Trinity College

 Trinity College, established in 1823, overlooks downtown Hartford. Long recognized as a premier liberal arts college, Trinity College’s high academic standards, extensive community service opportunities, artistic venues, and athletic programs appeal to talented students with multiple interests.  Founded in 1823 as Washington College, the College was renamed Trinity College in 1845 and occupied its first campus in the center of Hartford in 1825.  This original location is remembered in the present street name “Trinity Road” that runs between the Capitol and Bushnell Theater.  Trinity ceded its location on “Capitol Hill” to the new capitol building and moved to “Gallows Hill,” its present location in 1879. 

The consistent increase of Ph.D. professors and students increased the intellectual rigor of the campus community and expanded the academic curriculum throughout its early years.  In the spirit of social responsibility that evolved during the Civil Rights era in the 1960’s, Trinity became one of the first all-male colleges to admit women and also made a concerted effort to enroll more minority students.  This commitment to embracing would-be students barred from higher education continued in 1970 when the College established the Individualized Degree Program for adult students whose college careers were either interrupted or stymied for lack of money.

Trinity’s relationship with Hartford offers resources accessible only in an urban setting.  Its location provides countless opportunities for students to contribute passion and energy in volunteer efforts, and to do research and classroom work that draws on its urban connections.  

Trinity’s approach is unique: its formal curriculum incorporates community learning components in virtually every subject area.  The Cities Program offers well-qualified entering students an opportunity to understand complex urban issues.  The Hartford Studies Project provides research opportunities that emphasize themes of race, immigration, gender relations, social policy, city politics, and the economic and cultural history of Hartford.  Credit-bearing academic internships place students in the Connecticut Legislature, government offices, businesses, and non-profit organizations.

Many personal opportunities lie beyond the formal curriculum; more than 25 student groups offer community service opportunities. There are off-campus jobs and summer work options, and students work with major cultural institutions in the Hartford area. 

The College also engages other institutions:  it led the creation of the adjoining Learning Corridor, its Trinfo.Café provides technology to community organizations, and its Center for Neighborhoods helps students, faculty, and staff advocate for -- and learn from -- neighborhood groups.

Trinity offers each student access to the best faculty, facilities, and courses -- everything you would expect from one of the finest and oldest liberal arts colleges in America.  It also offers the opportunity to grow and learn in the City of Hartford, an environment singularly conducive to mastery of the liberal arts.

Academically, Trinity’s small classes encourage discussion and require strong reading, writing, and critical thinking abilities.  Incoming First-Year Students enroll in a First-Year Seminar class designed to acclimate new students to Trinity’s academic resources and requirements.  The First-Year Program reflects Trinity’s commitment to supporting and challenging students in a rigorous academic environment.

With a choice of over 35 majors and over 750 different courses each year, students can pursue lifelong passions or explore new curiosities.  Whether students participate in scientific research or after school programs at the Boys & Girls Club, they support and echo Trinity’s diverse interests and activities.  Steeped in academic history and tradition, Trinity offers scholarly excellence. 

Information for this history taken from:
The Trinity College Bulletin 2005-2006.  Trinity College, Hartford, CT.
For more information browse the Trinity College Web Page http://www.trincoll.edu