I graduated in 1978 from the College of Arts and Sciences with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. That University of Hartford degree gave me the opportunity to follow my desire to work with young students, specifically high school students, to help shape their own paths toward a post-secondary education. And personally—well, I met my husband at the University, and I guess it doesn't get more personal than that! I also had the privilege to work in the Office of Admission and Student Financial Aid. The 12 years I spent there, fostered personal and professional growth that remain with me today. And, some 40 years later, I still cherish the lifelong friends and relationships with UHart faculty and staff.
Over the years, I've seen how the University has evolved and grown. The most obvious change for me has to be the physical appearance of campus—unrecognizable from the 1970s when I was a student! From the apartment-style housing to the dining hall and athletics center, not to mention the impressive expansion of academic programs and the facilities to support those programs, it is gratifying to see my alma mater prosper and to see such value added to the University of Hartford experience.
While the brick and mortar of campus has matured, the integrity of its faculty and staff remains the same. Accessible and supportive are still words I would use today—that was the culture when I was there in the '70s and continues today. I would say this is one of the hallmarks of a UHart education that has not changed through the decades.
Now I'm retired, but both my husband and I make sure to stay connected as alumni. Alumni support generates pride, loyalty, and enthusiasm, and is fundamental to any institution of higher education. I successfully completed my degree, and I certainly want future students to do the same. The academic portfolio expansion, the physical imprint... all of it would not have happened without alumni support. Prospective and current students tap into that loyalty and pride—it establishes the enthusiasm and tradition of wanting to be part of something bigger than ourselves.
I hope that in the next 50 years, the University of Hartford continues to attract students who are looking to embrace the full experience of a college education, who are eager to leave with their degrees in hand to take on the challenges and joys before them.