Rhona Free Awarded the Elizabeth Gustin Basil Women's Leadership Award by the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce
West Hartford, CT (06/28/2022) — University of Saint Joseph President Rhona Free was awarded the Elizabeth Gustin Basil Women's Leadership Award by the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber's Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Dinner Monday evening June 27.
President Free is the first recipient of the Elizabeth Gustin Basil Women's Leadership Award, which was created last year to honor the legacy of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce's first woman chairperson. This award recognizes a woman, who through her work, service, and/or philanthropy, has empowered women to advance in business or leadership roles. It also recognizes the award winner's track record of mentorship, setting positive examples, or creating opportunities for the advancement of women.
Rhona C. Free, became the ninth President of the University of Saint Joseph in July 2015. During her time at USJ she has guided the deliberations that led to the University's decision to become fully-coeducational and from the resulting increase in enrollment has overseen the launch of many new graduate and undergraduate programs and the completion of facilities renovations and modernizations across campus.
In 2016, Dr. Free championed the creation of the Women's Leadership Center (WLC) at the University of Saint Joseph. The WLC offers professional and executive education programs, supports research related to women's leadership, and promotes mentorship and sponsorship for early and mid-career women in the corporate and non-profit sectors.
Dr. Free is Chair of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges Board of Directors, a member of the Hartford Consortium for Higher Education Board of Directors, and a member of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Presidents' Council; she is also a member of the Connecticut Science Center's Board of Trustees and a Hartford Hospital Corporator.
Dr. Free came to USJ from Eastern Connecticut State University, where she served as vice president for academic affairs from 2007-2013 and provost from 2013-2015. She taught Economics at Eastern for 25 years before becoming an administrator. In 2004, she was recognized as the Council for Advancement and Support of Education/Carnegie Foundation National Professor of the Year from Master's Granting Institutions. Her research has focused on gender and racial/ethnic earnings differences, collective bargaining and occupational health and safety, and innovative teaching methods.
She holds a bachelor's degree from Sarah Lawrence College, and earned both master's and doctoral degrees in Economics from the University of Notre Dame. She has been married to Peter Boardman since 1979. They have two children and three grandchildren.
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The University of Saint Joseph is the premier small private university in Connecticut developing professionals for in-demand fields of health care, social services, education, and the sciences. A USJ degree is a proven credential for undergraduates seeking a traditional New England college setting with exceptional NCAA Division III athletics and a strong sense of community. For graduate students ready to learn more and earn more, USJ offers online, hybrid, and on-ground masters and doctoral programs with innovative modular curricula that attract students from around the world.
To learn more, view our website at www.usj.edu.
OFFICE OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS 1678 Asylum Avenue | West Hartford, Connecticut 06117 | Tel: 860.231.5661 www.usj.edu
Media Attachments
President Rhona Free receives a proclamation from the Mayor of West Hartford Shari Cantor
President Free accepts the Elizabeth Gustin Basil Women's Leadership Award presented by Betsy's daughters, Cynthia Basil Howard and Marion Basil Sawicki