As president of the first and oldest public institution of higher education in Connecticut, Dr. Jack Miller presided over the University’s 164^th exercises celebrating the achievement of 2394 students who earned bachelor’s degrees, 96% of whom are Connecticut residents; the remaining 4% are from 22 states and 18 foreign countries.

Student Honors

Among today’s graduates were 390 students who achieved top grades. They included: 212 who graduated cum laude (with distinction), 130 who graduated magna cum laude (with high distinction), and 48 who graduated summa cum laude (with highest distinction).

The Ceremony

The pomp got underway at 10:15 a.m. as graduation candidates and faculty began their procession to music performed by the University Band, under the direction of Lauren Heller.

The official ceremony began at 10:30 a.m. with the posting of the colors by members of the CCSU Police Department: Lt. Chris Cervoni, Sgt. Jerry Erwin, and Officers Joe Magarolas and Jonathan Chung.

The University Singers, under the direction of Pamela Perry, professor of music, performed the National Anthem, which was followed by the invocation delivered by John Campbell, chaplain of the CCSU Campus Ministry.

This day was especially momentous for Jaclyn Babe, a marketing major graduating magna cum laude and an outstanding member of the CCSU women’s basketball team. Her father, Gregory S. Babe, president and CEO of Orbital Engineering, Inc., based in Pittsburgh, PA gave the commencement address.

About the Speaker

Babe, a distinguished and seasoned executive, spent more than 30 years at Bayer Corporation, beginning as an intern and working his way up to becoming president and CEO of the global company’s North American Division. The Mt. Lebanon, PA resident and proud father of four children talked to the Class of 2013 about “Dreams and Batting Averages.” He described his successful style of management as being more of a coach than a player and he told the audience that mentoring colleagues and employees is his preferred way of making a difference.

President’s Remarks

In his remarks, President Miller told the soon-to-be alumni that they have” good reason to celebrate after years of study and sacrifice,” and he reminded them that the celebration also belongs to many others. “I am speaking of course of the fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, children, relatives and friends who have done so much to support you,” he said.

Miller highlighted four graduates he said “exemplify the best this University offers” including a set of twins who both earned top honors, a 25-year-old who, one month ago, took custody of four young children, and a 54-year-old finally experiencing her dream-come-true.

After earning associates degrees at Capital Community College, fraternal twins Rebecca and Destiny Davis of Hartford, majored in psychological science and minored in biology at CCSU and earned enough credits in just three semesters to earn bachelor’s degrees and graduate summa cum laude. They are continuing on to Gateway Community where they’ve been accepted into the Radiation Therapy program. The twins plan to complete the program in a “speedy few semesters” they say, so they can begin work at a cancer treatment facility.

Bristol resident Ashley Walker, earning a bachelor’s degree in communications and marketing, had a plan for her future. After a graduation celebration with her family, she had every intention of packing up and heading to New York City with friends to find a job as a publicist -- maybe in sports or entertainment. Six weeks ago, her plan took a sudden detour when her sister was murdered. At the age of 25, Ashley became the guardian of her sister’s four children ages: 9, 6, 2, and 1, who were in the front row of the XL Center cheering for her.

Karen Johnson’s mother – a single parent – didn’t have enough money to send both of her children to college. So right out of high school Karen, a Middletown resident, had to find a job. She worked in manufacturing quality assurance for nearly 30 years until she was laid off. At the age of 54, Johnson is graduating magna cum laude having earned a BA in geography with a specialization in geographic information systems. Next she is headed to UConn where she has been accepted into its PhD program in geography.

Published: Thursday, May 16, 2013; Last Updated: Thursday, May 16, 2013 10:51 PM EDT

MIDDLETOWN >> Karen Johnson grew up in a single-parent household with ambitions of wanting to achieve a college education. The problem was, her mother didn’t have enough money to send her and her sister to a quality institution.

So after graduating high school, Johnson hit the pavement in looking for a stable job to help fulfill her dreams.

Things seemed promising at first. She landed a job in manufacturing quality assurance at Pratt & Whitney in Southington, before financial struggles forced the company to shut down in 1995.

Johnson continued to persevere and found a similar job, but was laid off again amid the economic recession in 2009, and as she was approaching her 50th birthday.

As Johnson struggled to find her way and beginning to feel some regret of not going to college early on, she turned to her husband, Ronald, for support. That’s where she found her inspiration.

After taking the SAT’s for the first time, Johnson gained admission into Central Connecticut State University that fall.

Four years later, the 54-year-old resident’s tireless efforts will come to fruition. Johnson will be among 3,000 students to graduate from CCSU with a bachelor’s degree this weekend.

“I have mixed feelings, but it didn’t sink in until just last night when I was trying on my cap and gown,” said Johnson. “I think I’m more excited than nervous, but it’s just all part of the jitters.”

Through her first semester at CCSU, Johnson said one of her biggest concerns was whether her fellow classmates would be put off by the notion a much older woman was studying amongst a group of 20- or 30-somethings. But it was a smooth transition from the beginning.

“At first it was a concern, but I got along with them well and they were very supportive,” said Johnson.

Johnson also wasn’t certain about her concentration until she took a course in human geography that drew her into the field. She dove further into her studies by working at the Geographic Information Systems lab on campus.

Johnson now has her future planned.

She was recently accepted into the University of Connecticut’s Ph.D. program in geography and will begin courses this fall. For now, a festive Saturday afternoon at Hartford’s XL Center awaits Johnson. Several of her relatives are planning to come see her graduate magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in geography, she said.

Johnson also said the path it took for her to finally earn her degree is actually a lesson in itself, and something others could learn from, should they need any encouragement.

“It’s never too late to go for education,” said Johnson. “I thought I was too old at first, but I stuck with it and am glad that everything worked out.”

http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2013/05/16/news/doc51956c18239c4637663360.txt?viewmode=fullstory

BOARD OF REGENTS VOTES TO APPOINT DR. GREGORY W. GRAY AS NEW PRESIDENT

(HARTFORD, CT) – The Board of Regents for Higher Education voted today to appoint Dr. Gregory W. Gray to be the next President of the Board of Regents, which governs the 17 Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (ConnSCU), which includes 12 community colleges, four state universities and Charter Oak State College, the state’s only public, online institution. Dr. Gray is currently the chancellor of the Riverside Community College District, which includes three community colleges, more than 2,000 employees, and an annual credit enrollment that surpasses 100,000. Dr. Gray will officially begin his tenure as president on July 1, and will visit Connecticut over the spring and summer.

“I’m pleased that the Board of Regents has agreed that Dr. Gray would make a fine leader for our system, and I’m eager to continue getting to know him and begin working closely with him on the challenges and opportunities that lie before us,” said Lewis J. Robinson, Chairman of the Board of Regents and Chairman of the Regents’ Search Committee. “I have no doubt that Dr. Gray will be the forward looking, strategic thinking, creative leader that we need as the head of our system, and I know he will focus squarely on preparing our students to become informed and productive members of Connecticut’s citizenry and its workforce.”

"I want to thank the Board of Regents for the trust they've placed in me to lead this outstanding higher education system,” said Gray. “I've mentioned before how impressed I was by the individuals I met here and the obvious love and pride they feel for the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities. It is an honor to have the opportunity to be a part of such an environment. I look forward to many years of working with the Board, my new colleagues and our communities. Together, we can expand what I see as a very rich tradition of academic excellence and success, and cement our institutions' reputations as being world-class."

While searching for a new president, the Regents’ Search Committee was particularly mindful of selecting a candidate with stellar academic credentials and experience, while increasing transparency and accountability on behalf of state taxpayers. Dr. Gray’s employment contract approved today by the Board of Regents includes:

• An annual salary of $380,000
• The use of a state vehicle
• The standard package of benefits available to state employees

Dr. Gray would also receive $25,000 for moving and temporary housing expenses related to his family’s move from California to Connecticut. This money will be reimbursed to Dr. Gray after providing receipts for qualifying expenses. The term of his employment will be three years and the Board of Regents will review Dr. Gray’s performance annually, without contractually stipulated financial incentives.

The Regents’ Search Committee was assisted in this search by the Systemwide Advisory Committee, which included students, faculty, staff, union representatives, and representation from the business and industry community. The Systemwide Advisory Committee provided valuable input and suggestions to the Regents’ Search Committee regarding the selection of a new president.

A Surprise Award For One Newtown High School Teacher

http://www.newtownbee.com/news/education/2013/05/09/surprise-award-one-newtown-high-school-teacher/134832