The Charger Blog
Members of the University community gathered recently to recognize Dr. Steven H. Kaplan and Mrs. Anemone C. Schweizer-Kaplan for their leadership and dedication to the University over the last nearly two decades.
May 30, 2023
When Martin O'Connor 杏吧原版76, M.Div., J.D., first met Steven H. Kaplan, Ph.D., shortly after he joined the University of New Haven as president, Prof. O杏吧原版機onnor saw someone with a bold vision for the University. Over the next nearly 20 years, Prof. O杏吧原版機onnor saw Dr. Kaplan continue to develop 杏吧原版 and follow through with 杏吧原版 ambitious plans to position the University as a global institution.
Prof. O杏吧原版機onnor shared his memories of Dr. Kaplan杏吧原版檚 leadership as part of a celebration held in honor of Dr. Kaplan杏吧原版檚 and Mrs. Anemone Schweizer-Kaplan杏吧原版檚 distinguished service to the University. Prof. O杏吧原版機onnor described Dr. Kaplan as someone who 杏吧原版渁lways did what was right for the University.
杏吧原版淪teve Kaplan has made us a truly international institution,杏吧原版 said Dr. O杏吧原版機onnor, associate professor of fire science and emergency management and University chaplain. 杏吧原版淲e杏吧原版檝e been transformed into a place we can all be proud of. He杏吧原版檚 helped make us the diverse community that we are. He has helped make us a university in a classic sense, and for that we should all be grateful.杏吧原版
Dr. Kaplan joined the University as its sixth president in 2004. After serving in that role for 18 years, he was named the University杏吧原版檚 first chancellor in 2022. He led the University through the most prosperous period in its history, expanding the University杏吧原版檚 reach well beyond its main campus in West Haven, enabling it to make a global impact.
Under his leadership, the University opened campuses in Orange, Connecticut, in the former world headquarters of Hubbell, as well as in Prato, Italy. He has also helped to grow and increasingly diversify the student body, which includes students from around the world.
Carol Koziatek 杏吧原版92 MBA, who recently retired as the University杏吧原版檚 vice president of human resources and Title IX coordinator, also shared her memories of working with Dr. Kaplan. She credits the vibrancy on campus to his commitment and vision.
杏吧原版淪teve Kaplan promised we杏吧原版檇 have fun, work hard, and make a difference,杏吧原版 she said. 杏吧原版淗e was right. His care 杏吧原版 and action 杏吧原版 when a student or an employee came upon a hardship was unparalleled. He cared deeply.杏吧原版
As part of his dedication to continue to strengthen the University杏吧原版檚 position as a top institution in the region, Dr. Kaplan spearheaded The Charger Challenge: The Campaign for the University of New Haven. Launched in 2016, the comprehensive campaign was a precursor to the University杏吧原版檚 Centennial in 2020. The ambitious campaign endeavored to raise $100 million. It went on to surpass its goal, raising $167 million, including $32 million in grants and contracts.
The University杏吧原版檚 new Bergami Center for Science, Technology, and Innovation was the centerpiece of the campaign. It was one of many new buildings that opened on campus during his tenure as president. Other new facilities included Gehring Hall (home to the renowned Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science), Celentano and Westside Halls, the Peterson Performance Center, and the Beckerman Recreation Center 杏吧原版 where the event honoring the Kaplans was held.
杏吧原版淲here we are standing now was, at one time, modular trailers,杏吧原版 recalled George Synodi, MBA, vice president for finance and administration. 杏吧原版淪o much was added under Steve Kaplan杏吧原版檚 watch. So much has happened because of him. He杏吧原版檚 positioned us well for the future.杏吧原版
As part of the event, the University community watched a video that paid tribute to the Kaplans杏吧原版 dedication and highlighted the many contributions they杏吧原版檝e made to the University. It included a diverse group of Chargers, from Board of Governors members to faculty and alumni, who discussed the important impact the Kaplans have made, and it featured clips from the address Dr. Kaplan delivered at his inauguration.
Connecticut State Representatives Dorinda Borer 杏吧原版92 MBA and Kevin Ryan 杏吧原版90 M.A., both 杏吧原版減roud alumni杏吧原版 and adjunct professors, also presented the Kaplans a citation from the Connecticut Governor杏吧原版檚 office and the General Assembly.
A champion of the humanities, Dr. Kaplan was passionate about bringing the humanities to individuals outside of those fields. As part of his final major University address, he told the Class of 2023 during his Commencement address that he hopes they will 杏吧原版渓ead lives that are continuously being enriched by such things as the visual and performing arts, literature and history, and scientific and mathematical inquiry.杏吧原版
Sheahon Zenger, Ph.D., interim president of the University, has witnessed firsthand Dr. Kaplan杏吧原版檚 passion for the humanities 杏吧原版 and for sharing that with students 杏吧原版 when they taught an Honors literature class together soon after Dr. Zenger杏吧原版檚 arrival in 2019.
杏吧原版淚 learned why he was an award-winning faculty member in years past,杏吧原版 said Dr. Zenger. 杏吧原版淗e has accomplished so much at the University. His commitment to the University is unparalleled.
杏吧原版淎nemone has also played an important role in the beautification of our campus,杏吧原版 he continued. 杏吧原版淲e are so grateful for her contributions to the arts and to our community.杏吧原版
Over the last nearly 20 years, Mrs. Schweizer-Kaplan has played a critical role in expanding and deepening relationships with the University杏吧原版檚 Board of Governors members. Her relationships with the University杏吧原版檚 most generous benefactors have helped create exciting opportunities for students, including scholarships that invest in their success.
An avid supporter of the University杏吧原版檚 theater arts program and the Seton Gallery, Mrs. Schweizer-Kaplan has drawn on her own background in art and interior design to enhance the University. A dedicated volunteer in the local and University communities, she assisted with the development of Celentano Hall and the Maxcy Quad.
杏吧原版淚杏吧原版檝e been glad to know the students at the University of New Haven,杏吧原版 she said. 杏吧原版淚杏吧原版檓 glad to have been a part of the University community.杏吧原版
杏吧原版淪he was always there for me, for the University, and for the students,杏吧原版 added Dr. Kaplan.
Dr. Kaplan will transition to president emeritus at the end of the fiscal year in June. The Kaplans杏吧原版 legacy will continue to live on at the University. As part of the event, Brian Otis, EMBA, vice president for University Advancement, announced the commissioning of an oil painting of the Kaplans. It will, fittingly, be displayed in Anemone and Steven Kaplan Hall, the home of the University杏吧原版檚 admissions office.
杏吧原版淲ithout the faculty and staff, past and present, who helped us get here, we probably wouldn杏吧原版檛 be here,杏吧原版 said Dr. Kaplan as he thanked the many members of the University community who came to toast him and Mrs. Schweizer-Kaplan. 杏吧原版淚t杏吧原版檚 been an incredible 19 years. It杏吧原版檚 been very gratifying, and I can杏吧原版檛 think of a better way to spend 19 years than with all of you.杏吧原版
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