Finding Their Path, Finding Each Other
Sometimes, the most meaningful moments in life come when we reach a fork in the road. For Douglas “Doug” Mance ’76 and Laura Kelly Mance A’75, ’77, the University of Hartford was one of those turning points. Their paths to UHart were different, but the experiences they found here shaped their futures, brought them together, and inspired a lasting commitment to giving back.
The two had mutual friends and knew of each other before they formally met. One day, Laura was walking across campus with her Irish setter puppy, Callahan, when she spotted Doug napping beneath a tree between Gengras Student Union and the biology building. Callahan enthusiastically jumped into Doug's lap, prompting Laura to sit down beside him and deliver a line that would become part of their family story.
"We just thought we should be here when you woke up," she recalls.
That chance encounter marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership. Doug graduated in 1976, while Laura completed her studies a year later. Their friendship grew into something more, and after Laura accepted a one-year position working for University President Stephen Trachtenberg, the couple married on New Year's Eve in 1977. The following summer, they relocated to Tucson, Arizona, where they built successful careers and raised their three children.
Looking back, both recognize that their time at UHart was about much more than earning a degree. It was a period of discovery, personal growth, and unexpected opportunity.
"I ended up with a treasured education and a partner for life," Doug says.
Laura Mance A'75, '77 , Longtime UHart Supporter"If everyone continues to give what they can, there will be more stories like ours to tell."
Discovering New Directions
Doug came to UHart after realizing that engineering, the path he had initially pursued, was not the right fit. Raised in a family of mechanical engineers, he took time to reconsider his future before enrolling at UHart, where he discovered a passion for biology and the sciences.
"I got passionate when I went to UHart for biology and science," Doug recalls. "That got me. It pulled me in."
Faculty members, including Dr. Elizabeth Swaine, encouraged that growing enthusiasm. For Doug, finding a field that genuinely excited him changed everything.
"I felt good about it every morning," he says. "I found something that I was passionate about."
Outside the classroom, Doug became a resident assistant in the Olmsted Complex, where he formed a lasting connection with residence hall director Amelia “Mrs. M” Mogielnicki. A trusted mentor, she remained an important influence long after graduation.
Years later, Doug and Laura honored her impact through their support of the Mrs. “M” Amelia Balcezak Mogielnicki First Generation Scholarship.
Laura's UHart experience was transformative in a different way. As a high school senior, she was drawn to the University's broad range of academic programs and the opportunity to learn alongside students with diverse interests. Although she was not admitted to her first-choice program, she was offered a place in what was then the College of Basic Studies.
Looking back, Laura sees that opportunity as a defining moment.
"I was an average, maybe even below-average student," she says. "The University of Hartford taught me that I didn't have to be average."
The program challenged her to focus, manage her time, and apply herself in new ways. As her confidence grew, so did her involvement on campus. She took on leadership roles as an orientation adviser, resident assistant, student government leader, and student regent.
"I was taught how to learn and apply myself," she says. "I learned that doing anything less than my absolute best wouldn't achieve anything other than average results."
One experience, in particular, reinforced the value of student leadership. University President Archibald Woodruff selected Laura and fellow student regent David Goldenberg to represent UHart at a national regent meeting in Albuquerque. They were the only students among presidents, trustees, and regents from institutions across the country.
"It spoke volumes," Laura recalls. "They trusted us to be there."
The experience strengthened her belief that students deserve a voice in university leadership. Later, when UHart began a presidential search, Laura asked to serve on the committee and was invited to participate. The opportunity helped shape her understanding of leadership and the importance of stepping forward when opportunities arise.
Giving Back
Although Doug and Laura were not in a position to support UHart financially right after graduation, they never forgot the impact the University had on their lives.
"We always knew that what we found and learned there had changed the direction of our lives in many good ways," Laura says. "Not the least of which was meeting each other."
As their careers progressed, philanthropy became a meaningful way to express their gratitude and help create similar opportunities for future students.
Over the years, the Mances have supported several areas of the University, including the Konover Campus Center renovation and the Mrs. “M” Amelia Balcezak Mogielnicki First Generation Scholarship and the David H. Goldenberg A'73, '76, M'76 Endowed Scholarship. Their generosity reflects a belief that every student deserves the chance to discover new interests, benefit from strong mentorship, and develop the confidence to pursue their goals.
The Mances understand that transformative student experiences require resources beyond tuition alone. Their support reflects a deep belief in UHart's mission and a desire to help future students benefit from the same opportunities they found decades ago.
They hope today's students will experience the same growth, discovery, and lasting impact that shaped their own lives.
"If everyone continues to give what they can, there will be more stories like ours to tell," Laura says.
A Lasting Impact
When asked what advice they would offer current students, Doug's answer is simple:
"Find your passion."
Laura's advice reflects a lifetime of learning and giving back:
"Never miss the opportunity to have a positive impact on someone's life," she says. "That advice applies to students, faculty, administration and every member of the University community."
For the Mances, their connection to UHart has endured because the University helped them find their paths, discover their potential, and build a life together. Today, through their generosity, they are helping future Hawks discover their passions, embrace unexpected opportunities, and find their own direction.
Sometimes, a different turn at a fork in the road leads somewhere better than we could have imagined. For Doug and Laura, that turn led to meaningful careers, a family, a lifelong partnership, and a lasting commitment to giving back. Through their support, they are helping ensure that future generations of students can discover their own passions, shape their futures, and create stories of their own.