Jillian Comolli

‘Hall of Fame’ Ceremony Celebrates Alumni Success—From Main Street to Wall Street

Posted on by Claire Hall

UConn Today – More than 300 alumni, faculty, and friends of the School of Business celebrated the 30th anniversary Alumni Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Hartford Marriott Downtown on Friday evening.

The celebration welcomed five outstanding and accomplished alumni to the Hall of Fame, while simultaneously honoring business, ingenuity, friendships, family, education, and even the men’s basketball team. Inductees also shared their advice to the many undergraduate and graduate students in the audience.

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Three Compassionate Alumni Win Competition, Offer Ideas to Help Make-A-Wish Reach More Connecticut Children

Posted on by Claire Hall

UConn Today – Three recent alumni, all with competitive spirits and a soft spot in their hearts for children battling illness, are the winners of the recent School of Business’ Global Alumni Case Competition.

The competition was designed to help the non-profit Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut to reach more children who could benefit from the services, more sharply communicate the organization’s purpose, and draw an expanded team of volunteers.

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Help Wanted: UConn Alumni to Brainstorm Ideas to Help Make-A-Wish Organization Reach More Families

Posted on by Claire Hall
Peter, also known as PJ, is a 15-year-old Connecticut teen who was diagnosed with a rare heart condition at birth. Make-A-Wish Connecticut granted his request to go to a dude ranch with his family, wear a cowboy hat and boots, go horseback riding, see a rodeo, and work with the animals as a rancher. In November, he and his family, traveled to White Stallion Ranch in Arizona to make his dream come true. Photo: Courtesy of Make-A-Wish Connecticut
Peter, also known as PJ, is a 15-year-old Connecticut teen who was diagnosed with a rare heart condition at birth. Make-A-Wish Connecticut granted his request to go to a dude ranch with his family, wear a cowboy hat and boots, go horseback riding, see a rodeo, and work with the animals as a rancher. In November, he and his family, traveled to White Stallion Ranch in Arizona to make his dream come true.
Photo: Courtesy of Make-A-Wish Connecticut

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut granted almost 200 adventures and other thrilling experiences for seriously ill children in our state last year.

But its executive team is eager to reach more children, particularly in urban and rural communities, where participation has been less robust.

The organization has asked that School of Business alumni help strategize ways to boost awareness of Make-A-Wish, and increase participation. The non-profit has a $30,000 grant which it can use to implement the plans.Continue Reading

Inaugural Alumni Case Competition Draws Those Who Believe ‘Every Child Deserves a Shot’

Posted on by Claire Hall
Group photo of the Connect-Us Academy Graduation.
Group photo of the Connect-Us Academy Graduation. This non-profit engages in advocacy for teens and young adults in Bridgeport. (Contributed Photo)

With a full-time job, two young children, and a host of other responsibilities, alumna Namrata Mazumder ’15 MBA really didn’t need one more project on her plate.

But when she heard about an opportunity to brainstorm strategic ideas to support Connect-Us, a Bridgeport non-profit that expands opportunities for youth living in poverty, Mazumder was hooked. Continue Reading

Inaugural Alumni Case Competition to Help Bridgeport Youth Advocates Strengthen Their Organization’s Growth

Posted on by Claire Hall
Group of volunteers and participants in Connect-Us, based in Bridgeport. UConn is hosting an alumni case competition to benefit the non-profit (Contributed Photo)
Group of volunteers and participants in Connect-Us, based in Bridgeport. UConn is hosting an alumni case competition to benefit the non-profit (Contributed Photo)

Pam Lewis and her team at Connect-Us are fierce advocates for teenagers and young adults in Bridgeport, and the programs they run have been extremely successful.

Connect-Us accepts students and young adults, regardless of academic achievements, if they have a true desire to excel.

“Our programs reach young people in Bridgeport who do not have access to the same connections, resources, and opportunities as their peers who are growing up in other, more affluent areas of Fairfield County,” said Lewis, the founder and CEO.

“Through Connect-Us, young people in Bridgeport have new experiences with each other, with business professionals, and with adult volunteers,” she said. “They take new risks and learn skills that can be applied to their future, whether that’s going to college, entering the workforce, or any number of paths.”Continue Reading