Eastern Connecticut State University Student Matthew Lance Honored at College Academic Day

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Matthew Lance and Representative Richard Roy

WILLIMANTIC, CT (05/16/2011)(readMedia)-- Eastern Connecticut State University student Matthew Lance, along with seven other students attending universities in the Connecticut State University System, was recognized for his outstanding academic achievement by the Connecticut State General Assembly at College Academic Day on April 27.

Lance, a senior health and physical education major from Stratford, holds a 3.96 GPA. A member of Eastern's Honors Program, he also is the recipient of the Health and Physical Education Outstanding Major of the Year Award and the Mary Benvento Scholarship. He was selected as Connecticut's Outstanding Future Teaching Professional in Physical Education at the Eastern District Convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD) in Long Branch, NJ.

Lance is currently completing his student teaching at Two Rivers Magnate Middle School in East Hartford and will receive his teaching certification in health and physical education. He collected and analyzed data as a student researcher for the Sisterhood Project headed by Nanette Tummers, associate professor of health and physical education. He presented his research on the project at the Connecticut Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CTAHPERD) in Cromwell in 2008 and at AAHPERD in Tampa, FL, in 2009. Lance has student taught in Colchester and East Hartford; counseled at the 4-H Leadership, Interactions, Friends and Talents Program in Windham; and worked with special education students as a unified sports coach at Jack Jackter Intermediate School in Colchester.

The students received an official citation from the Connecticut General Assembly in recognition of their academic achievement. In addition, the students were formally introduced to the State Senate and House of Representatives and were joined by legislators during a reception at the State Capitol. Sponsors of the event included State Representatives Richard Roy, 119th District and Pamela Sawyer, 55th district.

Eastern Connecticut State University is part of the Connecticut State University System (CSUS) and is the state's designated public liberal arts university. Eastern serves more than 5,600 students each year on its Willimantic campus.