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University of Hartford: A Good Neighbor

Hartford Courant

November 10, 2009

After thieves broke into the Blue Hills branch of the Hartford Public Library recently and stole four computers, a neighborhood good Samaritan came to the rescue. The University of Hartford donated five "gently used" computers to the library to replace the heavily used stolen ones.

Such a beneficent act to help a neighbor is typical of the university, which has been doing good works — large and small — in nearby communities for years. Its ongoing efforts to help bolster the Upper Albany neighborhood — building a performing arts center at the corner of Albany Avenue and Westbourne Parkway and its partnering in the Micro Business Incubator project — are two examples of big-time help.

But the "gently used" computers for the library come in handy, too. The city's insurance wouldn't cover the loss because of a high deductible.

Actually, the University of Hartford has been donating computers to local small businesses and nonprofit groups for several years. David Isgur, spokesman for the university, said the institution "believes strongly in being a good neighbor in the Blue Hills and Upper Albany communities. When we got a request from one of our neighbors, we did what we could to help."

The university's attention to its surroundings creates a better quality of life for everybody.