2015 – Page 28

Marissa Castrigno '15 made the following remarks during the 183rd Commencement Ceremony May 24: I feel immensely lucky to be able to stand here and see so many people that I love all in one place – so many people that love each other all in one place. My favorite college memory was on this very balcony two years ago when I sat with my best friend on its wide ledge and we spoke candidly for the first time about those private things that motivate and shape each of us. In that moment, among others during my first year here,…

During the 183rd Commencement ceremony, President Michael Roth awarded the Binswanger Prize for Excellence in Teaching to three faculty, and the Raymond E. Baldwin Medal to an alumnus. Three outstanding teachers are recognized annually with the Binswanger Prize for Excellence in Teaching. This year, President Michael Roth honored Michael Calter, David Schorr and Gina Athena Ulysse for their excellence in teaching. The prizes are made possible by gifts from the family of the late Frank G. Binswanger Sr., Hon. ’85, and underscore Wesleyan’s commitment to its scholar-teachers, who are responsible for the university’s distinctive approach to liberal arts education. (more…)

Jenna Starr '15, Jasmine Masand '15, and Camille Casareno '15 delivered "Senior Voices" speeches on May 23 in Memorial Chapel. Below are the texts of their speeches. Jenna Starr I am grateful to Wesleyan. After a turbulent year at a different school, Wesleyan was the second chance I urgently needed. When I first got here (literally the first day), I was scared. I was so scared that when my dad and aunt tried to leave, I secretly jumped in their car so they would take me home. (more…)

Several members of the Class of 2015 decorated their graduation regallia for the 183rd Commencement Ceremony May 24. (Photos by Rick Ciaburri and John Van Vlack) (more…)

Graduating seniors picked up diplomas and gifts, presented by the Alumni Association in North College on May 22. (Photo by Laurie Kenney) (more…)

Qualifying members of the Class of 2015 were inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa society, the oldest national scholastic honor society, in a ceremony May 23 at Memorial Chapel. The event was held in conjunction with Reunion & Commencement Weekend.

DJ Smokey (Smokey Fontaine '93) shook up an all-campus party on Andrus Field on Saturday night, May 23. (Photos by Shirley Fang '18) (more…)

During Reunion & Commencement Weekend May 21-24, all classes ending "5" or "0" held reunion dinners and receptions. View all reunion photos in the Wesleyan Flickr gallery. (more…)

Watch highlights from Reunion & Commencement Weekend 2015 in this video: Additional videos, including Commencement ceremony speeches, the Board of Trustees Welcome, recognition of retiring faculty, and the conferring of degrees and teaching prizes may be viewed on the Video @ Wesleyan website.

Adriane Tharp, who will be coming to Wesleyan in the fall as part of the Class of 2019, set her admission essay in the Forestdale, Ala. Domino's Pizza where she worked, writing about the "lineup of fellow misfits who were her colleagues." The New York Times featured Tharp's essay in its annual story on admission essays about working and money. The story quotes Wesleyan Associate Dean of Admission Chris Lanser, who was the first reader of Tharp's essay. He tells the Times how rare it is for applicants to write about money and work, and explains what stood out to him about Tharp's…

Wesleyan University’s Board of Trustees has elected Donna Morea ’76, P’06 as Chair of the Board for a two-year term beginning July 1, 2016. The election took place at the Board’s meeting on campus May 22. Morea will succeed Joshua Boger ’73, P’06, P’09, who will step down in June 2016 after 7 years as Chair. “The Board asked Joshua to continue his leadership through the conclusion of the capital campaign and he has graciously agreed,” said Shonni Silverberg ’76, chair of the Board’s Governance Committee. “He and his fellow Board members felt it would be advantageous to elect his…

The Wesleyan community has established a tradition of celebrating Reunion and Commencement together, ensuring a large and convivial gathering of alumni, students, families, faculty, staff and friends of the university. Beginning with the arrival of alumni, family, and friends on May 21 and culminating with the 183rd Commencement ceremony at 11 a.m. May 24, Wesleyan will offer a wide array of educational and recreational programs, including many opportunities to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2015. This year’s schedule includes class reunions, WESeminars, academic department open houses, the 100th anniversary of the parade of classes, campus tours, an all-college picnic and festival,…

Greetings for the Senior Class from Marissa Castrigno ’15

Calter, Schorr, Ulysse Honored with Binswanger Prizes; Dachs ’70 Receives Baldwin Medal

Starr, Masand, Casareno Deliver “Senior Voices” Addresses

Graduating Seniors Adorn Caps

Seniors Pick Up Diplomas

Seniors Inducted into Phi Beta Kappa Society

Smokey Fontaine ’93 DJs All-Campus Party

Alumni Reunite for Receptions, Dinners During R&C Weekend

Watch Reunion, Commencement Highlights

New York Times Features Wesleyan Admission Essay

Donna Morea is Chair-elect of the Board of Trustees

Gatherings, Celebrations During Reunion & Commencement Weekend May 21-24