Olivia DrakeNovember 2, 20113min
On Nov. 5, two energy experts will speak during the annual "Where On Earth Are We Going?" symposium. The event is sponsored by the Robert Schumann Lecture Series in the Environmental Studies Program. At 9 a.m., Lisa Margonelli, director of the Energy Policy Initiative at the New America Foundation in Washington D.C., will speak on "The Energy Revolution Will not be Tweetable: the Energy Puzzle in More than 140 Characters." Margonelli is the publisher of The Energy Trap and blogs frequently at The Atlantic web site. Her book Oil On the Brain: Petroleum’s Long, Strange Trip to Your Tank follows the oil supply chain…

David PesciNovember 2, 20115min
This issue we ask "5 Questions" of Anne Mariel Peters, assistant professor of government who specializes in the Middle East. Her research interests include the durability of Middle Eastern Authoritarianism. Q: We all saw the stirring images from Egypt in the spring, but there’s been very little coverage of what is happening there since. What happened in the days and weeks after the protest ended? A: The Egyptian protesters were a diverse group of people with varying levels of policy goals and political sophistication who all coalesced around the need to remove the President Hosni Mubarak’s regime. That we now…

Olivia DrakeNovember 2, 20113min
The Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholars Program welcomed 11 new students to the program during a Freeman Scholars Dinner Oct. 6. The program enables qualified young men and women from each of 11 countries or regions – The People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam to come to Wesleyan on full tuition scholarships. "I am fortunate to work with the Freeman Asian Scholars Association; so many are friends. I love their energy, good spirit and their wonderful creativity and culture they inject into the community," says Gina Driscoll, associate director…

Bill HolderNovember 2, 20113min
The internationally lauded novelist and journalist Amos Oz will speak on “Israel Through Its Literature," at 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 3 in Memorial Chapel. The event is free and open to the campus community. Amos Oz, Israel’s best known writer, is the author of novels, novellas, short stories, children’s books, literary and political essay collections, and the moving memoir A Tale of Love and Darkness. Oz’s most widely acclaimed novel, My Michael (1968), was an immediate artistic and political sensation. It has been published in over 30 countries and in 1975 was made into a popular film. Among many other…

Olivia DrakeNovember 2, 20113min
The campus community can browse university information through their smart phones and tablets through a new mobile web site developed by Information Technology Services. The Wesleyan mobile web site, launched Oct. 25, provides quick links to university news, events, academics, map locations and directory. Mobile device auto detection is built into the Wesleyan home page, so smartphone users (iOS, Android or Blackberry Torch) can view either the full web site or the mobile version on their handheld device. "A mobile web site is really designed for a broad audience," says Melissa Datre, director of ITS's New Media Lab. "Students, staff and faculty…

Olivia DrakeNovember 2, 20113min
Since January, Middlesex United Way has helped keep more than 170 families from becoming homeless, and its support of area food pantries and soup kitchens has helped them provide more than 780,000 meals to hungry Middlesex County residents. And since 1935, Wesleyan employees have responded to the needs of the community by participating in the annual United Way Employee Campaign. This year's goal is to top $135,000. "It is more important than ever for us at Wesleyan to show support for the larger community of which we are a part," said President Roth in an all-campus e-mail. "In today’s economy,…

Olivia DrakeNovember 2, 20111min
The Campus Activities Committee hosted "Taste of Middletown" on Oct. 20 as a way to celebrate Wesleyan's faculty and staff. More than a dozen Middletown eateries attended, including Famous Pizza, First & Last, Haveli Indian Restaurant, Sweet Harmony Bakery, Esca and more. WB Mason provided hot and cold beverages, and representatives at the Inn at Middletown and three other local hotels hosted information booths. Photos of the event are below. (more…)

Olivia DrakeNovember 2, 20112min
Greg Goldberg joined the Sociology Department as an assistant professor. His research interests include political economy, social theory, media and popular culture, digital and network technologies and music and sound. This semester he is teaching Introductory Sociology and Media and Society. "Thus far, I've found the students at Wesleyan to be ambitious, open, creative and independent thinkers; they are truly a pleasure to teach," he says. "They have sharp critical thinking skills, and are game for anything I can think to throw at them. I've been continually impressed by their ability to engage complex social questions and issues, and I…

Olivia DrakeNovember 2, 20112min
Q&As with outstanding students is an occasional feature of The Wesleyan Connection. This issue we speak with Bill Tyner from the Class of 2013. Q: Bill, what is your major and what are your favorite classes this year? A: I have the pleasure of majoring in Cultural Anthropology with a certificate in Social, Cultural, and Critical Theory. This semester my favorite classes are Anthropology Theory 1 and Digital Media. Q: Tell us about your new blog, Freshleyan. Why did you start it, and what is your involvement? A: Driven by our fascination with writing, fashion and design, my friend Khari…