Business Students

UConn Grad Students Volunteer for Hartford Riverfront Recapture

On October 13th, 2017, UConn’s Graduate Net Impact Chapter hosted a volunteer day for Riverfront Recapture, a non-profit organization that manages downtown Hartford’s riverfront park system.

An enthusiastic group of 21 UConn graduate business students got their hands dirty working to maintain the riverfront parks, leveling and grading several paths in preparation for the Hartford Marathon the following day. While bringing UConn business students together to help their local community was one goal of the event, it was also an opportunity for volunteers to learn about the importance of the Connecticut River to the vitality and economic development of Hartford.

Established at the confluence of the Connecticut and Park Rivers in 1637, Hartford has a long and complicated relationship with its rivers. In the 1930’s, major flooding issues led to channelization of these rivers and the construction of a levee system. In the following decades, an interstate highway was built on top of these riverfront levees, effectively cutting off downtown Hartford from the Connecticut River.

Pointing to a series of floodwalls on either side of the Connecticut River, Chris Hayes, Director of Operations at Riverfront Recapture, explained how Hartford’s aging levee system is now in need of major reconstruction. Without significant improvements, downtown Hartford is at risk of major flooding. Property owners may soon be forced to purchase flood insurance.

Since the 1980’s, Riverfront Recapture has led the effort to improve the quality of life in Hartford by recapturing its riverfront property for the economic development of the city and the enjoyment of the public. The non-profit organization manages Hartford’s four riverfront parks, and has continuously expanded the footprint and accessibility of the parks while offering cultural events and recreational activities.

To find out more about Riverfront Recapture and get involved, visit www.riverfront.org.

Join UConn’s Net Impact Grad Chapter!

The University of Connecticut Net Impact Graduate Chapter started in Storrs in 2015 and moved the following year to Hartford. Our chapter’s goal is to meet the needs of UConn’s graduate students who want to become effective change agents through their careers. We are an official chapter of Net Impact, a global community of students and professionals who want to make a positive impact in the world. With over 100,000 members and 300 global chapters, Net Impact’s members strive to take on social challenges, protect the environment, and orient businesses and products toward the greater good.

If you are enrolled as a graduate student (either full-time or part-time) at UConn, you are eligible to join.  We meet monthly at the Hartford campus but welcome students from other campuses too.  We have an exciting year of activities planned for 2017-2018, so please reach out to us at GradNetImpact@biz.uconn.edu and let us know you are interested!