May graduate quickly becomes donor

Western graduate Bryan Bielefeldt doesn’t just say he believes in giving back — he really means it. Almost immediately after receiving a scholarship award earlier this year, Bielefeldt was in the development office asking where and how the money could best be spent.

The $250 award was donated to the art department to help defray expenses for next year’s senior thesis exhibit.

 “I thought it would help and I thought it was necessary,” said Bielefeldt who graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design. “Hopefully, it can get people in the doors to see what students at Western are doing. That’s important and hopefully it will benefit them.”

Bielefeldt was one of two students from Western who received the Barnard award. The award is given annually to 12 students from the Connecticut State University system. Recipients are selected for their academic and leadership qualities and must maintain at least a 3.8 grade point average and have a record of substantial voluntary service to their university and community.

Now that he’s made his first contribution as an alumnus, Bielefeldt said there’s no turning back.

 “I plan to stay involved whether monetarily or in some other way. This summer I am volunteering to help teach a computer design class. My long-term goal is to come back and teach at Western. I have no desire to go anywhere else. I just like Western. Western is home.”