COVER STORY: Going to the Head of the Class On the cover: Nora Brown '74, '77, '89 has been honored for keeping the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr. alive within the classrooms of Hartford Recently, The Observer sat down with three teachers-one, a veteran of the classroom; one, in the early stages of her career; and one, still a student teacher. Yet, despite their differences in age, experience, and background, all three share an unwavering enthusiasm for the classroom, a staunch belief that they are destined to teach, and a degree in education from the University of Hartford. Two are already great teachers. The third is poised to fulfill that promise. Virtual Labs Ever wonder why you had to spend all those hours in the lab, tired eyes squinting at equipment while you scribbled down your notes? The experience of working with laboratory equipment is vital in helping students master technical concepts in science and engineering. Besides reinforcing what has been taught in the classroom, lab time also gives students valuable career skills.

Taking a Back Seat to No One
	The leftovers of a February snowstorm were still on the ground one evening in early March when students began arriving at the home of Hillyer Dean David Goldenberg '73, '76 on the university's Asylum Avenue campus. They scarcely seemed to notice. The chill in the air was no match for the buoyant, sun-drenched mood inside-one that seemed perfectly matched to the Hawaiian leis and bright party store palm trees and parrots that dressed up the comfortable home.

Commencement 2004 - Pictorial
	Threatening clouds held back their downpours to accommodate the university's 47th annual Commencement ceremony on the morning of May 16. With balloons, flowers, bursts of applause, and shouts of congratulation, thousands of parents, grandparents, friends, and other well-wishers celebrated the graduating Class of 2004. Howie the Hawk brought smiles to the faces of young and old as he greeted attendees and posed for photographs.

He's Not in It for the Money
	John Nordyke, assistant professor of visual communication design at the Hartford Art School (HAS), is a man who talks with his hands. The tall, slender, former Midwesterner dressed in a khaki-colored shirt and wire-rimmed glasses uses his large, expressive hands to explain the production process for minting a coin-in this case, a nickel. It's a process that the 37-year-old designer has just recently observed at the U.S. Mint after being selected as a master designer in its new Artistic Infusion program.

University Recognizes Six Outstanding Honorees
	Threatening clouds held back their downpours to accommodate the university’s 47th annual Commencement ceremony on the morning of May 16. With balloons, flowers, bursts of applause, and shouts of congratulation, thousands of parents, grandparents, friends, and other well-wishers celebrated the graduating Class of 2004. Howie the Hawk brought smiles to the faces of young and old as he greeted attendees and posed for photographs.

Editor-in-Chief: Trish Charles Editor: Diana Simonds Art Director: Keith Campagna Graphic Designer: Jason Ulm Copy Editor: Beverly Kennedy Circulation Manager: Sharon Scorso Contributing writers: Trish Charles; Jonathan Easterbrook ’87, ’90; Woody Exley; David Isgur; Judie Jacobson; Kati Liss ’04; Flannery O’Brien ’04; Missy Murphy Pavano ’70, ’73; Jessica Pizano ’98; Barbara Steinberger; Margaret Withey Contributing photographers: Steve Bamberg; Christine Dalenta ’91,’94; Amy Etra; Jeff Feldmann; Steve Laschever; Lanny Nagler; Doug Penhall; Steve Slader Web Design: Jim Kalambokis Published in February, June,and September for faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the University of Hartford. Published by the Office of Communications - University of Hartford 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, Connecticut, 06117-1599. All contents, unless otherwise specified, copyright 2004 by the University of Hartford.