Events Archives | Goodwin University

State and local officials including Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Rep. John Larson, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, and East Hartford Mayor Marcia Leclerc, manufacturing industry professionals, local business owners, and educational leaders came together on August 25 to celebrate the dedication of Goodwin College’s new Business and Manufacturing Center.

“This is a ‘magic moment’ in terms of education and manufacturing,” Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said before the official ribbon cutting.

The new 30,000-square-foot manufacturing building, currently leased from Goodwin’s neighbor and partner Pratt & Whitney, serves as the new center of Goodwin’s manufacturing school. Blumenthal went on to praise advancements in manufacturing education like those at Goodwin, saying that they are important not just to Connecticut’s economy but to national security as well, because graduates will “produce the parts and components that make Connecticut the arsenal of democracy.”

Blumenthal presented Goodwin president Mark Scheinberg with a Certificate of Special Recognition from the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support for dedicating himself and the College to providing students with opportunities for success.

“He is one of the real pioneers of American education,” Blumenthal said of Scheinberg. “What he has built here is a model for our nation.”

Rep. John Larson, D-Conn., also praised the vision behind Goodwin College and its mission to unite education, industry, and government.

“’Without vision, there can be no victory,’” Larson said, quoting a Pratt & Whitney poster his father gave him as a child. “That is what we’re here for today. Here is the place where they have created a vision that leads to a job.”

Larson was integral in the initial conversation that led to the creation of Goodwin’s manufacturing program two years ago. In the short time since its program’s inception, Goodwin has nurtured an impressive range of bachelor’s degrees, associates degrees, certificates, and multiple manufacturing training programs for the state’s growing manufacturing workforce. The program has seen about 260 students pass through its doors, not including fall 2015 enrollments.

“The nimbleness of Goodwin College never ceases to amaze us,” East Hartford Mayor Marcia Leclerc said of Goodwin’s ability to rapidly adapt to the state’s changing needs.

“Goodwin is moving at light speed,” said Joe Sylvestro, Vice President of Manufacturing Operations for Pratt & Whitney. “It’s tremendous.”

In January, Pratt & Whitney donated $125,000 to the program for the purchase of equipment to grow its Certified Production Technician initiative. Sylvestro said that, over the next decade, Pratt & Whitney will be doubling its manufacturing requirements and is looking forward to continuing its close relationship with Goodwin.

“Partnerships like we have with Goodwin are essential to make sure we have the talent” needed to continue to be a manufacturing leader in the state and the nation, Sylvestro said.

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman said that manufacturers make up roughly 10 percent of Connecticut’s workforce, employing more than 160,000 workers. And the only way to grow that number, she said, is for workers to be educated and involved.

“We are celebrating today not just this building but the future of our state,” Wyman said at Tuesday’s dedication. “We can’t wait to see some more buildings and more graduates here.”

Before cutting the ribbon, Scheinberg reflected on exactly why a manufacturing program like Goodwin’s is necessary.

“Our students come here with the expectation of something after college: employment,” Scheinberg said. He thanked the business leaders and government officials who had provided so much support for the program.

“It made it work in large part because of the support of our legislators,” Scheinberg said. “They understand how critically this is needed.”

The program will continue to grow to meet the needs of today’s employers in the state, as well, Scheinberg said.

“There’s a lot more to come,” he concluded.

View photos from the event here.

On Thursday, February 26, the Pond House Café in West Hartford’s Elizabeth Park was filled with 150 inspiring and caring individuals at Goodwin College’s celebration, Real Life, Real Women: Wine and Chocolate Gathering. The room for the sold-out event was elegantly adorned with twinkling lights, and guests were tempted with decadent chocolate and a wonderful selection of wines.

In 2014, Goodwin held its inaugural women-centered event, the Real Life, Real Women Brunch, which brought together Goodwin women and the women who inspired them – mothers, sisters, daughters, friends, partners – sharing stories of tragedy and triumph, setbacks and successes. That event became a model for future, women-centered programming aimed at gathering women and men and raising money for student scholarships for women.

Gladys Mercado — Mercado posing for a photo with her fiancé.

Mercado posing for a photo with her fiancé.

Not only was this year’s a successful fundraising effort, but it was again a way for women to inspire and support one another and to share their powerful stories, such as that told by Gladys Mercado, a Human Services student and recent scholarship recipient at Goodwin.

Mercado, who was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Connecticut at nine, grew up in Hartford’s inner city. There she witnessed domestic violence, experienced homelessness, hung out with gang members, watched her mother struggle with substance abuse, and lived on welfare. She became a mother, herself, at age 15.

However, Gladys was determined not to become another statistic. “As an inner-city, Hispanic, teen mom, I refused to let that stereotype define me,” she explained. Mercado went on to earn her GED and was introduced to community organizing by her mother — which is how she found the innate calling that would lead her to a college career.

While pursuing her bachelor’s degree at Goodwin, Mercado has been the recipient of several scholarships, inducted into two honor societies, become a published poet in Goodwin’s literary magazine, The Beacon, and is now a member of The Crew, Goodwin’s student ambassador group. “I am so thankful for the immense, unwavering support of the Goodwin College community,” she added.

In addition to pursuing her studies, Mercado also works full-time for Congressman John Larson, where she received a promotion from staff assistant to district aide. In this new role, “I’m able to help veterans and immigrants, which is extremely rewarding.”

As passionately as she pursues her degree and maintains her involvement in the College, the road hasn’t been easy. In the midst of raising her three boys, maintaining a job, and keeping up with her studies, she was involved in a custody battle and lost transportation for a period of time. She wouldn’t let that stop her. “I continued on. You have to respect life’s hurdles,” she said.

Mercado hopes to get a master’s degree in social work and eventually open an art therapy studio for youth and children. “I am so grateful to have been recognized as an individual you can invest in,” she stated. “I must extend a sincere thank you to the Goodwin community and the bright lights in my life for nurturing my potential and improving my quality of life.”

The next guest speaker eager to share her advice was Dr. Carlita Cotton, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Goodwin and a military veteran. An inspiring speaker and motivator, Cotton captivated the room with her energy and liveliness.

“At Goodwin, not only will you get a quality, accredited education, but you will also have access to the people and tools to guide you to find the courage and confidence to reach your calling and positively impact the world,” Cotton stated. “But you can’t get there by yourself. You need an example, you need a mentor, and you need guts and grace.”

Cotton recognized Mercado as a wonderful example of someone with “guts and grace”, the tenacity and courage to succeed, and she recognized the College’s willingness to give students a second and third chance. “The College liberally dispenses nonacademic support and will work with you even when others have counted you out,” Cotton stated.

Ann Clark and Brooke Penders smiling at the end of a successful evening.

At the end of the program, Brooke Penders, Vice President of Advancement, announced a new endowed scholarship fund established by Provost Ann Clark. This fund will support Goodwin students who demonstrate a willingness to turn their lives around and who have the courage and vigor to succeed.

Over $10,000 was raised for student scholarships for women. The evening’s success was a reflection of the time, effort, and commitment of so many, especially the newly formed Goodwin College Women’s Event Committee. If you would like to support students like Gladys, please contact the Advancement Office at (860) 291-9934 or giving@goodwin.edu.

Check out more photos here.

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