I’ve probably driven past Hartford, Connecticut and gazed over at the gleaming dome of the Capitol hundreds of times, but I have never before exited the highway and driven through the city– or its neighboring town of West Hartford. Today, I did exactly that on my first visit to the University of Hartford.
For a private university, the University of Hartford is not small; it enrolls over 6,000
students, 4,200 of whom are undergraduates. The University’s roots stretch back to
1877 when one of the three founding schools, the Hartford Art School opened. Two
music educators established the second founding school, the Hartt School of Music
(now called simply The Hartt School). A Civil War general began classes at the YMCA
in Hartford which became the third founding school of Hillyer College.
Over time, these schools were joined by the College of Arts and Sciences; the Barney School of Business; the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions; and the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture. The portfolio of programs across these seven schools is extraordinary, while new programs are being added in fintech and neuroscience. A thoughtful move from DI to D3 athletics has also permitted the college to take on new sports programs.
UHart’s campus is sprawling, with dozens of buildings spread across more than 300 acres. Two public schools also call the campus home: The University of Hartford Magnet School for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, and the University High School of Science and Engineering. While many of the university buildings date to the 1960’s, the 60,000-square-foot Francis X. and Nancy Hursey Center for Advanced Engineering and Health Professions that opened in 2021 has transformed the campus. The center’s specialized, technology-rich facilities are getting rave reviews from both students and industry leaders.
The university is headed by Dr. Lawrence Ward who began his presidency in July, 2024. I’ve known Larry from the EdD program at the University of Pennsylvania and have followed his highly successful career ever since. He came to Hartford after a 10-year career at Babson College, which followed 13 years at American University.
Larry often uses the word “we” when he speaks about the university. I’ve always known President Ward as a collaborative leader, but right now he’s lasered focused on establishing UHart’s commonalities across its seven schools. He frames the collective challenge his school faces as a chance to invest in what the school does well, discern what it does not, and bring bold and innovative ideas to craft a dynamic future. He calls it a “We” Moment.
President Ward’s commitment to strengthen the university’s relationship with the city of
Hartford is deeply rooted in his own history. Unbeknownst to me, Larry grew up in a
town near Hartford. His father fled the south in the early 1950s and made a home in Hartford. His mother taught in the West Hartford public school system before becoming a local HR executive, and his father is President Emeritus of the Hartford Jazz Society. Larry’s wife’s grandfather was postmaster general for the city of Hartford, and Larry is a proud UConn graduate.
This presidency is a homecoming for Larry in many ways and his love of place comes
through strongly. Feels like a very, very good match.