WestConn Forms Partnership With Smithsonian

DANBURY — Western Connecticut State University has been named a Smithsonian Institution affiliate, making the university the only Smithsonian affiliate in Connecticut.

Nationally, WestConn is one of only a handful of universities affiliated with the Smithsonian. An official signing ceremony marking the partnership was held on Monday, March 3.

WestConn President James R. Roach called the association with the Smithsonian “historic and an honor for the university,” adding that it will enrich the university and the state of Connecticut.

The partnership involves opportunities for WestConn students and faculty to engage in research and internship programs. It also provides for WestConn faculty to travel to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., for special training and exposure to Smithsonian research.

Smithsonian officials, Michael Carrigan, director of the affiliations program, and Joanne Flores, affiliations coordinator, attended the ceremony.

An important component of the program is the prospect for WestConn to bring traveling Smithsonian exhibits to Connecticut.

“We are delighted about the possibility of bringing Smithsonian artifacts to the Connecticut region,” said Vice President for Institutional Advancement Richard J. Gerber. “This will allow the region to have direct access to Smithsonian displays and exhibitions.”