From the President

Committed to our community

I’ve often noted the unique relationship between Trinity College and its home city of Hartford: Our successes are shared, and our futures are intertwined.

That’s why Trinity’s recent receipt of the prestigious 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement is so important. The honor—bestowed upon only 277 institutions nationwide—speaks volumes about the College’s commitment to excellence in our community engagement efforts. It provides validation that what we are doing makes a difference, at Trinity and in Hartford.

Securing the Carnegie classification wasn’t easy; the process was a massive undertaking requiring a rigorous yearlong self-evaluation and the completion of a thorough 10-section application. But it was well worth it. We have proven the scope and scale—and success—of our community collaborations by sharing details about the enthusiastic involvement of our students, faculty, and staff; our comprehensive policies and procedures; the storied history of the College; and more.

Amy Myerson, senior director of Trinity’s Grants Office and a key player in the process, has said that Carnegie “wants to see continued examination and growth of community engagement efforts.” We understand this significant responsibility and welcome the opportunity to continue strengthening our commitment to the capital city. I view the Carnegie classification as a launching pad of sorts, one that will allow us to take even more ownership of our place in Hartford, and, in particular, in our surrounding neighborhoods of Barry Square, Behind the Rocks, and Frog Hollow.

This issue of The Trinity Reporter showcases several offerings that deepen the College’s relationship with Hartford. First and foremost, the cover story on the Trinity International Hip Hop Festival, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, delves into the history of the world-class event that brings performers, academics, artists, and, perhaps most importantly, community members together in celebration of the genre. The 2026 iteration took place on campus and at venues around the city, extending its reach even more. This student-founded and student-run festival has been free and open to the public since its inception, welcoming our neighbors with open arms.

Also to be found in this issue are feature stories on The Chapel Singers, Trinity’s oldest student organization at 200 years and counting, and Capitol Squash, the Trinity-based nonprofit that combines the sport of squash with academic mentoring and tutoring. The Chapel Singers perform at numerous open-to-the-public events, including the long-running holiday classic Lessons and Carols, and Capitol Squash focuses its efforts on inspiring Hartford youth. Both groups exemplify how our College is part of the interwoven fabric of our city.

Recent campus happenings also point to our commitment to our larger community. On the north end of campus, construction is underway on the Elting Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, thanks to a generous lead gift from former Trustee Elizabeth “Liz” Elting ’87. This center, which will give a new home to what was the College’s Entrepreneurship Center, is yet another example of a connection point with Hartford, with entrepreneurship serving as a bridge to the local innovation ecosystem.

Elting, who earned a B.A. in modern languages from Trinity, noted in an earlier announcement about the center that the College offered her a “foundation not just to dream big but to act on those

dreams.” Trinity—by striving for excellence in all we do, including in our unwavering dedication to excellence in community engagement—will continue to provide the kind of liberal arts education that helps our students realize their own dreams and allows them to make a positive impact on our immediate surroundings and on our world.

Daniel G. Lugo President, Trinity College