Charter Oak State College Foundation

05/08/2026

✨ 25 Years. Hundreds of Lives Changed. Countless Dreams Unlocked. ✨

Women in Transition (WIT) began with one bold question—and became a movement to help single moms earn their degree and transform their futures!

Today, over 330 women have graduated, they lead, serve, heal, and inspire the next generation.

Here’s to the WIT Program and the women who dared to begin again 💫

The afternoon also honored the visionaries who made WIT possible. Legacy of Brilliance Awards were presented to:
Theresa Hopkins Staten, President, Eversource Energy Foundation
Bob and Margaret Patricelli, Patricelli Family Foundation
Alexis Safo-Agyeman, Greater Hartford Gives Foundation
In addition, Dr. Merle Harris received the Distinguished Visionary Award, recognizing her foresight, leadership, and enduring impact.

Thank you to the women of WIT Janee Folston and Shonda McLennon for boldly sharing their stories and empowering the next generation.
Here's to 25 more years!

- Support Moms Here Today - https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/CharterOakStateCollege/WIT-25YearsPlus.html

05/08/2026

04/27/2026

Honor the journey. Celebrate the milestone. Pay it forward.

✨The Class of 2026 Senior Legacy – Program Book Tribute is a meaningful way to commemorate Graduation Day while supporting future students.
A tribute ad allows you, your family, or friends to share a short message of pride, gratitude, or congratulations that will appear in the official Commencement Program Book, listed by graduate last name.

🎉 Deadline Extended!
You now have until Wednesday at midnight to submit your tribute.
For a minimum contribution of $20.26, you can include a 15‑word congratulatory message such as:
“Congratulations, [Graduate] Sarah—so proud of all you’ve accomplished! Love, [Mom and Dad]”
“We did it! Thank you, [honey], for your support that gave me the encouragement — [Graduate, Class of 2026!]”
📣 Share this message with family and friends so they can Celebrate your success. Honor those who support you.
✨ The Gift that Gives: all tribute ad contributions directly support the Senior Legacy Scholarship Fund, helping provide financial scholarships to other Charter Oak State College students—making your celebration a gift that pays it forward.
Follow the link to submit your tribute >> https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/CharterOakStateCollege/SeniorLegacyFund.html

01/28/2026

Shea Lecture 2026 - Being Heard & Hearing Others:
The Art of Active Listening + Clarifying Questions
Thursday, February 5, 2026, 5pm – 7pm
185 Main Street, New Britain or join via Zoom

Join us and bring a friend or colleague for a transformative experience designed to strengthen the core of meaningful communication: presence, curiosity, and connection.

Keynote: Yvonne M Alston, Indelible Impressions Consulting, LLC
Free to Attend. Registration Required. https://bit.ly/Shea2026Feb5

Interactive and Empowering with Signature Networking & Noshing with a Purpose (or Interactive breakout room discussions for online attendees).

~ Learn how to listen for understanding, not ammunition
~ Invite deeper dialogue
~ Become more confident contributors and more compassionate listeners
~ Cultivate conversations where both truth and humanity can coexist

We can learn to communicate and to create space for belonging, respect, and genuine understanding.

Free to Attend - Registration Required - https://bit.ly/Shea2026Feb5

Charter Oak State College Foundation Events

12/16/2025

Today we lift up the heartfelt gratitude expressed by faculty, staff, and alumni who have worked alongside Ed. His leadership was rooted in compassion, innovation, and a deep belief in second chances.

Let’s celebrate the impact he made by continuing the work he started.

Make a gift today in gratitude for Ed’s 28 years of service.

https://bit.ly/PresidentialAppeal25-26

12/15/2025

“Each credit I earn builds new motivation—and this scholarship helped me keep going.”

Sentiments like this are exactly why Ed spent 28 years advocating for students who balance work, family, and school.

Your generosity ensures more adult learners can stay on track, persist through challenges, and celebrate milestones that once felt out of reach.

Give today to help another student continue their journey. https://bit.ly/PresidentialAppeal25-26

12/14/2025

A single act of generosity can change everything.
For one student, it means staying enrolled.
For a parent, it means stability for their family.
For our community, it means more skilled, compassionate graduates entering the workforce.

This is the ripple effect of giving — and it’s exactly what Ed believes in.

Your gift today creates waves of impact for years to come.
https://bit.ly/PresidentialAppeal25-26

12/13/2025

For nearly three decades, President Ed Klonoski championed flexible, affordable, accessible education — long before it was the norm.

His vision shaped Charter Oak into a college where working adults, parents, caregivers, and career changers could thrive.

This holiday season, your gift honors Ed’s impact while continuing the mission he poured his heart into.

Give in honor of Ed. Give in support of adult learners. https://bit.ly/PresidentialAppeal25-26

12/12/2025

Today we begin our 12 Days of Giving in celebration of President Ed Klonoski’s 28 years of extraordinary leadership at Charter Oak State College.

This holiday season, we’re inviting our community to honor Ed’s legacy by helping us raise $28,000 — one thousand dollars for each year he dedicated to opening doors for adult learners.

Your gift doesn’t just honor his service — it fuels the dreams of hardworking students who are changing their lives through education.

🎁 Join us in celebrating Ed and empowering student success. Give today!

Donate today to honor Ed’s legacy. https://bit.ly/PresidentialAppeal25-26

12/10/2025

Education isn’t just a pathway to a career — it’s a human right.
But for so many students, financial barriers still stand between them and the degree that could change their future.

Scholarships change that.

When donors support scholarships, they’re doing more than helping a student pay for college — they’re advancing equity, expanding access, and ensuring that potential is never limited by financial circumstances.

At Charter Oak, every scholarship is an act of empowerment.
Every gift supports a student’s dignity, fuels their persistence, and strengthens the communities they will one day serve.

When we invest in students, we invest in human rights.
When we give, we help make education accessible for all.

If you believe in the power of education to create justice and opportunity, we invite you to join us:
👉 Make a gift today and help open even more doors for our students.
Donate Here---->https://bit.ly/PresidentialAppeal25-26