CT State Manchester

Each year, on the eve of the commencement ceremony, the faculty and staff of CT State Manchester come together to celebrate student excellence. This special event honors outstanding academic achievements and recognizes individuals who have made meaningful contributions to student life. Many of the awards presented include a monetary component, which recipients can apply toward their continued education. These awards span all academic programs and are often established in tribute to esteemed faculty, staff, and friends of CT State Manchester.

The Visual Fine Arts & Graphic Design Programs, along with the Music Performance Programs, hosted an inspiring evening of art viewing, live music, and refreshments. Guests experienced a vibrant showcase of student work from the Spring 2026 semester in the Hans Weiss Newspace Gallery, the Virginia & Adolf Dehn Gallery, and the AST D-wing Art Studio Halls. The exhibitions featured a wide range of media, including painting, ceramics, drawing, photography, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, graphic design, and illustration.

The evening continued in the SBM Charitable Foundation Auditorium with a performance of Misatango by Martín Palmeri. The concert featured the CT State Manchester Chorale, Jazz and Chamber Ensembles, guest musicians, conductor Christine Gevert, and soloist Dr. Nadia Aguilar. This special performance was supported by the Manchester Arts Commission.

The Asian American Pacific Islander Cultural Café brought the campus community together for an engaging and welcoming cultural experience. Attendees enjoyed music, cultural facts, and hands-on activities like origami and coloring, while relaxing with coffee, tea, and treats provided by Culinary Arts. The event offered a casual, inclusive space to learn, create, and celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures, and was free and open to all.