From the Desk of Elsa M. Nunez: ECSU Presient

Office of the President


December 17, 2012

Dear Family and Freinds:

On Friday, December 14, Eastern Connecticut alumna Victoria Leigh Soto, an Eastern 2008 Alum, lost her life protecting her first-grade students at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, from the assailant who shot and killed 20 children and seven adults that day. Victoria is being recognized literally across the world for her heroism that day. I want to thank all of the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who have offered their condolences and their thoughtful suggestions for keeping Victoria's memory alive. It is heart-warming to know that Eastern is coming together in the wake of this horrific loss. I will be in touch with Victoria's family soon to develop appropriate ways to honor her. In the meantime, I am immediately announcing the creation of the Victoria Leigh Soto Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund at Eastern to support students studying to be teachers who have unmet financial need. Donations may be directed as follows:

Victoria Leigh Soto Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund
ECSU Foundation, Inc.
Eastern Connecticut State University
83 Windham Street
Willimantic, CT 06226

ATTN: Kenneth J. DeLisa
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
I will be in contact with her family to plan an appropriate memorial service for her at Eastern. I will alert the University community as soon as those plans are finalized. In the meantime, thank you for your thoughts and prayers. The unspeakable act at Sandy Hook has permanently impacted the lives of the victim's families and the Newtown community. To them, and to the people who knew and loved Victoria, we extend our deepest sympathies, and will continue to seek ways to honor Victoria so that her spirit and memory will never be forgotten. God Bless.

Sincerely,

Elsa M. Núñez
President