Kimberly Hogan of Lebanon has been named chief executive officer at Middlesex Community College effective June 2.

“Ms. Hogan has served as interim CEO since April 2022 and prior to that was its Dean of Administration. Her commitment to the campus and the Middlesex community is unmatched,” said John Maduko, president of Connecticut State Community College in an email to the state’s community college campuses on May 31. “I am grateful for her continued service as part of our network of dedicated campus leaders.”

As the lead campus administrator, Hogan serves as a key member of the CT State senior management team and functions as the on-site operational excellence leader. She provides day-to-day leadership to faculty and staff on budgetary, enrollment, operations and related matters, and is the go-to for students, visitors and community partners.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to expand my leadership role on campus and in our system. This is an exciting time in the history of higher education in Connecticut, and I look forward to continuing to impact and shape the future for the students and community we serve here at Middlesex,” Hogan said.

She will also lead the college’s transition as the Middlesex campus and Meriden center become part of CT State Community College merger on July 1. The campuses would then be known as CT State Community College – Middlesex and CT State Middlesex – Meriden.

During the past year as interim CEO, Hogan continued to work to enhance retention and increase student success across campus and the system. As the ex-officio member of the Middlesex Community College Foundation, Hogan cultivated and received over $130,000 in endowed scholarship donations, creating three new funds.

Middlesex Community College is among 12 community colleges in Connecticut merging on July 1 to become CT State Community College, one of the largest community colleges in the country and largest in New England. CT State students will be able to apply once and take classes at any campus, including Quinebaug Valley (Danielson & Willimantic) and Three Rivers (Norwich).

GRAND OPENING

Favorites Bistro & Bar at 90 Bank St. in New London will hold its grand opening from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 16.

Favorites Bistro & Bar is a fine dining restaurant with Caribbean-inspired dishes. Its normal hours of operation are 4:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It also is planning a Sunday brunch in the near future.

Free samples will be available at the grand opening, which includes a 4 p.m. ribbon cutting. For information, visit www.favoritesbistrobar.com.

GRANTS & AWARDS

The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut has awarded a $7,500 grant to the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Connecticut to purchase beds for people in financial need. The furniture bank, originally an outreach of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Gales Ferry, has been providing beds and other furniture to people in financial need for over 40 years.

The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut funds a wide range of initiatives and projects that connect donors with nonprofits, schools, libraries and other organizations that change people's lives for the better. Each year, the foundation awards approximately $8 million in grants and scholarships.

In addition, the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut has awarded The Arc Eastern Connecticut $10,000 through an anonymous, donor-advised fund to help support a new Social Equity program for direct support professionals.

The Social Equity program is aimed at helping those who help people with intellectual disabilities, and ensures that team members of The Arc get help with financial literacy, self-care, professional growth, and health and wellness.

To learn more, visit TheArcECT.org or contact Denise Tift at (860) 889-4435, ext. 116.

Charter Oak Federal Credit Union has awarded $100,000 in scholarships to 50 high school and college students from the New London and Windham counties through its Community Giving Scholarship Program.

The following were high school winners:

Andrew Darling, Bacon Academy; Nikhita Bolineni, East Lyme High School; Kenya Greene, East Lyme High School; Owen Griswold, Ella T. Grasso Technical High School; Jackson Collins, Griswold High School; Amanda Wrobel, Griswold High School; Zoe Miller, Killingly High School; Carley DiMartino, Killingly High School; Isabella Rowan, Ledyard High School; Grace Walenczyk, Ledyard High School; Livie Bass, Lyme-Old Lyme High School; Alexis Fenton, Lyme-Old Lyme High School; Gracie Davidson, Marine Science Magnet High School; Sarah Tarinelli, Marine Science Magnet High School

Also, Kelsey Beaupre, Montville High School; Matthew Malbaurn, Montville High School; Hildalyn Joran, New London Multi Magnet High School; Kmara Royster, New London Visual and Performing Arts Multi Magnet High School; William Ambruso, Norwich Free Academy; Ethan McMahon, Norwich Free Academy; Zachary Tomaszek, Norwich Technical High School; Alana Gercic, Plainfield High School;

And, Maya Gerum, Pomfret School; Jacob Mailloux, Putnam High School; Emily St. Martin, Putnam High School; Aurora Clinton, Robert E. Fitch High School; Luca Ursini, Robert E. Fitch High School; Alyssa Lazarou, Saint Bernard High School; Dominic Robinson, Saint Bernard High School; Jacob Bundesmann, Stonington High School; Rachel Fretard, Stonington High School; Diya Patel, Stonington High School; Anika Garg, The Williams School; Reese Gendreau, Tourtellotte Memorial High School; Emily Bergamo, Waterford High School; Emma DeVito, Waterford High School; Jordan Dunkerley, Waterford High School; Benjamin Nave, Wheeler High School; Broderick Belanger, Windham Technical High School; Madison Bates, Woodstock Academy; Ella Rose Musumeci, Woodstock Academy.

College award winners were:

Clayton Singleton, Clark University; Meghan Wrobel, Eastern Connecticut State University; Silas Gates, Iona University; Nydesja Pearson, Morgan State University; Luisanny Castillo, Providence College; Hannah Nicholson, Salve Regina University; Alyssa Miner, Three Rivers Community College; Emma Larson, Three Rivers Community College; Luke Kindel, Three Rivers Community College.

To learn more about the Credit Union’s scholarship program, visit: CharterOak.org.

The Mystic Woman’s Club has announced its 2023 grants and scholarships totaling $23,000 to 23 non-profit agencies and four graduating seniors at local high schools.

Scholarship winners were Aurora Clinton from Fitch High School; Shayleen Castillo Aybar from Grasso Tech; Rashel Garcia from Marine Science Magnet High School; and Ella Lund and Sarah Berger from Stonington High School, who split the scholarship between them.

Agencies receiving grants were: Aluminum Falcons robotics team, Fitch High School; Always Home; Avalonia Land Conservancy; Child & Family Agency; Children First Groton; Groton Department of Human Services; Groton Sub Vets; Indian & Colonial Research Center; Madonna Place; Martin House; Mystic & Noank Library; New London Homeless Hospitality Center; Noank-Mystic Community Band; Riley Farm Rescue; Riverfront Children’s Center; Safe Futures; STEPS; Stonington Arms; Stonington Free Library; Thames River Community Services; Unified Sports, Fitch High School; WARM; and Wheeler Library.

MWC raises funds throughout the year, primarily through its Thrift Shop in Pawcatuck, as well as other projects such as its cookbooks and its quilt raffles.

CONTEST WINNERS

Winners of the 13th annual Aquarion Environmental Champion Awards were announced during a ceremony held at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo this month.

The winners are: HMTX Industries, Norwalk, for large business; Jones Family Farms and Jones Winery, Shelton, for small business; Connecticut River Conservancy, Hartford, for nonprofit; Diane Lauricella, Norwalk, in the adult category, and Hilary Holmgren, Stratford, student.

For additional details, visit www.aquarionwater.com/2023ctchampions.

POWER & ENERGY

Eversource is trimming or removing trees in Salem as the energy company tries to increase its power reliability.

Tree work is underway through the end of September on State Routes 82 and 85; Forsyth, Darling, Gungy, Old Colchester, Old New London, White Birch and Woodchuck roads; Harris Road and Harris Road Extension, Skyline Drive, Syleo Lane and Lake View Avenue.

Residents with questions can contact Town of Salem Tree Warden Tony Gallicchio at 860-377-3374 or Eversource arborist Susan Stotts at 860-665-2037. Inquiries about roadside tree work can also be directed to Eversource at 844-275-3302 or by email at treeCT@Eversource.com.

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