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Eastern Connecticut State University

Former names	Willimantic State Normal School (1889–1937) Willimantic State Teachers College (1937–1967) Eastern Connecticut State College (1967–1983)
Motto	Connecticut's Public Liberal Arts University
Type	Public university
Established	1889; 135 years ago (1889)
Parent institution	Connecticut State University System
Academic affiliation	Space-grant
President	Elsa Nuñez
Academic staff	221 (FT); 315 (PT)
Students	4,125 (Spring 2022)
Undergraduates	3,929 (Spring 2022)
Postgraduates	169 (Spring 2022)
Location	Willimantic, Connecticut, U.S.
Campus	Suburban, 182 acres (74 ha)
Colors	Navy blue & burgundy
Nickname	Warriors
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division III - Little East
Mascot	Spearhead
Website	easternct.edu

Eastern Connecticut State University (Eastern, Eastern Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut State, or ECSU) is a public university in Willimantic, Connecticut. Founded in 1889, it is the second-oldest campus in the Connecticut State University System and third-oldest public university in the state. Eastern is located on Windham Street in Willimantic, Connecticut, on 182 acres (0.74 km) 30 minutes from Hartford, lying midway between New York City and Boston. Although the majority of courses are held on the main campus, select classes take place at Manchester Community College, Capital Community College, and a satellite center in Groton.

Eastern Connecticut State University is a member of the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities.

History

The Connecticut General Assembly established the Willimantic State Normal School in 1889. As a normal school, the institution trained schoolteachers. The first class was of thirteen female students, who attended classes on the third floor of the Willimantic Savings Institute. The first male student entered in 1893.

In 1890, the Town of Windham deeded 6 acres (24,000 m) to the State of Connecticut for the construction of a new campus for the school. The larger campus was completed in 1895. The first dormitory, Burr Hall, opened in September 1921. The institution was renamed Willimantic State Teachers College in 1937, after it began granting bachelor's degrees. The original Normal School building was destroyed in a fire and replaced by Shafer Hall, which was dedicated in 1946.

The State College created its first graduate program (in education) in 1953. After expanding its programs and campus, it became Eastern Connecticut State College in 1967, and Eastern Connecticut State University in 1983.

Academics

Academically, the university is organized into three schools, the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education and Professional Studies, and the School of Continuing Education. Graduate study programs offered through the School of Education and Professional Studies include Education, Teacher Certification, and Organizational Management.

Rankings

For 2024, U.S. News & World Report ranked Eastern tied for #69 out of 178 Regional Universities North, tied for #23 in Regional Universities North Top Public Schools, and #23 in Regional Universities North Best Value Schools.

Undergraduate admissions

In 2024, the university accepted 73.8% of undergraduate applicants, with those admitted having an average 3.4 GPA. The university does not require submission of standardized test scores, Eastern being a test optional school. Those submitting test scores had an average 980-1190 SAT score (62% submitting scores) or average 16-28 ACT score (2% submitting scores).

Institute for Sustainable Energy

The Institute for Sustainable Energy was opened in 2001 and focuses on sustainable energy education, serving as a source for sustainable energy information, assistance in sustainable energy policy making, and assistance in implementing sustainable energy solutions. The institute is located at 182 High Street. The current director is William Leahy.

In 2012 Eastern had a stationary phosphoric acid fuel cell, known as the PureCell System Model 400, installed on the west side of its Science Building. Eastern will use 100 percent of the energy produced by the fuel cell system to provide a majority of the power required for the Science Building, while maximizing the use of the heat output available. Under a 10-year Energy Services Agreement (ESA) with ClearEdge Power, the installation was made possible by a federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant through CEFIA.

Housing

87 percent of first-year students, and 60 percent of all full-time undergraduates live in college housing. The campus is separated into first-year halls and upperclassman halls. All students with sophomore status and higher are eligible to live in upperclassman halls. There are six first-year halls, five upperclassman halls and two sets of apartments.

Student organizations

Eastern offers more than 80 student organizations in which students can participate, including athletic, political, cultural, artistic and communication clubs. The campus newscast is ETV. The Student Government Association is the liaison between the student body and university administration and each residence hall has a student council that plans events and trips for hall residents.

Athletics

Eastern's sports teams are known as the "Warriors" and are represented by a logo depicting a shield superior to two crossed swords. The university is a member of the NCAA Division III, the Little East Conference and the Eastern College Athletic Conference. Men's varsity sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, and indoor and outdoor track and field. Women's varsity sports include basketball, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball.

Intramural sports include men's and women's tennis league, co-ed indoor and outdoor soccer, co-ed dodgeball, men's and women's flag football, men's and women's volleyball, co-ed softball, ultimate frisbee league, men's and women's basketball league, co-ed floor hockey, wiffle ball tournament, golf. Club sports include competitive cheerleading, fencing club, football club, ice hockey club and rugby club.

The men's baseball team won the NCAA Division III national championship five times (1982, '90, '98, '02, '22). The women's softball team won national championships five times (1981 (AIAW Div. III), '82, '85, '86, and '90 − NCAA).

Campus

Eastern's campus, which is spread over 182 acres (0.74 km), is divided into three areas: South Campus, North Campus, and the University Sports Complex. South Campus is the historic part of the university and includes buildings such as Burr Hall, the school's first dormitory, which dates back to 1921. North Campus, the more modern part of the university, is home to the library, the fine arts instructional center, and the student center.

Notable alumni

• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Nigerian writer
• Pat Boyd – Connecticut State Representative
• Kevin Brown – Connecticut State Representative
• Christopher D. Coutu - former Connecticut State Representative
• William A. Cugno - former Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard
• Anne Dauphinais - Connecticut State Representative
• Mark DeCaprio - Connecticut State Representative
• Edward Gaffney - Michigan State Representative
• David W. Gay - former Connecticut Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard
• Susan Johnson - Connecticut State Representative
• Camille Kostek - model including on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, television presenter, and actress
• Brian Lanoue - Connecticut State Representative
• Victoria Leigh Soto - Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher killed in the massacre
• Susan Wilson - New York Times bestselling author

See also

• Connecticut State University System
• WECS

Notes

1. Other consists of Multiracial Americans & those who prefer to not say.
2. The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
3. The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.

References

1. "Graphic Standards MANUAL" (PDF). Eastern Connecticut State University. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
2. ^ "Eastern's History of Excellence". Eastern Connecticut State University. 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-03-05.
3. ^ Dick Curland, Historically Speaking: Eastern began as 'normal school' to prepare teachers, Norwich Bulletin (November 26, 2017).
4. "2024-2025 Best Regional Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. September 23, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
5. "Eastern Connecticut State University". usnews.com. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
6. "ECSU Admission Requirements Admission Requirements". collegesimply.com. CollegeSimply | U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
7. "Institute for Sustainable Energy Mission Statement". Archived from the original on September 18, 2006. Retrieved August 25, 2006.
8. "ECSU to dedicate fuel cell | HartfordBusiness.com". Archived from the original on 2018-11-20. Retrieved 2019-12-03.
9. "Eastern Works with UTCP on Campus Fuel Cell Project - Press Releases". Archived from the original on 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
10. "Housing and Residential Life". Archived from the original on September 14, 2006. Retrieved August 25, 2006.
11. "College Scorecard: Eastern Connecticut State University". United States Department of Education. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
12. "Fast Facts". Archived from the original on April 27, 2006. Retrieved August 25, 2006.
13. Walsh, Michael. "Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie To Visit West Hartford In October". courant.com. Retrieved 2019-11-11.
14. "Biography". Housedrums.ct.gov. 3 January 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
15. "William A. CUGNO Obituary". courant.com. Hartford Courant. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
16. "Resume of Service Career". National Guard Bureau. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
17. Cassandra Day (2017-10-12). "Small-town Connecticut girl defies modeling convention, lands Sports Illustrated's coveted swimsuit issue". The Middletown Press. Archived from the original on 2019-05-08. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
18. "Eastern Announces Victoria Leigh Soto Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund". Reuters. Archived from the original on December 30, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2013.

External links

• Official website
• Eastern Connecticut Athletics website

41°43′16″N 72°13′05″W / 41.721°N 72.218°W / 41.721; -72.218

• Eastern Connecticut State University
• Public universities and colleges in Connecticut
• Universities and colleges established in 1889
• Willimantic, Connecticut
• Universities and colleges in Windham County, Connecticut
• 1889 establishments in Connecticut