The Charger Blog

Charger Family Celebrates Three Generations of University of New Haven Graduates

Paige Resnick Ӱԭ24 and Haleigh Resnick Ӱԭ24 MBA recently became two of the UniversityӰԭs newest alumni Ӱԭ and the third generation of their family to graduate from the University. They follow in the footsteps of their mother and grandfather, both two-time alumni whoӰԭve spent decades as dedicated staff members and proud Chargers.

May 22, 2024

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications

Left to right: Paige Resnick Ӱԭ24, Lynne Hennessey Resnick Ӱԭ94, Ӱԭ96 M.S., and Haleigh Resnick Ӱԭ24 MBA.
Left to right: Paige Resnick Ӱԭ24, Lynne Hennessey Resnick Ӱԭ94, Ӱԭ96 M.S., and Haleigh Resnick Ӱԭ24 MBA.

For Paige Resnick Ӱԭ24 and Haleigh Resnick Ӱԭ24 MBA, the UniversityӰԭs 2024 Commencement was particularly poignant. The sisters both accepted degrees Ӱԭ and they became the third generation of University alumni in their family.

Lynne Hennessey Resnick Ӱԭ94, Ӱԭ96 M.S. and Paige Resnick Ӱԭ24, a new health sciences grad.
Lynne Hennessey Resnick Ӱԭ94, Ӱԭ96 M.S. and Paige Resnick Ӱԭ24, a new health sciences grad.

Their familyӰԭs connection to the University spans nearly five decades. Their maternal grandfather David C. Hennessey Ӱԭ77 MBA, Ӱԭ98 M.S., served as the director of human resources and as an instructor for nearly 20 years. Their mother Lynne Hennessey Resnick Ӱԭ94, Ӱԭ96 M.S. is a program coordinator for the ProvostӰԭs Office, a position she has held for nearly 15 years.

ӰԭGraduating as a third-generation Charger was a special moment for me,Ӱԭ said Haleigh. ӰԭAlthough my grandfather is no longer with us, I felt a connection to him on my graduation day.Ӱԭ

Paige, who earned her bachelorӰԭs degree in health sciences, transferred to the University from Virginia Tech. While she admits that she was a little bit nervous about making new friends when she first began her time as a Charger, she immediately felt comforted by knowing that her mom was also on campus. She found joy in having lunch with her in her office, walking around campus together, and in seeing her excel in her position.

ӰԭBeing on the same campus as my mom has enhanced my experience as a Charger an immense amount,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭIt means the world to me to continue my family legacy as a Charger. I often reflect on how I'm following in my mother's and grandfather's footsteps, both on campus and as I worked toward my degree.Ӱԭ

ӰԭComing full circleӰԭ

Paige and Haleigh were among the thousands of new alumni who were recognized as part of the UniversityӰԭs 2024 Commencement, a three-day, four-ceremony celebration. Paige accepted her degree as part of the Saturday morning ceremony for students accepting associate and bachelorӰԭs degrees. Haleigh was recognized as part of the Thursday afternoon ceremony for graduates of the Pompea College of Business who were accepting advanced degrees.

Paige Resnick Ӱԭ24 (left), Haleigh Resnick Ӱԭ24 MBA, and Lynne Hennessey Resnick Ӱԭ94, Ӱԭ96 M.S. at HaleighӰԭs graduation.
Paige Resnick Ӱԭ24 (left), Haleigh Resnick Ӱԭ24 MBA, and Lynne Hennessey Resnick Ӱԭ94, Ӱԭ96 M.S. at HaleighӰԭs graduation.

Not only did Hennessey Resnick, a long-time member of the UniversityӰԭs Commencement Committee, attend both ceremonies, but she presented each of her daughters their diplomas on stage. It has, in a way, become a meaningful family tradition Ӱԭ her father presented her bachelorӰԭs and masterӰԭs degrees to her in the 1990s.

ӰԭExperiencing the excitement and pride of Commencement as both a member of the Charger family and a Charger mom to two amazing graduates has truly been one of the most memorable experiences of my life,Ӱԭ said Hennessey Resnick. ӰԭDedicating countless hours behind the scenes with my colleagues to ensure a spectacular Commencement and then transitioning to the field as a proud mom felt like coming full circle.Ӱԭ

ӰԭAn intimate connection with the schoolӰԭ

Paige, who served as a laboratory assistant in the UniversityӰԭs Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory, is now looking forward to beginning her Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) at Quinnipiac University. SheӰԭs now working for Access Rehab Centers after completing an internship in its outpatient therapy center. SheӰԭs reflecting on her time as a Charger, and on what her graduation means to her.

Haleigh Resnick Ӱԭ24 MBA and Lynne Hennessey Resnick Ӱԭ94, Ӱԭ96 M.S.
Haleigh Resnick Ӱԭ24 MBA and Lynne Hennessey Resnick Ӱԭ94, Ӱԭ96 M.S.

ӰԭMy strong lineage through the University of New Haven makes me so proud,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭI feel as though I have an intimate connection with the school. I wish my grandfather was at Commencement to celebrate my accomplishments with me and watch me graduate from the school that he loved so dearly.Ӱԭ

Haleigh is working full-time for Morning Brew, which delivers updates about the business world, as a member of the companyӰԭs insights & analytics team. ItӰԭs a position she says she Ӱԭtruly loves.Ӱԭ SheӰԭs grateful that the flexibility of the UniversityӰԭs online MBA program enabled her to work full-time while pursuing her degree, and she appreciates the connection that she Ӱԭ and several of her beloved family members Ӱԭ shares with her alma mater.

ӰԭI am incredibly thankful to my mom for making it possible for me to pursue my MBA,Ӱԭ she said. ӰԭShe works unbelievably hard at the University, and I am very proud to be her daughter.Ӱԭ