The Mitchell College community and supporters came together Saturday, October 5, to celebrate “85 Years of Creating Radical Possibilities” at Foxwoods Resort Casino. Approximately 200 guests—friends of the college, sponsors, alumni, parents, students, faculty, and staff—attended the gala in support of scholarships for Mitchell College students.
While the evening included an elegant cocktail reception and plated dinner, the highlight of the program was the speakers and their stories. Mitchell College faculty member Kevin Booker, Jr. served as emcee, introducing President Tracy Y. Espy and Richard D’Avino, chair of the board of trustees, along with four Mitchell College students and special guest Maya Moore.
An amputee, model, and disability advocate, Moore spoke about her personal journey as a cancer survivor who lost her arm to the disease as a teenager. She shared about her struggles with mental health and self-esteem, navigating life as a young disabled person, and her decision to forgo using a prosthetic arm in her 20s to be her authentic self. She also advocated for disability rights.
“There are approximately 61 million adults living with a disability in the United States,” she said.
“This represents about 26% of the adult population, or roughly 1 in 4 Americans. Everyone will become familiar with disability at some point, whether by accident, illness, or old age. Radical possibility in the context of disability acknowledges this reality and sees an opportunity to make accessibility a standard…Radical possibility means a mass overhaul.”
Student speakers junior Caleb Cobb, senior Kyrsten Lucas, senior Duneshka Vazquez, and sophomore Inonda Peterson all shared what “radical possibilities” at Mitchell College means to them.
Caleb Cobb talked about how Mitchell College has helped him “improve his confidence, professionalism, and communication skills,” allowing him to dream of other goals and move past “basketball player” as his sole identity.
As a high-achieving student-athlete who has been challenged with a medical condition and dyslexia, Kyrsten Lucas shared how the staff and faculty at Mitchell College equip students to have an “I can” story, not an “I cannot.”
Duneshka Vazquez revealed how Mitchell College helped her overcome her nervousness as a first-generation college student who is a little older than her peers. As a Mitchell student she has become empowered to pursue “an endless pool of opportunities.”
Inonda Peterson said that Mitchell College has helped her explore the radical possibilities within her through “access to things that once seemed impossible,” and credited faculty and staff for giving “a safe place to express my many ideas and make brave moves on campus.”
The event included a tabletop display of Mitchell College’s history through the decades from the Mitchell College library archives and a celebration video featuring current student, faculty, and staff voices.
Mitchell College thanks the following generous event sponsors: Rick D’Avino (Gold Sponsor); Foxwoods Resort Casino and Wondr Nation (Silver Sponsors); Alpern-Kuhn Family, Laurel and Stephen Lyle, Thomas and Kim Ruffing, Jean P. Walden ’73, Charter Oak Credit Union, Chelsea Groton, CorePlus Credit Union, Ellucian, Marin Espy Gallery of Fine Art, Secor Subaru, USI, and Yale NewHaven Health/Lawrence + Memorial Hospital (Bronze Sponsors); and Bliss Old Fashioned Ice Cream, CBIZ, Heather Viola, The Local: Art Gallery and Event Space, The Laundry Room of Waterford, Rihani Family, and Wahab Advisors (Patrons).
To make a donation that directly supports Mitchell College students please go to https://mitchell.edu/giving-donation-form/.
