A Dynamic Community: UConn in 2014

A look at UConn’s evolving community during 2014.

A view of the Convocation ceremony held on the Student Union Mall on Aug. 22, 2014. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

The Convocation ceremony for the Class of 2018 was UConn's first candlelight Convocation. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

As the year 2014 winds down, UConn Today takes a look at some highlights of the past 12 months. A series of posts leading up to the new year will feature various aspects of University life. Today, a look at UConn’s dynamic community.

A view of the Convocation ceremony held on the Student Union Mall on Aug. 22, 2014. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)
A candlelight Convocation ceremony was held for the first time on the Student Union Mall on Aug. 22. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

The year began with a record number of applications received in January, that translated a few months later to an incoming class of nearly 6,000 that set new records as the most diverse and high-achieving freshman class to date.

Mascot Jonathan XIV the husky dog poses for a portrait. (Bret Eckhardt/UConn Photo)

Early in the spring semester, Jonathan XIV received a warm welcome to the UConn community as he made his debut on campus, and he was joined with almost as much fanfare in the fall by his new counterpart, the redesigned Husky mascot.

academic-vision-story

The academic year 2013-14 wrapped up in May when 5,400 well-educated, well-traveled, and socially conscious students in the ‘championship caliber’ Class of 2014 graduated with their bachelor’s degrees. In late August, the Class of 2018 began their UConn journey with a spectacular Convocation ceremony by candlelight on the Student Union Mall.

The University retained its No. 19 spot in the U.S. News & World Report ranking of top public universities, while adopting an ambitious new Academic Vision designed to further elevate UConn’s stature.

If an institution is known by the company it keeps, UConn’s visitors this year are a testament to the University’s growing reputation. The University community welcomed leading personalities from a range of different walks of public life.

Hillary Clinton answers questions read by President Susan Herbst during The Edmund Fusco Contemporary Issues Forum held at the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts on April 23, 2014. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)
Hillary Clinton answers questions from President Susan Herbst at the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts on April 23. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recognized UConn as a ‘great University,’ while calling on students to be ‘the participation generation.’ UConn alum and NASA astronaut, who said he probably has “the best job on – and off – the planet,” connected with his alma mater from space when he gave a Commencement address from the International Space Station. And TV late night show host Jay Leno test drove a race car designed by UConn engineering students before his performance at Family Weekend.

Rick Mastracchio '82 (ENG) brought a new perspective to his Commencement speech, which he delivered to graduates of the School of Engineering from the International Space Station. (Photo courtesy of NASA)
Rick Mastracchio ’82 (ENG) brought a new perspective to his Commencement speech, which he delivered from the International Space Station. (Photo courtesy of NASA)
Comedian Jay Leno cruises around campus in a student-built car while visiting UConn, where he gave a presentation at Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts during Family Weekend. (Bret Eckhardt/UConn Photo)
Comedian Jay Leno cruises around campus in a student-built car while visiting UConn during Family Weekend. (Bret Eckhardt/UConn Photo)