From left to right:  Brazilian Ambassador Ronaldo Edgar Dunlop, Consulate General of Brazil in Hartford; Aderbal Gomes, President of Fundação Artístico-Cultural de Betim (FUNARBE); Eric Galm, Associate Professor of Music and Ethnomusicology at Trinity; and Sonia Reis da Costa, Vice-Consul of the Consulate General of Brazil in Harford.  On a recent visit to the United States, Gomes met with leaders to discuss a Cultural Interchange with FUNARBE and the United States.  Galm, who specializes in ethnomusicology and started the Trinity College Samba Fest, was involved in the partnership, which, according to the members, will open the doors of the world for artists from the city of Betim, who will have an opportunity to demonstrate their talent, increase their profile, and learn about other cultures.  The group selected Hartford as a possible collaborative base as a result of learning about the Trinity Samba Fest, and given the potential for significant opportunities in the Hartford area.     

Andres Vargas ’11, Men’s Squash and Tennis Graduate Assistant Coach and four-time All-American squash player at Trinity, was recently presented a Latino de Oro Award for his noteworthy athletic accomplishments.  The awards were presented in ten categories: Politics, Education, Art & Culture, Health, Music, Sports, Media, Student, Lifetime Achievement and Contribution to the Latin Community.  All but the last are given to people of Hispanic heritage who have made positive contributions to society, and have accomplished noteworthy work in the Latin American community.    

“It was certainly gratifying to receive this award,” Vargas said.  “I was also pleased knowing that squash is getting some recognition in Connecticut, not only in prep schools but also in the Latino community.”

Vargas was in good competition, as the award nominees included Shabazz Napier, one of the Big East’s top point guard for the University of Connecticut, and Luis Rosa, a professional boxer and noteworthy coach.  Vargas was Rookie of the Year in his first season with Trinity squash, received the James Montano Award for his leadership spirit, and was captain of the team in his senior year, finishing his career with a 68-6 record, good for third in program history.  Vargas graduated with a degree in Hispanic and International Studies, and is pursuing his Masters in public policy at Trinity, where he helped the Bantams win four of their record-setting 13 straight National Championships.   
 

Fifty years ago, a group of 11 Trinity students revived a defunct rowing program, which has since flourished into one of the top collegiate programs in the country.  The founders were recently back on campus to celebrate their 50th reunion, as seen in the slideshow photos above.  For more on their unlikely path to victory, visit: http://www.trincoll.edu/NewsEvents/NewsArticles/Pages/RowingFounders.aspx

(Photos by Nick Lacy)

Trinity students recently wrapped up a production of “Spring Awakening,” a coming-of-age tale written by Frank Wedekind in 1892.  The play was adapted into a rock musical by Steve Sater and Duncan Sheik in 2006, running on Broadway until 2009, collecting eight Tony Awards along the way.  In the Trinity production, student performers were accompanied by a live orchestra comprised of students and staff.  The musical was put on by the department of music. 
(photo by Matt Mainuli ’13)

Every Halloween, Trinity students come together to host “Halloween on Vernon,” an event organized by Trinity’s ACES (Annual Community Events Staff), to give Hartford children a safe and fun place to treak-or-treat.  The street features haunted houses, games, candy pong and more activities for children.  Organizations without houses set up booths in the Vernon Social Center with additional activities at the end of the trick-or-treating route.

(photos by Jeanika Browne-Springer ’12)

The Institute of International Education (IIE) presented New York business leader and philanthropist Thomas S. Johnson with the Stephen P. Duggan Award For Mutual Understanding in recognition of Mr. Johnson’s dedication to fostering understanding among people of different cultures, which he considers a central priority in his life. Mr. Johnson is the Chairman of IIE’s Board of Trustees, and the former chairman of the Board of Trustees at Trinity (’62, Hon. ’05, P ’97).  Pictured above are Mark A. Angelson, Deputy Mayor of the City of Chicago and Treasurer for the IIE Board of Trustees, and Johnson, with the award.

Trinity’s rescue scholar program is a one-year fellowship supported by the IIE and the Scott Michael Johnson ’97 Memorial Fund, which was established by Johnson and his wife, Ann. They initiated the fund in honor of their son Scott, a member of the Trinity College Class of 1997, who lost his life in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The Johnson Fund supports rescue scholars while they are in residence at Trinity.  The fund has enabled Trinity to provide an academic safe haven for three scholars to date, from Zimbabwe, Iran, and Uzbekistan, and has set a very powerful and promising example to other host universities.  For more on the Rescue Scholar program at Trinity, visit: http://bit.ly/pRaIPV.

(Photo courtesy Lyn Hughes for the Institute of International Education)

On September 10, 2011, in rememberance of Ten Years since the tragic events of 9/11/01, Trinity welcomed Douglas Hyland, Director of the New Britain Museum of American Art, to Cinestudio on campus, where he gave a presentation to students, faculty, staff, and the general public.  Hyland projected images and discussed the impact of 9/11 on American art, focusing on the museum’s painting, The Cycle of Terror and Tragedy by Graydon Parrish, an allegorical response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and one of the largest realist paintings ever created in America.  

(photo by Bob Handleman) 

The Mill, a student-run theme house on campus dedicated to music and the arts, hosted Fall Festival at Trinity this year.  Dan Deacon (above), an electronic artist based out of Baltimore, headlined the event. His show is based on audience interaction and participation, performing on the ground rather than on the stage.  Deacon has performed at a number of national festivals and will be scoring Francis Ford Coppola’s new film “Twixt.”  Other bands that performed at the Fall Festival included Reptar and Timeflies.  (photo by Bri Diaz)