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A Marriage of Land & Sea: UConn Agricultural Startup Seeks to Slow Food Spoilage

Posted on by Claire Hall

UConn Today – Who hasn’t purchased a pint of mouthwatering strawberries and two days later had to toss it in the trash because the berries became mushy and moldy?

A staggering one of every three pieces of fresh produce ends up in the garbage, a frustration for farmers, grocers, and consumers alike.

But a team of UConn scientists think they have a solution. Their startup, Atlantic Sea Solutions, is using seaweed extracts as a coating for peaches, berries and other fresh produce. They believe the natural ingredient can double the shelf-life of perishable foods by reducing shrinkage and spoilage. The seaweed-coating can be applied without changing the flavor or texture of the food.

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Professor Folta to Co-Lead National Academy of Sciences Committee

Posted on by Claire Hall

UConn Today – Timothy B. Folta, professor of management and entrepreneurship, is leading a National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee investigating the success and impact of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs at the U.S. Department of Energy.

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Three Alumni, Professor to be Honored As Outstanding Young Professionals

Posted on by Claire Hall

UConn Today – Whether they expanded their skills on a U.S. Navy submarine at sea, in a healthcare facility at the height of the pandemic, or by growing career programs at their alma mater, four members of the UConn Business community have been selected as among the most inspiring young leaders in Greater Hartford.

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Beloved Family Dog Inspired South Windsor Family to Become Entrepreneurs

Posted on by Scott Slater III

UConn Today – The Cecchini family’s entrepreneurship story began with an extraordinary love for their English Bulldog, Tank.

Unlike his two canine brothers, Tank suffered from unrelenting food allergies and painful ear infections. The South Windsor family developed a healthy, all-natural, grain-free dog biscuit just for him. When friends and family kept asking for samples, they recognized they were onto something big. They created their business, The Dog Bone LLC, in 2016.

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Professor Plesko To Serve on Prestigious Accreditation Committee

Posted on by Claire Hall

UConn Today – Accounting professor and department head George Plesko has been selected to serve on the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) Accounting Accreditation Committee, an appointment that reflects his educational expertise and engagement within the accounting industry.

The non-profit organization seeks to elevate the quality and impact of business schools worldwide. While nearly 900 colleges and universities hold AACSB accreditation, only 194 have AACSB-accredited accounting programs. The organization is considered the ‘gold standard’ of higher-education business accreditation.

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White House Taps Expertise of Professor Plesko and Two UConn Alumnae

Posted on by Claire Hall

UConn Today – Accounting Professor George Plesko along with two UConn Ph.D. graduates, now professors in their own right, traveled to Washington, D.C. last month to present the results of their highly regarded corporate tax research to the White House Council of Economic Advisors.

Plesko, who has served on IRS advisory panels for more than 30 years, has regularly participated in policy discussions with Congressional and Treasury experts.

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UConn Business Partners with Prestigious Chinese University to Enroll Top Grad Students

Posted on by Claire Hall

UConn Today – The School of Business on Thursday signed a formal partnership with Shandong University in China, one of that nation’s top universities, enabling Shandong students to begin graduate coursework in China and complete their degrees at UConn.

The Shandong students, who will come to UConn starting in Fall 2025, can pursue degrees in financial technology, business analytics and project management, or financial and enterprise risk management.

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Meeting the Team: Insurity Offers Unfettered Access to C-Suite

Posted on by Claire Hall

UConn Today – Long before Chris Lafond ’87 (CLAS) became the CEO of Insurity, a $350 million software company headquartered in Hartford, he was trying to figure out the best strategy to develop and showcase his business abilities.

He quickly discovered the importance of being inquisitive and developing knowledge beyond what is expected.

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Chairman Rodney Butler ’99: ‘You’re Here for a Reason’

Posted on by Combined Reports

UConn Today – This past spring, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Chairman Rodney Butler ’99 (BUS) addressed a large audience of students, faculty, and staff at the Student Union Theatre. One member of the audience paying especially close attention was Samantha Gove ’24 (CLAS), a member of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation who worked extensively with UConn’s Native American Cultural Programs during her time in Storrs. Shortly after Butler’s visit, he and Gove connected over video call for a conversation about Butler’s time at UConn, what he’s learned in two decades of leadership in the Nation, and what he wants Native students to keep in mind. The interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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‘Change Happens When One Person Makes a Bold Move’

Posted on by Claire Hall

UConn Today – Alumna Medina Jett ’08 EMBA delivered a commencement speech to the Class of 2024 that emphasized something she knows well: the importance of being brave and thoughtful in the face of change, whether celebrated or not.

“I stand before you not only as a fellow Husky, but as someone who understands the challenges and triumphs that come with the journey of life,’’ Jett told some 700 enthusiastic undergraduates, their families, and friends on Saturday afternoon in Gampel Pavilion.

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