dlyon Jan 7 2005 - 8:26am Local News
By MATTHEW L. BROWN
Chronicle Staff Writer
WINDHAM — State Rep. Walter Pawelkiewicz, D-Windham, has given up his presidency of the Graduate Institute.
Pawelkiewicz, a Democrat serving his fourth term as Windham’s state representative, said he resigned from the new-age college in order to concentrate on his increased legislative responsibilities.
His last day as president of the Graduate Institute was Nov. 30.
“With the new legislative session, and my new responsibilities, I wanted to let the residents of the town know that their issues are my priority,” Pawelkiewicz said this morning. “It’s a good time to close this chapter in my life.”
In the new legislative term, Pawelkiewicz is set to serve as the House of Representatives’ Deputy Majority Leader.
He will also serve on the finance, revenue and bonding committee, as the vice chairman of the commerce committee, and as a member of the higher education and legislative management committees.
Pawelkiewicz said the clearing of his schedule to spend more time in Hartford does not indicate he was lax in past efforts as Windham’s representative.
“Not at all. I’ve always made it clear that my first job was as the representative of the 49th District,” he said.
But in addition to his new responsibilities in Hartford, the Graduate Institute would have taken up more of his time this year as well.
“The Graduate Institute is in the process of getting regional accreditation,” he said, “and that would’ve been a major time commitment.”
The Graduate Institute hopes to be accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges this year.
“It’s a real honor to be the deputy majority leader,” Pawelkiewicz said. “I enjoyed the time I spent associated with the institute,” during which the school became fully licensed and accredited by the state.
Pawelkiewicz became president of the Graduate Institute in 2001.
The school offers five master’s programs in “conscious evolution, experiential health and healing, holistic thinking, oral traditions and organizational leadership” at Mitchell College in New London.
The school’s administration office is based in Milford.
