On April 5, Connecticut Department of Public Health (CTDPH) Commissioner Raul Pino recognized Goodwin College Environmental Studies program director Bruce Morton with the 2017 Educational Public Health Drinking Water Merit Award. This award is given to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the field of drinking water certification, workforce development, and training.
The notification letter from CTDPH also stated: “We recognize you for your important efforts in the development and administration of the Certification of Achievement Program at Goodwin College, which has trained and prepared more than 60 students since 2011 for the CTDPH Water Operator-in-Training (OIT) Certification Examinations. We acknowledge the OIT certification is used by water facilities in the hiring of an educated/certified workforce and the necessary role this plays in water utility workforce development.”
“We’re incredibly proud of this honor for Bruce,” said Paula Dowd, chair of the Health and Natural Sciences department at the College. “While he personifies Goodwin’s stewardship of our local environment, his influence on students will have positive effects on the ecology far beyond our region.”
Morton was very appreciative when notified of the CTDPH award and hastened to remark, “I would also like to recognize Harvey Wall, an adjunct instructor here at Goodwin College, who has been instrumental in the development of this aspect of the Environmental Studies program.”
Morton will be honored at a ceremony on May 2 in the Legislative Office Building at the CT American Water Works’ “Water for People” event.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.