Parents Knew Their Son Would Do Well Here

Jared Kallet ’07 (left) stands with his parents, Judy and Mitch Kallet, outside Hillyer Hall.

Judy Kallet had a good feeling about the University of Hartford from the very first time she had a conversation with a Hillyer College admission counselor. Now, four years later, Kallet’s initial feeling has deepened into a profound sense of admiration and respect for the school. And with her son, Jared, set to graduate from the Barney School of Business this spring, Judy Kallet and her husband, Mitch, were motivated to give back to the school that has given so much to their family.

“From day one we understood just how much the faculty and staff at Hillyer care about the students,” says Judy Kallet, who has held positions as vice president of technology and production at The Hartford Courant and senior vice president at the Los Angeles Times. “It was striking how quickly Jared bonded with his advisor, as well as with Hillyer Dean [David] Goldenberg, who continues to mentor him at Barney.”

Most of all, the Kallets are convinced that it was Hillyer’s highly acclaimed honors program that gave their son focus and inspired him to continue his studies at Barney after graduating from Hillyer. He is leaning toward a career in the financial services industry.

“Unlike most schools, the honors program at Hillyer is about more than grades. It fosters learning, friendships. It’s a tremendous carrot for the kids,” says Mitch Kallet, a Hartford attorney.

No wonder, then, that the Kallets were hardly surprised when their graduating senior received two tempting job offers to choose between.

“Hillyer gets you on the right path if you’re not sure what you want to do. It gave Jared a lot of direction and confidence. He saw that he could do it and be successful,” notes Judy Kallet.

Today, the Kallets continue to feel a connection to their son’s alma mater. They say they want to help the school that gave such a bright future to Jared do the same for others. Judy Kallet sits on the Hillyer board of visitors, and they have made contributions to both the Hillyer College and University annual funds as well as the Hillyer College Fund for the 21st Century.

“We love being part of an institution with such a strong sense of community that helps so many students. We feel that we are giving something meaningful back,” says Judy Kallet.