Eastern Connecticut State University is Connecticut's designated public liberal arts university. Rich in history and tradition, Eastern is the second oldest of the four institutions in the Connecticut State University System. Founded in 1889 as a state normal school, its original mission was to train kindergarten and elementary school teachers. In 1937, a four-year teacher education program was formalized, and the school's name became Willimantic State Teachers College. When a general education program was added in 1967, the "Teachers" designation was dropped, and the school became Eastern Connecticut State College.
By the 1970s, Eastern began to distinguish itself from the other three state universities in Connecticut with its predominantly undergraduate, residential, liberal arts character. Its mission had grown to embrace the value of liberal arts and social responsibility. In 1983, the Connecticut State University System (CSUS) was organized, leading to the University's current name, Eastern Connecticut State University.
In keeping up with a rapidly changing world, Eastern has continually expanded its mission and programs. Serving 4,355 students enrolled at Eastern in fall 2024, the university provides a dynamic and broad-based education for today’s rapidly changing world and workforce. Committed to inclusion, Eastern strives to be a model community of learners from diverse age groups and cultural, racial, and social backgrounds. It also has the largest percentage of minority faculty in Connecticut. Eastern offers a wide range of undergraduate fields of study (41 majors and 68 minors) in the arts, sciences and professional studies, as well as selected graduate school programs. Students are offered the opportunity to acquire knowledge, values and skills necessary to pursue advanced study and meaningful careers, become productive members of their communities, and embrace lifelong learning.
