After years of planning and amid great expectations, the Connecticut River Academy opened to students on its first day of school on August 30, 2010.

"You never have to go it alone, and that’s a really important thing to keep in mind," Principal Linda Dadona told the students. Her words were also an apt description of the collaborative spirit of the magnet high school itself, which is a partnership between Goodwin College and LEARN, a regional education service center, as well as the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology.

Students cheered the notion that textbooks were of little use at the Connecticut River Academy — most of their work will be computer-based and make full use of cutting edge instructional technology. The school will also ensure that students have computers and internet access at home, Dadona said.

In his welcome to the students, Goodwin College President Mark Scheinberg asked that everyone shake hands with unfamiliar classmates and to never be afraid to make mistakes. "If you don't make mistakes, you’re not trying hard enough," Scheinberg said.

It's time for Goodwin College to choose a mascot, and President Mark Scheinberg has opened the selection process up to students, alumni, and employees. The College is seeking any and all suggestions, with a few ground rules: the final mascot will be chosen based on originality, ties to tradition of the region or the College, and broad appeal.

Beginning in late September, the Writing Center will offer a series of Workshops for Writers to support and extend classroom instruction.

The first workshop, Formatting, Citing, and Referencing in MLA / APA, focuses on using MLA and APA requirements as well as paraphrasing text.

Building a College-Level Vocabulary focuses on developing vocabulary using visualization strategies, context clues, and word parts. In addition, this workshop includes the use of a dictionary and a thesaurus in context.

Academic English for Multiple Language Speakers focuses on the language of school, developing vocabulary, and understanding American speech, expressions, and idioms. The Writing Center recommends this workshop for multiple language speakers (MLS)─students whose first or home language is not English.

Catch up with your classmates and reconnect with your professors!

The College's fiscal year ends September 30! Don’t miss your chance to support our students with a gift to the Scholarship Fund this year.

The Foundation is in the final month of its annual campaign. Donors have already contributed nearly $188,000 for the College's second fundraising campaign for student scholarships. Thank you to our donors!

Don't have your badge bling yet? Be sure to make your gift to the Foundation this year and participate in Feeling Good About Goodwin, the College's giving club just for employees!

Join us for a fun Mardi Gras celebration, collect all 6 buttons to decorate your badge, and even "Take Your Seat" if you're so inclined. Most of all, feel GREAT - get involved and support students through the Foundation.

From July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010, Goodwin College conferred 198 certificates and 274 associate degrees. The total of 472 represents a 43% increase over 2008-09 surpassing that previous high of 331. This is the third consecutive year that awards have increased.

The 198 certificates awarded is 77% higher than the number awarded in 2008-09 and the highest ever awarded.

The number of associate degrees awarded increased by 25% over last year and is also the highest ever awarded.

The number of males receiving degrees and certificates increased slightly over 2008-09 but is still lower than their representation in the general student body (12% vs. 15%). Female students also received more degrees and certificates than last year, with certificates 6% higher than last year and degrees unchanged.

Overall, the percentage of awards to students of color increased from 39% last year to 43% this year. The percentage of certificates awarded to students of color increased from 45% to 49%, while the percentage of degrees increased from 35% to 38%.

90% of the awards (85% in 2008-09) were in Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences programs, compared to their 82% representation in enrollment.

The highest percentage of degrees was awarded in Nursing (31%), followed by Healthcare Assistant (22%) and Health Sciences (13%).

In non-healthcare fields the highest percentages were in Human Services (4%), with Early Childhood Education and Business Administration each with 2% of all degrees awarded.

The Library Advocacy Committee is sponsoring the following events to mark U.S. Constitution Day (Sept. 17):

Friday, Sept. 17 at 1:00 p.m. in the Community Room
Debate between Mike Rotondo and Howard Satinksy, a conservative vs. liberal look at the role of government in the United States.

Tuesday, September 21 at 2:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room
Attorney Richard Voigt will speak at Goodwin College on the subject of religion and the First Amendment. As acrimonious debate about the "Ground Zero Mosque" and the burning of the Koran make headlines, Voigt will explore the Constitutional protections of religion and speech and the impact on our society.

Thursday, September 23 at 2:30 p.m. (location TBA)
A criminal justice panel discussion featuring Brian Murphy, Cathy Levy, Joe Gillen, and Marilyn Nowlan. Topics related to law enforcement, gun control, and prisoner rights will be addressed.

Volunteers are needed!

Diana Aldrete, Joe Gillen, Elizabeth Lane, and Jayanti Roy have been promoted to Associate Professor.

Dr. Joseph Gillen is currently taking a professional development course through the American Psychological Association's Online Academy. The course is entitled The Affect Regulation Toolbox and covers a set of therapeutic tools that incorporates hypnosis, cognitive behavioral approaches, and mindfulness.

Lynn Guerriero recently accepted the position of Accountant for the Connecticut River Academy. Eric Polvani also recently accepted the position of Accounting Officer, responsible for handling students’ tuition accounts, accounts receivable, and other accounting functions.

Congratulations to the following instructors for completing their training in August to offer classes online: Jeanne Ambrosio, Mara Braverman, Harriett Canty, Adam Craig, Craig Esposito, Connie Dills, Donnasue Graesser, Joel Greene, Vishnu Khade, Kay King, Nicole Kras, Paul LaRocca, John Levesque, Kimberly Medeiros, Tarold Miller, Louise Murray, Michelle Pantaleo, Joanna Pliszka, and LaShanda Powell.

Flag Football
Co-ed, all skill levels welcome!
Games on Thursday evenings and Saturdays in September and October.
No cost to participate!
For more information, call Jordan Raineault at 860.913.2010 or visit his office in Admissions.

Paranormal Investigation Club
Curious about the paranormal? Join our newest student club as we plan a fall investigation at the Olmsted House on Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. For more information, call Eric Emet at 860.913.2059 or visit the Admissions Reservation Center on Floor 5.

Art Club
Want to meet other students who share your interest in illustration, photography, sculpture, or art appreciation? Call Helen Moarcas for more information at 860.913.2068.