Campus Ambassador If you've been to the red information booth at the entrance to the campus and been greeted by a young man with a winning smile, you may have already met Paul Ferrer. Paul, who hails from Stony Point, N.Y., enrolled in the University's College of Arts and Sciences because of his interest in biology and chemistry. When he's not immersed in his studies, he can be found playing intramural soccer or working as one of the new University Ambassadors, a group of students who staff the Information Center and assist the many visitors who come to the University daily. They are usually the first contact a guest has upon arrival on campus. Enjoying his "ambassadorship," Paul says, "I've always liked to help people." He's particularly interested in the high school students and their parents who come to visit the campus. "Choosing a college is a very important decision," he says, "and aiding in that process is great."

Nurturing Network Sophia Marsh Robinson is determined to earn her bachelor's degree in four years, even though she works full time as an administrative assistant at The Phoenix. She enrolled this summer in Hartford College for Women's Academic Express, a program for mature students in which HCW has reconfigured the conventional 14-week semester into seven-week terms offered during the evening and on weekends. Originally from Jamaica, she graduated from Newington (Conn.) High School and has been married for six years to Steve, who has been a tremendous source of encouragement and support for her. The Phoenix has helped out, too, providing some tuition assistance. Sophia says her experience at HCW has been "great -- the whole environment has been nurturing." The professors have been very "accommodating and caring," she says. "They want you to learn." A seven-week term can be quite intense, but "when you've made up your mind that this is what you want to do, nothing will deter you," Sophia says. She plans to enroll in the Barney School of Business after she completes her two years at HCW.

Famous on Arrival Fame followed Erica Geller to the University of Hartford. She was already famous in her home town of Cherry Hill, N.J., because she was one of several students chosen by the NBC affiliate television station in Philadelphia for a story on the transition from high school to college. Crews from the station followed her during her last weeks in high school and taped her graduation. They then followed her to the University and filmed her activities on her first weekend on campus, as she registered for classes, moved into her room, and attended the pool party for freshmen. A vocal music education major at The Hartt School, Erica auditioned for acceptance at Hartt in February. Though none of her family has studied music except her sister, who played flute in high school, she says her parents have been very supportive of her musical focus. She has played clarinet since the fourth grade and sang in elementary school choruses before beginning voice lessons as a sophomore in high school. In addition to being the first music major, she is also the first in her family to go to the UofH. After graduation, she wants to be an elementary school music teacher. "So far the course demands are kind of crazy, but not as bad as I thought they would be," says Erica. "The professors are great, and I have time to work out and hang around with my friends."

Brotherly Footsteps When he chose to come to the University of Hartford, John Garry, of Waterbury, Conn. was following in the footsteps of his two brothers, Michael ('92) and Robert ('91). Because he also wanted to go to college close to home but far enough away to give him a little independence, the decision seemed to make sense. In his choice of majors he is also following in familial footsteps. His father is a teacher in Southington, one uncle is a principal, and both brothers teach fifth grade. John is an elementary education major in the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions. "Half my family is in teaching, and in my early high school years I was not interested in the profession because of that," says John. "But my mother told me to do what I liked, and I decided I liked working with kids. It keeps me young." John is also on the UofH cross country team, having run track events since his freshman year in high school. He says the time requirements for his class work so far have been more than he expected, but the professors have been very helpful.

Finding Resonance When Casey Hitt's high school guidance director in Gaithersburg, Md., told her about the Acoustics and Music program at the University's College of Engineering, she was definitely interested. After a phone conversation with Bob Celmer '78, professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Acoustics and Music program, she knew that this was the place for her. A saxophonist, she heard from her band director that the University also had a strong music school, which made the decision even easier. The Acoustics and Music curriculum is one of the University's most rigorous. Successful applicants must have the math and science background required of all engineering students as well as pass the entrance requirements of The Hartt School, including an audition. "It's unique," Casey says of the program. "You can't get it anywhere else." She says she is impressed with how the program has been designed and by the dedication and enthusiasm of the faculty.

French Business Erik Rugar, from Suffield, Conn., took a lot of foreign language courses, particularly French, in high school, so he wanted to combine that knowledge with some kind of business studies. A major in international studies at the Barney School of Business presented the ideal solution. Erik already knew the University of Hartford campus quite well when he arrived this year. His mother had earned her master's degree in education here in 1991. When Erik was about 8 years old, he remembers exploring Auerbach Hall on many afternoons while his mother was tutoring UofH students. So far he's pleased with his decision to return to such familiar surroundings. "My classes are good, and I have plenty of time to do my homework and play soccer," says Erik. He is a member of the Hawks soccer team. "I've been playing soccer my entire life," he notes.

Technical Man When you're known as "Computer Mike," you can expect to be in demand in today's culture. Mike McCarthy, an electrical engineering technology major at Ward College of Technology, held that moniker at home in Rochester, N.Y., where he was a lighting designer and technical director in high school for three years. He had been in charge of the gymnatorium stage for productions in elementary school from the time he was in second grade. He also built a TV studio in high school and put on a weekly show. He will continue working as a technician and color communications manager for his old high school in the summer. "I always loved electronics," says Mike. He has brought this love to the University, where he is working as a technician for the Gray Conference Center and the UofH TV Studio, while volunteering for Lincoln Theater, where he hopes to get a job as a stagehand. He oversees the lighting and sound system for all events held in Wilde Auditorium. As part of his TV studio job, he also does some work with STN 2, the campus TV station. "I work nights a lot now," he says. Mike had five colleges to choose from after high school, but Ward sent him the first information packet, and UofH grant and scholarship offers settled it. "When I toured here, I felt the campus was lovely, and I liked the TV studio," says Mike. "The one thing I find disappointing is that there is no hockey team – I love hockey."

From Hartford High to Hillyer A graduate of Hartford Public High School and a lifelong resident of the city, Eulalia Garcia liked what she heard about the University of Hartford from her guidance counselor and several of her friends who are students here. "My experience at Hillyer College has been great so far," Eulalia says. She is impressed by all of her professors, but the ones she likes the most are Richard Lugli, associate professor of government; Richard Koch, adjunct faculty in history; Katharine Delventhal, assistant professor of art history; and English Prof. Sandra Katz. Eulalia has many interests, including writing, singing, cooking and playing sports, especially softball and soccer. She is happy to have found a job working in the equipment room of the Sports Center. She's also looking forward to becoming involved in campus clubs and organizations and says she particularly enjoys helping people. She plans to major in criminal justice.

Graphic Tennis It was by design, or perhaps more accurately, for design, that Pedja Zdravkovic chose to come to the University of Hartford. Joining the men's tennis team has been a major benefit for the Hawks, but the prevailing reason Pedja chose the UofH was the strong graphic design program at the Hartford Art School. "It is a gamble to play tennis for a living," says Pedja. "I wanted to have another profession, and after I graduate from the UofH, I will have good graphic design skills." The tall (6-foot-5-inch), lanky (162 lbs.) Serbian was ranked the number one tennis player in Yugoslavia in the under 18 age group before he graduated from high school. As the number one player for the Hawks, he has a 5-1 record in singles play so far. "I started playing tennis at the age of 13 at my father's tennis club in Belgrade," says Pedja. "My dad, a race car driver, owned a tennis club, so I had access to the courts. My parents never pushed me into it, as many do. They left it up to me. If I wanted to get out on the courts, fine." "My life here is school and tennis," says Pedja. "The classes are long, and then I play tennis and go home and drop into bed. I was in a high school for the arts in Belgrade, studying industrial design, so I am already familiar with foundations, but in painting the concentration here is on abstract art, while my experience in Belgrade was more realism, so that is new."