Western New England University

Only 26 days until the Fall Semester begins! We can't wait to welcome our new and returning Golden Bears back to campus. 💙🐻💛

Golden Bears: What are you most excited to accomplish or experience this fall?

A program-best finish. A first All-American. A 15th conference title. Golden Bear Athletics is reaching new heights.

WNE women’s wrestling placed second at NCAA Regionals, Men’s lacrosse won its 15th CNE Championship, and Sophomore Michaela Birmingham became the program’s first All-American in Women’s Ice Hockey.

Read the full Golden Bear Athletics Recap in the Summer issue of WNE The Magazine: magazine.wne.edu/2026-summer/08-golden-bears-athletics-recap.cfm

Building What Comes Next-Together

It wasn’t a formal interview that convinced Joe Hartman to lead Western New England University. It was a feeling.

WNE’s seventh president brings an engineer’s mindset and a belief in presence-driven leadership, pairing professional preparation with a broad liberal arts foundation to help students adapt, lead, and grow over time.

Read his full story in the Summer issue of WNE The Magazine: magazine.wne.edu/2026-summer/02-joe-hartman.cfm

Driven by perseverance and loyalty, alumnus Josh Tullis '12 turned his Western New England experience into a lifelong connection by giving back to the community that helped shape his path on and off the field.

Tullis came to WNE from Long Island to play lacrosse for longtime coach John Klepacki, a man he still considers family. Now, as an account executive with Metro Team Sports, he's the one making sure WNE's student-athletes are properly outfitted and working to keep gear costs as low as possible for the athletes who need it.

"Being philanthropically connected to the school is meaningful to me," Tullis said.

Every year, he returns to WNE's alumni lacrosse game to mentor current students on careers and internships, staying connected to the community that shaped him.

Read the full story from the Summer Issue of WNE The Magazine: https://magazine.wne.edu/2026-summer/04-josh-tullis.cfm

Track captain. Theatre performer. Mechanical engineer. Meet the Golden Bear who helped build a program from scratch.

Josh Farrell ‘26 helped launch WNE’s track and field team, which grew to 81 athletes in its second season, while also performing with Stageless Players and earning the Grand Skookum Award before starting his engineering career this fall.

Read his full Cub Close-Up in the Summer issue of WNE The Magazine: magazine.wne.edu/2026-summer/06-cub-close-up.cfm

For 16 Western New England University students, this summer's lessons unfolded against the backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea, centuries-old ruins, and bustling Italian city streets.

Through WNE's Summer in Sorrento study abroad program, students spent three weeks in Italy earning six academic credits while exploring Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, and the Palace of Caserta. The program blends coursework in international business communication and cultural understanding with hands-on experience navigating a different country and culture.

"The immersive experience is something unique to studying abroad because we continue learning outside of a traditional classroom," said student Dalton Cronin. "I truly think that this time in Italy has changed me for the better, and I mean for the rest of my life."

Read the full story at the link in the comments.