President Lawrence P. Ward is pleased to announce that the Board of Regents has voted to confer emeriti status on the following University of Hartford community members.
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Katherine Black, Professor Emerita and Provost Emerita
Katherine has served as a faculty member for 28 years, teaching courses in Infant and Child Development, Statistics, and Psychology of Gender. Her research focused on the long-term impact of parent-child relationships on subsequent interactions with peers and romantic partners. Later, Katherine took on administrative leadership and served with distinction as Assistant Provost for four years, as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for more than eight years, and as Provost for four years. She has led efforts in new program development, general education, academic portfolio review, NECHE accreditation, faculty development, inclusive excellence and belonging, experiential learning, career readiness, and shared governance. She has been recognized with an Innovations in Teaching and Learning Award, Martin Luther King, Jr. Beloved Community Award, and the Oscar and Shoshana Trachtenberg Award for service to the University.
Stewart Frankel, Professor Emeritus
Stewart has served the University of Hartford for 23 years. He teaches introductory biology and molecular cell biology, a demanding course that his department chair notes is somewhat of a rite of passage for students wanting to pursue medical school or graduate study. Stewart has been particularly dedicated to advancing students’ critical thinking skills. His research has focused on the molecular regulation of aging, with his work continuing to be cited by his peers. He played a particularly influential role in creating a culture of close advising in the department, which is still in effect today. Stewart’s other service includes the college’s promotion and tenure committee, the college’s curriculum committee, learning outcomes assessment, and as a peer reviewer of teaching. He also served as interim chair, co-chair, and associate chair of the department, and coordinated the career preparation program for the College of Arts and Sciences.
Mark Turpin, Associate Professor Emeritus
Having served the University of Hartford for 34 years, Mark teaches foundational courses such as statistics through advanced courses in linear algebra, discrete mathematics, probability, and the senior capstone, as well as the general education first-year seminar. According to his department chair, he has supervised more independent studies and honors projects than any other department member. Some of Mark’s students have presented at mathematics conferences or published their work, a testament to his mentoring. Mark’s research is in pure mathematics, on topics such as dynamical systems, topology, Markov numbers, and graph theory, and he has published in one of the most prestigious journals in the field. His service has included transfer evaluations, faculty searches, the college’s curriculum committee, learning outcomes assessment, advising, and serving as interim department chair.
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY, AND ARCHITECTURE
James Fuller, Associate Professor Emeritus
Jim has served as a faculty member for more than 31 years. His most recent teaching has focused on upper-level design studios and introduction to the built environment, and he has supervised more than 180 senior theses and 33 independent studies. He was recently named Educator of the Year by the Construction Institute. His research on sustainable architecture as well as architecture pedagogy has resulted in publications and national conference presentations. Jim has directed the undergraduate program in Architecture since 2007, overseeing significant enrollment growth, and has been the department chair for the last 10 years. He was also the Chair of the Faculty Senate and served as a member of the Board of Regents. He has served as the most recent University Marshal, leading Commencement exercises. In addition to 30 years in professional practice as an architect, Jim was the President of the Connecticut chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Abiodun (Abi) Ilumoka, Professor Emerita
Abi served the University of Hartford for 23 years before serving as Program Director for Engineering Education within the Division of Undergraduate Education at the National Science Foundation (NSF) for 10 years. There she earned the NSF Director’s Award for Superior Accomplishment. As a faculty member, Abi taught courses in microelectronics, circuit analysis, artificial neural networks, and electrical engineering ethics, and supervised numerous master’s theses. Her research led to several grants from NSF and Bell Labs. She was a frequent consultant for such companies as United Technologies, LEGO Systems, and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology. For her contributions, Abi was elected to the Connecticut Academy of Science and Energy and honored by the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame. Her university service included graduate program director, the college’s promotion and tenure committee, accreditation, curriculum review, and strategic planning.
THE HARTT SCHOOL
Luiz Carlos de Moura Castro, Professor Emeritus (posthumously)
Luiz served the University of Hartford for more than 40 years. He passed away in April 2025. In addition to teaching piano, he led the Piano Department with distinction for 15 years. He mentored more than 200 students who have gone on to be outstanding performers and faculty members in more than 15 countries. Luiz gave master classes around the world, including Spain, Brazil, Argentina, and Japan, and recorded 50 CDs. He performed in such auspicious venues as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Salle Gaveau in Paris, La Scala in Milan, Musashino Academia Musicae in Tokyo, and Teatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro. He was nominated for a Latin Grammy and was inducted into The Hartt School Hall of Fame.
Stephen Pier, Professor Emeritus
For 17 years, Stephen has provided exceptional leadership of The Hartt School’s Dance Division through curriculum revision, nationwide student recruitment, re-accreditation efforts, fundraising, commissioning new works, and inviting accomplished guest artists. Under his guidance, the Dance program was recognized by DanceUS on its Best College Dance Programs list for seven consecutive years, including 2026. Stephen’s teaching at The Hartt School is informed by his significant career as a dancer, choreographer, and artistic director. He has also served as a master teacher with dance companies in Germany, England, and New York. He has created study abroad programs in Amsterdam, Italy, and Mexico. Stephen has also facilitated successful collaborations across the Theatre, Music, and Dance Divisions to the benefit of all students. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Schools of Dance and on the Board of Advisors for the New Dialect Contemporary Dance Company.
Kathryn (Katie) Stevinson-Nollet, Professor Emerita
Katie has been a member of the faculty for 26 years. Indeed, she was one of the original members when The Hartt School acquired Dance Connecticut/Hartford Ballet to create the Dance Division here. Her teaching has included technique, composition, partnering, dance for camera, and senior capstone. Her teaching has been recognized with an Outstanding Achievement in Pedagogy Award. Katie has also brought her pedagogical expertise to workshops and summer programs in Florida, California, Germany, and Connecticut—including our own Hartt Community Division. Her choreographic direction has spanned more than 100 works, and she also directs her own dance company Full Force Dance Theater. Katie has earned grants from the Greater Hartford Arts Council and the Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation. Her service has included the Faculty Senate, the college’s curriculum committee, and the college’s Promotion and Tenure Committee.