[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF WALTER HARRISON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 28, 2017

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the entire 
Connecticut delegation to recognize a dedicated leader, respected 
academic, and a dear friend, Walter Harrison, on his retirement as the 
President of the University of Hartford. His retirement marks the end 
of 19 years of an incredibly successful term as President and the end 
of an era at the University.
   A graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, Walt began his career of 
service and experience in higher education, receiving his Masters from 
the University of Michigan and went on to serve for three years as an 
officer in the U.S. Air Force. He then completed a doctorate at the 
University of California-Davis and worked in the administrations of 
Colorado College and the University of Michigan before joining the 
University of Hartford.
   Walter Harrison played a critical role in revitalizing the 
University of Hartford after he became President in 1998. Under his 
guidance, the University increased and diversified its enrollment, 
financial stability and academic performance. During the time that Mr. 
Harrison served as President, the University of Hartford renovated 
dorms, dining halls and athletic facilities to completely change and 
modernize the campus. New undergraduate and graduate academic programs 
were added in science, technology and the fine arts. Undergraduate 
enrollment increased by 20 percent. His genuine affinity for students 
and his authentic concern were evident every time I walked the campus 
with him.
   Walter has also been an engaged leader for the city of Hartford. He 
serves on multiple boards in the area including on the boards of Saint 
Francis Hospital and the MetroHartford Alliance. He is one of the 
founders of the Connecticut Science Center and a past president of 
Hartford Stage. Walter made engagement with the city a priority of his 
tenure, and was involved in the effort to incorporate Hartford public 
schools into the campus of the University, resulting in the University 
of Hartford Magnet School and the University High School of Science and 
Engineering. Walter also played a key role in reforming the NCAA and 
was recognized by his peers for his outstanding leadership.
   What I admire most about Walt is the easy manner and grace in which 
he engages students, faculty, and the greater community the University 
serves. His humanity and well-rounded nature makes him a man for all 
seasons: cultured, passionate, affable, and witty, truly a Renaissance 
man. He is just as comfortable at Augie and Rays as he is at Hartford 
Stage; talking sports, politics, or theater. I have valued our 
friendship, admired his leadership and academic acumen, and consider 
myself a better person having benefitted from our relationship and his 
wisdom.
   Walt will be truly missed at the University of Hartford. His vision 
and leadership have shaped the University into the institution it is 
today, and I am proud to call him a friend. The word retirement doesn't 
become him; he is too committed and essential to the heartbeat of life 
to retire. He will simply engage. The entire CT delegation joins in 
thanking him for his service to the University and the city of 
Hartford.
   To paraphrase George Barnard Shaw, Walt has been a splendid torch 
that has burned brightly for the University and now he is handing it 
off to the next generation.

                          ____________________