Norwich — It proved advantageous that the state Board of Regents for Higher Education waited nearly a year before holding a formal inauguration ceremony for Three Rivers Community College President Mary Ellen Jukoski.

The delay gave everyone connected with Three Rivers a chance to get to know the college’s third president — and time for one of the nation’s top celebrities to chime in on her work at the school.

Jukoski, former president of Mitchell College in New London, took the reigns at Three Rivers last July following former President Grace Jones’ retirement.

During Friday’s inauguration ceremony, colleagues, faculty, students, community leaders and alumni relayed stories and impressions gained in their nearly 11 months of interacting with Jukoski.

They praised her “authentic leadership,” tenacity in the face of budget cuts and many other challenges and dedication to student success.

In January, Jukoski found inspiration in an opinion article in the New York Times: “I owe it all to Community College” by Tom Hanks, published on Jan. 14. Jukoski felt compelled to write to Hanks to thank him for his support for community colleges. She soon forgot about her letter, until a brown envelope with typewriter lettering arrived at her office.

Inside, on matching brown paper and also typed on a typewriter came the response:

“What a great name for a community college,” the letter said. “Three Rivers! One river is Inspiration! The second river is Access! The third river is Perseverance. Sound good? It’s what the college experience was for me and I know for many others. Thank you for your letter and the work you do at #3RCC… All good things, Tom Hanks.”

Jukoski didn’t try to correct the actor by saying Three Rivers was really named for the rivers that traverse Norwich — the Shetucket, Yantic and Thames — but instead used his meanings as themes for her inaugural address.

The framed original letter was placed on display outside the packed multipurpose room where the inauguration took place.

At Three Rivers, she said, the inspiration is in watching faculty, staff and students engaging with one another to advance learning, she said.

“Three Rivers has very committed and engaged faculty of high quality,” she said.

Access is critical for community colleges, Jukoski said, and Three Rivers has “an open door to higher education to students of all backgrounds."

Students come to Three Rivers for degrees, for credits to transfer to other colleges and for career training certificates. Many students are low-income and first generation college students in their families, she said.

During times of shrinking financial aid and budgets, Jukoski said community and business partnerships will be critical to the success of the college. She pledged to continue those strong relationships at Three Rivers and to reach out to local public kindergarten-12th grade districts to help them provide a foundation for quality education.

“Ultimately, a student’s success depends on the student,” Jukoski said.

That’s where perseverance comes in, she said. Many Three Rivers students struggle through school with no outside support, juggling jobs and classes and career goals. They succeed by their determination, she said.

Jukoski said Three Rivers’ leaders will use the same approach during difficult times.

“We will try new things, and some of them will fail,” Jukoski said. “But we will learn from those failures.”

c.bessette@theday.com

Twitter: @Bessettetheday