Hillyer math and statistics instructor and University of Hartford Summer Bridge program contributing founder Frank Dello Ianco passed away.
David Goldenberg, the Hillyer College Dean spoke kind words about his fellow co-worker Iacono and his passing.
Goldenberg spoke of Iacono and his life at the University of Hartford in saying “He began teaching as an adjunct faculty member in the Barney School of Business while working at Pratt & Whitney. He later moved over to full-time teaching in Hillyer College, where he has been an extraordinary professor and academic advisor,” Goldenberg said.
Iacono was part of the team along with Harry Jack Gray that thought up and found funding for the Summer Bridge program. This allows students coming to the University of Hartford to live on campus for a week during the summer time so that their transitions into college life could be easier.
The first Summer Bridge Program was held in 2009 with only a few students from the Barney School of Business and now has an astonishing 190 students coming after different weeks through out the summer.
Goldenberg also said that he hopes the program will still grow, and that Ianco would have wanted this program to continue with out him no longer being here.
Iacono will leave behind a tremendous legacy as well as a positive attitude that focused on helping a student reach there full potential, he has never given up on a student and he will leave behind the idea to not give up on yourself.
“It was called “Learning Logic”, said Goldenberg about Ianco’s teaching. “It is a program of high tech,” meaning students working independently and at their own pace via computer technology “and high touch,” because Iacono was always there to help mentor students through rough edges.
The Summer Bridge Program with grow and continue in honor of Iacono and only improve in numbers due to it offering areas of studying not only in mathematics but in writing, biology, engineering, business, women’s leadership and more.
The University is deeply saddened by its loss of not only a great activist and teacher on campus, but of a good man.
“He leaves behind a College that will sorely miss him,” said Goldenberg. “We are in shock and mourning for a colleague and mentor to students.”