‘Official’ Launch of Hartford Promise Scholarship Program

You might remember when Superintendent Christina Kishimoto announced the Hartford Promise, a scholarship program that will give qualifying Hartford graduates, beginning with the Class of 2016, up to $5,000 annually in college scholarships.

Back in April 2012, Kishimoto said that an actuarial analysis from Travelers estimated that $12 million would be needed to support scholarships through the Class of 2023, and that she hoped at least half could be raised over a year’s time.

So what’s been done? One source tells me that about $4 million has been raised from corporations. I asked David Medina, the schools spokesman, about that figure and he declined to comment — presumably because Hartford school administrators are waiting to announce the details at a Hartford Promise press conference scheduled for next Tuesday, January 22, at Hartford Public High School.

Medina is calling that presser the “official” launch for the program.

Many big names in Hartford are listed as attendees, including Mayor Pedro Segarra, state Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor, Hartford Hospital CEO Jeffrey Flaks, high-level representatives from Travelers, and the MetroHartford Alliance’s Oz Griebel.

Robert Patricelli, chairman and CEO of Avon-based Women’s Health USA, will also attend. He declined to comment today on how much has been raised for Hartford Promise, but said that he is joining Andy Bessette, Travelers’ executive vice president and chief administrative officer, as one of the lead program ambassadors who will raise money from corporations and foundations.

“We’re trying to help Christina shape the program and also get it some visibility in the corporate world,” Patricelli told me. “Hopefully it sends the message that the community is behind the school system … It’s very exciting.”