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Award Winners

Anchor Awards

The Anchor Awards are the University of Hartford's most prestigious alumni awards, recognizing and celebrating alumni who have excelled professionally and made significant contributions to their communities. The 2025 Anchor Awards will be taking place Thursday, Sept. 18 at 7:15 p.m. in Wilde Auditorium and virtually.

2025 Anchor Award Recipients

Distinguished Alum

James Alibrandi '84 (CETA)

Early-Career Professional Award

Stephen Cusano '15 (Hartt)

Early-Career Professional Award

Jillian Foley Cusano '16 (Hartt)

Early-Career Professional Award

Alexander Robertson '20 (Hartt)

Early-Career Professional Award

Kelly Tischbein '18 (University Studies)

Exceptional Professional Success Award

Sonserae Cicero C'08, '09 (University Studies)

Exceptional Professional Success Award

Robin McGuiness M'98 (ENHP)

Exceptional Professional Success Award

Charles Pious '80, P'09 (Barney)

Posthumous Honor

Francis Besancon C'63, '67 (ENHP)

Impact on Social Responsibility & Civic Engagement Award

Ezra Shanken A'00, '02 (A&S)

Impact on Social Responsibility & Civic Engagement Award

Benjamin Fain '02 (HAS)

Impact on Social Responsibility & Civic Engagement Award

Kenniel Martin A'06, '07 (Barney)

Impact on the University of Hartford Award

Celia Loafink '79, P'16 (ENHP)

Anchor Award Categories

Distinguished Alum

Awarded to an alum who embodies the highest caliber of personal and professional accomplishment, strength of character, and representation of University values.

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Early Career Professional

Recognizes an alum whose demonstrated exceptional early career success and future potential.

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Exceptional Professional Success

Recognizes an alum whose career accomplishments are especially exceptional.

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Impact on Social Responsibility & Civic Engagement

Awarded to an alum whose professional success focuses on improving their community.

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Impact on the University of Hartford

Awarded to an alum who has had a remarkable impact on the University through their philanthropic support and/or service.

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Posthumous Honor

Honors the remarkable achievements and lasting legacy of an individual who made significant contributions to UHart during their lifetime.

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Catch the 2024 Anchor Award Highlights

Lee Ann Leahy ’84 with her family and friends at the 2024 Anchor Awards ceremony.

From left to right, Addis Crooks-Jones '02, Kristen Harris '02, Ebony Wright-Campbell A'02, '04, having a blast before the awards ceremony!

Parents, friends, and family of Tiana Notice, recipient of the Posthumous Award for her activism and legacy.

Cocktail hour reception before the big awards!

From left to right, Parents of Tiana Notice '07, Lee Ann Leahy '84, Billie C. Scruse MPA '92, Carol A. Coppa '81, Ronald Barisano '74, Antonio Javier Soler '86, and Jon-Paul Venoit '96 posing with their Anchor Awards.

POV: You're just in time to grab a seat in the audience.

Nominate an Exceptional Alum

The UHart Alumni Advisory Council is accepting nominations for the 2025 Anchor Awards. Nominations are open all year and reviewed annually in March for selection.

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