Latest news with #EasternConnecticutStateUniversity
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Stop & Shop Revamp: Celebrating new look and fighting hunger
WILLIMANTIC — Stop & Shop in Willimantic had much to celebrate as it held an official grand reopening of its newly remodeled location at 1391 Main Street. The new remodel is part of the brand's multi-year commitment to refreshing stores across its footprint and improving the customer shopping experience. Store Manager Sara Tegge has been the manager since mid-February, and the remodel started in March. It was recently completed. 'We revamped the entire store and integrated all of our natural and organic items into the aisles,' Tegge said. 'We opened up the produce to give a more open and comfortable shopping experience for the customers.' Tegge said the feedback has been positive, and people are happy with the new, clean sleek look. 'It's a really nice, new addition to the community,' Tegge said. 'A customer stopped us and said thank you for giving our town something so nice.' The remodel started March 10 and was completed by the celebration on Friday. The newly-remodeled store in Willimantic includes expanded grab-and-go prepared foods, a remodeled produce department and a remodeled bakery department. Over 800 new products are available across the store, including a multicultural assortment of popular Puerto Rican and Latin American favorites, Asian-centric products, seasonings, spices and flavors worldwide. To add to the celebration, Stop & Shop presented Eastern Connecticut State University with a $10,000 check to fight food insecurity among students. The check will support 'Shawn's Cupboard' as part of its School Food Pantry Program. Established in 2019, the program aims to help limit barriers that impact students' ability to succeed in the classroom and ensure consistent access to food. 'This store looks amazing and I can say, I'm a Stop & Shop shopper myself,' Eastern President Karim Ismaili said. 'I'm grateful on behalf of the University for the support you are providing for our students by making this donation.' Ismaili said food insecurity is an issue for their students and families, so every dollar will go towards the nutritious food and personal care items they need. Dean of Students Dr. Kemesha Wilmot said the $10,000 check will go far, and she finds it difficult to hear about students' food insecurity issues. 'We do have students on campus who come there, and they're trying to get their education, and because they are unable to access food, it interferes with their academics,' Wilmot said. 'I work with students on a day-to-day basis, and they come to my office and they're saying, I don't have a meal, not even on campus, but even at home.' Wilmot said food insecurity is an issue in the community. 'I really appreciate Stop & Shop for really stepping in and being that gap to support our students,' Wilmot said. 'When a student comes into my office, hunger is not one of the things that I want to hear that is stopping them from pursuing their education.' The program currently serves over 260 schools across the Northeast and is known as one of the nation's largest school food pantry programs. This is the fourth year that Stop & Shop has partnered with Eastern, and this donation will provide the school with over $30,000 in total to ensure that students have access to healthy foods. It will also enable the school to provide fresh produce, proteins, and personal care items to meet the rising needs of students. Stop & Shop in Willimantic is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Eastern graduate division confers 100 master's degrees
WILLIMANTIC — Eastern Connecticut State University celebrated graduation with nearly 100 master's degree students at its Graduate Division Commencement at the Fine Arts Instructional Center Concert Hall. Degree recipients were given remarks from Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and were ceremonially hooded as they walked across the stage. The degrees received were in accounting, education (early childhood, elementary and secondary education), management, applied data science, special education and educational studies/technology. The ages of the graduates ranged from 21 to 72. Tong was the recipient of Eastern's inaugural Distinguished Public Service Award. In his address, Tong discussed the motivation behind his career. 'The reason why I do this work is because I know there are a lot of 'nobodies' in this world,' he said. He then went on to refer to himself as a 'nobody' when referencing his upbringing. Tong grew up the son of Chinese immigrants and worked in his parents' Chinese restaurant in Wethersfield. 'There are a lot of people who feel invisible,' Tong said. 'I want to help them because I know what they're going through.' Tong told his story as a call to action for the graduates: 'See the people who don't look exactly like you; they're your people too. Remember who you really are, recognize who your people are, and fight for them.' Eastern President Karim Ismaili who for the first time at Eastern's graduation, delivered the congratulatory remarks. 'Earning a graduate degree is a tremendous achievement, one that requires discipline, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to your goals,' Ismaili said. 'You embody the spirit of Eastern: purposeful, thoughtful, and ready to serve.' Shellena Pitterson, a graduating member of the class and a drafter for facilities management and planning at Eastern, delivered the graduate student address. 'Grad school is like a rollercoaster: exciting at first, terrifying in the middle, and by the end, you're just holding on for dear life,' Pitterson said. 'We've navigated assignments, exams, late nights and let's be honest-the occasional existential crisis.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Eastern Connecticut State University featured on Amazon Prime Video show
WILLIMANTIC, Conn. (WTNH) — An Amazon Prime Video series featuring Emmy-nominated producers spotlights Eastern Connecticut State University, college leaders announced Tuesday. The university can be seen in episode 7 of season 14 of 'The College Tour.' 2 Connecticut colleges named most beautiful in the country by Condé Nast Hosted by 'The Amazing Race' winner Alex Boylan, the show travels the country to tell the story of different colleges. It's all in an effort to help students make decisions about their future without having to travel themselves. 'Eastern offers students an extraordinary experience, and we're so excited to share that on The College Tour,' Alex Boylan said. 'For students, choosing which college to attend is a monumental decision, and this episode gives prospective students a first-hand look at what makes this school so special.' The show's production crew visited the Eastern campus for about five days this past fall. These Connecticut towns named most laid-back beach towns in the Northeast 'We are delighted to be featured in season 14 of The College Tour,' Eastern President Karim Ismaili said in a statement. 'This nationally acclaimed series uses the stories and experiences of 10 Eastern students and alumni to provide a visual narrative of what life is like on our beautiful campus. We are very proud of our 10 star students/alumni and invite viewers to discover on their own what makes Eastern special by scheduling a campus visit,' Ismaili said. The trailers for Eastern's episode are now being shown at the Mansfield Movieplex and Cinemark Buckland Hills, with more theaters coming soon. The trailers can also be found on the university's YouTube. You can watch 'The College Tour' on Amazon Prime Video. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ready for the Next Chapter: Nearly 900 students graduate from ECSU
WILLIMANTIC — More than 900 undergraduate students from Eastern Connecticut State University crossed the stage at the XL Center in Hartford, celebrating the University's 135th Commencement Exercises. The degrees given were from the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education and Professional Studies. This year's graduating class came from nearly all of Connecticut's 169 towns, 22 other states and 35 foreign countries. The ages of the graduates ranged from 20 to 64, with 26% of the class being the first in their families to graduate from college. Sixteen percent of the graduates are NCAA Division III student-athletes, and 3% attended Eastern on The Dream US scholarships. Areas of study that were popular included business administration, psychology, health sciences, sociology and communication. This year's honorary degree recipient was Mary Grant. Grant is a nationally recognized advocate for access and equity in public higher education. She currently serves as president of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She noted the class of 2025 was the first to attend college since the shutdown of the COVID-19 pandemic. 'You have resilience, the ability to move forward in the face of uncertainty,' Grant said. 'In a world that sometimes chooses fear over hope, choose hope.' Danielle Kuwornu, 22, of Newington, graduated with a major in social work with a minor in criminology. She was the first student to be a part of the university's honors program while completing the program. She'll be attending the University of Connecticut pursuing a master's degree in social work while going on to work at DCF. 'Growing up I knew I wanted to help people, but I was not sure how,' Kuwornu said. 'It wasn't until my aunt went through the process of adopting her son that made me realize that being a social worker is how I want to help people.' Kuwornu added the inspiration came from the social worker in the adoption that made her want to be like that for someone else. Her desire to work for DCF stems from the ultimate goal of becoming a family lawyer. Emma McCormack, 22, of Hebron, who graduated with a major in history, will be attending graduate school at Columbia University. 'I was adopted from Russia as a child, which continues to inspire my interest in humanitarian work, international policy or academic research,' McCormack said. 'I chose Columbia because it offers the flexibility and resources to pursue any of these paths, and the Harriman Institute perfectly supports my regional focus.' Brayden Alexis, a 21-year-old from Trumbull, graduated with a major in psychology and a minor in biology. 'Once I graduate from Eastern, I plan to obtain a Master of Public Health promotion and serve for a few years as a public health data analyst,' Alexis said. 'About five years after that, I plan to seek out a position working with the World Health Organization.' Katherine Escalante, a 22-year-old from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, graduated with a degree in philosophy and political science. This summer, she will be interning on Capitol Hill and will be starting a Master's degree at the Yale School of the Environment this fall. 'My dream job is to work to advance justice for the communities and environments that need it the most,' Escalante said. 'I'm deeply inspired by my own life experiences and a desire to make a positive impact.'
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Experts discuss affordable housing issue
WILLIMANTIC — Sean Ghio, policy director of Partnership for Strong Communities in Hartford, was the main speaker at a Center for Housing Equity and Opportunity Eastern CT event at Eastern Connecticut State University. CHEO is part of a series at Eastern Connecticut State University that encourages attendees to explore the intersection of housing and social justice. The series began in 2024 as a partnership between CHEO and the Holleran Center for Community Action and Public Policy at Connecticut College. 'Housing is fundamental to having a full life and security,' Ghio said. 'Housing instability makes it hard to live your life in the best possible way.'
