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Award Winners

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. Stay tuned for the release of the 2025 Anchor Award Winners!

2024 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.

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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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Meet the 2024 Award Recipients

Lee Ann Leahy ’84 (right) spent her entire career at PwC supporting top universities with their accounting needs, while also championing nonprofit causes, staying deeply connected to UHart, and becoming the first woman inducted into the Barney School Hall of Fame.
Jon-Paul (JP) Venoit ’96 started as a dining services worker and worked to become president and COO of Masonicare, leading Connecticut’s largest senior care nonprofit with distinction while actively serving his local and professional communities.
Antonio Javier Soler ’86 is the chief commercial officer at Monster Beverage, where his global leadership in sales and marketing builds on a dynamic career that began at Procter & Gamble and reflects his passion for diversity, strategic growth, and community engagement.
Ronald F. Barisano ’74 is a nonprofit consultant, lifelong community advocate, and Boy Scouts of America leader whose decades of service and civic engagement reflect his commitment to helping others and strengthening organizations through strategic planning and fundraising.
Billie C. Scruse MPA ’92 is a dedicated community leader and communications professional with over 25 years of experience, currently serving as executive director of Hartford Food System, where she drives initiatives to improve food access and equity in Hartford.
Carol A. Coppa ’81, a senior program manager at Eversource and advocate for women in STEM, has made a lasting impact through nearly five decades of leadership in engineering and project management, as well as dedicated service to the University of Hartford and the Society of Women Engineers.
Tiana Notice ’07 was a passionate activist and graduate student at UHart known for her leadership, vibrant spirit, and commitment to social justice, whose life and legacy continue through the foundation established in her honor to combat domestic violence. Tiana's parents accept the award on her behalf.

Catch the Anchor Award Highlights

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

From left to right, Name, Name, Name, 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, Name, Name, Name, Name, Name, Name, Name, and Name posing with their Anchor Awards.

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

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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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