DANBURY, CONN. — The Department of Social Sciences at Western Connecticut State University will celebrate the life and legacy of the late Angela Rossi Zurowski Anderson at a public fundraising event in November to support an internship program created in Anderson’s honor.

The fundraiser, which includes hors d’oeuvres, DJ, cash bar and silent auction, will be held Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the Westside Campus Center Grand Ballroom, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury. For ticket reservations, visit https://alumni.wcsu.edu/angelas-passion.

The Angela Rossi Zurowski Anderson-International Institute of Connecticut (ARZA-IICONN) Internship Program was designed to honor and commemorate the life and legacy of Anderson, who died in 2014, and her devotion to the cause of helping new immigrants. It provides a WCSU Social Sciences major with a paid internship at the International Institute of Connecticut in Bridgeport, where Anderson worked as the executive director. IICONN provides immigration services to more than 3,000 individuals in the state each year. It is a nonprofit, non-sectarian agency dedicated to helping foreign-born persons achieve self-sufficiency. Services include refugee resettlement, basic needs, English classes, job training and placement, counseling, translation/interpretation services and legal assistance.

Anderson, who was an adjunct professor at Western, earned her undergraduate degree from Western and her master’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University, both in political science. In addition to her position at IICONN, she served on the board of the Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust, devoting her life to the nonprofit sector.

“Angela was a wonderful young woman whose life was cut short before she had a chance to finish her life’s work,” said Dr. R. Averell Manes, WCSU professor of political science and associate chair of the Department of Social Sciences. “We need the community’s help to carry on her legacy and help new Americans make their contributions to our society. Angela was a bright star who modeled giving back as a way of life.”

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.