It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Dr. Mel Goldstein, who founded the Meteorology Program (still offering the only bachelor's degree in Meteorology in Connecticut) and Weather Center at Western Connecticut State University. Dr. Mel was an important and beloved member of the Arts and Sciences family, and his dedication to WestConn and our students continued long after his retirement as a faculty member. During his career with WTNH, Dr. Mel mentored countless WestConn broadcast meteorology students who have gone on to have outstanding careers. Many of us admired Dr. Mel for his energy, quick wit, and commitment to students and for the grace with which he faced his long battle with cancer. His was a life well lived, as few can say that they have made as big a difference on an institution and a region as Dr. Mel did. (See Robert Miller's "Meteorolgist 'Dr. Mel' Dies" in the News-Times and Maryellen Fillo's "Dr. Mel Loses His Battle with Cancer" in the Hartford Courant.) Our thoughts are with Dr. Mel's family, friends, and former students, as they mourn his passing and celebrate his incredible life.
