Lauren RubensteinThe Fed's openness about its policymaking is a relatively new development, and a positive one
Kate CarlisleA July NASA report that a huge solar storm narrowly missed Earth in 2012 – avoiding catastrophic damage to energy, transportation and communications systems – has caused a media stir and some worry among Earthlings. What’s more, other recent reports say that Earth is overdue for a devastating storm of the kind known as a “Carrington event” after an 1859 storm that disrupted telegraph signals and caused other damage in a still-nascent industrial world. Named for 19th-century English astronomer Richard Carrington, it was the largest of its kind on record. A similar event now, in a world dependent on digital…
On July 31, students presented their research findings at the Summer Research poster session. Between May 28 and July 31, Wesleyan faculty in the sciences mentored student researchers in their labs. To complement the research experience, the summer program also includes weekly seminars and workshops, a symposium, various social events, and the closing poster session. The students receive a $4,000 stipend. (more…)
Many of us have experienced an intense emotional and physical sensation while listening to a particularly moving piece of music--often described as a thrill, chill or goosebumps. In a new article published in Frontiers in Psychology, Psyche Loui, assistant professor of psychology, assistant professor of neuroscience and behavior, and psychology major Luke Harrison '14 integrate the existing multidisciplinary literature to create a comprehensive, testable model of "transcendent psychophysiological moments in music." The paper came out of Harrison's final paper in Loui's course on Music Perception and Cognition. They begin by considering the different nomenclature used in popular and academic discourse for this…
Wesleyan's Economics Department hosted the 2014 Workshop in Macroeconomics Research in Liberal Arts Colleges on August 5-6. The conference brought together about 40 macroeconomists from liberal arts colleges around the country to present and discuss research, and exchange ideas about research and teaching. It aimed to increase productivity of macroeconomists at liberal arts colleges. It was organized by Wesleyan's Bill Craighead, assistant professor of economics; Pao-Lin Tien, assistant professor of economics; Masami Imai, professor of economics, professor of East Asian studies; and Richard Grossman, professor of economics. The Allbritton Center for the Study of Public Life also provided support. Past years' conferences have been held…
A broad, pragmatic liberal education is more important now than ever, President Roth says
From a journalist who launched a publishing start-up, to the multifaceted designer of the “Fremont Troll,” to a noted international lawyer, scores of Cardinals took time last year to share their “This Is Why” stories with Wesleyan. That loyalty – and the many gifts also shared by alumni, parents and friends – led to a stellar year in the university’s fundraising campaign. Generous donors gave a total of $44.3 million in gifts and pledges in fiscal 2014. The campaign raised $43.8 million in cash, more than any previous year. And $25 million went directly into the endowment. Currently, giving to…
Water is the most ubiquitous fluid on Earth, and plays a foundational role in life as we know it. And yet the complexity of this seemingly simple molecule remains a vigorously debated area of scientific research to this day. Writing in the most recent issue of Nature Physics, Professor of Physics Francis Starr provides a commentary on recent research to uncover the mystery of water's unusual properties. "We all learn as children that oil and water don’t mix," Starr writes. " If there was only one fluid – say just the water – then "unmixing" should not even be a possibility. …
Terrance Williams '02 runs one of the best youth basketball programs in the nation
Roberts '77 makes history as the newly elected executive director of the NBA Players Association
New students interested in math and the sciences, who want to get a jump start on their college experience, are taking advantage of a new program this summer. The Wesleyan Physical Sciences and Mathematics Scholars Program will welcome 11 students from the Class of 2018 to campus for its debut summer session July 27-Aug. 1. An additional 11 students will participate online. “We’re really excited to put this program into place,” said Ishita Mukerji, dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. “One common variable among all these scholars is a very strong interest in science.” (more…)
In this issue of The Wesleyan Connection, we talk to Debbie Colucci, who came to Wesleyan in June 2014 as the new equity compliance director and deputy Title IX coordinator. Q: Welcome to Wesleyan, Debbie! Please briefly fill us in on your professional and personal background. What makes you uniquely qualified to take on this position? A: Personally, I have always been committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment that addresses the needs of a diverse population and provides a rewarding experience for all individuals. I have a master’s degree in college student personnel and higher education administration and, while my career in…