Award Winners

From left to right, Kenniel Martin A'06, '07, Kelly Tischbein '18, Alexander Robertson '20, Celia Lofink '79, P'16, Charles Pious '80, P'09, and Howard Schnee '92 posing with their awards after the ceremony.

Anchor Award winner, Alexander Robertson '20, catching up with President Ward before the ceremony.

UHart Men's Soccer Coach, Mike Kulas M'20, Anchor Award Recipient, Kenniel Martin A'06, '07, UHart's Director of Athletics and Recreation, Alicia Queally, and Kenniel's family.

Award winner, Howie Schnee '92, receiving his award!

From left to right, Anthony Eulie '19, M'25, Steven Mulready '77, Alex Coury '08, M'10, Jim Lofink, Celia Lofink '79, P'16, David Schupp '63, and Patty Connolly.

Charles Pious '80, P'08 and his wife, Stephanie Pious '80, P'08 celebrating after the ceremony.

James Alibrandi '84 (CETA)

Alibrandi saw his career take off even before he set foot on the UHart campus, where he would study for a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. It all began in high school when he had the opportunity to become an electrical apprentice at Interstate Electrical Services Corporation, where he is now president.

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Stephen Cusano '15 (Hartt)

Cusano has been making a culturally vibrant impact throughout Connecticut since his late teenage years. He is a drummer, producer, and recording studio entrepreneur, founding Parkville Sounds, right here in Hartford.

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Jillian Foley Cusano '16 (Hartt)

Cusano, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in ballet pedagogy from The Hartt School, has evolved into a versatile artist and artistic entrepreneur.

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Alexander Robertson '20 (Hartt)

Robertson is an award-winning entrepreneur who is passionate about expanding accessibility to the arts, promoting ambitious, socially relevant storytelling, and building a more inclusive entertainment industry. While just a few years out of school, Robertson became one of the youngest Black producers to receive multiple Tony Award nominations in a single season.

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Kelly Tischbein '18 (University Studies)

Tischbein is a high-performing team leader with experience as a software developer, scrum master, agile coach, and Coast Guardsman.

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Robin McGuinness M'98 (ENHP)

McGuinness has a health care career spanning nearly four decades, during which her leadership has inspired many associates and patients. Currently, she serves as the senior executive officer and chief nurse executive for AdventHealth’s West Florida division.

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Charles Pious '80, P'09 (Barney)

After earning his bachelor’s degree in business management from UHart, Pious made a name for himself in packaging. He built a company that currently employs 160 people and generates annual sales exceeding $50 million.

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Howard Schnee '92 (Barney)

Schnee is a music industry veteran with nearly 30 years of experience and success, and many innovative ventures ahead. From music and hospitality to venue management, real estate, venture capital, and consulting, Schnee credits the University of Hartford as one of the earliest and most important chapters in his professional journey.

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Francis Besancon C'63, '67 (ENHP)

To say that Besancon loved teaching would be a major understatement. Besancon, who passed away at age 51 in 1990, was well-known and well-liked in several Connecticut academic communities and certainly well-versed in all that makes an educator a great educator.

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Ezra Shanken A'00, '02 (A&S)

Shanken, a lifelong advocate for civic improvement and innovation at the intersection of community and culture, is the chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, the third-largest Jewish community in Canada.

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Kenniel Martin A'06, '07 (Barney)

Martin is a youth advocate and community builder who is recognized as a visionary leader. He is the founder and executive director of the Hartford Lions Soccer Academy, an organization praised for its transformative impact on local youth through its commitment to equity, education, and empowerment. The academy offers structured athletic training, academic support, and mentorship for underserved children throughout Greater Hartford.

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Celia Lofink '79, P'16 (ENHP)

Lofink holds two degrees from the University of Hartford, which is one reason she considers herself a devoted member of the school’s academic community. She has more than 25 years of corporate experience, where she was recognized for her ability to combine and maximize analytical and evaluative skills with insight, independent judgment, and effective collaborative decision-making.

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