New London, Conn. — Connecticut College will welcome its newest Camels during Welcome Weekend, Wednesday, Aug. 21, to Monday, Aug. 26. The weekend is a mandatory program that introduces new students to the College community and helps them transition to college life. 

"Welcome Weekend is a wonderful opportunity for our incoming first-year students to connect with their classmates, faculty, and staff," said Victor Arcelus, dean of students. "The weekend is filled with fun and informative events that will help students get acclimated to the College and all that it has to offer."

The Welcome Weekend schedule includes a variety of activities, such as:

Arrival Day: On Wednesday, Aug.21, 2024, new students will move in and get settled in the on-campus residence halls from 8 to 11 a.m.

President’s Assembly: President Andrea Champlaine and other campus leaders will officially welcome new students and their parents at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, on Tempel Green. 

Convocation: On Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., Connecticut College will host its Convocation ceremony at Palmer Auditorium, celebrating the spirit of academic excellence and shared values.

Fall Semester Start: Classes for the fall semester will officially begin on Tuesday, Aug.27, 2024.

In addition to Welcome Weekend, Connecticut College offers several pre-orientation programs for incoming first-year students. These programs allow students to explore their academic interests, connect with faculty members, and get a head start on their college careers. For more information and updates, visit Conn's official website.

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New London, Conn.—Building on its environmental research on the Thames River, Connecticut College has developed a sustainable approach to restoring damaged marine ecosystems. A team led by biology professors Maria Rosa and Taegan McMahon has created 3D-printed panels made from biodegradable materials to revitalize oyster and coral reefs.

Traditional PVC panels used for reef restoration can harm the environment and hinder marine life growth. The college’s new panels offer a more eco-friendly and effective alternative.

“This technology has the potential to transform reef restoration,” Rosa said. “By using biodegradable materials and customizable 3D printing, we can create artificial reefs that better mimic natural conditions and accelerate ecosystem recovery.” 

The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, compared the 3D-printed panels to PVC panels. Results showed the new panels attracted marine life at equal or higher rates.

Beyond environmental benefits, the 3D-printed panels are cost-effective, making reef restoration more accessible to communities.

New London, Conn.—Erika J. Smith has been named interim dean of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Connecticut College. She will continue in her role as dean of the college.

Smith joined Connecticut College as dean of the College in 2021. In that role, she is a strong advocate for Connections and oversees the class deans, the Academic Resource Center, the Hale Center for Career Development, Study Away and jointly supports fellowships and scholarships in partnership with the Walter Commons.

As interim dean, Erika Smith will work closely with faculty, staff, students, and administrators to develop and implement strategies that promote diversity and equity across all aspects of campus life. Her role will involve collaborating with various campus groups to ensure that the principles of diversity and inclusion are integrated into the college's policies, programs, and practices.

Before joining Connecticut College, Smith spent more than 20 years in various academic affairs roles at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree in education policy and management from Harvard University. Smith holds a master’s degree and doctorate in social policy from Brandeis.

New London, Conn. – Connecticut College is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Presidential Staff Recognition Awards, presented last week at the 11th annual Staff Recognition Awards Breakfast. The awards honor the dedication and excellence of staff members across campus.

Award Recipients:

This year, the selection committee, comprised of staff and faculty, received 156 nominations recognizing 58 individuals. Six staff members were chosen for awards in the following categories:

• Citizenship Award: Lorraine McKinney ’09, Acquisitions & Collection Services Supervisor
• Inspiration Award: Justin Mendillo ’18, Director of Gender & Sexuality Programming
• Rising Star Award: Sean Elliot, Photographer
• Service Excellence Awards: John Nugent, Director of Institutional Research & Planning; Keleigh Wagner, Program Coordinator
• Special Commendation: Jeff Gada, Assistant Director of Media Services & Technology Planning

Celebrating Staff Excellence:

“We are incredibly grateful for the contributions of all our dedicated staff members,” said Les Wong, Interim President of Connecticut College. ”These awards are a chance to recognize the exceptional individuals who make Connecticut College such a special place.”

New London, Conn.—In a surprising twist, scientists have discovered that pathogens can pose a significant threat to new hosts when species are moved. This challenges the long-held belief that pathogens are most harmful to their original hosts.

The study, published in Ecology Letters, focused on a deadly amphibian fungus. While local amphibians are often more susceptible, the study found certain pairings of new hosts and pathogens can be equally devastating.

“This overturns the idea that moving species is relatively harmless,” said Taegan McMahon, a Connecticut College biology professor involved in the study. “We need to carefully consider the potential consequences.”

The findings underscore the need for stricter regulations on moving species to protect biodiversity.