2013 – The Year in Pictures

The year 2013 was a stellar year for the University of Connecticut in numerous areas, ranging from major institutional initiatives to personal accomplishments in academics, public engagement, and athletics. Here’s a look back.

NEXT GENERATION CONNECTICUT

In January, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy unveiled a groundbreaking proposal, known as Next Generation Connecticut, that will greatly expand educational opportunities, research, and innovation in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines at UConn over the next decade, while significantly enhancing the state’s economic development efforts. The proposal, one of the most ambitious state investments in economic development, higher education, and research in the nation, was endorsed by more than 100 businesses and other economic development entities across the state, and gained overwhelming bipartisan support in the General Assembly. It was signed into law in June.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy held a press conference at Pratt and Whitney on Thursday to announce a new initiative with the University of Connecticut. From left, Sam Mehta, president of Sikorsky Military Systems, Tom Prete, chief engineer for operational military engines at Pratt & Whitney, Lt.-Gov. Nancy Wyman, UConn President Susan Herbst, Malloy, Bennett Crosswell, president of Pratt & Whitney's military engines business, and Catherine Smith, commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. (Spencer Sloan for UConn) — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy held a press conference on Jan. 31 at Pratt & Whitney to announce the Next Generation Connecticut proposal. (Spencer Sloan for UConn)

Andrew Silva '14 (ENG) testifies in support of the Next Generation Connecticut initiative at a meeting of the finance committee of the state legislature on March 4, 2013. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo) — UConn students testified in support of the Next Generation Connecticut initiative at a meeting of the finance committee of the state legislature in March. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Governor Dannel Malloy speaks at event in support of the Next Generation Connecticut initiative head at the state capitol on April 11, 2013. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo) — The Governor discusses Next Generation Connecticut with business leaders at the state capitol in April. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Horea Ilies, left, associate professor of mechanical engineering, shows a virtual reality demonstration to Gov. Malloy after a ceremony on campus in October to celebrate the Next Generation Connecticut initiative. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo) — UConn researcher Horea Ilies, left, shows a virtual reality demonstration to Gov. Malloy after a ceremony on campus in October to celebrate Next Generation Connecticut. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

BIOSCIENCE CONNECTICUT

Significant progress was made in the Bioscience Connecticut initiative that was launched in 2011 as part of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s plan to boost Connecticut’s economy by generating long-term economic growth based on bioscience. Construction began on both the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine and the new Ambulatory Care Center at the Health Center, and a major symposium took place in September to officially establish four cross-disciplinary and cross-institutional UConn-JAX research programs in systems genomics, bringing together different areas of expertise to study important biomedical problems.

jacksonlab_groundbreaking_jg_209 — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, center, led the groundbreaking for The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in January, with Edison Liu, president and CEO of The Jackson Laboratory, and Lt.-Gov. Nancy Wyman. (Janine Gelineau/UConn Health Center Photo)

Construction started on a new state-of-the-art medical office building, known as the Ambulatory Care Center, that will serve as the anchor to the UConn Health Center’s outpatient care services on the Farmington campus. (Architect's rendering) — Construction also started on a new state-of-the-art medical office building that will serve as the anchor to the Health Center’s outpatient care services on the Farmington campus. (Architect’s rendering)

MORE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES

The Pratt & Whitney Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center, which will train a new generation of engineers and designers in the latest advancements in manufacturing technology, opened in April. (Angelina Reyes/UConn Photo) — The Pratt & Whitney Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center, which will train a new generation of engineers and designers in the latest manufacturing technology, opened in April. (Angelina Reyes/UConn Photo)

After an event launching the Fraunhofer Center for Energy Innovation at UConn in July, Shuai Zhao, a Ph.D. student in chemical engineering, explains her research to visitors. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

J. Michael McQuade, UTC senior vice president of science and technology, left, President Susan Herbst, Kazem Kazerounian, interim dean of engineering, and Provost Mun Choi announced the launch of the UTC Institute for Advanced Systems Engineering at UConn. — In November, a major gift from United Technologies Corporation launched the UTC Institute for Advanced Systems Engineering at UConn. Systems engineering focuses on optimizing the interactions between systems and components to enhance complex products. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

UConn’s newest department – Digital Media and Design – added new faculty members, new degree programs, and a new Digital Media Innovation Lab that was opened with a 'digital ribbon cutting' in October. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo) — UConn’s newest department – Digital Media and Design – added new faculty members, new degree programs, and a new Digital Media Innovation Lab that was opened with a ‘digital ribbon cutting’ in October. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

A NEW LOOK FOR A NEW ERA

In the spring, the University launched its new visual identity, with a striking new wordmark

NEWHUSKYLOGO — … and a new husky dog logo made its debut.

A GROWING REPUTATION

UConn was ranked #19 among public universities by U.S. News & World Report, its highest spot to date. And Kiplinger’s Personal Finance named the University #25 on its list of 100 best values in public colleges for 2013-2014. — Student achievement and growing reputation were among the factors that earned UConn its highest spot to date, at #19, in U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of public universities.

sierra-club-Cover — The University also won Sierra Magazine’s top ranking as the coolest school for its efforts to encourage sustainability, green technology, and environmental stewardship. UConn’s ecofriendly initiatives in 2013 included …

Tim Tussing points to micro filtration apparatus at the water reclamation facility on April 3, 2013. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo) — a new water reclamation facility … (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

STUDENTS

Students in the Class of 2013 became graduates, having made their mark on the University in an impressive variety of ways; and members of the Class of 2017 embarked upon their own UConn journeys, bringing with them a wealth of academic talent and high aspirations.

Erin Dinnan of Southington walks along with classmates during the entrance procession of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences commencement ceremony at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on May 12, 2013. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo) — Erin Dinnan of Southington was among the thousands of students who graduated in 2013 and were welcomed into the worldwide community of UConn alumni. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

The Class of 2017 was the most academically qualified and diverse incoming freshman class in the history of the University. — The Class of 2017 is the most academically qualified and diverse incoming freshman class in the history of the University.

Ragini Phansalkar (CLAS & ENGR ’14) dual-degree student majoring in computer science and biology with Nicholas Gallo (CLAS ’14) majoring in physiology and neurobiology with minors in mathematics and molecular and cell biology on April 8, 2013. (Sean Flynn/UConn Photo) — Ragini Phansalkar ’14 (CLAS & ENG), right, was named a Goldwater Scholar, and Nicholas Gallo ’14 (CLAS) earned an honorable mention. (Sean Flynn/UConn Photo)

From left, Emily Funk '13 (CLAS), Anna Green '13 (CLAS), Jennifer Bento, a Ph.D. candidate in the polymer program in the Institute of Materials Science, and Tyler Reese '13 (CLAS), in the Wilbur Cross Building. (Ariel Dowski '14 (CLAS)/UConn Photo) — Three undergraduates and a graduate student received Graduate Research Fellowships from the National Science Foundation. (Ariel Dowski ’14 (CLAS)/UConn Photo)

Undergraduate students organized the first TEDxUConn event, with speakers from academia, industry, and medicine offering their 18-minute takes on technological, sociocultural, and global trends. (Photo by Shervin Etemad) — Undergraduate students organized the first TEDxUConn event, with speakers from academia, industry, and medicine offering their 18-minute takes on technological, sociocultural, and global trends. (Shervin Etemad/UConn Photo)

Miller Oberman, a doctoral candidate in poetry, won Poetry magazine’s John Frederick Nims Memorial Prize for Translation for her translation of an Old English rune poem, the first student to win the award in the 13-year history of the prize. (Ariel Dowski '14 (CLAS)/UConn Photo) — Miller Oberman, a Ph.D. candidate in poetry, won a national award from Poetry magazine for her translation of an Old English rune poem, the first student to win the award in the 13-year history of the prize. (Ariel Dowski ’14 (CLAS)/UConn Photo)

Political Science major Vanessa Lovelace, 1st place (and People's Choice winner) presenting her topic: Genealogies of Liberty: An Embodied Black Freedom Trail. — Vanessa Lovelace, a graduate student in political science, won 1st place and People’s Choice in the Graduate School’s new Three-Minute Thesis competition. (Vanessa Lovelace/UConn Photo)

A UConn Ph.D. student in chemistry was invited to attend the Lindau conference in Germany, with the opportunity to meet face-to-face with more than 30 Nobel laureates in the sciences. (Homer Genuino/UConn Photo) — A UConn Ph.D. student in chemistry attended the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany, an opportunity to meet face-to-face with more than 30 Nobel Prize-winners in the sciences. (Homer Genuino/UConn Photo)

FACULTY
UConn’s faculty hiring initiative, begun two years ago, is already paying dividends. Since that time, the University has hired 188 individuals, and the student/faculty ratio has steadily decreased. Faculty members both new and established are making an impact and winning national and international recognition for their accomplishments.

New faculty members Paul Herrnson, Jelani Cobb, and Annabelle Rodriguez-Oquendo are among the senior academics who have joined the University recently.

The hiring initiative has enabled UConn to establish or expand clusters of researchers on critical issues, such as this group of new faculty focusing on closing the education achievement gap. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Investigator Award for her study of neurodegenerative diseases. The seven-year grant recognizes a body of work from an investigator with a history of exceptional performance. (Chris Defrancesco/UConn Health Center Photo) — Neuroscience professor Rashmi Bansal received the Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award, a seven-year federal grant, for her study of neurodegenerative diseases. (Chris Defrancesco/UConn Health Center Photo)

Erika Skoe, a new assistant professor of speech, language, and hearing sciences, published research showing that children of parents with low levels of education hear differently than their peers, which could affect their school performance. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo) — Erika Skoe, a new assistant professor of speech, language, and hearing sciences, published research showing that children of parents with low levels of education hear differently than their peers. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Pathobiologist Mazhar Khan earned accolades in China for his research developing diagnostic tests and vaccines to help prevent the spread of avian influenza. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Brian Willis in bimolecular and chemical engineering holds a rectenna device on Jan. 29, 2013. (Sean Flynn/UConn Photo) — A technique patented by biomolecular and chemical engineering researcher Brian Willis could make solar energy cost-competitive with fossil fuels. (Sean Flynn/UConn Photo)

ALUMNI

From Storrs to New York City to the International Space Station, UConn alums continued to reach for the stars, and to keep the connections strong with each other and with their alma mater.

Wally Lamb shares excerpts from his new book We are Water, during the book launch at the UConn Co-op Storrs Center bookstore on Oct. 21, 2013. (Juanita Austin '15 (CLAS)/UConn Photo) — Wally Lamb shared excerpts from his new book ‘We are Water,’ during a book launch event at the UConn Co-op in October. (Juanita Austin ’15 (CLAS)/UConn Photo)

Members of the Stamos/Heerdt/Vartelas/Vlandis family pose for UConn's "Biggest UConn Family" portrait at Rentschler Field on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013. Almost 60 family members received an exclusive Homecoming package, including tickets to the game, admission to the Alumni Association BBQ, T-shirts, and on-field recognition. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo) — The Stamos/Heerdt/Vartelas/Vlandis family was deemed the ‘Biggest UConn Family.’ Many family members attended the Homecoming game at Rentschler Field. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Just five years after graduating, Dan Rousseau '08 (SFA) won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lighting Direction for NBC News’ coverage of the 2012 Presidential election from NYC's Democracy Plaza. (Anthony Quintano/NBC News) — Recent graduate, Dan Rousseau ’08 (SFA) won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lighting Direction for NBC News’ coverage of the 2012 Presidential election. (Anthony Quintano/NBC News)

NASA astronaut and UConn alumnus Rick Mastracchio ’82 (ENG) embarked on his fourth trip to the International Space Station. (NASA Photo)

BUILDING COMMUNITY AT HOME

The new Storrs Center is fast becoming a destination for local residents, visitors, students, and others in the University community, while the UConn Reads program, now in its third year, is helping forge ties among the UConn community on campus and beyond.