DANBURY, CONN. — Western Connecticut State University’s Older Wiser Learner (O.W.L.) group will celebrate nontraditional Student Week, Nov. 7 – 13, at the Midtown and Westside campuses.

Onilda Figueroa is president of Western’s O.W.L. group that has about 30 members.

“We reach out to all nontraditional students, which consists of about 800 students,” Figueroa said. On the importance of more nontraditional students attending Western, she said, “Most nontraditional students have a wide range of life experiences that they can bring into classrooms.”

Michael Fraser, a second-year student at Western after a 10-year layoff, decided that he wanted to be a teacher instead of working in a job he knew had limitations that could only take him so far. Fraser chose Western because of its history of success in the education program. Initially denied acceptance based on his high school transcripts, Fraser was devastated but didn’t give up. After taking college-level courses, he was accepted to WCSU and started taking classes in the Fall 2009 semester.

“I was a 2.7 – 2.8 GPA student in high school, and now I’m in the Honors Program,” Fraser said. “Everyone has been really welcoming. The whole community has taken me in.” On the transition back to school, Fraser said, “It’s like riding a bike; you get right back into it. Since I started at Western, I have achieved many great things.”

Fraser is a member of the WCSU Honors Program, president of the Honors Student Organization, senator in the Student Government Association, on the search committee for the Dean of Professional Studies, recipient of a full academic scholarship and administrative assistant to the WCSU Honors Program.

The O.W.L. group has arranged for several events to celebrate nontraditional student

week. Between Nov. 7 – 13, breakfast, lunch and dinner “on the run” will be served to students at both campuses.

Fraser plans to attend some of the events and is “looking forward to connecting with other nontraditional students.”

For more information, call Figueroa at (203) 837-8415.

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.