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Plenary Meetings

The Emeriti Association meets Spring and Fall each year in the 1877 Club. The agenda includes lunch, a business meeting, and a presentation by university faculty, staff, and students. In the Fall, we award scholarships to three current students (see scholarships page for details).

May 20, 2021 Plenary Meeting

Zoom Image of meeting attendees.
There were 19 attending, including members and guests. Guests included R.J. McGivney, Associate Vice President for Graduate and Professional Studies; Jessica Nicklin, Associate Vice President for Student Success; and Aaron Isaacs, Dean of Students.

May Meeting Notes

University of Hartford Emeriti Association Spring Plenary Meeting – May 20, 2021

The Emeriti Association Spring Plenary Meeting was held on Thursday, May 20, 2021, via Microsoft Teams Meeting.  There were 19 attending, including members and guests.  Guests included R.J. McGivney, Associate Vice President for Graduate and Professional Studies; Jessica Nicklin, Associate Vice President for Student Success; and Aaron Isaacs, Dean of Students. 

Co-Chair Zegarelli welcomed all to the meeting and introduced R.J., Jessica and Aaron.  R.J. said that he and Jess and Aaron would be speaking about the Division of Student Success, its progress and future directions and also include how they dealt with COVID.

R.J. said that when President Woodward arrived in 2017, he indicated he wanted to increase retention and graduation rates by 10-points over a five-year period.  The University was at 73% at that time.  R.J. said, “Retention drives everything.”

R.J., Jess, and Aaron are known as “the trio” – they have been working together for three years and are the Division of Student Success!  They looked at what each one’s responsibilities were and figured out what could go together and how the work should be distributed.

R.J., Jess, and Aaron spoke of their major accomplishments as follows:

The Center for Student Success has proved to be very successful.  All the employees who work in the Center for Student Success are people trained to do a little bit of everything.  R.J. said that there is a lot of knowledge and history in that building.  The Center for Student Success includes a “One Stop Shop” for students including student services, registration, getting answers to financial questions, academic advising, offering help in adjusting to college and ways to get involved.  First-year students are assigned an advisor they see once a week, and they also take a first-year success seminar to teach them skills on how to be successful in college.

The Centralized Tutoring Center has centralized all tutoring and writing support.  There are three service offerings which include informed decisions; peer support workshops which include working with peers (eight students in a small workshop); and preceptors where student leaders are helping in the classroom.

The Academic Recovery Programs identify students, who have dropped below 15 credit hours or have GPA’s below a 2.0, and offer those students a free winter or summer course to help them.  Other modalities include coaching, traditional course or a blackboard self-paced course. 

STRIDE – The Success Team for Readiness, Improvement, Diversity and Excellence is a unique program designed to support Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx students during their first year of college and through their time at UofH.  It is an academic success program, which eligible students must apply for once they have submitted their deposit.  Space is limited to sixty students.  There are many benefits to the program including, being eligible for $1,000 aid for their next seven semesters.

Data informed decisions are so important.  The Office of Institutional Effectiveness and their highly skilled staff have done an exemplary job of providing us valuable data so that we can make informed decisions.

The Office of Student Engagement and Inclusion (OSEI) merged several engagement offices into one cohesive department to create a one-stop shop for students to get involved on and off campus.  Existing space was renovated in Gengras in order to create a centralized office.

The Public Safety Department is diversifying their staff and they are implementing a community public safety model.  They have a Student Ambassador Program.  The department is rebranding- uniforms, vehicles, etc.  There are also 15 EMS students working on campus.

The Division of Student Success is constantly striving toward a better retention rate.  The retention results for the past year increased first to second year student retention for all students from 76% to 81% last year.  It also increased first to second year minority student retention from 67% to 81%.  Both are the highest in the University’s history.  And, all this happened during a pandemic!

Looking ahead to meet the needs and desires of the students, considering areas such as their mental health, residential life, expansion of programs, and summer abroad experience, is a priority.  Some improvements are needed in residential life.  Many things have been done to improve the overall experience, such as improvements to common space in the dorms, fire-pits on campus – which have been enjoyed by the students, upgrading the Village Apartments from the 80’s to 2021 – which will be used for Graduate housing.  There will be an expansion of programs.  Fifty to sixty students will be able to take advantage of the Summer Abroad Program next summer at the end of their first year.

The University dealt with the COVID experience during the last 15 months extremely well.  The retention rate during COVID was 81%.  Executive Teams were set up to deal with Academics, Policies, Residential Life and Student Life and Engagement.  R.J. led the Academic Team; Jess led the Policies Team; Aaron led the Residential Life and Student Life and Engagement Team.

A Q & A period followed.

Co-Chair Zegarelli thanked R.J., Jess, and Aaron for joining us and updating us on the Division of Student Success.

Co-Chair Workman commenced the business meeting by announcing new Emeriti members.  They are as follows: College of Arts & Sciences – Douglas Eichar and Laurence (Larry) Gould; Hartford Art School – Gene Gort; College of Engineering, Technology and Architecture – Ladimer (Lad) Nagurney; and Barney School of Business – Carl Smith.  Harry welcomed Lad Nagurney and Larry Gould who were in attendance.

Harry explained that Randi Ashton-Pritting, who recently retired after serving 40-plus years in various positions in the Harrison Libraries and becoming director in 2002, had been recommended to the Executive Committee to become a member of the Emeriti Association.  The Executive committee unanimously voted to invite Randi to join the Emeriti Association.  There were no objections from the general Emeriti Association members and thereby, her membership is approved!  Welcome, Randi!

Harry gave a report on the Scholarship Committee and announced the winners of the three Scholarships for this year.  Harry explained the process for the students to apply.  There were 37 applicants this year and all were very strong candidates.  The Scholarship Committee consists of:  Harry - Chair; Susan Coleman, Steve Gryc, Sharon Pope, John Schloss, Leo Smith, Catherine Stevenson, Barbara Wolfe, Ralph Zegarelli.  Harry thanked the committee for their work in selecting the recipients.

                The awardees are:  Camryn Butera, A&S, with a major in Biology/Pre-Med has a 4.0 GPA, has been awarded the Walter Harrison Scholarship; Dana Brooks, A&S, with a major in Criminal Justice has a 4.0 GPA, has been awarded the Humphrey Tonkin Scholarship; and Sydney Lewis, CETA, with a major in Civil Engineering has a 3.92 GPA, has been awarded the Emeriti Scholarship.

Harry thanked the membership for their donations and encouraged all to continue making donations to the Emeriti Scholarship Fund.

Harry invited Mary Dowst to give the Treasurer’s Report.  Mary said that the Emeriti funds are doing well and explained that the Endowment Fund has $55,465 (and gifts are still coming in) – the Restricted Scholarship Fund has $20,000 and should have more at fiscal year-end.  The Emeriti Restricted Fund has $9,000 to roll over.  There has not been a lot of expense/spending this year.  Mary said that we may be able to give another scholarship next year.  Harry thanked Mary for her report.

Harry announced that we usually have an “In Memoriam” moment at our Plenary Meetings, but decided to postpone that until our October meeting when, hopefully, we will be able to meet in person.

Work is taking place on the Newsletter, which will be published in September.

Co-Chair Workman adjourned the meeting at 11:25 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia D. Cairns

October 22, 2020 Plenary Meeting

The Emeriti Association Fall Plenary Meeting was held on Thursday, October 22, 2020, via WebEx.  There were 26 participants (as shown on the WebEx screen at one point).  Guests included:  Randi Ashton-Pritting and Sean Parke.
The Emeriti Association Fall Plenary Meeting was held on Thursday, October 22, 2020, via WebEx. There were 26 participants (as shown on the WebEx screen at one point). Guests included: Randi Ashton-Pritting and Sean Parke.

October Meeting Notes

Chair Smith called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.  Prior to the Business Meeting, Chair Smith welcomed all to the meeting and asked Randi Ashton-Pritting to introduce our speaker, Sean Parke, University Archivist.

Sean gave a most interesting presentation entitled “An Introduction to Archives and Special Collections.”  His presentation included records of the founding of the University of Hartford and times prior.  The Archives also include special collections of faculty and administrators.    Sean pointed out that anyone can visit the Archives – by appointment only. 

To donate or transfer materials to the archives, Sean can be contacted at (860) 768-4143, or by email archives@hartford.edu.  Sean asked that nothing be brought in, dropped off, or sent in the mail without approval.  He also explained that he could not provide copies of donated items, often because of copyright concerns.   

Sean went on to explain what happens when items are donated – from the accessioning (paper record), processing (arranging, proper handling, preservation concerns, describe collections in finding aids), digitizing (small percentage of materials), prioritizing and providing access.

Sean showed a number of photos, or films, including Governor Ribicoff signing the Charter for the University of Hartford on February 21, 1957  (the University was chartered through the joining of the Hartford Art School, Hartt School of Music and Hillyer College).  Others included the first Commencement on the lawn of our campus near North House (now called Bates House) on June 9, 1968.   Archibald Woodruff was President at that time.  Other photos of interest included Marian Anderson performing in Millard Auditorium on December 5, 1963 for the Dedication of the Fuller Music Center, Mr. Mortensen breaking ground for the William H. Mortensen Library, “On Strike 1970”, and the Hillyer College Fighting Hawks (nickname “Fighting’ Hawks”) Mascot, which originated when Hillyer College competed in sports in the 1940’s.

Sean showed many photographs of the progression of growth of the University from Bates House, to the first building on campus, University Hall (1960), now Hillyer Hall, to more recent times.  The Archives hold many old yearbooks and college newspapers.

Sean gave a brief demo on how to do a search.  For more information, contact Sean.  Walt asked Sean if he would do a search on Ed Weinswig, then we all saw a young Ed from the 1968 Primus!  Sean explained that we can also do a search online.  In response to a question from Mike, Sean said that we can search other Connecticut Archives online – such as the CT Digital Archive Collection.

Leo spoke of Randi’s pending retirement and how grateful we are for all that she has done to assist the Emeriti Association and also that she has requested any contributions in her honor be donated to the Emeriti Scholarship Fund.

In Memoriam – Leo asked for a moment of silence for three of our members who recently passed away, Don DeBonee (CETA), Marge Gardow (Wife of Ernie), and John Gray (A&S).  May they rest in peace and may their memories be a blessing.

Welcome to new Emeriti – Leo welcomed our new Emeriti members Demaris (Dee) Hansen (Hartt), Marcia Seabury (Hillyer), and Donn Weinholtz (ENHP).  All are invited to be guests for lunch at our next Plenary Meeting.

Election of Officers – The nominees for EA officers for the coming year are:  Ralph Zegarelli, Co-Chair; Harry Workman, Co-Chair; Patricia Cairns, Recording Secretary.  All were officially elected.  Mary Dowst will continue in her position as Executive Secretary and Treasurer.

Treasurer’s Report – Mary discussed the latest numbers in comparison to last year’s numbers.  Since the 2020 Spring Plenary Meeting was cancelled, there was a 50% drop in income due to the Pandemic.  We are behind in Scholarship money; however, some is coming in now.  Interest from the endowed scholarship fund is down, but basically, we are in good shape.  Mary thanked all for their contributions to the scholarship fund and encouraged everyone to continue donating to this worthy cause.

Mary also thanked Randi for requesting any contributions made in her honor be made to the Emeriti Scholarship Fund.

Leo commented that we were ahead in Scholarship funds and that the endowment looked good. Leo thanked Mary for her report and encouraged members to keep contributing to the Emeriti Scholarship Fund.

Scholarship Committee:  Harry Workman, Chair – Harry explained that we have three very deserving scholarship recipients, congratulated them and said how fortunate we are that they were able to join us today. Harry then explained the process for selecting the Emeriti Scholarship awardees. Announcements are sent out in February seeking applicants.  The applications are due in March. The Scholarship Committee, consisting of Steve Gryc, Sharon Pope, John Schloss, Leo Smith, Ed Weinswig, Barbara Wolfe and Ralph Zegarelli, then review the materials and make recommendations to the Executive Committee in April.

Harry then introduced the awardees: 

                Margaret Ann Hofbauer, ENHP, Health Sciences, with a major in PT has a GPA of 4.0 and is a Senior. She has been awarded the Walter Harrison Scholarship. 

                Juli Dajci, A&S, with a major in Mathematics, Psychology, and POGO has a GPA of 4.0 and is a Senior. He has been awarded the Humphrey Tonkin Scholarship. He was previously awarded an Emeriti Scholarship last year. 

                Kyleigh Olivier, Hartt, with a major in Fine Arts Dance, has a GPA of 3.83 and is a Junior. Kyleigh was awarded the Emeriti Scholarship.

Margaret Ann, Juli, and Kyleigh each spoke, expressing their gratitude and thanking the Emeriti Association for their scholarships.  They each gave a brief history of their time at the University of Hartford and talked about their involvement with the University and also their many accomplishments, both within the University and the community.  They stressed how the faculty and the University as a whole have helped them.   

Harry thanked Margaret Ann, Juli and Kyleigh for joining us.  All are invited to be guests for lunch at our next Plenary Meeting.  Chair Smith congratulated the students and thanked Harry and the Scholarship Committee for their dedicated service. 

Newsletter Committee – Ralph Zegarelli – Ralph announced the Newsletter had been mailed.  The committee worked long and hard over the summer.  The Newsletter can be found on the Emeriti website at www.hartford.edu/emeriti.      

Leo said that the next Plenary Meeting is scheduled for May 2021 (the Thursday following Commencement).  We are hopeful, but not too confident, it will be on campus.

May 2020

The May 2020 meeting was cancelled due to the pandemic.

 

2019 Plenary Meeting Highlights

Molly Polk - October

Molly Polk - October

Molly Polk, Vice President Marketing and Enrollment, presented detailed information about initiatives being undertaken to address the issues and threats related to marketing and enrollment in higher education today. She presented the many new UHart efforts to boost enrollment and shared statistics about where students are coming from both within the US and from other countries. The new UHart magazine is exciting and has been receiving good reviews.

UHart Magazines

Harald and Mike - October

Harald and Mike - October

Harald Sandstrom and Michael Kahn with two Emeriti Scholars: Juli Dajci the 2019 Humphrey Tonkin Scholar and Quimby Wechter the 2019 Emeriti Scholar.

Sharon and Harald - October

Sharon and Harald - October

Sharon Pope and Harald Sandstrom with Alesha Heacock the 2019 Walter Harrison Scholar.

Paola Sacchetti - May

Paola Sacchetti - May

Paola Sacchetti, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Director MS Neuroscience Department of Biology presented "Alzheimer’s disease: the status quo and the emergence of new hypotheses (and treatments)".

Paol Sacchetti's Presentation

Frederick Sweitzer - May

Frederick Sweitzer

Provost Sweitzer Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost provided an update of University current events to the Emeriti Association

New Members - May

New Members - May

New members in photograph left to right: Charles Canedy, The Barney School, Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship; Susan Coleman, The Barney School, Economics, Finance and Insurance; and Michael Bzullak, The Barney School, Management Information Systems. Not in photograph: Eugene Kim, The Barney School, Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship; Renwick Griswold, Hillyer College, Social Sciences; Paul Siegel, the College of Arts and Sciences, Communication; and Monica Hardesty, the College of Arts and Sciences, Sociology.

2018 Plenary Meetings Highlights

Katherine Owens - October

Katherine Owens

Katherine Owens, Associate Professor, Department of Politics, Economics, and International Studies and Director of University Interdisciplinary Studies presented "Engaging Students on Marine Debris".

Katherine's Presentation

2018 Scholars - October

2018 Scholars - October

We awarded 3 scholarships in October: Quimby Wechter, the Walter Harrison Scholar seen addressing the Emeriti; Kali Meadows the Humphrey Tonkin Scholar and Samantha Chasse the Emeriti Scholar. Press the link below to see all Scholarship awardees.

Scholarship Awardees

Robert Wallace - October

Robert Wallace - October

Robert Wallace, Chair of the Emeriti Executive Committee, introduced Dr. Owens.

Matthew Parente - May

Matthew Parente - May

Bob Wallace introduces Matthew Parente, Assistant Professor of Prosthetics and Orthotics; Program Director of Prosthetics and Orthotics Department of Rehabilitation Sciences in the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions. Matthew presented "Science Fiction to Science Fact A Look at the Past, Present, and Future of Prosthetic Devices". See link to Dr. Parente's presentation below.

Matthews' Presentation

Dr. Parente Demonstrates - May

Dr. Parente Demonstrates - May

Dr. Parente demonstrated prosthetic devices.

New members - May

New members - May

Mew members of the Emeriti Association: They are Charlotte Bacon, the College of Arts and Sciences Biology; Sherry Buckberrough, The Hartford Art School, Art History; John Carson, VP University Relations; Ann Costello, The Barney School, Economics, Finance, and Insurance; Roger Desmond, the College of Arts and Sciences, Communications; Donald Ellis, the College of Arts and Sciences Communications; Walter Hall, The Hartford Art School, Ceramics; Howard Mayer, Hillyer College English; Marcia Moen, the College of Arts and Sciences, Philosophy; Anthony Rauche, The Hillyer College, Humanities. Five new members attended the May plenary meeting, pictured left to right: John Carson, Walter Hall, Ann Costello and Anthony Rauche. Charlotte Bacon was also present.

2017 Plenary Meetings Highlights

2016 Plenary Meetings Highlights

2015 Plenary Meetings Highlights

2014 Plenary Meetings Highlights