WestConn Is Planning Inaugural Events To Honor Its New President

DANBURY — Anyone who has been on the Western Connecticut State University campuses or attended a greater Danbury community event since August 1 has likely met WestConn’s new president, Dr James W. Schmotter. His personal style is revealed in a willingness to listen, an easy smile that is often followed by laughter, and an ability to make friends with those he meets — whether they are students, faculty and staff, alumni or members of the community.

He is also deeply interested in advancing the university’s mission, while changing the lives of its students and all those they touch.

With that in mind, the university is planning a number of activities from April 8 through April 15 to celebrate the inauguration of Dr Schmotter as the university’s eighth president. The activities will focus on “Changing Lives.”

Director of University Relations Dr G. Koryoe Anim-Wright, who is co-chair of the Inauguration Steering Committee overseeing the festivities, explained that the week’s events, like its theme, would mirror Dr Schmotter’s style.

“In the brief time he’s been at the university, Dr. Schmotter has become a very familiar face around campus. He’s made himself available and accessible to students, alumni, members of the community, faculty, and staff,” she said. “Just about everyone I’ve talked to is very pleased with what he’s been able to accomplish in his short time here. By joining the inauguration activities, we all honor who he is, celebrate what he’s doing, and support the wonderful plans he has for the university and the community into the future.”

Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr Carol Hawkes, the steering committee’s other co-chair, said she sees the week as an opportunity for people to take part in yet another milestone in the university’s rich history, which is so interwoven with the history of the region.

“It’s a celebration for the university, for Dr Schmotter and for the whole area,” Dr Hawkes said. “Much in keeping with his style, the festivities will be very open and inclusive.”

“This will be the university’s way to officially welcome Dr Schmotter as president, and it will be the opportunity for people who’ve come to know and like him to attend the inauguration of a friend,” Dr Anim-Wright added. Dr Schmotter selected the focus for the week.

“Dr Schmotter chose the theme ‘Changing Lives’ because it reflects what this university has been doing since its founding,” Dr Anim-Wright said. “Keeping that in mind, everything scheduled during the inaugural week will have some element that incorporates the ‘Changing Lives’ theme. We want to present meaningful activities and programs that will showcase the many lives this university has changed over the years.”

Senior Justice and Law Administration major Elizabeth Dyer, who is the Student Government Association (SGA) representative on the 16-member steering committee, said she is seeing firsthand that WestConn and Dr Schmotter are committed to helping students enhance their lives.

“He’s involving himself with student clubs and SGA activities as much as he can,” Ms Dyer said. “It’s very impressive that he’s involving himself so closely with our education and our lives.”

The steering committee is working with a planning committee and a number of subcommittees to develop and implement the events for the week. The organizers have established an email address and are asking those who have suggestions about events, are interested in volunteering, or want to request more information to send an e-mail to inauguration@wcsu.edu.

The organizers intend to host events that will involve and appeal to specific members of the university community, such as students, alumni, faculty and staff, and members of the public. Some of the possibilities being considered include a community day; a faculty day to highlight faculty-developed programs that are improving the lives of many in the community; a student day, which will include the groundbreaking for the new Westside campus student center and other student-sponsored events; and an event that may feature WestConn students and alumni who will talk about the changes they have experienced as a result of their education. The formal ceremony to install the president is scheduled for Friday, April 15.

“We want to have active participation from the community, students, faculty and staff, and alumni throughout the week,” Dr Hawkes said.

For more information, email inauguration@wcsu.edu or call the Office of University Relations at 837-8486.