Olivia DrakePosted 12/20/06 Wesleyan University Press will be the recipient of a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The grant was awarded for the publication, promotion and distribution of new collections of poetry. The press requested support for the publication and promotion of 12 poetry books that will be published in the Wesleyan Poetry Series in 2007 and 2008. Forthcoming titles to be covered by the grant include New and Collected Poems by Barbara Guest, a new edition of Victor Segalens modernist classic Stèles, and Zong by Marlene NourbeSe Philip. We are delighted that the NEA is recognizing…
At left, Daniel Greengard '08, Albert Hill '07 and David Pollack, assistant professor of mathematics, work through problems, which were part of the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition held Dec. 2. Posted 12/20/06 During a recent mathematics test, which spanned six hours, Daniel Greengard 08 believes he only got one question completely correct out of 12. But getting only one question correct puts him in the top half of all test-takers, explains David Pollack, assistant professor of mathematics and faculty-advisor for the 67th Annual William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition held Dec. 2. The Putnam exam tests originality and technical competence,…
Steve Machuga, director of administrative systems for Information Technology Services, helps lead projects for Student Services, University Relations and Financial Systems and HR/Payroll. Posted 12/20/06 Q: You have the ultimate responsibility for the success of ITS administrative systems projects. Please explain what administrative systems are.A: Administrative systems are used by the administrative offices of the University and their student, faculty and staff customers. The administrative systems cover the business side of the university. Id divide them into three major categories: Student Services, University Relations and Financial Systems combined with Human Resources/Payroll. They include student services offices such as Student…
Five Wesleyan students will participate in the Habitat for Humanity Bicycle Challenge this summer. Each biker is trying to raise $4,000 for the cause. Posted 12/04/06 Five Wesleyan students will pedal to help the cause of more affordable home-ownership this summer, raising funds and awareness for Habitat for Humanity coast-to-coast. The students, led by Jessalee Landfried 07, will bike 70 miles a day, hoping to cross the entire country in two months. Landfried will be accompanied by Elizabeth Ogata 09, Liana Woskie 10, Margot Kistler 09 and Shira Miller 07, along with 90 other students from Yale University. This is…
The men's cross country team encountered a muddy course at the Division III NCAA National Championships Nov. 18, however finished in the top half. (Photos by Steve Maheu) Posted 12/04/06 The Wesleyan Mens Cross Country team overcame an uneven season of performances to finish in the top half of the field at the Division III NCAA National Championships in Ohio on Nov 18. We started off running instead of racing, Mens Head Coach John Crooke says about the early part of the season. Its quite simply competing. Cross country is not about time, its about place. When you race, you…
Laura Grabel, the Fisk Professor of Natural Sciences and professor of biology, received $878,348 for her study on embryonic stem cells. Posted 12/04/06 Wesleyan and one of its researchers were major beneficiaries of the State of Connecticuts initial round of nearly $20 million in grants to fund non-federally-sanctioned stem cell research. The awarding of the grants was announced on November 22 in Hartford. Wesleyan was a co-recipient with the University of Connecticut of $2.5 million dedicated for the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Core Facility, which will be located in Farmington. Laura Grabel, the Fisk Professor of Natural Sciences and professor…
Gloster Aaron, Janice Naegele and Laura Grabel will study if stem cell-based treatment in mice brains could possibly control epileptic seizures in human brains. Posted 12/04/06 A $300,000 grant from the McKnight Foundation will help a Wesleyan University researcher investigate the possibility of using brain transplants of embryonic stem (ES) cells to control epileptic seizures in mice. If successful the study could lay the early groundwork for using similar therapy in human beings. Janice Naegele, chair and professor of biology and professor of neuroscience and behavior at Wesleyan, is the principle investigator in the study that will bring together the…
Posted 12/04/06 Scott Plous, professor of psychology, was named the Connecticut Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). This designation means he is among only 43 professors working in the United States, the District of Columbia and Guam to be considered a 2006 U.S. Professor of the Year. It was quite a surprise, as you can imagine," Plous says, modestly. The goal of the U.S. Professors of the Year Program is to increase awareness of the importance of undergraduate instruction. In recognizing faculty members…
Janis Astor del Valle, director of the Green Street Arts Center, says the center's people, young and old, keep her job interesting. She relies on the help of Wesleyan students to create a invigorating artsy environment at the center. Posted 12/04/06 Q: When did you come to the Green Street Arts Center?A: I first came on board in February 2006 as assistant director; then, when the director resigned in March, I became the interim director. I was promoted to director in June.Q: How did you find out about the GSAC initially? What drew you towards working there?A: About a…
Benjamin Michael, general manager of WESU 88.1 FM spearheads the Second Annual WESU Holiday Pledge Drive. Posted 12/04/06 As the only full-time employee and sole general manager of Wesleyans college and community radio station, Benjamin Michael says the station wouldnt be possible without the dedication of the stations volunteers. It takes Michael and 115 student and community volunteers to broadcast 88.1 FM WESU 24 hours a day. "It's a real partnership and labor of love for all of our volunteers, Michael says, noting that some programs have been broadcasting for more than 25 years. But, like any other non-commercial…
A MAP QUEST: Lena Bui '07 and Gil Hasty '10 find their academic building locations on a newly-installed campus map near South College. Physical Plant's Facilities Department installed five new maps at key locations on campus. Additional campus maps are located near Clark Hall, pictured, and the Center for the Arts, near Parking Lot "T" and on the sidewalk along Wyllys Avenue. (Photos by Olivia Bartlett)
Lisa Drennan '09 was named New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Women's Volleyball Player of the Year in 2006 following a vote of the conference coaches. A second-team all-NESCAC choice as a freshman, Drennan led the NESCAC and was fifth nationally in Division III for kills per game this season, averaging 5.56, which also is a Wesleyan team record. Posted 11/17/06 Q: You were just named New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Women's Volleyball Player of the Year. How does that make you feel?A: I feel really great about winning NESCAC player of the year. I have…