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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.
University News Archives can be found here.

Professor Carlson in front of blackboard gesticulating wildly.

Professor Jessica Carlson Recognized for Leadership in Psi Chi

August 27, 2025

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.

Head shot of Dean Pezzuto in front of shelves of medicine

Grapes as a Superfood: Pezzuto’s Research in the National Spotlight 

August 26, 2025

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.

Admissions tour guides stand in front of balloons and signs cheering new students as they drive into campus.

As WNE Welcomes Record-Breaking Class, Student Hub and Spirit the Chatbot Lead the Way in Support

August 21, 2025

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.

Photo of Emily Labrie sitting on a bench in front of the Cancer House of Hope.

Empowering Cancer Survivors Through Occupational Therapy: Emily Labrie’s Doctoral Capstone 

August 18, 2025

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. 

L to R: Kimberly Pesaturo, Melissa Mattison, Natalia Shcherbakova, Timothy McMath, Heather DeMar, Courtney Doyle-Campbell, and Arianna Bonzagni.  Missing: Daniel Kennedy and Janet Kennedy

Pharmacy Faculty Showcase Excellence and Influence at Nation's Largest Pharmacy Education Conference 

August 13, 2025

Pharmacy faculty demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship, and innovation at the 2025 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Annual Meeting held in Chicago this July.

Dr. Caprio is positioned to left of photo smiling at camera and wearing a suit.

WNE Celebrates Dr. Anthony S. Caprio’s Lasting Legacy with Delbridge Family Spirit of Philanthropy Award 

August 12, 2025

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.

Head shot of Christy Crutchfield with trees in background.

Memory, Mystery, and a Father’s Faith: A New Work by WNE Professor Christy Crutchfield 

July 30, 2025

English Professor and Writing Center Director Christy Crutchfield publishes her latest story, “A Faith Again,” in Electric Literature

Graphic of Accessible Icon image

WNE Professor Highlights Need for Modernized Accessibility

July 30, 2025

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. 

Four students and two professors pose with a drone in the foreground in front of the College of Engineering.

WNE Awarded $149K Grant to Use AI and Drones to Help Local Families Reduce Energy Costs

July 14, 2025

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.

Female student being interviewed by WAMC and Channel 22.

FinTech+AI 413 Sponsor Showcase Bridges Student Innovation and Industry Expertise 

July 09, 2025

The 2025 FinTech Sponsor Showcase brought together students and corporate sponsors to highlight student-led innovation at the intersection of finance and artificial intelligence.

Head shot of Dean Zelda Harris in front of book stacks in the law library.

U.S. News: School of Law Dean Zelda B. Harris Champions Judicial Career Preparation

July 02, 2025

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.

Head shot of Nick Rivet on left of graphic with two logos from acoustic conference on right side.

WNE Mechanical Engineering PhD Student Earns Top Honors at Global Research Competition 

June 19, 2025

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.  

Alissa Long, Jim Bedard and Brittany Decker in front of window overlooking WNE campus.

WNE Honors Distinguished Alumni for Leadership and Community Impact 

June 10, 2025

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. 

Headshot of Michael B. Alexander against a dark background.

Western New England University Names Michael B. Alexander as Interim President 

June 05, 2025

Western New England University announces the appointment of Michael B. Alexander as Interim President, effective July 1, 2025.

Veronika Hicks stands in front of giant ISPOR logo at convention center

From the Classroom to the Conference: Pharmacy Student Presents Research on Retrospective Databases at ISPOR 2025 

June 04, 2025

WNE pharmacy student Veronika Hicks presents research at prestigious ISPOR 2025 conference in Montreal.

Student Mallory Sander stands in front of a powerpoint slide featuring the title of her research.

Meeting a Critical Need: WNE’s ABA Programs Prepare Leaders in a Rapidly Growing Field 

June 02, 2025

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. 

23 WNE students in blue WNE shirts pose around the Golden Bear

Meet the 2025 Orientation Group Leaders: Guiding the Next Generation of Golden Bears

June 02, 2025

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 students pose around the registration table and the American History Association annual meeting

Western New England Students Experience History in the Making at 2025 AHA Annual Meeting 

May 23, 2025

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.

Head shot of Jordana Harper in front of law books.

Law Student Jordana Harper Receives National Externship Award for Outstanding Performance

May 22, 2025

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. 

Professor John Baick stands in front of Herman Hall with arms crossed.

Faculty in the News: John Baick Offers Expert Insight on Historic Papal Transition 

May 20, 2025

WNE's Dr. John Baick, professor of history, was recently quoted in the Associated Press, exploring how Americans relate to the newly elected pope.

Arena floor photo of WNE Class of 2025 graduates in caps and gowns.

A Mountaintop Moment: WNE Celebrates the Class of 2025 

May 19, 2025

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. 

Former US Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh addresses the audience at Western New England University.

Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh Shares Message of Leadership and Service at WNE 

May 14, 2025

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. 

Shot of 56 WNE student athletes on gym floor under the Golden Bear logo.

WNE Inducts 56 Student-Athletes into Chi Alpha Sigma National Honor Society

May 13, 2025

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.

Four members of the Survey Team and their Professor stand in front of table with awards.

Golden Bear Civil Engineers Take First Place in Regional Surveying Competition, Headed to Nationals in California 

May 12, 2025

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. 

Graphic featuring headshot of Amy Fleigelman Olli

Update Regarding 2025 Undergraduate Commencement Speaker

May 08, 2025

Western New England University Statement Regarding Undergraduate Commencement Speaker Change