Happy 50th anniversary, Avery Point
Long before the University of Connecticut became a women’s basketball powerhouse and just a few years after the UConn health center’s establishment took the university to a new level, the Avery Point peninsula in Groton officially became a part of the state’s flagship higher education institution.
The campus was established during the tumultuous year of 1967. It was a time when disagreements over the war in Vietnam and how to deal with racial inequities left the country deeply divided. Meanwhile, the Cold War kept U.S.-Soviet relations tense.
Avery Point emerged as a peaceful and beautiful oasis for both students and the public. It remains so.
The UConn-Avery Point regional campus celebrates its half-century anniversary in 2017. Marking 50 years is a significant milestone and a well-deserved source of pride. We offer congratulations to Avery Point and its leaders, not simply because the campus has existed for a half-century, but because it has grown, changed and adapted to become a significant and well-respected educational institution integral not only to the larger university, but also to the southeastern Connecticut community. Even better, the campus continues to strive to adapt to better serve its current students, attract and retain future students and broaden its outreach to the larger community.
The gorgeous peninsula at the mouth of the Thames River was first developed at the turn of the 20th Century by wealthy industrialist Morton F. Plant. A philanthropist who supported southeastern Connecticut in many ways, Plant built his Branford House mansion on the point. After Plant’s son died in the late 1930s, the state bought the property. During World War II, it was leased to the Coast Guard for use as a training center. Even after the university’s branch campus opened there in 1967, the Coast Guard continued to maintain some operations, including a research and development center. In 2009, all Coast Guard offices relocated.
Avery Point has grown to become an integral part of the university’s fabric and solidify its unique identity as a leader in marine sciences study and research.
While most Avery Point students continue to complete only general education courses locally before transferring to the main campus, usually after two years of study in Groton, university leaders are exploring ways more students can complete degrees in southeastern Connecticut.
“We often hear from students: ‘How could I stay at Avery Point all four years’,” campus director Annemarie Seifert said.
Many Avery Point students do not fit the traditional full-time undergraduate student mold. It’s common for Avery Point students to juggle work and families. Flexibility in scheduling and online study options allow these students to continue their educations. For those students who study full time, the smaller, more intimate campus can provide a perfect transition between high school and the sprawling Storrs campus.
Just as local residents have long recognized Avery Point as one of the most beautiful spots in southeastern Connecticut, campus leaders have a long history of recognizing the unique blend of traditional and non-traditional that comprises its student body.
The campus kicked off its golden anniversary year in January, but a variety of events for students, alumni and locals are planned throughout the year. Visit the website 50 years. a very point. uconn.edu to find out about these anniversary events and go explore the campus. Have a scoop of the special anniversary ice cream dubbed Avery Point Coast Crunch and revel in the majestic Branford House. Stroll the grounds and drink in the view of Fishers Island Sound.
But also see the campus in all its complexity – as part of a first-class university, a historic site, a community partner, a place for the arts, culture and research; and a viable higher education institution well prepared and positioned for the future.