The Center held a January 23 event at the home of Governor Ned Lamont to honor Rell’s legacy. The event marked the launch of The Legacy Fund which aims to continue the mission of the Rell Center and support the education of students around public service, ethics in government, and civil discourse.
In addition to a who’s who of Connecticut’s political leaders, some of whom worked in the Rell administration, the guests also included Governor Rell’s son Mike, board chair of the Center, who spoke to its mission.
“The Rell Center continues to showcase what we do best in Connecticut: working together across party lines in the name civil discourse and integrity in government,” he said. “It reflects what my mother believed and what we will try to pursue through the Center and the Legacy Fund endowment.”
“The Rell Center remains an important part of our University, helping to foster civil dialogue and inspire students to pursue careers in public service,” said Sarah Miner, the Center’s director and an associate professor of communication. “We have the unique ability to create opportunities for students to engage in meaningful conversations and better understand what it means to be civically involved. That is why the Rell Center Legacy Fund is so vital – ensuring this work continues for students now and in years to come.”
President Lawrence P. Ward echoed those sentiments. “As educators, our mission is to teach our students and graduates to be engaged citizens, especially now,” he said. “To show them how to be in dialogue with each other regardless of political affiliation, to not question someone’s motivation or their patriotism, to be able to listen and engage.”
To open the program, Miner and guitarist Adam Scherer performed a part of the song “American Anthem,” by Gene Sheer:
To learn more about the Gov. M. Jodi Rell Center at the University of Hartford, visit www.hartford.edu/rell.
Sarah Miner, Rell Center director and an associate professor of communicationWe have the unique ability to create opportunities for students to engage in meaningful conversations and better understand what it means to be civically involved. That is why the Rell Center Legacy Fund is so vital – ensuring this work continues for students now and in years to come.”