MSA 25th Anniversary

After years of meticulous planning, the MS in Accounting program was inaugurated in 1999. Soon after its inception, the faculty identified the students' need for flexibility. Simultaneously, a few encouraging research findings emerged on the efficacy of distance education compared to traditional in-person education. Our MSA leadership staff and faculty, always at the forefront of innovation, embraced the concept of distance education. They initiated the transition of some courses into the online format in 2001, and by 2003, we had fully embraced online education, thereby establishing ourselves as pioneers in the field of distance education.

Developing and launching an online program was a formidable task, especially considering the technological landscape twenty-five years ago. The faculty had to collaborate closely with the University to adapt technology for an online environment. They also had to devise strategies to ensure that all students were technologically prepared to fully engage in the program.

Were there doubts it could be done? Absolutely! However, the program faculty and staff's strong desire to address the students' needs and the student's faith in taking a chance on us outweighed doubts, and the rest is history.

Over the last 25 years, we have connected with and graduated over 1950 students from 45 states, some living or traveling internationally throughout their time with us. Many have made lifelong connections.

This October, we will be hosting our MSA 25^th anniversary event to celebrate you, your loyalty to our program, and your achievements, which reflect our collective success. This event will also celebrate our program’s history and acknowledge the individuals who have contributed to making UConn’s MSA one of the top programs in the nation. It's a beautiful time of year to be on campus and a great opportunity to catch up with and meet fellow MSA alumni, current and former faculty, and program affiliates.

Traveling? Arrive early and make a day of it. See how the campus has changed over the last 25 years and visit or revisit where you earned your MSA. Participants registering to attend the main event may opt-in to the UConn Experience to receive complimentary one-day access to the recreation center (some restrictions apply), tickets to a show at Jorgenson Theater, ice cream from the Dairy Bar, and complimentary full-day parking on the day of the main event, Thursday, October 17th.

The registration cost of the event is $25.00. It includes parking for the entire event day (registrants to be emailed specific parking location and requirements), and optional complimentary UConn Experiences for registrants interested in arriving early or making a long weekend to visit and explore the area.

Our celebration kicks off on Thursday, October 17th at 4:00 pm at the Werth Tower Forum Room 112/113, where we will engage our undergrads in an exciting game of generational trivia with questions spanning the generations, sprinkled with UConn history and miscellaneous accounting facts, prizes will be awarded to top trivia team victors!

Event registrants will then proceed to the Alumni House Sports Museum. Along the way, we hope to bump into some special four-legged guests! Arriving at the Alumni Centers, J Robert Donnelly Husky Sports Museum, we will be greeted by Doro Catering for hors d'oeuvres and cocktails to enjoy while experiencing UConn's rich sports history, and networking with other fellow MSA alumni, current, former, and retired MSA staff, and faculty. We will continue the evening with dinner in the beautiful Alumni Center Great Hall.

Time	Location	Event
4:00-5:30 pm	Werth Tower Forum Room 112/113	Trivia
5:45-6:45 pm	Alumni Center, J Robert Donnelly Husky Sports Museum	Cocktails & Networking hour
6:45-9:30 pm	Welcome, Jose Cruz, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs	Alumni Center Great Hall
	UConn Acapella Group performances by the Rolling Tones & Extreme Measures	Alumni Center Great Hall
	Dinner	Alumni Center Great Hall

STORRS:

Graduate Storrs

Set right on UConn's campus and an easy walk to the best spots in Downtown Storrs, Graduate Storrs is the perfect home base for campus visits and weekend trips. Guest rooms are dressed in classic plaids and Connecticut motifs, celebrating local traditions and the region’s history. This full-service hotel features Trophy Room, a cozy café by day with a menu that transitions for cocktail hour with handcrafted beverages, wine and copious beers on tap. Light bites are available too.

NEARBY:

Spring Hill Inn

Spring Hill Inn offers charming guest rooms and is located in the historic district of Spring Hill in Storrs. This classic New England home was built around 1734. Spring Hill Inn is 1.6 miles south of Downtown Storrs on Storrs Road/Route 195.

New at Spring Hill Inn: The Tavern at Spring Hill is now serving lunch and dinner! Open daily from 11:30 AM until 9:00 PM.

Stone Arches Bed & Breakfast

Stone Arches Bed & Breakfast is a 300-year-old historic stone home located in Mansfield Center. The original building - perhaps Mansfield’s first - was built in 1694 while the unique masonry shell was added starting in the 1930s. This full-service bed and breakfast features en suite bathrooms, on-site EV charging, other modern amenities, and a full country breaktast. Stones Arches B&B is 3.3 miles south of Downtown Storrs on Storrs Road/Route 195.

The Inn on Storrs

The Inn on Storrs features an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, business services, and conference facilities. Best Western is 5.8 miles south of Downtown Storrs on Storrs Road/Route 195.

Has it been a long time since you have had UConn's ice cream? Have you NEVER had UConn's ice cream?

UConn's ice cream is hands down the best there is! No UConn student or alum should ever miss out on a Dairy Bar experience!

Be sure to visit the Dairy Bar! Participants attending the MSA's anniversary event may select the Campus Experience option to be provided with a voucher for a dish of ice cream from the Dairy Bar.

In the meantime, check out the history of the Dairy Bar, and the flavors offered!

Folks who graduated from the program before 2019, have never been to campus or have not been since 2019 will not have seen or experienced UConn's "new" Recreation Center located right next to the School of Business. The rec center opened its doors on Aug. 26, 2019.

But for participants attending the MSA's anniversary event, the option to select the Campus Experience will provide a complimentary one-day guest pass to the Recreation Center (guests must be 18 years or older, guest pass excludes group fitness classes, climbing center, towel service, and equipment checkout). A complimentary guest pass must be used the same day a guest pass is requested.

Registrants have their choice of Wed. October 16th, Thurs. October 17th and Fri. October 18th for their one-day complimentary pass. Registrants selecting the Uconn Experience option during registration will receive a follow-up email at least a week before the event with the specific logistics for obtaining a guest pass. Why not take this opportunity to connect with fellow alumni to coordinate and meet up for a game of basketball?