Sorry to read in your September issue about an alumnus who's employed by a notorious animal abuser. The Ringling Brothers Circus uses circus slaves -- animals -- in its acts. These creatures lead miserable lives. The only type (of) circus a humane person should patronize is one that features human acts only.
Tom Ramsdell '69

Of late revamped, The Observer further fetches back the days of my youth: it bears an uncanny resemblance, especially graphically, to Highlights for Children magazine.
George M. Dzugan '83

After being an enthusiastic rah-rah in high school belonging to every club imaginable, I quickly caught on as a U-Ha '70 class member that it was cool to be a non-member. Apathy was in. Oh, we reacted to Kent State and Vietnam, but as far as joining anything, it was easy being apathetic. You didn't have to do anything. Each time I get The Observer (by the way, great new look!), I'd search for information about professors and friends. Rarely does 1970 get mentioned. Definitely not my circle of friends. I thought of writing in when I got married six years ago but alas, I didn't. I bought the alumni directory and considered contacting some of my ol' cronies but alas, I didn't. So I wonder. That wonder motivates me to write this (if you choose to print it). Toni Onorato, Pat Madden, Ellen Malkin, Marlene Rosenfeld, Jackie Rosenfield, Paul Ferst, Richie Roberts. Where are you? I appeal to my fellow classmates to let yourselves be heard. What's up?
Ivy Winters Mansky '70

They go to the University of Hartford, they graduate from the University, and they leave the University. They are very important to this institution, yet some students don't appreciate or even know who they are. They are our alumni. The Student Alumni Association (SAA) is embarking this year on a mission to establish or reestablish communication between students on campus and UofH alumni, and, where communication already exists, to increase it significantly. Starting places for this endeavor are, logically, the campus organizations that are devoted to communication. These clubs include The Informer newspaper, Channel 2 television, WSAM radio, and the ICON yearbook. The SAA is also suggesting meetings between the original crews of Channel 2 and WSAM and the present memberships. Rob Desario, general manager of WSAM, was interested in the idea, and members of the Channel 2 crew were excited at having the original crew observe the work of the television station and encourage anyone to stop by and watch the show. Alumni are also invited to visit the Channel 2 Web site .

Katherine Dziedzic of the ICON stated that she "absolutely feels the need" for a greater connection with alumni. The yearbook staff is, of course, always grateful for alumni patron support, but is open to other ways to connect the alumni with students through memories of campus life. Aaron Ofseyer, editor-in-chief of The Informer, stated that the newspaper is working toward greater campus involvement and more editorial content, and that the newspaper's connection to alumni is through subscriptions and its Internet Web site. Members of the Student Alumni Association hope to fill in any gaps that may exist between students and alumni, building relations and establishing strong communication between those now on campus and those who have previously attended the University.
Jennifer Schlosberg '02 and Ezra Shanken '02
Student Alumni Ambassadors

Gary Scheffen '94 informed us of the death of Jennifer Sweatman '95:
Jennifer Sweatman '95 of Fitchburg, Mass., and Lincoln Park, N.J., passed away June 2 after a four-year battle with melanoma. After graduating summa cum laude from the University of Hartford, she went on to graduate magna cum laude from Columbia University with a master's degree in physical therapy. Upon graduation, she worked (through the pain of the disease) as a physical therapist at Bayonne Hospital in New Jersey. While at the UofH, she was involved in a variety of activities, including The Informer and WSAM. She leaves her parents, Ross and Boneva Sweatman, her brother Matthew, sister Heather, and her longtime boyfriend, Gary Scheffen '94. Donations may be made to the Jennifer D. Sweatman Memorial Fund (for distribution to local charities), c/o Family Federal Savings Bank, P.O. Box 439, Fitchburg, MA 01420.