Central Connecticut State University facts for kids
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Former names
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State Normal School (1849–1933) Teachers College of Connecticut (1933–1959) Central Connecticut State College (1959–1983) |
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| Type | Public university |
| Established | 1849 |
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Parent institution
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Connecticut State Colleges & Universities |
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Academic affiliation
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Space-grant |
| Endowment | $80 million (2020) |
| President | Zulma R. Toro |
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Administrative staff
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416 full-time professors 432 part-time professors |
| Students | 9,653 (Spring 2023) |
| Undergraduates | 7,748 (Spring 2023) |
| Postgraduates | 1,905 (Spring 2023) |
| Location |
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United States
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| Campus | Suburban, 165-acre (0.258 sq mi) |
| Colors | Blue and white |
| Nickname | Blue Devils |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division I – NEC |
| Mascot | Kizer the Blue Devil |
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Central Connecticut State University (often called CCSU or just Central) is a public university located in New Britain, Connecticut. It was started in 1849 as the State Normal School. This makes CCSU Connecticut's oldest public university.
CCSU has four main schools:
- The Ammon College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
- The School of Business
- The School of Education and Professional Studies
- The School of Engineering, Science, and Technology
In Spring 2022, about 8,898 students attended CCSU. Most students (96 percent) are from Connecticut. More than half of them live off campus. CCSU is part of the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) system. This system also includes Eastern, Western, and Southern Connecticut State Universities.
Contents
History of Central Connecticut State University
Central Connecticut State University began in 1849 as the State Normal School. Its main goal was to train teachers. It was the sixth "normal school" in the United States and is the oldest public university in Connecticut. The school closed for a short time in 1867 but reopened two years later.
In 1933, the school's name changed to the Teachers College of Connecticut. This is when students could start earning bachelor's degrees. The campus moved to its current spot on Stanley Street in 1922. In Fall 2023, the university showed off its new logo.
The school changed its name again in 1959 to the Central Connecticut State College. Then, in 1983, it became a regional university and was renamed Central Connecticut State University.
Learning at CCSU
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CCSU has over 400 full-time teachers. Most of them (83%) have the highest degree in their field. There are also more than 500 part-time teachers.
CCSU offers many advanced study programs. These include programs in accounting, education, literature, and engineering. The university also offers several doctoral degrees.
Student Life at CCSU
| Group | Total | ||
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| White | 57% |
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| Hispanic | 17% |
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| Black | 13% |
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| Asian | 5% |
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| Other | 4% |
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| International | 2% |
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| Student income levels | |||
| Lower-income | 38% |
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| Higher-income | 62% |
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Campus Buildings and Spaces
CCSU has many buildings for learning and student activities. These include 10 academic halls, the Student Center, and the Burritt Library. There are also many computer labs across campus. The biggest computer lab is in Marcus White Hall.
Students can eat at dining facilities in Memorial Hall, Hilltop Dining Center, and the Student Center. Welte Hall, Maloney Hall, and the Student Center are used for big events, music shows, and plays. Welte Hall has the main auditorium. Kaiser Hall has the main gym and an Olympic-size swimming pool. Students can take fitness classes and use gym equipment for free.
The main offices for admissions, student records, and financial aid are in Davidson Hall. New building projects have added more classroom space and improved all sports facilities.
Student Housing
CCSU has nine residence halls where up to 2,500 students can live. These halls are in two groups, one on the north side of campus and one on the south.
New Campus Projects
A new eight-story dorm, called Mid Campus Residence Hall, opened in 2015. This dorm has "suite" style rooms. It also has a fitness center, a kitchen on each floor, and a main lounge with a fireplace.
In recent years, CCSU also opened a new Social Sciences Hall and an Engineering Laboratory. A new Campus Police Station was also built. In 2011, the first floor of the Elihu Burritt Library was updated. It now has a new common area with seating, computers, and food options. The sports fields, including Arute Field, have also been greatly improved. They now have new turf for football, soccer, and track. New seating was added for games, and the baseball field was also renovated.
Sports at CCSU
CCSU's sports teams are called the Blue Devils. Their mascot is named Kizer. The Blue Devils compete in NCAA Division I sports as part of the Northeast Conference.
The university has 18 varsity sports teams:
- Men's Sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, and indoor and outdoor track & field.
- Women's Sports: basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, indoor and outdoor track & field, and volleyball.
Famous People Who Went to CCSU
Athletes and Coaches
- Steve Addazio – college football coach
- Al Bagnoli – college football coach
- Ricky Bottalico – professional baseball player and sports journalist
- Dave Campo – professional football coach
- Joe Costello – professional football player
- Ryan Costello – professional baseball player
- Jake Dolegala – professional football player
- Justise Hairston – professional football player
- John Hirschbeck – Major League Baseball umpire
- Skip Jutze – professional baseball player
- Scott Pioli – NFL Executive
- Rich Ranglin – professional football player
- Evan Scribner – professional baseball player
- Mike Sherman – college and professional football coach
- John Skladany – college football coach
- Bob Zuffelato – professional basketball coach
Entertainers
- William Berloni – animal trainer for movies and TV
- Erin Brady – Miss USA 2013
- Richard Grieco – actor
- Kenny Johnson – actor
- Jimmy "Jomboy" O'Brien – sports media personality
- Colleen Ward – Miss Connecticut 2015
Public Servants
- Ebenezer D. Bassett – first African-American ambassador for the U.S.
- Miguel Cardona – current United States Secretary of Education
- Walter Eli Clark – former Governor of Alaska Territory
- Carmen E. Espinosa – Justice of Connecticut Supreme Court
- Bruce Hyer – Member of Canadian Parliament
- Michael J. Ingelido – Air Force Major General
- John Larson – U.S. Congressman
- Frances P. Mainella – former Director of the National Park Service
- Francis M. Mullen – former head of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
- Maria L. Sanford – famous educator
- Erin Stewart – Mayor of New Britain, Connecticut
Other Notable Alumni
- Justice Ofei Akrofi – Archbishop
- Frederic Beecher Perkins – editor and writer
- C.J. Stevens - Author
- Theodore Stowell – former president of Bryant University
- Eliza Talcott – missionary and founder of Kobe College
See also
In Spanish: Universidad Estatal de Connecticut Central para niños
- Charter Oak State College is located near Central Connecticut State University.
- The University of Connecticut is the largest public university in the state.
