A Student Investment

From the Hartford Courant

Graduating from Central brought an end to years of juggling a full-time job as a hairstylist and taking nighttime classes.

For Jennifer Andrews, graduating from Central Connecticut State University brought an end to years of juggling a full-time job as a hairstylist and taking nighttime classes.

"It's emotional for me. It means a lot. It's just amazing to have it all done," said Andrews, 27, who got a bachelor of science degree in business management.

Scott Jagora, 25, said he earned his degree in biomolecular science after four years of "lots" of caffeine consumption, late-night studying and some struggles. "It's relieving," Jagora said about graduating. He said he plans on going to pharmacist school next or earning a master's degree.

Andrews and Jagora were among the 1,736 undergraduate students who donned black gowns made of recycled plastic bottles at CCSU's 2010 commencement ceremony Saturday morning at the XL Center downtown.

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From the Norwich Bulletin

Nicole Habercoss, 22, of Sterling, said she was the first on her mother's side to earn a college degree

It took Nicole Williams, of Norwich, seven years, but on Sunday she graduated college and became the first in her family to earn a bachelor's degree.

In this respect, she was like many graduates from Eastern Connecticut State University's class of 2010, who collected their diplomas at the XL Center in Hartford; half of the 1,000 degree recipients are the first generation to complete college.

Nicole Habercoss, 22, of Sterling, said she was the first on her mother's side to earn a college degree. Her mother, Beth Habercoss, said her daughter sometimes thinks her mother's copying her, but it's more like the other way around.

Habercoss' daughter earned her degree in psychology, the same subject her mother studied decades ago. Then Beth Habercoss started having children and working full-time; priorities were different, she said. She works at Delta Rubber Co. in Danielson, and has stayed there 33 years.

She said she told her daughter about college: "You go. You don't stop. ... You get it done."

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From the CT Mirror

Damek Spacek, summa cum laude, and 3.94GPA, will not show up in the university's official report of graduation rates

Damek Spacek, summa cum laude, Class of 2010, is the kind of graduate who makes Central Connecticut State University proud. Like hundreds of other students who received degrees over the weekend, Spacek, a biomolecular science major, will not show up in the university's official report of graduation rates. The formula does not include students who enter as part-time students, who take more than six years to earn degrees, or who transfer from two-year or other four-year colleges.

At Central, more than 40 percent of this year's graduates transferred from other schools. Spacek, for example, spent his freshman year at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., but dropped out because "I didn't take it seriously enough," he said.

After working as a security guard, he enrolled at Central, where he compiled a 3.94 grade point average, earned scholarships, and conducted DNA research that was published in academic journals.

"A lot of my classmates have either been to Central before, took some time off to work or have been to other schools," said Spacek, 22, who commuted to Central from his home in Berlin.

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From the Bristol Press

Ella Sikora decided to go to college while continuing to work full-time and do volunteer work in the community.

Six years ago, Ella Sikora and her family arrived in New Britain from Poland. Like many immigrants, they didn't speak any English. Since her parents urged her to be independent, Sikora got an apartment with her sister and boyfriend and began working at a local coffee shop.

One day a customer challenged her to do something with her life, so she learned English, then decided to go to college while continuing to work full-time and do volunteer work in the community.

On Saturday she was among the 2,400 students graduating from Central Connecticut State University during ceremonies at the XL Center in Hartford.

Sikora was a psychology major with a minor in history. She earned a 3.93 GPA and made the Dean's List every semester. She is the Psychology Department's valedictorian and belongs to honor societies. She also speaks three languages fluently and received the Henry Barnard Award, which was given to four CCSU students this year.

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From the Stamford Advocate

College has eclipsed $50K/year at many private schools, but in-state students have affordable and rigorous options here in Connecticut.

There was a time when Connecticut's public universities were perceived as safety schools by many observers. Those days are gone. These days, there are no four-year colleges that can be considered safety schools in Connecticut.

The University of Connecticut and the member schools of the Connecticut State University System -- Western Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut, Central Connecticut and Southern Connecticut -- are prime examples. As more and more students compete for an excellent education at an affordable price, public universities have become increasingly competitive, even destination schools for many students.

Although a bachelor's degree is the goal for many high school seniors, there is no singular path to achieve that academic mission. At a time when paying for college has eclipsed $50,000 per year at many private schools, in-state students can find affordable and rigorous options right here in Connecticut, whether the school is located in Danbury, New Haven, New Britain, Willimantic, or even the state's flagship campus in Storrs.

Education is key to growing Connecticut's economy. The state must continue to invest time, money and energy into Connecticut's public universities to ensure that students of all economic means have access to higher education. A strong, affordable public university system is critical to training the state's work force of tomorrow.

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