East Hartford Student Earns Major University Honor

Connecticut State Colleges and Universities

EAST HARTFORD, CT — Twelve students from the four universities of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system were recently awarded CSCU’s highest academic honor, including one from East Hartford.

The Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award is given out at four CSCU universities in the state.

Earning the honor from East Hartford, was Desiree Velez, a music education major at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury with a 3.95 grade point average.

The students received the award for their outstanding academic achievement, on-campus involvement, and dedication to community service.

Each student was selected by his or her university and has maintained a minimum grade point average of 3.7 with a record of voluntary service to their universities and communities.

“This year’s Barnard Award recipients have excelled in the classroom and played an integral role in their local and college communities. These 12 amazing students represent the very best of CSCU and show that with hard work and dedication any dream is achievable,” said CSCU Chancellor Terrence Cheng.

“I want to thank the CSCU Foundation for recognizing these remarkable students. Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients!”

This is the 36th year the CSCU Foundation has been awarded the Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award.

It is named for Henry Barnard, the first U.S. Commissioner of Education, Connecticut’s first superintendent of schools and principal of what later became Central Connecticut State University in New Britain.

The CSCU Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports education and research within the four state universities.