News

The new Academic Innovation for the Public Good online book talk series will foster discussion about how to make higher education’s future more equitable and accessible. The monthly programs begin January 26 with Trinity’s Davarian Baldwin, Paul E. Raether Distinguished Professor of American Studies.

‘Missing in Brooks County,’ a documentary co-directed by Visiting Assistant Professor of Film Studies Jeff Bemiss, premieres on PBS’s Independent Lens on January 31. As part of Trinity’s Film Studies Program since 2013, Bemiss teaches film production, screenwriting, and editing. In this Q&A, Bemiss discusses his filmmaking experiences and how he uses them to teach Trinity students.

Using population data from the 2020 census, students in Trinity’s fall 2021 “Math and Redistricting” course created new Connecticut congressional district maps that they submitted to the state’s Reapportionment Commission for its consideration.

The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation has named Trinity College as a recipient of a Beckman Scholars Program award in the amount of $156,000. The significant award will support students over the next three years as they conduct independent science research with faculty mentors.

Members of the Trinity College community recently attended The Connecticut Forum’s “Creative Minds” program, featuring a panel discussion with actor Nick Offerman, musician Jeff Tweedy, and poet Tracy K. Smith. Trinity is an education partner of The Connecticut Forum, which is presented on stage at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Hartford.

Assistant Professor of Neuroscience Sally Bernardina Seraphin, who joined the Trinity faculty in 2020 and was appointed to a tenure-track position in 2021, wants to inspire her students. “I’m really excited to be part of undergraduate students’ ‘light bulb moments,’” she said. “There’s nothing like seeing an individual finally have all of their studies culminate in a revelation about the universe.”

Thirty students in the Class of 2024 have earned the designation of Deans’ Scholars, recognizing outstanding academic achievement in their first year at Trinity. Students remain Deans’ Scholars through the end of their sophomore year.

Assistant Professor of Computer Science Chandranil Chakraborttii, who joined the Trinity College faculty in fall 2021, says computer science can be applied to many different fields. “It allows students to think logically, which will help them in their areas of expertise,” he said. Chakraborttii is using his research and industry connections to teach students about artificial intelligence and storage systems.

Trinity College engineering majors teamed up to participate this fall in Make48, a national collaborative inventor challenge in which “Makers” compete to develop a new commercial product in a 48-hour invent-a-thon weekend. They had two days to plan, prototype, and pitch a new idea, all within the specifications of an assignment.

Trinity College has received a $10 million gift from former Trinity trustee and former Connecticut State Treasurer Francisco L. Borges ’74, H’20, his wife Luisa, and his four siblings to support financial aid for outstanding students who would not otherwise be able attend college.