Dean for Equity and Inclusion Earns a Doctorate in Education

In this Q&A we speak with Renee Johnson-Thornton, dean for equity and inclusion. Q: Renee, when did you come to Wesleyan and what was your first position? When did you join the Office of Equity and Inclusion? A: I was hired in 1998 to be the associate director of the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. The Office of Equity and Inclusion was established in 2013 following the hiring of Vice President Antonio Farias. Prior to his arrival, I served as dean for diversity and student engagement from 2009-2013, and the associate coordinator of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program from 2000-2013. I…

#THISISWHY Linda Hurteau, library assistant, was recently presented with a Cardinal Achievement Award for her work in anticipation of moving the Art Library collections into Olin Library. Hurteau created a plan to make space for and integrate transferred books from Olin Library into the Science Library. She planned the project, supervised student employees to do a major shift of the Science Library’s monographic collection, and had the space allocated and ready when professional movers relocated the books. The planning work that Linda did resulted in significant savings to the library and the university. Hurteau also planned and initiated a project…

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The Office of Human Resources reported the following new hires, transitions and departures for November and December 2014: Newly hired David Shimomura was hired as a program coordinator in the Center for the Arts on Nov. 3. Fernando Vargas-Lara was hired as a post doctoral research associate in the Physics Department on Nov. 3. Jayana Mitchell was hired as an accounting specialist in the Chemistry Department on Nov. 10. Angela Wong was hired as a project manager in Physical Plant-Facilities on Dec. 1. Jessie Cohen was hired as an archaeological collections manager in the Office of Academic Affairs on Dec. 1 Alexander Chremos…

#THISISWHY The Office of Human Resources presented three Cardinal Achievement Awards to University Relations staff in December 2014. Charles "Chuck" Fedolfi '90, director of annual giving, was honored for his work on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, when the Wesleyan community joined together in an unprecedented show of support for students. Led by Fedolfi, a team of colleagues and volunteers inspired alumni, parents, faculty and staff to make 2,059 gifts totaling over $500,000 – far exceeding the original goal of 1,000 gifts (more…)

In November, the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston named Associate Head Football Coach Dan DiCenzo the Division III assistant coach of the year. In addition, NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year Jake Bussani '14 received a Joe Zabilski Award for being the top Division III defensive player in New England. The honor is annually awarded to New England's best collegiate players in Divisions II and III. Bussani was one of four NESCAC players chosen for the New England Football Writers Division II/III all-star team. The last Cardinal to grace the NEFW all-star squad was Shea Dwyer '10 during the 2010 season. Bussani is currently enrolled…

#THISISWHY The Office of Human Resources awarded two Cardinal Achievement Awards in November 2014. Library assistant Jennifer Hadley received a Cardinal Achievement Award for her volunteer work as coordinator of the Friends of Olin Library. Over time, Hadley has become the primary organizer for the activities of the Friends that include a semi-annual book sale, two or three annual issues of the library’s newsletter, Check it Out, and the sponsoring of an annual Constitution Day lecture by an invited scholar. For the recent book sale this fall, Hadley coordinated the sorting of books, publicized the sale on campus and in the community, arranged the…

In this Q&A, meet Tracy Mehr-Muska, Wesleyan's Protestant chaplain. Q: Rev. Mehr-Muska, how long have you been Wesleyan’s Protestant chaplain, and what did you do before this? A: This is my third year as a university chaplain at Wesleyan. Like many, my professional journey was not a direct route. After graduating from the Coast Guard Academy, I served as a Deck Watch Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. My love of the sea and my degree in Marine/Environmental Science led me to subsequently work as a marine scientist, conducting oceanographic surveys and engineering subsea cable routes for a company that…

#THISISWHY Lynne Gambell of the Finance Department and Krystal Gayle O’Neill of Residential Life each received a Cardinal Achievement Award in November. Gambell, accounting specialist provided assistance to the Physical Plant-Facilities Department by processing more than 100 vouchers in one day. If the vouchers were not processed on time there were concerns that it would negatively impact Wesleyan's local contractors. “Lynne demonstrated extraordinary initiative in helping Wesleyan ensure that our contractors were paid in a timely fashion,” said Joyce Topshe, associate vice president for facilities. O’Neill, area coordinator, was honored for taking the initiative to create a women’s group on…

On Nov. 9, a group of Wesleyan staff and students visited the Veterans' Home in Rocky Hill, Conn. They participated in an interfaith service and the singing of patriotic songs in honor of Veterans Day. They also distributed certificates of appreciation to the veterans. "The engaged and caring students showed the veterans, the oldest of which was 100 years old, such incredible compassion and respect," said Tracy Mehr-Muska, the university Protestant chaplain. "I was so proud of our students and was incredibly glad that they took advantage of this opportunity to thank the veterans for their service during this special…

More than 30 vendors met with Wesleyan staff and faculty Nov. 12 at the 4th annual Green Vendor Show held inside Beckham Hall. Vendors included W.B. Mason, Sprint, the Inn at Middletown, Raymour & Flanigan, Premier Limo, Fisher Scientific, AT&T, Enterprise, Avery, Smead, Sanford, Dupli, Richo, 3M, Bon Appetit, Gateway Limo and more. Middletown Toyota and Crowley Ford brought four sustainable vehicles. More than 160 attendees learned about new innovative products and ideas, and received free samples, refreshments and raffle prizes. In exchange for the gifts, attendees were asked to donate non-perishable items for Amazing Grace Food Pantry. About 68…

The Office of Human Resources reported the following new hires, transitions and departures for October 2014: Newly hired Samantha O’Neill was hired as marketing and outreach coordinator in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program Office on Oct. 1. Scott Rohde was hired as director of public safety in the Office of Public Safety on Oct. 1. Anya Backlund was hired as exhibitions coordinator/institute for curatorial practice in performance coordinator in the Center for the Arts on Oct. 6. Jonathan Farrar was hired as senior investment associate in the Investment Office on Oct.14. Roney Thomas was hired as post doctoral research associate in the Physics Department…

Dean for Equity and Inclusion Earns a Doctorate in Education

Hurteau Earns Cardinal Achievement Award for Planning Library Project

Green Team, Sustainability Office Help Promote Plastic Water Bottle-Free Campus

Staff on the Move, November, December 2014

Fedolfi, Kini, Kaufman Receive Cardinal Achievement Awards

Gridiron Club Honors Assistant Coach DiCenzo, Bussani ’14

Hadley, Stegmaier Honored with Cardinal Achievement Awards

As University Protestant Chaplain, Mehr-Muska Mentors, Offers Confidential Support

Gambell, O’Neill Receive Cardinal Achievement Awards

Staff, Students, Posse Fellows Thank Local Veterans for their Service

30 Vendors Share Green, Sustainable Products with Wesleyan Employees

Staff on the Move, October 2014