It was a weekend of “firsts” on the University of Hartford campus, as President Lawrence P. Ward began his first semester at the helm of the University by welcoming new and returning students to UHart’s class of 2028.
Ward shook the hands of students and parents, sharing his excitement for the year, and even helped carry some students’ belongings into their residence halls. (Watch the video here.) The story was featured in the Hartford Courant, We-Ha.com, and several local TV stations.
Ward also gave the welcome address at Friday morning’s orientation session, speaking to first-year and transfer students about the importance of building friendships with faculty members, developing courage and discipline, and being resilient in the face of disappointment. He encouraged students to get involved and speak out about what they believe in.
“You are gifted and thoughtful young people and we need to hear your voices,” Ward said. “We need to be in conversation with each other. That’s what inclusive excellence looks like. A college campus is built on the fruitful exchange of ideas – even, or especially, when we disagree.”
Ward, who began his tenure July 1, comes to UHart after ten years as vice president for learner success and dean of campus life at Babson College in Wellesley, Mass. He and his wife Katerie are both from the Greater Hartford area.
Meet the Class of 2028
UHart is welcoming more than 1,300 students to the class of 2028 from its largest applicant pool in a decade. The class includes:
- 1,232 first-year students
- 136 transfer students
- 115 student-athletes
- 52 international students
- and a record 21 Hartford Promise Scholars
Just over half the incoming class is from Connecticut, while other popular home states include Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Texas, Florida, and California – 32 states in all. International students hail from countries as varied as Jamaica, Bangladesh, China, and Nepal.
“I am incredibly excited about our incoming class,” said Shane Ciccarelli, associate vice president of enrollment and dean of admission. “We are welcoming an exceptionally talented group of new students who persevered alongside their families through the unique challenges of the rollout of the new FAFSA. I am so pleased that they trusted us throughout the process and also deeply grateful for the hard work of our staff and campus community.”
Driving the continued growth in applications are in-demand programs such as nursing, art, architecture, radiologic technology, business analytics, mechanical engineering, and music theatre. In all, the University boasts more than 100 undergraduate academic programs that span the arts, humanities, business, engineering and technology, education, and the health professions.
UHart also has a number of major capital projects coming to fruition, with new facilities such as the Grant Family Track and Field scheduled to open in the coming months. One of President Ward’s priorities is to strengthen partnerships with major corporations, elected officials, civic organizations, and other local colleges to expand UHart’s educational and economic ecosystem. A $3 million gift from Stanley Black & Decker, for example, will provide scholarships for students from 29 towns within the Greater Hartford area.