Honorary Degrees and the President’s Medal
Honorary Degrees and the President’s Medal
Western Connecticut State University recognizes individuals whose lives and work reflect the values we seek to advance through higher education, intellectual achievement, public purpose, community leadership, and a deep commitment to others.
2026 Honorees
Robert J. Yamin, Esq.
Western Connecticut State University will confer the Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters upon Robert J. Yamin, Esq., in recognition of his distinguished legal career, civic leadership, and enduring commitment to WestConn and the greater Danbury community. A proud multigenerational Danburian and member of Danbury’s Lebanese-American community, Mr. Yamin has long been one of the University’s most visible and generous champions, consistently supporting WestConn and many other community-serving organizations across the region.
A proud WestConn alumnus, Mr. Yamin graduated summa cum laude with dual degrees in Political Science and History, completing a four-year course of study in just two years while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. He later earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he served as President of the Harvard Law School Student Bar Association. His career has included more than four decades in the legal profession, including founding and leading Yamin & Yamin, LLP, and 22 years of service as Corporation Counsel and Chief Legal Officer for the City of Danbury, making him the longest-serving Corporation Counsel in the city’s history.
Equally significant is his longstanding service to WestConn and the broader community through alumni engagement, Foundation leadership, civic involvement, and philanthropy. Mr. Yamin has served for many years on both the WestConn Alumni Association Board and the WestConn Foundation Board, including as Chair and now Vice Chair, and he has remained a passionate ambassador for the University in word and deed. His life and work reflect the highest ideals of leadership, service, gratitude, and devotion to the common good.
Richard Asselta
President Jesse M. Bernal will present the 2026 WestConn President’s Medal to Richard Asselta in recognition of his decades of engagement with WestConn, extraordinary service and leadership, and deeply student-centered commitment to the University’s mission. During his time as an adjunct social sciences instructor at WCSU, Mr. Asselta became a valued presence on campus, combining teaching with a wider commitment to environmental responsibility, global awareness, and community action.
Mr. Asselta’s connection to WestConn is especially evident in his longstanding work with Jane Goodall and the Jane Goodall Institute. While teaching at the University, he developed a close friendship with Dr. Goodall and went on to help pioneer the Roots & Shoots youth program at more than 100 universities across the country, encouraging students to connect learning with service, environmental stewardship, and care for others. His work reflects a vision of education that reaches well beyond the classroom and invites students to see themselves as agents of positive change.
That same spirit has shaped his impact in Danbury and beyond. In the years following Hurricane Maria, Mr. Asselta worked with Danbury students to support families in Puerto Rico through seed collection, honeybee kits, and farming and reforestation efforts designed to help communities rebuild and grow food locally. In doing so, he challenged young people to understand that even small acts of service can nourish a family, restore a community, and change a life. His recognition reflects the true spirit of the President’s Medal, honoring an individual whose example has had lasting meaning for WestConn, its students, and the wider region.
About These Honors
Honorary degrees are among the University’s highest recognitions. They honor individuals whose achievements and service have made significant contributions to society, higher education, or the University itself.
The President’s Medal recognizes individuals whose leadership, service, and contributions have meaningfully advanced WestConn and the communities it serves. It honors enduring impact, generosity of spirit, and example.
Together, these recognitions celebrate lives of consequence and service, and they connect our students and community to examples of leadership rooted in purpose and care for others.
A More Inclusive and Deliberative Process
From the President
In keeping with my commitment to shared leadership, WestConn introduced a more inclusive and deliberative process for these recognitions in 2026. The University solicited nominations from the community and received recommendations from a representative committee.
This process reflects President Bernal's belief that important decisions are stronger when informed by broad perspective, thoughtful dialogue, and community voice. The University will continue refining this process over time to make it even more clear, inclusive, and effective.
2026 Review Committee
- Marcia Firsick, Co-Chair Stephen Hegedus, Co-Chair Linda Warren, Faculty, Graxuate Council (Chair) Trish Stewart, Faculty, AAUP, University Senate Paul Steinmetz, Staff Tom Crucitti, Alumni Maria Veilleux, WCSU Foundation Ian Hendrie, Student
Historical Awardees
WestConn’s history of honorary degrees and presidential recognition reflects a wide range of leadership across education, public service, philanthropy, media, the arts, civic life, and community engagement.
Honorary Degrees
- 1985 Nathan Ancell
- 1986 John W. Toland
- 1993 Ellen M. Hancock
- 1993 Marian Anderson*
- 1994 Clifton Wharton, Jr.
- 1995 Ralph Braibanti
- 1996 Jane Goodall
- 1997 Leon Botstein
- 1998 Dallas K. Beal
- 1999 Montel Williams
- 2000 Edward Cardinal Egan
- 2002 Skitch Henderson
- 2003 Constantine Macricostas
- 2004 L. Eudora Pettigrew
- 2006 Catherine Crier
- 2008 M. Farooq Kathwari
- 2009 Jonathan Alter
- 2010 Wyclef Jean
- 2011 Allan Houston
- 2012 Ronald Bruder
- 2015 M. Jodi Rell
- 2019 David Smith
* Awarded posthumously.
President’s Medal Recipients
- 1995 Truman Warner
- 1997 Mel Goldstein
- 2000 Robert Schlageter
- 2000 M. Jodi Rell
- 2001 Noel Hord
- 2002 Ruth Henderson
- 2003 Herbert Janick
- 2004 Gerard Robilotti
- 2005 Jack Fong, M.D.
- 2007 Harold Schramm
- 2012 Carol Hawkes
- 2012 Nancy Wyman
- 2013 Janet Robinson
- 2013 E. Patricia Llodra
- 2016 Erland Hagman
- 2017 Robert and Dianne Yamin
- 2018 Roy and Virginia Young
- 2019 Ron Pugliese
- 2019 Terry Eberhard-Asch
- 2021 Sam Hyman
- 2022 Jim Maloney