WCSU - Why WestConn?

From high-school dropout to the WCSU President's Award
Student overcomes difficulties to get a WestConn education

David Strout could have found many reasons to give up on his quest for a college education at WestConn, from his academic difficulties in high school to his family’s financial problems, his mother’s illness and his need to find work to pay the bills.

At the beginning of this I aimed high and was unqualified. I got everything I aimed for and a 4.0. The capstone on all that has been the President’s Award.”

But Strout, of New Milford, is no quitter — and this year the university has recognized the WestConn senior for his determination, tenacity and perfect academic record as the recipient of the WCSU President’s Award. In May 2009, he expects to cap his journey at WestConn when he graduates with a bachelor’s degree in professional writing, with a creative writing option.

Strout’s remarkable path to the President’s Award has an improbable beginning, when, after struggling in high school for a variety of reasons, he quit school in his junior year and found a full-time job in construction. A short time later, Strout took a General Educational Development (GED) test and passed with a nearly perfect score.

Then he thought about WestConn, where he filled out an application and handed in letters of recommendation. In light of his less-than-perfect academic career, Strout was offered a probationary semester, which made him ineligible for financial aid.

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“Since I couldn’t get financial aid, that meant going to school was no longer on the table,” Strout said. Rather than give up, Strout persisted to tell university officials that he would make an ideal student and was given a chance in the fall of 2005 as a full-time student. He earned a 4.0 grade-point average in his first semester.

But the struggles for Strout weren’t over. His mother suffered a series of layoffs from her professional jobs and then was diagnosed with cancer. Strout worked several jobs while attending classes to help her pay bills. In early 2006 his mom — his biggest supporter — became more ill and was in and out of the hospital a lot. She died that April.

Strout said he had two weeks to move out of the apartment he shared with his mother. He wound up sleeping on friends’ sofas and moving around a lot. He once again thought about quitting school to find a full-time job.

Then he thought about his mom. “She would have been so unhappy to know that,” he said. “If I could do anything for her, it would be to not let that go, to stay in school.”

After a brief extension on his final exams, Strout finished the spring semester before the fall semester started. Since then he has received full scholarships to attend school.

“I couldn’t be here without financial aid,” Strout said. “And receiving the President’s Award was the crowning glory. I look at that award as ‘You made it with flying colors.’ At the beginning of this I aimed high and was unqualified. I got everything I aimed for and a 4.0. The capstone on all that has been the President’s Award.”

Strout said his experience at WestConn has changed his life. He’s become a better writer and more informed about what’s going on in the world from Iraq to the rain forests of South America. And he’s met dedicated people who are “fun to be around and value the college experience.”

“That academic atmosphere is one of my favorite places to be,” said Strout. He said the professors at WestConn helped him to become who he is today. “You’ll get back everything you put into it. The professors are there for the students and really care about teaching. You have so much leeway to make the most out of your experience here.”

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We have six great reasons to consider WestConn.

Reason No. 1:

Outstanding Faculty

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WestConn’s educators excel in their subject areas and disciplines, and are committed to excellence in teaching, ensuring student success and fostering a diverse academic community. Small class sizes taught by award-winning professors — including some Fulbright scholars — provide the best learning opportunities available.

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Reason No. 2:

Location

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Capitalizing on our location in Danbury, Connecticut, a New England city characterized by its economic vibrancy and its diverse citizenry, as well as our proximity to the educational and cultural riches of New York City, WestConn has truly become a global university. Our students can be found exhibiting their art in Manhattan, performing theater on Broadway and in Scotland, visiting the United Nations and traveling to China, Spain, Puerto Rico and Vietnam for immersion programs.

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Reason No. 3:

Diverse University Community

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At WestConn, we value and affirm the unique contributions of our many constituent populations, recognizing the learning opportunities that differences can create. Workshops, roundtables and student organizations serve to explore and understand how best to combine the many unique talents within our student and faculty populations to foster discussion and understanding.

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Reason No. 4:

Quality Academic Programs

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WestConn offers a range of quality academic offerings, including signature programs like our teacher education, music performance, nursing and science degrees, to our one-of-a-kind meteorology, professional writing and justice and law administration programs. There truly is something for everyone at WestConn.

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Reason No. 5:

Student-Centered Environment

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Our philosophy is simple: Foster a holistic approach to intellectual and social growth and development that prepares students to be productive citizens of the state of Connecticut and the world by developing their knowledge, experience, and critical thinking and by fostering life-long learning characterized by intellectual curiosity, imagination and creativity. In other words, if you can imagine it, you can achieve it at WestConn.

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Reason No. 6:

Affordability

From high-school dropout to the WCSU President’s Award
WestConn is proud to offer the affordability and access of a mid-sized public university while creating the quality experience of the best private institutions. Through private and corporate scholarships and endowments, the university continues to provide resources to students with academic achievement and financial need.

David Strout

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