UNITED WAY SALUTES NÚÑEZ

Elsa Núñez, president of Eastern Connecticut State University, was presented with United Way’s Community Service Award — the nonprofit’s highest volunteer honor — at United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut’s 86th annual meeting on March 31. Núñez was selected for her commitment to improving education. She started the dual enrollment program at ESCU, which identifies Hartford students with C or D averages who have the capacity to succeed academically. The students live in ESCU dormitories and attend Quinebaug Valley Community College while they do the background work they need to succeed at ECSU. Since 2009, the program has enrolled 80 students and has an 80 percent retention rate, Núñez said. Several board changes were approved during the meeting. Christopher Byrd, Otto Eichmann and Enid Rey were elected to the board for their first full term; Lyn Walker will join the board to fill an unexpired term; Paul Beach, Lori Budnick, Laurie Londergan, Natalie Morris and Wayne Rawlins will return for a second term; Morris was elected chair of the board; Budnick was elected treasurer; and Betty-Lou Kullas and Ray Necci are retiring from the board. Pictured are, from left, Susan Dunn, United Way president and CEO; Núñez; and Jim Sicilian, United Way board chair.