Bicentennial Wrap-up
During the course of the past year, more than 11,000 attendees participated in 47 Bicentennial events. Several of these events served to tie a bow on the celebrations.
At the Bicentennial Gala on May 11, Trinity deepened its commitment to the city that its founders selected 200 years ago by raising more than $625,000 for scholarships for Hartford students to establish the Bicentennial Hartford Scholarship. In addition, Board of Trustees Chair Lisa Bisaccia ’78 announced the establishment of the Anthony J. and Carole Foley Bisaccia Scholarship, which she and her husband, Robert P. Naparstek, established in honor of her parents as part of the All In campaign.
The gala brought together more than 750 faculty, staff, students, alumni, elected officials, and other local leaders at the Connecticut Convention Center. The evening included live and silent auctions, dinner, and dancing. Emmy Award-winning local television journalists Dennis House and Kara Sundlun hosted the ceremony that included remarks by Trinity President Joanne Berger-Sweeney, Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam, and Senator Richard Blumenthal, as well as a special video message from Senator Chris Murphy.
A community concert the following day featured Grammy-nominated band Plena Libre, which also performed the previous evening at the gala. Crowds packed the Koeppel Community Sports Center for an afternoon of music mixing traditional Puerto Rican rhythms with modern Afro-Caribbean influences. Attendees also enjoyed food trucks and Mother’s Day activities.
On May 16—Charter Day—it was announced that Trinity’s most iconic structures were recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park Service designated an 11.4-acre rectangular area anchored by the Long Walk and Chapel as the Trinity College Long Walk Historic District with national importance.
“Being listed on the National Register of Historic Places is a profound acknowledgment of the enduring significance of our past and the importance of Trinity’s architecture to American history and society today,” said Berger-Sweeney. “This serves as another example of how we can celebrate our College’s identity and ensure that future generations of Bantams can connect with the richness of our proud history.”
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont officially proclaimed May 16 as “Trinity College Day” and celebrated by raising the College’s Bicentennial flag at the Connecticut State Capitol, where the College was founded. Hereafter, it will fly over the State Capitol each year on Charter Day.
Berger-Sweeney noted in an email to the community, “I hope this community feels a tremendous sense of pride and honor on this Charter Day. Onward to the next 200 years!”
Pictured: Bicentennial Gala co-chairs Themis Klarides ’87 and Shawn Wooden ’91
Photo by Nick Caito
