On April 16, the Connecticut Chapter of the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA-CT) honored the Connecticut River Academy at Goodwin College (CTRA) with its Facility Achievement Award for Educational Facilities. The magnet high school, which opened the doors of its new home at 9 Riverside Drive in East Hartford in 2014 and fully incorporates environmental themes into its curriculum, was designed with a number of green features.
At a presentation held in one of CTRA’s classrooms overlooking the Connecticut River just a few feet away, IFMACT president Karl Oswald welcomed guests and spoke of how impressed he had been in learning about CTRA and its focus on environmental stewardship. The facility was nominated for a number of factors including its use of solar panels, a greywater collection tank, and a green roof. Oswald pointed out the degree of community involvement that went into planning the space — from design to opening, Goodwin College actively engaged the community, including staff, students, and parents. The nomination also highlighted Goodwin’s excellent record of hiring Minority Business Entrepreneurs for their outsourcing needs and employing a diverse staff in their direct hires.
Dean of Magnet Schools Alan Kramer explained how the Goodwin educational community, which comprises the College and three magnet schools, serves the educational needs of its students and making them good stewards of the environment as well.
Dan Larson, Assistant Vice President of Facilities for Goodwin College, spoke of the complex process that the College went through to secure permissions not only to build CTRA, but also to transform the entire campus from its former condition as unusable brownfields to the vibrant learning center that exists in East Hartford today. “Because of our unique location, we work with a number of partners, from private companies to city, state, and federal agencies. Because of our proximity to Brainard Airport, we even have to issue notifications whenever we have tall cranes on site for construction.”
Linda Dadona, principal of CTRA, had high praise for the Goodwin facilities team members who take such wonderful care of the new building. Their efforts to maintain the school in pristine condition is reflected in the immense pride that the student scholars take in being part of a learning experience unlike any other.
Following the presentation, CTRA faculty members and the facilities crew led guests on tours of the school to get a closer look.
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.