May 2016 – Page 4

Middlesex United Way held its annual awards program May 5 at the Middletown Elks Lodge, and among the honorees were campaign "Coordinators of the Year:" Associate Professor of Biology Gloster Aaron and Provost Joyce Jacobsen, who served as Wesleyan's campaign co-chairs this year, and Cathy Lechowicz, director of the Jewett Center for Community Partnerships. Middlesex United Way also awarded Rob Rosenthal, director of the Allbritton Center for the Study of Public Life and the John E. Andrus Professor of Sociology, with the Community Leadership Award in January. Bill Holder, director of University Communications, is president of the Middlesex United Way Board. Since 2001, Wesleyan…

The Office of Human Resources reports the following new hires and departures for April 2016: Newly hired Deborah Katz was hired as a marketing director in University Communications on April 1. Anthony DeMarco was hired as a boiler tender in Physical Plant on April 11. Departures Toria Bobbitt, research assistant in biology Joseph Hopkins, boiler tender in Physical Plant Pamela Tatge, director, Center of the Arts Sharon Washburn, administrative assistant, Creative Writing

(By Charles Salas) Last fall President Michael Roth took what some thought was a risk. Appalled by the Syrian refugee crisis, he issued a challenge to the Wesleyan community, asking what can we do? How would people respond? Would they say that’s not Wesleyan’s business? Ask why this crisis and not another? Demand more of Wesleyan than it could possibly do? In fact, the Wesleyan community made some good suggestions which the university has been able to act upon, doing the kinds of things it does well: Hold panel discussions to increase understanding and awareness Sponsor student internships with organizations assisting…

Hamilton, written by and starring Lin-Manuel Miranda ’02 and directed by Thomas Kail ’99, received a record-breaking 16 Tony Award nominations on May 3, including nods for Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Kail) Best Actor in a Musical (Miranda and Leslie Odom Jr.), Best Book (Miranda), Best Original Score (Miranda), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (three nominations), Best Actress in a Musical, Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Best Costume Design of a Musical, Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design of a Musical, and Best Orchestrations. The 16 total nominations broke the previous record of 15, shared by Billy Elliot (2009) and The Producers (2001). The Producers holds the current record for most Tony Award wins for a musical, with a total of 12.

James McGuire, professor and chair of government, professor of Latin American studies, is the author of a new op-ed titled, "Is Brazil Better Prepared than the U.S. to Fight Zika?" Brazil is ground zero for the recent wave of Zika infections. McGuire argues that the country "is better prepared to fight Zika than many people think—and is, in some ways, better prepared to fight Zika than the United States." The Zika virus is difficult to fight, and Brazil faces some major obstacles, including a deep economic crisis, political turmoil, and an ongoing battle against other infectious diseases. Still, he writes,…

Every week, a group of Wesleyan students in the Wesleyan Alliance for Generational Exchange (WesAGE), visit local senior centers to play card games and bingo and interact with the residents. “Our residents can’t get out into the community because of mobility and safety issues,” David Frankel, activities coordinator at One MacDonough House, told The Middletown Press in a feature story about the program. “So Wesleyan students through a program called WesAGE come to MacDonough Friday afternoons rather than party with their friends. These are special young men and women. They let us know that we’re a value to the community.” “Wesleyan University has worked very hard…

The Hartford Courant featured the 100th anniversary of Wesleyan's Van Vleck Observatory, which will be celebrated with an exhibit and a series of events this month and next. The "Under Connecticut Skies" exhibit, located in the observatory library, will open May 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and will remain open indefinitely during the observatory's public hours. Amrys Williams, visiting assistant professor of history, who has been working on the exhibit since last year, said the Van Vleck Observatory and the astronomy department building are part of the exhibit, telling the story of how astronomers did their work 100 years ago.…

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On May 4, President Michael Roth announced that Sally Bachner, associate professor of English, Demetrius Eudell, professor of history, and James Lipton, professor of computer science, will be awarded Binswanger Prizes for Excellence in Teaching at Commencement on May 22. These prizes, made possible by gifts from the family of the late Frank G. Binswanger Sr., Hon. ’85, underscore Wesleyan’s commitment to its scholar-teachers, who are responsible for the university’s distinctive approach to liberal arts education. Recommendations are solicited from alumni of the last 10 graduating classes, as well as current juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Recipients are chosen by a…

This spring, Allison Orr, the Menakka and Essel Bailey '66 Distinguished Visiting Scholar in the College of the Environment, is leading a group of Wesleyan students in partnering with the city of Middletown's Water and Sewer Department to develop a unique performance that will debut at the Feet to the Fire: Riverfront Encounter on May 7. The performance starts at noon at Harbor Park. According to this story in The Middletown Press, Orr has long used "her choreography talent to expose the work of those who would otherwise go unnoticed." She is the artistic director of Forklift Danceworks, and is known for "Trash Dance,"…

On April 28, the Wesleyan Athletics Department honored more than 175 scholar student-athletes that excelled both on and off the field throughout the course of the 2015-16 season. Coaches, faculty and staff from the department also attended the event, which included dinner, speeches and awards in Beckham Hall. To be recognized, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore with a grade-point average of 3.25 or above, and be a key contributor to his or her team’s success. In addition, scholar athletes Joe Edmonds '16 of the men’s basketball team and Rachel Hobert '16 of the women’s soccer team presented inspirational speeches to…

On April 30, the Wesleyan University Sailing Team hosted their first ever inter-collegiate regatta on Lake Pocotopaug in East Hampton, Conn. After a morning of little to no wind, the afternoon picked up and the students were able to sail eight races. Wesleyan seniors and co-captains Katie Walker '16, Kevin Winnie '16 and Rachel Kurlander '16 sailed their last college regatta at the event, which was sponsored by the New England Intercollegiate Sailing Association. Bates College, Sacred Heart, and Fairfield University also participated, with Bates taking first place in the regatta. Wesleyan took third. (Photos courtesy of Wesleyan Sailing Team) (more…)

Wesleyan Faculty, Staff Named United Way Coordinators of the Year

Staff on the Move April 2016

Wesleyan Responds to Syrian Refugee Crisis

Hamilton Breaks Tony Award Nomination Record

McGuire: Is Brazil Better Prepared Than the U.S. to Fight Zika?

Wesleyan Students, Local Seniors Become ‘Fast Friends’

Wesleyan Observatory Opening for 100th Anniversary Events

Refugees’ Art Featured at Student-Run “Art in Crisis” Exhibit

Bachner, Eudell, Lipton to Receive Binswanger Prizes for Excellence in Teaching

Wesleyan Students Partner with City Water, Sewer Workers for Unique Show

Scholar Student Athletes Honored at Banquet

Wes Sailing Team Hosts First Inter-Collegiate Regatta