Western New England University is a private, coeducational institution founded in 1919, located on a 215-acre suburban campus in Springfield, Massachusetts. Western New England serves 3,955 students, including 2,575 full-time undergraduate students. With the academic options of a university, and a focus on individualized attention, Western New England inspires students to achieve more than they ever imagined possible.
The 11th annual Product Innovations Showcase gave the next generation of student innovators from business and engineering a platform to create diverse projects addressing real-world needs — from mobility and accessibility to home goods, environmental solutions, sports innovations, and industrial tools.
WNE's XR Lab is bringing immersive technology to the Spirit of Springfield’s Bright Nights at Forest Park in what marks the XR Lab’s first large-scale community partnership. Visitors to Santa’s Magical Forest will be able to step into an interactive augmented-reality (AR) experience designed and developed by WNE students.
WNE and Duggan Academy have been collaborating for nine years to provide high school students with valuable college-level experiences and unique opportunities to explore college life, engage in hands-on learning, and consider careers in education.
WNE and Bay Path University are partnering to create an academic pathway between genetic counseling and pharmacogenomics designed to support the significant regional workforce demand for professionals trained in precision medicine, genomic testing, and personalized therapeutics.
WNE once again played a meaningful role in one of the region’s most celebrated traditions—the 2025 Spirit of Springfield Bright Nights Ball. Twenty-nine WNE student ambassadors served as event volunteers representing the University with professionalism and Golden Bear pride.
WNE civil engineering students earned second place in a research poster competition presented during the 2025 American Society of Civil Engineers Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) Connecticut Chapter Seminar.
Powered by a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation, new program equips the next generation of engineers and technicians to support the rapid expansion of hydrogen technologies.
CoPHS student Veronika Hicks, Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate, Class of 2027, recently represented the University at AMCP Nexus 2025, held in National Harbor, Maryland. The annual conference brings together pharmacy professionals, residents, fellows, and students from across the country to explore innovations and career pathways in managed care pharmacy.
The School of Law and the Hampden District Attorney’s Office have welcomed 50 inductees to the 2025–2026 class of the Future Lawyers of Springfield program, a collaborative initiative designed to inspire and mentor students interested in careers in law, criminal justice, and public service. WNE Law Student and Newly Elected City Councilor Gerry Martin embodies the program’s spirit of civic leadership.
WNE first-year student Joi-Lee Key-Washington has been recognized with the Outstanding Springfield Youth Award, which honors young individuals who make a meaningful difference in promoting safety, integrity, and positive influence in their neighborhoods.
WNE Law announces the launch of JD Access, a part-time evening online Juris Doctor program designed to expand access to legal education for working professionals, non-traditional students, and others whose life circumstances make traditional, on-campus attendance challenging.
Fifty students from the WNE School of Law joined law alumni, faculty, and members of the WNE Board of Trustees October 27 to hear Ketanji Brown Jackson address a sold-out crowd as part of the Springfield Public Forum’s Justice Talk: A Conversation on Democracy & the Courts.
WNE has been awarded nearly $1.3 million in state funding through three major grants designed to strengthen WNE’s leadership in workforce development, applied research, and industry partnerships in the fields of biopharmaceutical technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum hardware.
WNE FinTech has launched the NextGen Enterprise Academy, a new executive and professional education initiative designed to upskill the regional workforce through advanced technology training and certificates focused on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, FinTech, the Internet of Things (IoT), quantum computing, and augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR).
The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences hosted its annual Young Alumni Awards to honor six graduates whose early career achievements are making a lasting impact in the field of pharmacy.
Western New England University (WNE) welcomed alumni, families, and friends back to campus for Golden Bear Weekend 2025, held October 3-5. With beautiful fall weather and more than 2,000 participants, the annual tradition once again celebrated the enduring spirit of the Golden Bear community.
Western New England University hosted its annual Leadership Donor Reception on September 24, 2025, at GreatHorse Country Club in Hampden, Mass., celebrating the generosity of donors whose philanthropy sustains and strengthens the University’s mission. The evening brought together members of WNE’s Benefactors’, Cupola, President’s, and Loyalty Societies for an event centered on gratitude, connection, and impact.
Four outstanding alumni inducted into the Downes Athletic Hall of Fame during a ceremony held Friday, October 3 as part of Golden Bear Weekend 2025.
Skookum Awards recognize 15 outstanding members of the Class of 2026 for their leadership, academic excellence, and dedication to serving the University community.
In a ceremony held at the WNE School of Law, 51 individuals from 31 different countries officially became U.S. citizens, taking the Oath of Allegiance before family, friends, and members of the campus community.
Dr. Anthony S. Caprio, WNE's fifth president, will be honored with the Delbridge Family Spirit of Philanthropy Award during the University’s annual Leadership Donor Reception on September 24.
WNE inducted the late Lucien “Lou” Parent ’62 BSME into the College of Engineering Hall of Fame. Parent, a visionary industrialist and entrepreneur from Holyoke became the 17th member of this prestigious group, recognized for his professional achievements, service to his alma mater, and enduring Golden Bear spirit.
Nearly 100 student support staff at Springfield International Charter School (SICS) participated in Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training facilitated by WNE with the goal to equip Springfield schools with the skills and resources to recognize and respond to mental health challenges among children and adolescents.
Western New England University marks historic milestone with the investiture of Dr. Sharianne Walker, Dean of the College of Business, as the Janet Johnson Bullard Endowed Chair in Finance—the University’s first endowed chair.
WNE announces it has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to pioneer an innovative nutrition-based nanomedicine approach to Alzheimer’s disease.
The School of Law is proud to announce Htut Naing, J.D. Candidate 2026, has been named the inaugural recipient of the Donald Dunn Law Library Award, which recognizes students who have developed a strong connection to the Law Library throughout their legal education.
More than 100 students participated in the 2025 Performing Arts Camp, an early arrival program designed to connect Golden Bears through music, theater, dance, and performance.
WNE's FinTech program welcomed leading voices in the financial technology sector to campus for the Open Finance Conference 2025 (OFC ’25). More than 70 people attended the event that brought together industry experts, academic researchers, students, and policymakers to explore how open finance is reshaping the future of financial services.
Professor of Psychology Dr. Jessica Carlson has been recognized for more than a decade of service as faculty advisor to the University’s chapter of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology.
Dean John Pezzuto, PhD, DSc, features on NPR’s nationally syndicated program The Academic Minute as of August 25 to discuss the science behind the dietary superfood grapes and the importance of understanding their role in human health.
Western New England University opens the 2025–2026 academic year with its largest class ever, the launch of the Golden Bear Discovery curriculum, and strong pillars of support through the Student Hub and Spirit, its AI-powered chatbot.
Labrie partnered with the Cancer House of Hope in West Springfield to provide occupational therapy services to help members regain essential skills for daily living and to cope with the emotional toll of cancer.
Pharmacy faculty demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship, and innovation at the 2025 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Annual Meeting held in Chicago this July.
English Professor and Writing Center Director Christy Crutchfield publishes her latest story, “A Faith Again,” in Electric Literature
Erin Murray, OTD-PP, is working with students and colleagues to challenge outdated narratives around disability and promote more accurate, empowering representations. Murray is urging Massachusetts to update its use of the International Symbol of Access and adopt the more modern, inclusive “Accessible Icon” in public signage.
Thanks to a $149,700 grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s EmPower Massachusetts program, the College of Engineering will lead an initiative to help West Springfield families reduce home energy costs through drone-based heat assessments and AI-powered retrofitting plans.
The 2025 FinTech Sponsor Showcase brought together students and corporate sponsors to highlight student-led innovation at the intersection of finance and artificial intelligence.
Dean Zelda B. Harris spoke to U.S. News about how law students should prepare themselves if they have an eye towards a judicial career.
Nicholas Rivet, a PhD Fellow in Mechanical Engineering at Western New England University, earned third place in the graduate student oral and poster competition at the 188th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, held jointly with the 25th International Congress on Acoustics in New Orleans.
Three WNE graduates whose distinguished achievements and dedication to their alma mater embody the spirit of the Golden Bears were honored during the Alumni Awards Dinner on Monday, June 9, 2025.
Western New England University announces the appointment of Michael B. Alexander as Interim President, effective July 1, 2025.
WNE pharmacy student Veronika Hicks presents research at prestigious ISPOR 2025 conference in Montreal.
In response to a growing national demand for highly trained professionals in Applied Behavior Analysis, WNE is preparing graduates for impactful careers across clinical, educational, and research settings.
Meet the 23 exceptional students who will serve as Orientation Group Leaders for the 2025 Summer Orientation and Registration (SOAR) program. These student leaders will play a pivotal role in welcoming and supporting new students and their families as they begin their journey at WNE.
Nine History and History/Secondary Education majors, along with Professors Meri Clark and Andrea Castonguay, attended the 136th Annual Meeting of the American Historical Association (AHA) in New York City.
WNE School of Law announces Jordana Harper has been honored with the 2025 Outstanding Externship Student Award by the Clinical Legal Education Association. This prestigious national award recognizes the outstanding contributions of law students participating in Externship programs across the country.
WNE's Dr. John Baick, professor of history, was recently quoted in the Associated Press, exploring how Americans relate to the newly elected pope.
WNE celebrated its Class of 2025 across two commencement ceremonies held on Thursday, May 15—one for undergraduate students and one for graduate and professional degree recipients. These events recognized the achievements of 894 graduates who earned degrees across various disciplines.
Western New England University welcomed former U.S. Secretary of Labor and former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to campus today for a candid conversation with faculty, staff, and students about the importance of leadership, service, and resilience in today’s world.
Fifty-six student-athletes from 17 varsity sports were inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma National Honor Society—the National College Athlete Honor Society—during the Thursday, May 1 ceremony in the Downes Athletic Hall of Fame Room.
The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department's student surveying team earned first place overall at the 2025 ASCE-UESI Northeast Regional Surveying Competition. They will be representing the Northeast region at the national competition June 27–29 in San Luis Obispo, California.
Western New England University Statement Regarding Undergraduate Commencement Speaker Change
Students and faculty from the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences took part in the annual Keep Springfield Beautiful Cleanup Day, a citywide initiative that supports SCAN (Springfield Conservation and Nature Stewardship).
Tara Grealis, Professional Educator of Accounting, has been selected as the recipient of the WNE 2025 Teaching Excellence Award.
Western New England University announces that President Robert E. Johnson will conclude his tenure as president, effective August 1, 2025.
The 2025 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year presented to education students providing them with a firsthand look into the passion, perseverance, and purpose that defines excellence in the teaching profession.
Alum Ray McCarthy, CPA, joins WNE as Vice President for Finance and Administration effective July 7, 2025. An accomplished executive with more than 30 years of experience in finance, McCarthy brings a deep strategic background and a lifelong connection to the University community.
The College of Business, M&T Bank and Wilmington Trust led a dynamic Economic Forum highlighting current economic trends and insights on April 10 at the Kevin S. Delbridge Welcome Center. The event brought together regional business leaders, investors, University Trustees, College of Business Advisory Board members, and faculty for an afternoon of thought leadership and community engagement.
Dennis Donovan, President and CEO of Beacon Advisors International LLC, emphasizes passion for work, effective change management, and leadership excellence
The College of Engineering will host its annual Emerging Engineers Expo on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Caprio Alumni Healthful Living Center. The event showcases more than 100+ projects from engineering and business students.
James Dowling-Healey, a lecturer in the Western New England University Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, recently conducted an inspiring exchange on space exploration, science education, and student success with NASA astronaut Lieutenant Commander Jonny Kim who will be part of Expedition 73.
WNE celebrated entrepreneurial excellence recently with a special induction ceremony for the Sigma Nu Tau national academic entrepreneurship honor society. The event recognized both established community leadership and the promising potential of student innovators.
Yixiao (Ethan) Jiang, PhD, a WNE professor in finance featured on WalletHub, recently shared insights on credit cards for individuals with excellent credit. His expertise underscores the broader need for young adults to develop responsible financial habits early on.
WNE School of Law Professor Bridgette Baldwin recently shared her expertise to the national discourse on criminal justice and forensic evidence. Baldwin was featured in a recent Boston Globe article analyzing the complexities of expert testimony in the high-profile case surrounding the death of Sandra Birchmore.
WNE's FinTech+AI 413 Startup Launch Series welcomes Country Bank as a platinum sponsor, expanding support for aspiring finance and tech entrepreneurs in Western Massachusetts.
The WNE College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has been recognized as a National Academy of Medicine Change Maker Organization, highlighting its dedication to advancing health workforce well-being.
WNE hosted the New England District Western NE Event of the 2025 FIRST® Robotics Competition from March 14 to 16. This event brought together 35 high school teams from across the region, showcasing their engineering prowess and teamwork.
Three WNE faculty members from the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences have been recognized with distinguished awards and honors for their excellence in education, research, and service.
The Western New England University (WNE) men's basketball team has made history by advancing to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16 for the first time in program history. This milestone comes after a 25-year absence from the tournament.
WNE School of Law is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of third-year students Rachel Lang and Kelsey Oleksak, who secured first place in the J.D. division of the prestigious 2024-2025 Law Student Tax Challenge.
The WNE IEEE Reliability Society Student Branch Chapter actively fosters collaboration between academia and industry recently holding a series of impactful events including workshops and webinars. The chapter provides students and professionals with opportunities to expand their understanding of reliability engineering, technological advancements, and industry best practices.
Western New England University is pleased to announce the eight finalists for the 2025 Teaching Excellence Award. These outstanding educators have demonstrated a commitment to student success, innovation in teaching, and a passion for their disciplines.
Malik Garvin’s '16 journey from a young hockey enthusiast in Harlem to the executive director of Ice Hockey in Harlem is a testament to perseverance and passion. His story is one of overcoming obstacles, embracing opportunity, and giving back to the community that shaped him.
The College of Business is set to host Future of Work Week from February 24-28, 2025, a comprehensive initiative designed to equip students with the skills and insights needed to thrive in an evolving, technology-driven global business landscape.
A new study from Western New England University (WNE) has uncovered a significant link between long-term grape consumption and improved muscle health. The research, recently published in the journal Foods, suggests that regularly eating grapes can positively impact muscle gene expression, with particularly strong effects in females.
WNE's College of Engineering will celebrate Engineers Week (E-Week) from February 17–21 with a diverse lineup of events designed to recognize the contributions of engineers and inspire the next generation of innovators.
In an article for the publication University Business, Dr. Jason Seacat shares his insights on reducing mental health stigma among college students.
WNE has reached a remarkable milestone: over 11,000 undergraduate applications for the upcoming academic year exceeding totals of any other year. More importantly, these gains—up 80 percent over two years ago— have been achieved while maintaining the University’s strong academic standards and the quality of our student profile.
Margaret L. Boyle, Chief of Staff to President Robert E. Johnson and Assistant Vice President for Government Affairs at Western New England University, has been elected Chair of the Springfield Redevelopment Authority. Boyle will help guide the SRA’s efforts to revitalize Springfield, focusing on key projects that aim to enhance the city’s economy, create jobs, and restore blighted properties.
A WNE team of five accounting and finance students has been named as one of four finalists in this year's CFA Institute Research Challenge, an annual international competition that pits teams of university students against one another as they research and analyze a publicly traded company.
WNE alumna and children’s author Cynthia DiFilippo Elomaa ‘94, shared her journey to becoming a published author and her experiences in the literary world with students in Linda Oleksak’s Children’s and Young Adult Literature course.
First-year student Ben Bedford recently performed at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall after winning the 2025 Crescendo International Music Competition. The event marked the third time Bedford has performed at the prestigious venue.
Nearly 100 people turned out Thursday, January 30 to celebrate the official launch of WNE’s XR Lab located in D'Amour Library, which provides students and faculty with access to the latest in virtual (VR), augmented (AR), and mixed reality (MR) technologies.
Michael R. Richichi joins WNE as new Chief Information Officer. Richichi, a seasoned IT executive with extensive expertise in digital transformation, cybersecurity, enterprise technology strategy, and higher education IT governance, will lead WNE’s technology vision, driving innovation and operational excellence across the University’s digital ecosystem.
College of Business Professor Ethan Jiang provides practical tips and insights on how Massachusetts drivers can make informed financial decisions about car insurance.
WNE School of Law announces that Assistant Professor Nicole Belbin has been awarded the prestigious AALS Pro Bono & Access to Justice Section Emerging Leader Award.
Michelle Kowalsky Goodfellow, WNE’s AVP for Enrollment Management, recently shared key insights on financial aid with U.S. News & World Report, emphasizing the importance of timely FAFSA submissions.
The WNE School of Law has experienced remarkable improvement in first-time bar exam pass rates, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence and student success.
WNE and Greenfield Community College announce a new partnership. The Associate to Doctor of Occupational Therapy Transfer Program offers GCC Allied Health students a streamlined route to earning a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy through WNE’s 3+3 dual-degree programs.
WNE mourns the passing of Edwin “Eddy” Lindsay ’78, a beloved member of the Golden Bear community.
