MassMutual Hartford Huskies
UConn Foundation newsletter Momentum, Summer 2006 issue
Sixty Hartford high school graduates who may never have had the chance to attend a highly selective four-year university will now be able to attend the University of Connecticut thanks to an innovative partnership between the Hartford schools, the University of Connecticut and the MassMutual Foundation for Hartford, Inc.
The MassMutual Hartford Huskies Scholar Program was announced in May when the first 15 student beneficiaries – representing Hartford’s public high schools – were introduced during an upbeat event at Bulkeley High School. It is being funded by the MassMutual Foundation through a $584,000 contribution.
“I’ve always dreamed of going to UConn, but I never would have made it there without this kind of support,” said Crystal Cruz, a senior at Hartford Public High School.“I know some day I’ll be back here talking to future students about how education made a difference in my life, and I’ll always be grateful to MassMutual, UConn and the City of Hartford for making it happen.”
The MassMutual Hartford Huskies Scholars Program will eliminate some of the barriers to college facing Hartford public school graduates, provide momentum to UConn’s push to provide quality education to a diverse student population and support Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez’ goal of increasing by 25 percent the number of Hartford youth attending four-year colleges.
“This is a wonderful program that gives Hartford students exactly what they need to succeed: opportunity.That it is matched with financial assistance, hands-on academic support and even a computer makes it phenomenal,” said Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez. MassMutual Hartford Huskies Scholars will receive financial aid and academic fees help with four years (or eight semesters) of academic advising, use of a laptop or desktop computer, and social support to enhance their overall college educational experience.
The program will focus on the recruitment, retention and graduation of low-income, first-generation Hartford students through UConn’s Student Support Services Program. The students chosen will be introduced to University life prior to their freshman year by attending a six-week, pre-collegiate summer program.The Student Support Services Program will then guide them through their college careers.
“As Connecticut’s flagship public university, UConn endeavors to open its doors to every academically qualified student in the state,” said University President Philip E. Austin. “We are proud of our progress in maintaining a student body that is culturally and economically diverse, and the MassMutual Hartford Huskies Scholars program will take us an important step forward. We greatly appreciate their support.”
The Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company has a long history of supporting education.The company strongly promotes–through financial assistance and volunteerism–the belief that providing educational opportunities effects long-term improvement within communities. Among its current educational programs in Hartford are the MassMutual Academic Achievement Program, which encourages and supports academic achievement in the city’s high schools, and its MassMutual Scholars Program, which provides $28,000 in college scholarships ($7,000 per year over four years) to 50 college-bound students from the counties of Hartford and Hampden, MA.
“We’re especially proud of this new MassMutual Hartford Huskies Scholars Program because it was designed to fulfill a specific need in Hartford where so many students deserve the opportunity to continue their education at Connecticut’s flagship university,” said Ronald A. Copes, executive director of the MassMutual Foundation and corporate vice president of Community Relations for MassMutual. “We’ve helped foster a culture of academic achievement in Hartford. By helping send 60 new students to UConn, we’re taking the natural next step in opening doors to education.”
