Left to right: Richard Keller, Alumni Association President Jan Laraia, Elizabeth Ivey, David Goldenberg (in back), Ethel Bacon, Cecilia Welna

Five men and women who have distinguished themselves as outstanding members of the University of Hartford community were recognized in November at the 39th Annual Alumni Awards Ceremony. The annual event is sponsored by the Alumni Association.

The 2000 Distinguished Alumnus Award went to David Goldenberg '73, '76, '76. Goldenberg has had a prolific career in higher education, having achieved success as an administrator, teacher, and scholar. He currently serves as chief executive officer of Pennsylvania State University at Mont Alto, one of 12 regional campuses that make up Penn State's largest college.

"The University of Hartford had a marked effect on my life," Goldenberg said in an interview after the awards ceremony. Goldenberg, a former student regent, remembers the University as the place where he discovered his love for his field. He said he enjoyed being back on campus and was delighted to see old friends like Floyd Fisher, associate professor of mathematics and Goldenberg's first academic adviser at Hillyer College. Goldenberg credits Fisher with instilling in him a love of mathematics and education.

"The day brought on a whirlwind of great memories," Goldenberg said. Even his former roommate, Alan Goldberg, flew in from Ohio to share the occasion with him.

The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Ethel Bacon '44, '55, the University's archivist since 1965 and a former teacher and music librarian for The Hartt School. During more than half a century of service to The Hartt School and the University, Bacon wrote a history of Hartt, served as editor of the Hartt alumni newsletter, produced a Hartt School cookbook, and initiated a variety of other creative fund-raising projects.

Another long-time friend of the University, Cecilia Welna, was recognized with the Honorary Alumna Award. Welna, a professor emerita of mathematics, joined the University of Hartford faculty in 1957. Among her many roles at the University, she spent 14 years as chair of the Mathematics Department in the College of Arts and Sciences, and served as dean of the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions (ENHP) for nine years. Welna continues to teach two mathematics courses every semester.

The Alumni Association presented a Special Recognition Award to Richard Keller, who has been a dedicated and outspoken advocate for people with disabilities in Greater Hartford, particularly at the University. Among other things, Keller assessed the accessibility of campus facilities, recommended improvements, and served as an ombudsman for disabled students.

Keller's Special Recognition Award was presented by a student, and his acceptance remarks were read by his son. "Although I'm grateful for this award, my greatest gratitude is to this institution, a university that keeps its promise to provide students an accessible education."

The Alumni Association also presented former Provost Elizabeth Ivey with "Recognition for Service to the University." During her tenure as provost, from 1995 to 2000, Ivey played a critical role in steering the University through its fiscal challenges and into an era of financial recovery, stability, and growth. Ivey joined the University at a time when many academic institutions were facing serious budget deficits and declining enrollments, and she made many of the difficult decisions necessary to get the University back on track. Ivey said that she enjoyed her five years as provost, particularly the people with whom she worked.