DANBURY, CONN. — For Western Connecticut State University students Kelley Bradley and Jennifer Groom-Reid, success is much more than earning A’s and a spot on the Dean’s List. For Bradley and Groom-Reid, it comes from working hard, taking advantage of opportunities to grow and learning from mistakes.

Recognized for the resourcefulness and determination behind their academic successes, the two WCSU students were chosen as winners of this year’s Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award. The award was established in 1983 as the private development foundation of the Connecticut State University system. There are 12 given annually to distinguished students from Western, Central, Eastern and Southern Connecticut State universities.

Bradley is a senior meteorology major from Cromwell and Groom-Reid, of New Milford, is majoring in social work. They are the only students chosen this year from Western. Recipients are selected for their academic and leadership qualities and must maintain at least a 3.7 grade-point average and have a record of substantial voluntary service to their university and community.

“Receiving the Barnard Award is an incredible honor,” Bradley said. “It truly is the cherry on top of a fantastic four years at Western. No matter the monetary value, scholarships like these are important because of the recognition that comes with being an award recipient. Awards like these encourage students to work hard and do their best because in the end getting recognized for being yourself is awesome!”

A nontraditional student, Groom-Reid earned a master’s in business administration and worked in the corporate world before a life-changing event made her pause and rethink her life goals. It was then she decided that she wanted to work with people, not for people, and she enrolled in the social work program at Western.

“I was prepared to be of value to others. You should always strive to be the best at anything you do,” Groom-Reid said. “The Barnard Award highlights and recognizes hard work, dedication and commitment to education and community service — two things that exemplify what I believe are important in life.”

In addition to excelling in her studies, Bradley is very involved in the Western community; she works at the information desks on both WCSU campuses and at The Grind, the Westside campus

coffee shop, and is a member of the university’s Honors Program and a student representative on the faculty-based Honors Council. In spring 2010, she served as president of the Honors Student

Organization and as the vice president in fall 2010. She is also an active member of the university’s meteorology club.

Groom-Reid is a financial literacy coordinator in Danbury and also works part time helping young people learn and enhance social interaction, build outdoor living and camping skills, participate in community services and develop leadership skills.

The Barnard Awards will be presented on Monday, April 23, 2012, at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington.

For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-3278.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.