Olivia DrakeFebruary 14, 20112min
Cultural critic Wayne Koestenbaum, journalist Jane Eisner, poet Yusef Komunyakaa and novelist Amy Bloom are among the speakers featured in the Writing at Wesleyan 2011 Spring Russell House Series. Author James Kaplan ’73, the Writing Programs’ 2011 Joan Jakobson Visiting Writer, kicked-off the series Feb. 9, followed by MacArthur award winner Sarah Ruhl on Feb. 10. All events are free and open to the public. The full list of speakers is below, or online at http://www.wesleyan.edu/writing/distinguished_writers/. Wednesday, Feb. 16, Memorial Chapel 8 p.m. The Writing Programs’ 2011 Annie Sonnenblick Lecturer Michael Cunningham is the author of the novels A Home at…

Olivia DrakeFebruary 14, 20112min
Q: Cheryl, you came to Wesleyan in 2007. What were you hired in as, and when did you join the Office of Gift Planning in University Relations? A: I was hired in as a project coordinator for The Wesleyan Fund in September of 2007.  After three years with the Fund, I joined the Office of Gift Planning. Q: Please describe “gift planning” and how the differs from making an annual gift to the university. A: A planned gift offers donors the opportunity to establish a lasting legacy for Wesleyan.  While an outright annual gift supports Wesleyan’s current greatest needs, planned…

Olivia DrakeFebruary 14, 20111min
Jie Chen joined the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Department as a research technician on Jan. 5. Nara Giannella joined the Art an Art History Department as an assistant visual resources librarian on Jan. 10. Andrew Chatfield joined the Center for the Arts as a press and marketing manager on Jan. 11.

Olivia DrakeFebruary 14, 20111min
The Green Street Arts Center received a $2,500 grant from the Middlesex County Community Foundation on Dec. 28. The award will support the "Arts in the Communities" project through June 30, 2011. "Arts In Our Communities" is a collaborative program which aims to increase the number of people engaging in arts activities, as both participants and audience members. The program’s objective is to provide the tools of critical thinking and civic engagement while injecting a powerful stream of creativity into the local communities, thus reinvigorating people’s drive to work, think and create together. Arts In Our Communities intends to bring a…