HARTFORD, Conn. — The UConn Foundation made a major announcement on Thursday that could benefit hundreds of students at the university’s Hartford campus for years to come.
According to a release from the foundation, Travelers is making a $500,000 donation that will be spread over the next five years. The money will help cover the cost of room and board for qualified UConn students at a planned 200-bed residence hall on Pratt Street in Hartford.
The development is critical for the UConn Hartford campus, which will offer student housing for the first time in the fall of 2026 when the apartment-style units open. As part of the project, a former law office is being transformed into a residential community, which is part of the university’s goal to raise the bar on student education experiences.
“Thanks to this generous gift from Travelers, more students will have access to our new residence hall, which will have a transformative impact on their education and lives,” Mark Overmyer-Velázquez, campus dean and chief administrative officer at UConn Hartford, said.
Overmyer-Velázquez added that the residence hall will serve as a catalyst for learning and will connect students to the “rich historical, cultural, political and business resources of our capital city.”
A 2023 survey revealed that around 70% of UConn Hartford undergraduate students expressed interest in nearby student housing. Many of the students said affordability is key, as most currently live with their parents.
The foundation says that the new housing initiative matches UConn’s vision, alongside local and state leaders, to establish Hartford as a college town.
When it comes to the vision, Travelers is committed too.
“Our relationship with UConn spans decades, and we are proud to be a part of the university’s efforts in expanding its presence in downtown Hartford,” said Travelers Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Andy Bessette. “UConn’s dedication to excellence in education is why it was one of our inaugural partners when we started our school-to-career pipeline program, Travelers EDGE, 17 years ago.”
Bessette said that, together, an effort is being made to build a brighter future for Hartford and the state of Connecticut.
Travelers EDGE is a program aiming to provide students with greater access to higher education and career preparation. It has supported 133 UConn scholars since its creation, with 93 interning at Travelers and 35 graduates accepting full-time jobs there, the UConn Foundation says.
“We are thrilled that Travelers is making this transformation investment in UConn, our students and the city of Hartford through this $500,000 donation,” UConn Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment Nathan Fuerst said.
Fuerst added that the visionary gift ensures the success of UConn’s expanded footprint in Hartford and helps alleviate the financial barriers facing many students who choose to live downtown.
“It also brings more scholars to downtown, where many will stay and establish deep roots,” Fuerst said.
According to the UConn Foundation, the new, proposed residence hall is one of many initiatives the university is embarking on to strengthen its ties with Hartford. UConn recently opened its new Community Intersections & Innovation Space for research and academic use near the EXL Center. A café for students will open next fall in the Hartford Times main campus building as well.
The UConn Foundation has also launched the Hartford Residential Scholars Enhancement Fund to raise more money in support of qualifying UConn Hartford students. More information can be found here.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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