As the semester comes to a close, I would like to thank our faculty, staff and students for helping us remain open on a limited scale this semester.
Despite the challenges associated with this pandemic, we have continued to move forward with campus renovations of the new Admissions & Enrollment Center and our Advanced Manufacturing Center Building. Among other important work, we also launched several new academic programs, including one that meets immediate needs for more workers in health care.
We’ve also been able to continue offering many of the events, services, and activities we would normally hold on campus, either virtually or in-person with modifications to comply with COVID-19 guidance. Please take a moment to read about a few of these many activities below.
I hope that you will find some small moments of reflection and relaxation during the next few weeks. Wishing you and your family peace and joy during the holiday season, and all the best for a healthy and prosperous new year.
Regards,
|
|
Dr. Darryl Reome
Tunxis Campus CEO
|
|
Tunxis Talks Energy with
U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes' Office
|
Tunxis Campus CEO Dr. Darryl Reome and college leadership met with U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes’ office recently to discuss clean energy initiatives, the college’s unique energy management program, and efforts to secure
future support.
|
|
Displaced Workers Train for New Careers |
Tunxis is providing free short-term training in health careers this semester to 65 students, part of a larger statewide effort to help workers who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and address immediate needs of health care employers' recovery efforts. The students are receiving training to become certified nurse aides and sterile processing technicians through the six- and eight-week programs, which include clinical experience. Tunxis Continuing Education & Workforce Development participated in a meeting with Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz in November to give updates on the students and their success in the program, which is funded through a grant from Capital Workforce Partners with support from the CT Department of Economic and Community Development/CARES Act. (CNA file photo taken prior to March 2020)
|
|
Pantry Volunteers Fill Thanksgiving Bags |
Tunxis faculty and staff helped make the holiday a little brighter for students who use the college food pantry. On Nov. 11, volunteers filled 68 Thanksgiving gift bags with enough holiday foods and grocery store gift cards from donations to feed 279 individuals.
|
|
Admissions & Enrollment Center Opens |
The new Admissions and Enrollment Center (AEC) opened its doors in October, and is assisting students with all of their admissions, financial aid, and registration questions in one stop. Due to COVID-19, the AEC is open by appointment Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. to meet with current and prospective Tunxis students. Students are strongly encouraged to schedule virtual appointments to discuss their enrollment needs.
|
|
Tunxis veterans and service members received a special visit on Veterans Day from children of Tunxis Early Childhood Center Lab School, who paraded across campus waving flags to thank the college's student and staff veterans for their service. They were joined by Tunxis Campus CEO Dr. Darryl Reome and others on their stop by the Tunxis Veterans' OASIS. Student veterans also received goody bags and gift cards, funded by the Tunxis Student
Government Association.
|
|
Tunxis Announces Multiple Scholarships for Energy Management Studies |
|
Tunxis and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced multiple full scholarships are available to help full-time Tunxis students earn energy management credentials tuition-free. Up to 20 awards will be distributed each semester, and are renewable. Students can earn a technology studies: energy management degree or certificate and prepare for entry-level energy management positions. The deadline to apply for the spring 2021 semester Energy Management scholarship is Jan. 8. Read more...
|
|
Tunxis Voted Among Best Colleges in Best of Hartford Magazine |
|
Tunxis was voted among the best colleges in Hartford Magazine’s 17th annual “Best Of” readers’ poll this fall. The college received second runner up, and was the only community college to make the list. Reader interest in the annual poll was extraordinarily high, with thousands of readers who voted in nearly 200 categories, according to Hartford Magazine. Read more…
|
|
The Tunxis Civic Engagement Institute held Constitution Day 2020 earlier this fall, with a discussion on the right of assembly embedded in the First Amendment, delivered through Facebook Live. Professors Kerry Beckford and Dr. Rafaele Fierro assessed the history and current relevance of this portion of the Constitution in their presentations, which was followed by questions.
|
|
Tunxis welcomed about 188 current and prospective students to a Virtual Open House on Nov. 10, where they learned more about Tunxis degree programs, financial aid, and student resources, and had opportunities to ask questions. For those who may have missed the event, the college will offer virtual information sessions for prospective students on Dec. 16 &
|
|
50th Anniversary Celebrations Continue
|
|
Tunxis celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first day of classes at the college on Oct. 5. Students first filled the halls and classrooms of Tunxis that day back in 1970, and a new era of affordable education started in the greater Farmington/Bristol area. The college opened late that year because of renovations, with 494 students and six associate degree programs. As part of modified celebrations with the pandemic, the college gave away 50 small gifts to students both online and on-campus, funded by the Student Government Association. In-person celebrations will be rescheduled in the future when the campus community is back together. Those who are interested in viewing
the entire list of 50th anniversary events and historical timeline can
|
|
"No-Shave November" Raises Funds for Students and Cancer Care |
|
Tunxis Foundation finished its No-Shave November fundraising challenge to Tunxis friends and employees, raising a total of $2,000, which included matching contributions by ConnectiCare. The Foundation will donate $500 to Bristol Health Cancer Care Center, with the rest going to Tunxis Foundation’s Student Emergency Fund. During the fundraiser, Tunxis Foundation sponsored a Lunch and Learn on Nov. 19 with Dr. Robert Black, a specialist in hematology and oncology at Bristol Health who talked about cancer prevention, cancer care and general facts about cancer. Those who still wish to donate to Tunxis Foundation can visit tunxis.edu/donate.
|
|
(Left to right) Elijah Lombardi and Michael Lonergan were selected in November as the first scholarship winners of the SOAR@Tunxis Scholarship program. The two students will receive scholarships of $500 each from Tunxis Foundation, have the opportunity to develop as student leaders at Tunxis, and be considered for Achieving the Dream’s national scholarship DREAM Student Scholars program.
|
|
Congratulations to Alexandra Amoroso, who wrote “Why is My Brother Autistic?” a children’s book for siblings of autistic children, and “Growing Up with an Autistic Brother.” The business major published the books on Amazon over the summer.
|
|
Students were appointed to SGA leadership positions earlier this semester. Congratulations to Nelson Rivera Jr., president (shown above); Kayana Vega, vice president; Cynthia Robles, secretary; and Jessica Rainey, treasurer.
|
|
Jessica Rainey (shown at left, with Christopher LaPorte, Tunxis Student Activities director) was presented with a laptop computer during fall semester, the top prize for winning the New Student Orientation scavenger hunt. She also received a $25 gift card for her winning video submission on student Virtual Pizza Night.
|
|
A total of 34 Tunxis faculty and staff were recognized during a virtual All-College meeting on Dec. 7.
Employee Recognition Awards, awarded for years of service to Tunxis and the state of Connecticut, were presented to Dr. Marie Clucas, Qani Coma, Kirstin Cullinane, Adriane Dunham, Carianne Garside, Dr. Robert Hadley, Matthew Hartley, Gary Jacobs, Dr. Patricia Johnson, Wendi Jordan, Stephen Klema, Vadim Korf, Deborah Kosior, John Lodovico, Jean Main, Mary Manocchio, Renald Marchand, Victoria Marino, Mark Milewski, Hendree Milward III, Stacey Palumbo, Garth Pelton, Dr. Darryl Reome, James Schlatter, David Stohl, Ashken Strack, Nicholas Stugard, Jennifer Wittke, Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch, and David Wright.
Tunxis faculty and staff who retired received emeritus status in recognition of their years of distinguished service at Tunxis: Harriet Cianci, professor of psychology; Richard Edwards, professor of sociology (posthumous);
Robin Knowles, professor of dental hygiene, and Dr. Lisa Lavoie, director of library services.
|
|
To learn about in-person and virtual events which are open to students and the community, visit tunxis.edu/events, or “Like” us on Facebook.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
