salafia 9/9/07

1954Harry Grossman 9/22/07Donald E. MacCormack 12/9/07

1956Beatrice Coviello Adamson 5/11/07

1959Jeanne Bireley Arcuni 5/28/07

1960Ruthe Wright Boyea 12/7/07

1961Andrew Goulis 9/29/03Ruth A. Urban 8/25/07

1963Dorothy White Leonard 8/12/07Laurence R. Raber 1/6/08

1964Nicholas J. Moran 1/31/08Edward L. Ward 11/10/07

1966Marjorie Brunjes Dolinsky 10/12/07

1967Louise Garland Berry 1/16/08Raymond V. Crothers 2/28/08Anne Gaffney Richter 1/10/08

1969Kathleen Novak Reichler 10/12/07

1970Carol Allen Bloomquist 9/19/07John P. Bonaventure 7/18/07Marcia A. Maglisco 10/8/07

1971Roger A. Lewis 6/22/07Thomas F. Potter 10/13/07

1972James N. Barlow 10/9/07Robert J. Garvey 8/14/07Susan Wheeler Riggar 4/12/07Linda M. Wo ike-Shea 7/21/07

1973Jane Haddad Dressler 9/1/06Eileen Carey Kowal 11/4/07

1974Russell E. Andrews 8/24/07

1975Camille DelPrincipe Brayton 10/28/07Glenn T. Davis 1975William A. Foran 8/9/06Mary Klapatah 12/19/06

1978Christian Arndt 9/25/04Anthony L. Giannattasio 10/28/07Elizabeth A. McKenna 8/6/07

1979Alice Serbek Dyson 7/6/06Patrick F. Mattera 12/22/05Richard D. McLelland 12/31/2007

1983Rebecca A. Roy 11/3/07

1984Kenneth J. Donahue 12/20/06

1988Margaret Dwen Andrews 8/4/07

1992William A. Neptin 8/14/07

1993Eric M. Taylor 9/27/07

1996Bernice Jones Fazzina 10/8/07

1998F. Jacques von Schneden 10/27/07

2006Susan Vallancourt 5/2/06

2007James J. Leclerc 12/28/07

In Memoriam

Memorial gifts may be made to theCCSU Foundation

P.O. Box 612New Britain, CT 06050

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newly appointed chief operating officerat HABCO Inc., designer and manufac-turer of ground support equipment andtest stands for military and commercialaircraft, in Glastonbury. Andrea R. St.John is assistant principal at SherwoodElementary School in Olney, MD.

Sonia (Faria) Betz is the recordsclerk for the Wethersfield Police

Department. Melody T. Cummings isemployed as a correctional counselor forthe Hampden County Sheriffs Depart -ment in Ludlow, MA. Jennifer (Zenobi)Sexton is a supervisor at Simi one Macca& Larrow LLP in Rocky Hill.

Gregory J. Darin MS ’05 was hiredas a technology educator at the

newly-opened Oxford High School inOxford, after teaching at WoodlandRegional High School in Beacon Falls

since 2002. Timothy R. W. Guernsey teach-es health and physical education and isthe head varsity volleyball coach andassistant baseball coach at RHAMHigh School in Hebron. He and Jennifer(Rathbun) Guernsey ’02 and their son livein Franklin, and Jennifer teaches thirdgrade at Hebron Elementary School.Christopher J. Mientus moved to BeaverDam, WI to be the choir director atWayland Academy. Thomas C. Perrine(MS) is a counselor with Fulton County(GA) Schools, and assistant varsitylacrosse coach for Roswell High Schoolin Roswell, GA where he lives with hiswife and their two children.

Michael A. Bozzi was named pro-gram manager in the marketing

department at Rensselaer at Hartford,a branch of Rensselaer Polytechnic

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Stony Brook University inStony Brook, NY. FernandoF. Mendoza is assistantdirector of student life andleadership development onthe C. W. Post campus ofLong Island University inBrookville, NY.

Brian J. Bigelow(MBA) is payroll

manager at the Universityof Chicago Medical Centerin Chicago, IL. Daniel S.Boothby is program directorof the Dan BoothbyPerformance Center inNorth Andover, MA andDan Boothby PerformanceTraining in Kennebunk,ME. He has served as thedirector of player develop-ment for the NortheasternUniversity men’s andwomen’s hockey teamssince July 2006. Jeanine S.Cephas is the microbiologist

for the Eastern Water Purification Plant at the Houston (TX) PublicWorks and Engineering Department. Danielle L. Cusson is a realtor withWilliam Raveis Real Estate. Christopher M. Roy is a claims adjuster forTravelers Insurance in Hartford. Milaim Tahiri (MA) is a developmentalmathematics instructor at Manchester Community College.

Agnes L. Bates was sworn in to the U.S. Foreign Service and iscurrently serving as office management specialist to the U. S.

Ambassador to Estonia. Alicia (Howard) Gonzalez is a project manager atUNAPEN Inc. in Wallingford, a consulting and software developmentfirm for asset managers in the financial services industry. Shannon M.Lumley is an assistant account manager at Keiler & Company, a mar-keting communications firm in Farmington. Phong S. Nguyen is an ITanalyst at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford. Bryant V. O’Neill is a ticketsales representative for the New Haven County Cutters Baseball inWest Haven. Dale N. Sandilands is a financial advisor for AmeripriseFinancial in Norwalk. Aaron R. Underwood is a financial advisor forWaddell & Reed in Hartford.

Gayle E. Cvengros is an accountant with Pue, Chick, Leibowitz &Blezard, LLC in Vernon.

UpcomingEvents

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Thomas X. Brodnitzki MS ‘03, MS ‘07(left), a social studies teacher at theMetropolitan Learning Center inBloomfield, is the recipient of aNational Educator Award from theMilken Family Foundation. A checkfor $25,000 was presented by MilkenFamily Foundation ChairmanLowell Milken at the 2008 MilkenFamily Foundation NationalEducation conference in LosAngeles, CA on March 30, 2008.

07

Grid i ron EventsMid-Season Update DinnerMonday, October 66:00 pmConstitution Room, Memorial HallCCSU campus

50 th Reunion Class of 1958 Saturday, September 27

HomecomingSaturday, October 18ReunionsMorning Fun Run11:30 am BarbequeKids Activities1:00 pm Football GameCCSU vs DuquesneAfter Game Party

CT BESTRobot ics Compet i t ionJust P lane CrazySunday, October 198:30 – 3:30 pmDetrick Gym – CCSU

55 th ReunionClass of 1953 Saturday, October 25

ENews is the CCSU Alumni Association’s monthly electronic newsletterfor alumni & friends. It provides up-to-the-minute news from CCSU and theassociation, including events, membership benefits, club gatherings andcampus goings-on. Sign up for the CCSU Alumni Association monthlyENews at www.ccsu.edu/Alumni/ENews.htm.

Join the CCSU Alumni Group on the LinkedIn professional online network at:

www.linkedin.comYou will need a free LinkIn account to join.

Information/ReservationsContact the Office of Alumni Affairs

phone: (860) 832-1740website: www.ccsu.edu/alumni


ill Panetta’s career took him and his wife, Patty’71, away from Connecticut. But it never took them awayfrom CCSU. They’ve never forgotten what they owe theUniversity.

For starters, they met at Central. Bill ’69 is from LongIsland, while Patty grew up in Bridgeport. He was a busi-ness education major, and she majored in history and socialstudies.

Soon after completing his MBA degree at UConn, in1973, Bill found employment in Pratt & Whitney’s humanresources department in East Hartford. He also found a wayto remain connected to Central. “I was in a collaborationprogram with Central, working with the very early offeringsof the industrial technology program,” he recalls. “Webrought a number of interns into our Southington plant, andCentral had prepared them well. It was a good fit.” Thatprogram remains in place to this day.

While Bill was establishing his career at Pratt, Pattyworked as a classroom teacher and adult literacy volunteerbefore the Panettas started their family. Their two sons arenow adults. Patrick is an architect at Arizona StateUniversity and Kevin is a convention planner in Chicago.

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDNEW BRITAIN, CTPERMIT NO. 939

Central Focus1615 Stanley StreetNew Britain, CT 06050-4010

R E T U R N S E R V I C E R E Q U E S T E D

In 1990, Bill accepted a position as vice president ofhuman resources with Pratt’s Government Engine andSpace Propulsion Operations division in West Palm Beach,Fla., where his responsibilities included recruitment andexecutive development. He was there eight years. Then, in1998, he became director of human resources developmentat United Technologies’ corporate headquarters in Hartford,where he continued to recruit talented Central graduatesuntil his retirement last March.

Both Panettas are grateful for the education theyreceived at Central. And when they returned to the NutmegState a decade ago one of the first things they did was toreestablish ties with their alma mater.

“Central afforded me a topnotch education and friend-ships that still sustain me today,” says Patty, who now vol-unteers as a tutor for Adult Basic Education and GED stu-dents at the Helping Our Mothers Through Education(H.O.M.E.) program in Hartford. A docent at the Butler-McCook House and Garden Museum in Hartford, sheearned a master’s degree in Theology at Holy ApostlesSeminary, in Cromwell in 2001. As chairperson of theWomen of Hope Ministry at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parishin Hartford, she strives to raise awareness of women’sissues through education, prayer and advocacy.

“I attended Central on a scholarship,” she says, “and soI want to help other students have the benefit of the manyexcellent programs Central offers. At Butler-McCook a num-ber of our interns and guides have been Central studentsand our new house tour coordinator is a recent Central gradwith a master’s in History.”

“Patty and I have become more active in supportingalumni and fundraising activities,” says Bill, who is alsovery active in programs at St. Patrick-St. Anthony. “I wasone of the early graduates of the business administrationprogram. It provided a very solid base and footing for myacceptance and enrollment in a fulltime MBA program.These educational experiences contributed significantly tomy 35-year career with UTC.”

B

Bill ’69 and Patty ’71 PanettaA d v o c a t e s , V o l u n t e e r s , D o n o r s


STEMmingtheTide - CCSU

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