INVESTING IN DREAMS SINCE 1965
Celebrating 60 years of opening doors to higher education
Dear NCCF Friends and Supporters,
The new academic year has launched with great promise and excitement. At our recent Board meeting, Campus President, Cheryl De Vonish, shared lots of good news for our students, our campus, and the region:
Enrollment on the Norwalk campus is up 10% this fall, demonstrating a recognition by students from diverse backgrounds of the value of a community college education.
This fall, with support from the Foundation, a new STEM Lab will launch, offering specialized tutoring, supplies, and equipment to support students to be successful in challenging coursework in science, engineering, math, and technology-related pathways
This fall, the campus will also launch the first-ever certificate program in Optics and Metrology, a field in our state with high workforce demand for well-paying entry level jobs Stay tuned for more about this program launch in our soon-to-be-released Annual Report
In the spring, the campus will launch a much-anticipated Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) degree program This program adds another entry point for individuals hoping to enter the healthcare field. Students who complete the LPN program will be in high demand and will easily enter the healthcare workforce. Even better, the LPN degree provides a stepping stone to earn the Registered Nurse credential on campus and receive support from the Foundation to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree – a great example of the stackable credentials that makes CT State Norwalk stand out as a choice for higher education.
All of these exciting developments are happening as we look forward to celebrating the 60 anniversary of the Foundation at our Night of Brilliance event on Thursday, October 23, at Shore & Country Club in Norwalk. None of what the Foundation has accomplished in these last 60 years would have been possible without you, and we hope you will join us to raise a glass to the next 60 years of student success! us givergy com/nccf60 th
With gratitude,
Nancy von Euler President and CEO
AROUND CAMPUS
A MUSEUM EVERY DAY:
THE ANN CHERNOW ART COLLECTION
When CT State Norwalk students walk across campus, they are surrounded not only by books and classrooms, but also by original works of art. Since 1972, the college has displayed a permanent collection that turns ordinary hallways into gallery space for students and visitors.
The collection began with the vision of artist and longtime professor Ann Chernow, who wanted students to experience art as part of their daily lives on campus Over time, the collection expanded to include more than 800 prints, drawings, paintings, and photographs by notable artists of the twentieth century, including Joan Miró, Christo, and Alexander Calder Today, it is considered one of the most significant permanent art holdings at any community college in the country
In 2018, the college renamed the collection in Chernow’s honor, a tribute to her decades of dedication to art and education “Ann started this collection because she felt students were often intimidated by museums, ” said NCC Art Professor Joe Fucigna, “She wanted art to be part of their daily lives.”
From the West Campus atrium to the third floor of East Campus, students and guests encounter original works of art in the same spaces where they carry textbooks, open laptops, and prepare for class. The collection serves as a daily reminder that education takes place in many forms, and that inspiration can be found in unexpected places.
DID YOU KNOW?
THE ANN CHERNOW ART COLLECTION
Established at NCC in 1972 by Professor of Art Emerita Ann Chernow. Renamed in her honor in 2018.
Features original works by major twentieth-century artists
Provides students with daily access to a living museum.
One of the only community colleges nationwide with a collection of this scope and quality
UMNI CONNECTION
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
DILEEP CHANDRAN CLASS OF 2016
When Dileep Chandran graduated from Norwalk Community College in 2016, it marked the completion of a decade-long journey filled with determination and sacrifice.
Dileep balanced his studies with long hours working at a local gas station for minimum wage. Every class came at the cost of saving and planning, yet he remained steady. “It took me almost ten years to finish my associate degree,” he recalls. “It was hard. But I learned to be consistent in whatever I do, even if it is at a slower rate.”
The classroom brought lessons beyond academics Dileep remembers Humanities Professor Dr Howard, who asked him to leave class for challenging his ideas twice On graduation day, Dileep sought him out “I wanted to take a picture with Dr Howard because he was my favorite professor,” he says. “My friend thought I was crazy, but I still have that photo.”
For Dileep, NCC was more than a place of study. It was a training ground in persistence, resilience, and perspective. His advice to today’s students reflects that spirit, “Having a difficult life is good for you. Always remember there are people less fortunate than you. ”
Today, Dileep is the founder of Clean Bees, a Norwalkbased business recognized with the 2025 Small Business Award by the Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce Beyond building a successful company, he takes pride in serving the same community that supported him; proving that perseverance and gratitude can create both opportunity and impact
" I LEARNED TO BE CONSISTENT IN WHATEVER I DO, EVEN IF IT IS AT A SLOWER RATE."
– DILEEP CHANDRAN
On October 23, the Shore & Country Club will sparkle as we gather for A Night of Brilliance: 60 Years of Building Bright Futures. This milestone Gala will celebrate six decades of student success, community impact, and the transformative power of education. Together, we’ll honor the legacy that brought us here and invest in the brighter futures still
BRILLIANCE A NIGHT OF
WITH
GRATITUDE
TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Your generosity fuels scholarships, mentoring, and opportunities for NCC students. Together, we ’ re building brighter futures.
SILVER PLATINUM
BRONZE
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Baywater Properties
David & Laura Erickson
Catalina Samper Horak & Ivan Horak
Tara & Jeff Lovanio
Nuvance Health + Northwell Health
The Per and Astrid Heidenreich Family Foundation
George & Lynn Reilly
M&T Bank
The Strategy Group
John & Charlotte Suhler
Wegman's
The Wood Group at Morgan Stanley
STUDENT SUCCESS
When Samantha L. pictured herself in college, community college was not part of the plan. She thought only big-name universities could give her the education she needed. That changed the moment she walked onto the campus of CT State Norwalk.
Samantha quickly realized the value of a campus filled with students and professors from many backgrounds. She says the diversity she experienced opened her eyes and helped her grow as a person. Along the way, two professors, Renae Edge and William O’Connell, became mentors who encouraged her and introduced her to new opportunities, including the Foundation’s LEAP scholarship
In May 2025, Samantha proudly walked across the graduation stage having earned Summa Cum Laude honors with a 4 0 GPA She has now transferred to the University of Connecticut Stamford, where she is now studying sociology on the path to law school.
Samantha says she could not have done it without the support of the NCC Foundation’s donors. “My LEAP award reflects your belief in me and my abilities,” she says. “That recognition gave me confidence in myself and continues to push me forward.”
Her story is a reminder of how much donor generosity can change a student’s life.