Central Connecticut State University
Established	1849
Type	Public university
Endowment	$43 million[1]
President	Jack Miller
Admin. staff	416
Undergraduates	9,271
Postgraduates	2,089[2]
Location	New Britain, Connecticut, United States
Campus	Suburban, 165-acre (0.258 sq mi)
Colors	Blue and White
Athletics	NCAA Division I
Sports	18 varsity teams[3]
Nickname	Blue Devils
Mascot	Blue Devil
Affiliations	Northeast Conference
Website	www.ccsu.edu

Central Connecticut State University is a regional, comprehensive public university in New Britain, Connecticut. Founded in 1849 to train teachers, CCSU has expanded over time to become a four-year degree granting institution and University. It also offers Master's degrees and Doctoral degrees. Its borders now stretch to the western edge of Newington where State Routes 9 and 175 intersect.

CCSU is made up of five schools: the Ammon School of Arts & Science, the School of Business, the School of Education & Professional Studies, the School of Engineering & Technology, and the School of Graduate Studies.

Attended by over 11,000 students, 9,200 are undergraduates, and 2,000 are graduate students. In the Connecticut State University system, CCSU is the most selective.^{[4] [5]} It is part of the ConnSCU system of colleges and universities in Connecticut, which also oversees Eastern, Western, and Southern Connecticut State University. Together the four universities have a student body of over 34,000.^[6]

History [edit]

In 1849 CCSU was founded as New Britain Normal School to train teachers (the 6th Normal School in US).^{[7] [8]} It ran until 1867 when the school was temporarily closed due to opposition in the Connecticut General Assembly.^[9] After re-opening two years later, the Normal School resumed its services until the 30's. In the mid 1930's the CT General Assembly created the Teachers College of Connecticut and the first bachelor's degrees were granted.^[10]

In 1983 the school transitioned from a College to a regional University, the first time at which it operated under its current name, Central Connecticut State University. Organizational leadership changed in 2011 when the Connecticut Department of Higher Education was dissolved and replaced by the Office of Higher Education and the Board of Regents.

CCSU campus

Elihu Burritt Library

Vance Academic Center

Student Center

Institute of Technology and Business Development

Academics [edit]

CCSU has a student-faculty ratio of 17:1 and 43 percent of its classes have fewer than 20 students. ^{[11] [12]} The most popular Bachelor's programs by student enrollment are Business and Marketing, the Social Sciences, Education, and Engineering. Bachelor’s programs are also offered in a variety of other fields such as biology, computer science, literature, political science, and theater, among others.^{[13] [14]}

CCSU offers 100 majors in more than 80 fields, including the liberal arts and sciences, teacher preparation, counseling, and business. CCSU has established international learning partnerships with 70 universities in over 30 countries. There are over 400 full-time faculty members, 75% of whom possess the terminal degree in their field, as well as 400 part-time instructors. ^[15]

Graduate programs are offered in all of the academic schools. These include Master’s level programs in accountancy, education, literature, engineering technology, and information technology. A number of Doctoral degrees are also offered.

Recognitions and rankings [edit]

• Association of American Colleges and Universities: one of 16 "Leadership Institutions" in the nation
• Honors Program called "Absolutely Outstanding" in Princeton Review's "The Best Northeastern Colleges" (2006)
• The Connecticut Board of Governors for Higher Education designated the International Studies and the School of Technology as "Centers of Excellence"
• First institution to offer an online Master of Science in data mining (2001)
• Recognized by the NAACP in 2008 as an official stop on the underground railroad

Academic and Office Halls [edit]

Map of campus facilities: CCSU Website Map

Student and Administrative Facilities [edit]

CCSU supports its students with facilities to study, relax, and eat in the school's Student Center, as well as in the Elihu Burritt Library. Computer labs are provided throughout campus, but the primary computer lab is located in Marcus White Hall.

Administrative services are located in Davidson Hall (admissions, registrar, financial aid) and Memorial Hall (financial aid, main dining hall). Additional notable facilities are the Copernican Observatory, located in Copernicus Hall, Welte Hall, which services as the main auditorium, and Kaiser Hall, which houses the main gym, pool, and exercise science classrooms.

Recent Projects [edit]

In 2011 the first floor of the Elihu Burritt Library was completely renovated to create a new common area, with new seating and couches and computers to create a casual place for students. In 2012 and 2013 building projects included a $37 million Academic Building (as yet unnamed), a 4,300 square foot Engineering Laboratory, and a new Police Station slated to open at the end of 2013. Davidson Hall continues to undergo renovations that began in 2013, and is the new location of the Financial Aid and Bursar's Office.

Arute Field and its adjacent practice and baseball fields have also undergone extensive construction and renovation from 2010 through the end of 2013, including new football, soccer, track, and practice field turf. New football and soccer stadium seating has been added, as well as construction on the Balf–Savin baseball field, which opened in 2010.

Clubs and activities [edit]

Athletics [edit]

The university's athletic teams are known as the Blue Devils. Central Connecticut State participates in NCAA at the Division I (Football Championship Subdivision football) level as a member of the Northeast Conference. The university fields 18 varsity sports, eight men's sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, as well as indoor and outdoor track & field; and ten women's sports: basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, indoor and outdoor track & field, and volleyball. ^[16]

Notable Alumni [edit]

Current and former faculty [edit]

Honorees [edit]

Commencement speakers [edit]

CCSU's commencement speakers are often successful alumni such as Congressman John B. Larson (D-1st), CitiFinancial CEO Michael Knapp, and CCSU professor Kristine Larsen. Three of the last four governors of Connecticut have spoken at CCSU commencement exercises since 2008.

Recipients of CCSU Honorary Degrees [edit]

CCSU began awarding honorary doctoral degrees in 1985. Honorees have included the CEOs or Chairmen of six major corporations, four U.S. Presidents, and heads of state of Canada, Germany, Hungary, and Poland.

Footnotes [edit]

References [edit]

• Herbert E. Fowler, A Century of Teacher Education in Connecticut, New Britain CT: Teachers College of Connecticut, 1949.

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Central Connecticut State University

• CCSU Website
• Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog 2012-2013
• Library
• Central Athletics
• Student Center
• Student Government Association
• Official Facts & Figures

See also [edit]

• Charter Oak State College is located across the street from Central Connecticut State University.
• Connecticut's other three state universities are:
  • Eastern Connecticut State University
  • Southern Connecticut State University
  • Western Connecticut State University
• The University of Connecticut is also a public university.

Coordinates: 41°41′35″N 72°45′54″W / 41.69318°N 72.76496°W / 41.69318; -72.76496