Campus Activity Committee Hosts Faculty, Staff Events

The newly-formed Campus Activities Committee (CAC) wants to celebrate Wesleyan’s faculty and staff – and their families too.

Starting this month, the committee will offer a series of events, catered to Wes employees.

“Our committee is working to provide a wonderful opportunity for members of our community to meet one another in different settings. Wesleyan offers great resources and our planned activities will encourage faculty, staff and families to enjoy them,” says committee member Pat Melley, director of human resources.

On Oct. 15, CAC will host a family day during the Wesleyan football game. The CAC will provide free game tickets, lunch at the varsity sports team concession stands, refreshments and raffle prizes for Wesleyan employees and their guests.

“We hope that employees will be able to join us for one of the many events we’ll be hosting throughout the year, and we welcome their ideas as we begin our planning for the spring semester,” says committee member Marianne Calnen, secretary of the university and special assistant to the president for board and campus relations. “At the game, everyone can mingle as they cheer on the Cardinals against the Bates Bobcats!”

Kickoff is at 1 p.m. at Corwin Stadium. To register for the game click here.

On Oct. 20, the CAC will host a “Taste of Middletown” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Beckham Hall. Here, Wesleyan employees can sample the flavors of more than a dozen Middletown eateries including First & Last, LaBoca, Jerkfish Jamaican Restaurant,  Esca and more. WB Mason will provide free hot and cold beverages, and representatives of four local hotels will host information booths.

Raffle prizes are being donated by the restaurants, hotels and WB Mason.  An overnight stay for two with breakfast is being donated by each of the four hotels and WB Mason has donated a home office task chair.  All who attend will be eligible for the raffle prizes.

The event is free of charge, but the CAC asks employees to consider donating one non-perishable food item. The collection will be given to a local food pantry.

The group also is planning a financial aid workshop with John Gudvangen, director of financial aid. Gudvangen will speak to Wesleyan employees about what they need to consider as they plan to fund their children’s college education.

The CAC was formed this summer at the recommendation of President Michael Roth, who often attends performances, games and lectures on campus. He believes the wide variety of events on campus create opportunities for staff and faculty to enjoy Wesleyan, and one another, outside of the classroom and the office.

Committee members include staff members Calnen, Melley, Susan Cohen, Olga Bookas, Bill Holder, Carol Scully, Makaela Kingsley, Bill Nelligan, Lisa LaPlant and Rommel Guadalupe. They’re also entertaining the ideas of hosting a juried art show, a “battle of the bands,” a program on sustainable landscaping and intramural sports for faculty and staff.

The CAC will sponsor and advertise all events. They’ll promote the events through Wesleyan e-mail, the Wesleyan homepage and WesLive community blog.

“There are so many great resources and things happening on campus, so we want to let faculty and staff know about these events,” Calnen says. “We can all get together and enjoy what the university has to offer.”

For more information or to suggest a campus activity, email llaplant@wesleyan.edu.