Charter Oak's Class Of 2022 Graduates

By Erica Drzewiecki, The Bristol Press

June 7, 2022

More than 565 students of lifelong learning walked across the stage at the Bushnell Performing Arts Center over the weekend.

The Class of 2022 from Connecticut’s public online college Charter Oak hailed from all different countries and states. Although their school is based in New Britain, graduates completed their degrees completely online.

In his address to graduates, COSC President Ed Klonoski recognized their ability to complete college degrees as busy adults, often with families and full-time jobs.

“I see you,” he said, praising their hard work and diligence and challenging the graduates to make a difference in the world.

The ceremony was streamed live for those unable to attend in person.

Student Speaker Bonnie Wheeler hailed from Torrington and she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in General Studies with a Concentration in Applied Behavior Science: Psychology.

“We are success stories,” Wheeler told her classmates, sharing her own personal college journey, which was interrupted by a debilitating chronic illness.

“Although my original college plans had to change because of my health, when I look back, I recognize that it was my willingness to evolve with each obstacle that helped me succeed,” Wheeler explained.

Graduates were joined by their families at the event and an after-party reception took place at City Steam Brewery in Hartford.

Several students were awarded COSC’s coveted Doris G. Cassiday Award for achieving excellence through innovative learning, in the quintessential COSC manner. That meant they embraced a range of learning options from military service and distance learning to non-collegiate sponsored instruction. The 2022 Doris G. Cassiday Award recipients included Conn. residents Mary Alice Dewees of Berlin, Wesley Chung of Willimantic, Scott Ellis of Enfield and Jessika Gossett of Ellington.

Erica Drzewiecki can be reached at edrzewiecki@centralctcommunications.com.