DANBURY, CONN. — It was a dark and stormy night during the hurricane season of 2008 that “sealed the deal” as far as becoming a meteorologist was concerned. So when Erica Bower set foot in the Weather Center at Western Connecticut State University this summer, she knew this was where she would start her journey in fall 2016.

The Hillsborough, New Jersey, resident will start the meteorology program after a long search for the perfect school. Western’s meteorology program has long been hailed as the top in New England.

“I did look at other schools that had great research facilities and opportunities, but Western was more well-rounded and a lot more flexible in terms of a schedule,” Bower said. “When I went to an open house in the fall, I got the chance to speak with Professor (Robert) Eisenson. He explained a lot about the program, but what caught my attention was the fact that this meteorology program focuses on theoretical meteorology with opportunities in broadcasting. Some other programs that I saw focused only on broadcasting, but at Western, meteorology is a true science.

“The WCSU Honors Program will also be a great opportunity for me. Western is giving me the chance to do everything I wanted to do in college. I just can’t wait to get started.”

As for meteorology, Bower said she respects the power of nature, “especially that certain independence that can only be found in weather. Ever since that summer (of 2008), I studied the clouds and the weather, particularly hurricanes.” Bower is far from the first to pursue a degree in science in her family: her father is a pharmacologist and her grandfather is a chemist, but she will be the family’s first meteorologist.

“I have seen plenty of thunderstorms over the years. When I was little, my sister and I would stay up for hours at night just to watch the lightning outside our window. If she started to fall asleep, I would hit her with a pillow so she could share my excitement!” Bower said.

“I also experienced Hurricane Irene in 2011, which brought a lot of flooding to New Jersey. My town was essentially closed for three days. We all spent the next few weeks cleaning up what was left of our basements. And, of course, you can’t live in New Jersey without talking about Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Since I live a little ways inland I did not experience the worst of the storm. But I was glued to the Weather Channel watching the storm grow, strengthen, and mesh with the frontal system that was simultaneously sweeping through. I measured the amount of rain that fell and the wind speeds in my town. That storm closed all of central New Jersey, including schools, for a week. It was truly amazing and heartbreaking at the same time.”

Bower said her ultimate goal is to work for the National Hurricane Center or the National Weather Service doing research on weather, specifically hurricanes, and collaborate with architects and engineers to reduce catastrophic damage done to buildings and man-made structures.

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.