New London, Conn. — Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how people work, learn and conduct research. To prepare students for an increasingly AI-driven world, Connecticut College has launched a three-year initiative, “AI@Conn: Empowering Liberal Arts Education with AI,” to integrate AI tools and topics into academic programs and enhance teaching, research and engagement with technology across campus. This transformative program is funded by a substantial bequest to the Diane Y. Williams ’59 Instructional Technology Fund from Ad Astra and Rosemary Park Society member Harold F. Wiley, who passed away in 2023.

“AI@Conn adds a new dimension to our signature academic program, Connections, and prepares students for successful careers in a modern world,” said Dean of the College and Interim Dean of Equity and Inclusion Erika J. Smith. “This multidimensional initiative will position Conn as a leader in innovative technology education across disciplines.”

Wiley’s gift, designated for academic technology, inspired Vice President for Information Services and Librarian of the College Matt Gardzina to develop an AI focus shaped by input from faculty, the Generative AI for Teaching & Learning Community and discussions with Library & Information Technology staff.

“We led with the idea that AI won’t replace your job, but the person who knows how to use it might,” said Gardzina.

A cornerstone of the initiative is the creation of a two-year fellowship. The Harold F. Wiley Fellow in Artificial Intelligence will bring specialized knowledge to the College to support faculty in AI-related projects, assist in course development and lead summer workshops.

“The idea is that this dedicated position will help oversee academic AI interests and support various departments. This will allow Computer Science faculty and other campus experts to focus on the research and creation of AI, whereas the AI fellow will help with faculty development and address issues like ethical concerns and safety,” Gardzina explained.

AI@Conn will provide faculty with professional development workshops, course development support and new technologies to incorporate AI into teaching and research practices. Stipends will be available for faculty interested in modifying existing courses, creating new assignments or developing AI-focused courses. Students will also benefit from stipends and resources for AI-focused summer research projects.

Connecticut College plans to share its AI@Conn resources and expertise with other institutions through workshops, conferences and symposia in 2025 and 2026. Director of Gift Planning Laura Becker, who helped facilitate Wiley’s bequest, noted, “This gift is a testament to the power of planned giving and its transformative impact on liberal arts education.”

For more information about AIConn and its impact on Connecticut College’s academic offerings, visit www.conncoll.edu/ai-conn.

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New London, Conn. — In a world where headlines fade, one exhibition at Connecticut College stands as a testament to enduring cultural strength. "Posters from the Odesa City Letters Project" opens on Jan. 21, 2025, transforming the Cummings Arts Center Galleries into a vibrant showcase of Ukrainian resilience through graphic design. This isn't just an art display — it's a visual narrative of a nation's soul. Hundreds of posters from the Odesa City Letters Project tell stories of courage, humor and defiance in the face of ongoing conflict. Each piece serves as a powerful reminder of art's role in preserving cultural identity under threat.

Exhibition Highlights

• Curated Experience: Co-curated by Andrea Wollensak, professor of Art at Connecticut College, and Alexander Tochilovsky, director of the Herb Lubalin Study Center of Design and Typography at The Cooper Union, New York City
• Global Journey: Following acclaimed showings at The Cooper Union and Maryland Institute College of Art, these posters now make their mark in New London.
• Student Engagement: Connecticut College students will create typographic responses to the exhibition, which will be displayed in the Atrium Gallery.

Beyond the Gallery Walls

The exhibition extends its impact through:

• Tochilovsky will deliver a lecture on "Decolonizing Ukrainian Design" on Feb. 24 at 4:30 p.m., exploring efforts to reclaim Ukrainian graphic design from Soviet influences. Following the lecture, a public reception will be held in the galleries from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Workshops led by Weismann Visiting Artist Lee Davis '88 inspire the next generation of designers.

"This exhibition is more than art — it's a cultural lifeline," says Wollensak. "It offers a unique lens into how a nation uses creativity to assert its identity in the face of aggression." 

The exhibition runs at Connecticut College's Cummings Arts Center Galleries from Jan. 21 to Mar. 7, 2025. The Cummings Arts Center Galleries are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

New London, Conn. — The distant celestial wonders will soon be closer to home, thanks to a $100,000 donation from an anonymous Connecticut College alum. The gift will fund a new telescope and upgrades to the observatory atop the F.W. Olin Science Center, enhancing astronomical research and education opportunities.

The new telescope, a 14-inch CDK350 Observatory System from PlaneWave Instruments, is more efficient and easier to use than the current 20-inch scope installed in 1996, said Assistant Teaching Professor of Astronomy Alex Gianninas. Gianninas, who joined Connecticut College in 2023 and is also the campus director for the Connecticut Space Grant Consortium, said the new telescope will allow students to gain valuable hands-on experience that mechanical and electronic issues with the existing scope prevented in recent years.

“Using publicly available data has been helpful, but this new equipment will finally let us train students on-site,” Gianninas said. The telescope’s ease of operation will also open it up to students in introductory courses, and the department plans to invite the public to experience it at an April open house event featuring guided observations, activities, talks, and videos.

Associate Professor Emeritus of Physics Leslie Brown, who taught at Connecticut College from 1992 to 2022, spoke to the lasting significance of the donation. “This most generous gift of a new telescope and dome upgrades ensures that students and the local community can continue sharing in the wonders of the night sky, as they have in the past. I cannot thank the donor enough for ensuring this vibrant future for astronomy at Conn,” Brown said.

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New London, Conn. — Connecticut College has appointed Christina W. Williams as the new vice president for finance and administration, effective Nov. 1, 2024. Williams, an experienced leader in finance, business operations and international program management, brings a wealth of knowledge from the higher education and nonprofit sectors.

Most recently, Williams served as associate dean for finance and administration at Boston College’s Woods College of Advancing Studies. In this role, she managed key administrative functions, faculty hiring, and initiatives to streamline operations and support student success. Focusing on data-driven decision-making, she worked closely with academic leadership to drive strategic projects, improve processes, and enhance operational efficiency.

“Christina has a proven track record of building cross-functional teams and delivering impactful outcomes,” Connecticut College President Andrea E. Chapdelaine said. “Her strong background in managing complex programs, donor partnerships and high-level financial planning will be invaluable to Conn as we move forward.”

Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA from Northeastern University. She previously held senior roles at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, including chief financial officer for the Sloan School of Management and director of development and finance at the MIT Media Lab. At MIT, she was part of the negotiating team for complex contracts that led to the creation of international universities and implemented financial strategies to increase transparency and reduce inefficiencies.

As Conn’s vice president for finance and administration, Williams will oversee financial and administrative strategies and work with campus leaders to drive strategic projects and operational improvements.

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New London, Conn. — Connecticut College is proud to unveil the 2024-2025 lineup for its OnStage Guest Artist Series, a showcase of world-class performers in music, dance, theater and more. The season will feature an exciting blend of renowned artists and innovative newcomers, all set to perform on the College’s vibrant campus in New London.

The OnStage Guest Artist Series is one of Connecticut College’s signature cultural programs, offering diverse and cutting-edge performances in an intimate setting. This year's series continues the College’s mission to foster appreciation for the arts and encourage cultural engagement both on and off-campus.

Highlights of the 2024-2025 Season:

• A Far Cry with Davóne Tines “CODED”– Oct. 13, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.
  A Far Cry, a Grammy-nominated, self-conducted orchestra, will perform “CODED”, a collaborative project with bass-baritone Davóne Tines exploring the legacy of Black spirituals.
• David Dorfman Dance “truce songs” – Oct. 26, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
  A meditation on the perils of peace and power, “truce songs,” performed by David Dorfman Dance, Connecticut College’s  dance company in residence. The dance work mines the depths of our power-crazed world, looking for our foibles and relentlessly searching for joy.
• So Percussion – Nov. 9, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
  So Percussion, a chamber music quartet that defies genre, mesmerizes audiences with a complex, vibrant sound and unconventional live performances.
• The Acting Company performs August Wilson’s “Two Trains Running” – Feb. 7, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
  The Acting Company, known for launching the careers of many notable actors, performs August Wilson’s Tony® winning play “Two Trains Running”, a one-night-only performance celebrating the spirit and resilience of the American people.
• Regina Carter Quintet “Gone in a Phrase of Air” – April 11, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
  Grammy-® nominated artist Regina Carter’s new project, “Gone In A Phrase Of Air”, explores the displacement of communities in America through music, visual art, poetry and spoken word.

“We are thrilled to present another exciting season of the OnStage Guest Artist Series,” said Robert Richter, director of Arts Programming at Connecticut College. “You won't be disappointed by the incredible performers coming to campus.”

Event Details and Ticket Information: All performances will take place in Evans Hall or Palmer Auditorium on the Connecticut College campus. 

Tickets for all performances are now available. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit conncoll.edu/onstage or contact the box office at 860-439-ARTS (2787).