Wasch Center

Eleven faculty retired in 2016-17. In 2017: David Beveridge, the Joshua Boger University Professor of the Sciences and Mathematics, professor of chemistry; John Finn, professor of government; Albert Fry, the E.B. Nye Professor of Chemistry; Peter Patton, the Alan M. Dachs Professor of Science and Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences; Rex Pratt, the Beach Professor of Chemistry; Michael Roberts, the Robert Rich Professor of Latin and Professor of Classical Studies; Ruth Streigel Weissman, the Walter A. Crowell University Professor of the Social Sciences. In 2016: Abraham Adzenyah, adjunct professor of music; Philip Bolton, professor of chemistry; Alex Dupuy, professor…

Starting next fall, the Wasch Center for Retired Faculty will begin a two-year pilot program, "Wesleyan Emeritus College," to encourage thesis tutorials between undergraduates and retired faculty members. During this pilot, 11 retired faculty participants have been specifically approved to administer tutorials for credit by their parent departments. Richard Elphick, professor of history, emeritus, taught at Wesleyan from 1972 to 2015. His interests are African history, comparative imperialism, revolutions, theory of history, and the history of Christianity. “I would be interested in supervising theses focusing on the following areas: History of Christianity, Africa (especially South Africa), imperialism, World War I and II,…

Bill Firshein, the Daniel Ayers Professor of Biology, emeritus, is the author of the book, The Infectious Microbe, published by Oxford University Press in January 2014. Firshein is the founding faculty member of the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Department. In The Infectious Microbe, Firshein uses six different critical diseases to illustrate how viruses and bacteria are spread. He discusses the relationship between man and virus, and how to defeat viruses. The book will help non-scientific readers better understand the issues surrounding the spread of disease. Thomas Broker '66, professor of biochemistry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, described the book as an “engaging journey…

The Wesleyan Institute for Lifelong Learning (WILL) is offering eight short courses and one, all-day program during the Fall 2013 semester. Enrollment will be open in early August. WILL uses the talents of current and retired faculty members, and local guest lecturers, to present a set of short, intellectually stimulating and lively courses to area residents. These courses are offered at minimal cost, are not part of a degree-granting program, and are designed to present topics of particular interest to members of the Wesleyan and local communities. Special one-day courses on particular topics will be offered once each semester. The…

Q: Liz, what attracted you to Wesleyan and the Wasch Center for Retired Faculty? A: I so enjoy working in higher ed, Wesleyan seemed like a good place to start. When I learned about the position at the Wasch Center, I immediately thought it would be a good fit since I worked closely with faculty in my last job. Q: Please describe your role as an administrative assistant. A: The days can vary greatly. Lately I’ve been busy preparing for the upcoming semester for WILL (the Wesleyan Institute for Lifetime Learning). This entails overseeing the printing and mailing of brochures and managing course…

This spring, students of all ages will have the opportunity to see dinosaur tracks in Connecticut, discuss emerging infections, explore retirement planning options, or examine emotions, traits and institutions that promote healthy psychological functioning. These course topics, among others, will be taught through The Wesleyan Institute for Lifelong Learning (WILL) this spring. The course offerings cover the arts, social sciences, literature, science and mathematics. The spring courses include: Legacies in Words: An Introduction to Memoir Writing, Life's Great Transitions and Four Essential Dialogues, Exploring the Mysteries of Finance, Positive Psychology, Life Is But a Dream, Germs Are Us, Brownstone Stories:…

Students of all ages can benefit from liberal arts-based educational opportunities outside of a formal degree-granting program through the new Wesleyan Institute for Lifelong Learning (WILL). WILL classes are taken for interest, not for credit. Classes will be small with an informal atmosphere. “Everyone in the room--students and teacher--will be engaged in their subject out of pure curiosity,” says Karl Scheibe, director of the Susan B. and William K. Wasch Center for Retired Faculty. “The learning experience is likely to be more intensive than extensive.” Scheibe, who is overseeing the new institute, says the courses are designed to appeal to…

All programs sponsored by the Wasch Center are open to the public. For more information on upcoming events visit the Wash Center web site.

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Retired Faculty Honored at Reception

Wesleyan Emeritus College Offers Theses Supervised by Retired Faculty

Firshein’s Book Addresses Ways Viruses, Bacteria Spread

Meditation, Travel Literature, Ethnic Cuisine, 1st Amendment Topics of Fall 2013 WILL Courses

Dagnall Supports Wasch Center’s Operations, Lifelong Learning Institute

Memoirs, Germs, Brownstone Topics of Spring WILL Courses

Institute for Lifelong Learning Offers Non-Credit Classes

Wasch Center Begins Spring Program Series

Reception Honors Recent Retirees