DANBURY, CONN. — From feeding those without homes to increasing access to health care for city children, four graduates from Western Connecticut State University have used their knowledge and education to make the community a better place for everyone.

On Wednesday, Nov. 19, the School of Professional Studies will acknowledge these achievements at its annual distinguished alumni ceremony. The ceremony will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the first floor of Warner Hall at the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury.

The following awards will be presented:

Health Promotion & Exercise Sciences Department’s Distinguished Alumna: Melodaine S. Bonjour ’80 works for the City of Danbury as a Health Promotional School-Based Health Center coordinator, where she has successfully secured approximately $1 million in grant funding to establish three school-based health clinics in the city to increase medical, mental health and dental care for students. The Sandy Hook resident will present “Eat Your Carrots, They’re Good For Your Eyes.”

Education & Educational Psychology Department’s Distinguished Alumna: Rita T. Bongarten ’98 is the principal of Parkwood Elementary School in Durham, N.C, where she also resides. She earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from WestConn in 1998 and completed doctoral studies at the University of Connecticut and her doctoral dissertation research in New York City. She is currently writing a book for the international Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) entitled “Literacy Leadership—Leading With a Sense of Urgency.” She will present “Leading with a Sense of Urgency.”

Nursing Department’s Distinguished Alumna: Leah H. Turner ’71, ’91: A Norwalk resident, Turner is the coordinator of School Health Services in Norwalk, a position she’s held since 1989. A NCSN-Nationally Certified School Nurse since 1990, Turner is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2003 School Nurse Supervisor of the Year from the Association of School Nurses of Connecticut and the Carver Community Center Woman of the Year for 2007. Her lecture is entitled “How Did I Get Here Anyway?”

Social Work Department’s Distinguished Alumna: Michele Conderino ’01: Conderino, who lives in Bethel, is the director of Homeless Services for Catholic Charities in Bethel where she undertook the daunting task of developing a breakfast feeding program for Danbury’s homeless population. She has worked as a case manager with the Mental Health Association and then for Homeless Outreach Team for Catholic Charities. She became a major player in the Danbury Continuum of Care, a collaborative agencies initiative and reached out to immigrants through the Association of Religious Communities services in Danbury. Her work with homelessness has earned her membership with the national Social Work Phi Alpha Honor Society. Conderino will speak on “The Importance of Community.”

For more information, contact Dean of the School of Professional Studies Dr. Lynne Clarke at (203) 837-9500.

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.