Alumni

May 7, 2026 | Claire Hall

Real Estate Alum Nicholas Morizio Donates $1 Million for Scholarships

Morizio credits UConn for helping him find his path in life

Three people hold a large novelty check for $1 million.

David Wharmby, director of the UConn Real Estate program, Nick Morizio, and Megan Panek, senior director of development at the UConn Foundation, pose with a check illustrating Morizio's generous contribution to the real estate program at a banquet in April (Photo courtesy of Zack Wussow Photography)

Nicholas Morizio ’74 (BUS), a prominent commercial real estate broker in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts, has given $1 million to the UConn Real Estate program to establish new student scholarships.

It is the largest gift from an individual that the program has received in its 41-year history, and comes during the UConn Foundation’s record-breaking Because of UConn campaign, which aims to raise $1.5 billion in gifts and donations.

“I’m very happy and proud to be able to do this and to give back to help the next generation,’’ Morizio says. “I also hope my gift will inspire others in our industry to consider supporting the students and the university.’’

Morizio is President of Colliers International’s Connecticut and Western Massachusetts Offices. He has played a role in the purchase and sale of some of the area’s most well-known properties, including The Gold Building, Goodwin Square, CityPlace II, the Stiltz building, and 280 Trumbull Street in downtown Hartford. He also spearheaded the sale of the GM plant in Bristol, the Seth Thomas Clock Factory in Thomaston, and the Fafner Bearing plant in New Britain.

He has marketed properties exceeding $800 million in value and totaling more than 100 million square feet.

He credits his success to hard work and taking the time to build personal relationships with clients, earning their trust as both a friend and valuable adviser.

As a UConn Student, Morizio Worried About Money

Morizio didn’t come from a wealthy family, and would have appreciated having a scholarship when he was a UConn student. Morizio grew up in a three-family home in Hartford and later moved to Wethersfield, with his parents and three siblings. His father was a plumber and his mother was a homemaker.

“I worked for my Dad all summer to pay my tuition. My friends were out having fun, and I was on the job site,’’ he says. “Money was tight. UConn had no food service on the weekends, and I had to cover that expense, and also save for a couple dates. Any kind of scholarship would have helped out.’’

Morizio’s father would buy old houses, often with no heat, and add boilers, renovate kitchens, and repair bathrooms before selling them. Morizio used to ask his father how he selected the houses to buy and his father would say he trusted his gut.

“I wanted to understand which places were good investments, and which to avoid,’’ he says. He found those answers through the real estate program.

“UConn really changed my life. The light bulb went on and that’s when I knew what I wanted to do with my life,’’ he says. On a personal level, Morizio says he “came out of his shell’’ and made good friends who are still a big part of his life to this day.

Today’s Students Are Super Smart, Morizio Says

Morizio, who serves on the dean’s advisory cabinet in the School of Business, often mentors UConn real estate students and is impressed by the aspiring professionals he meets.

“UConn students today are unbelievable,’’ he says. “They’re super smart, outgoing, they can talk to anyone. I think they can do great things. Today, it is a different world from when I was their age. It used to be you could develop business connections just by joining the local country club. Now you have to prove your worth every day. But I believe that employers and business leaders will still hire people based on their expertise, and that’s one of the strengths of the real estate program.’’

UConn’s real estate program, established in 1965, is one of the oldest undergraduate programs of its kind in the country. From the beginning, it approached real estate as a distinct asset class. Today, the program graduates roughly 60 majors and minors each year, supported by a deep network of engaged alumni and industry partners.

Recent alumni have accepted jobs across the industry, including in brokerage roles at firms like CBRE and Colliers, commercial banking at J.P. Morgan, investment banking at Deutsche Bank, and private equity at firms such as GID, Marcus Partners, and Cigna Realty Investors.

“The Nicholas Morizio Family Scholarship will benefit generations of students to come,’’ says David Wharmby, director of the Real Estate program. “This is a very exciting and generous gift, and we are extremely grateful to Nick for his ongoing support.’’