University of New Haven Brings Centennial Celebration to New York City

More than 250 people attended an event at the historic St. Regis in Manhattan that was designed to commemorate the University’s upcoming milestone anniversary and to celebrate the start of its second century of success.

June 5, 2019

Upon arriving at the University of New Haven’s Centennial event in New York, Jaylen Johnson ’15 said the University has a lot to celebrate.

"I’m very excited for the University’s future," said Johnson, a member of the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors. "This was a great opportunity for alumni to connect with each other, and it is important for us to pay it forward, since we were all once students."

Held at the historic St. Regis New York in Manhattan, the event brought alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends together to reflect on the University’s success and to celebrate the next 100 years. Hosted by Charles Pompea ’71, ’90 EMBA, ’06 Hon., vice chair of the University’s Board of Governors, and Tamera Pompea, guests had the opportunity to explore the University’s past through an interactive historical timeline, which included black and white photos on a large touch screen.

"Over 40 years ago, there were only a few buildings," said Allen Sack, a professor emeritus in the University’s College of Business. "It has been a miracle to see how the University has progressed, which is a testament to its leadership. I’m proud to have been a part of the University’s history."

"I see a university that is redefining what it means to be a university in profound ways: a university that teaches its students to collect competencies instead of credits."President Steve Kaplan

The event, which was the second of several regional events commemorating the upcoming Centennial, enabled the 250 guests to reconnect with the University or deepen their relationship with their alma mater. The first event was held at the Museum of Science in Boston in April.

Students and faculty members showcased some of the projects they are involved in. The students representing WNHU, the campus radio station, invited guests to share their favorite memories as Chargers as part of a podcast, while national security professor Andy Morgan, a psychiatrist who has worked for the CIA, and his students showcased their research – requested by the White House – that is working to determine if a new method of interviewing will help security clearance investigators determine if people are lying.

Phil Bartels ’11 Hon., a longtime supporter of the University and former Chair of the University’s Board of Governors, was especially impressed by Matthew Sheehy ’19, a mechanical engineering major, who demonstrated a propulsion device that he invented to motorize unpowered modes of transportation.

"When I talked with Matt, I was struck by how much he has learned, by his enthusiasm, and by how he didn’t want to leave the University after graduation," said Bartels.

Guests also watched a video in which students discussed the university of the future that they envision. President Steve Kaplan shared his goal for the University – a place where he visualizes students continually challenging the University to innovate, imagine, and reinvent itself.

"The student showcases were amazing, and I’m glad to see the University continuing to move in the direction of innovation."David Peterson, Jr. ’88, '17 Hon.

"I see a university that is redefining what it means to be a university in profound ways: a university that teaches its students to collect competencies instead of credits," said Kaplan. "I see a place where lectures and majors are replaced by collaborative learning across a multitude of disciplines."

David Peterson, Jr. ’88, 17 Hon., a member of the University’s Board of Governors, says he was pleased to see so many people come together to share their passion for the University.

"The student showcases were amazing, and I’m glad to see the University continuing to move in the direction of innovation," said Peterson. "I am looking forward to the next Centennial event in Boca Raton in February."