2017 – Page 38

Wesleyan University has recently been recognized as a Fulbright Student Top Producer for the 2016-2017 academic year. As the flagship program for international research, study, and teaching, sponsored by the U.S. Government, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program is available for recent graduate and graduate students to explore their research topics, as well as cultivate a meaningful cultural experience in over 140 countries.A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) is generally required by the start of the Fulbright grant period. Wesleyan has produced more than 140 Fulbright students from 1943 – 2015, with seven more recent graduates and alumni making up the 2016 – 2017 class…

On Feb. 23, Peter Shumlin ’79, who served as Governor of Vermont from 2011-2017, spoke to members of the Wesleyan community about climate change. Shumlin has been a pioneer in developing state-level policies to combat climate change, including the 2011 Comprehensive Energy Plan with a goal of achieving 90 percent renewable energy in Vermont by 2050. Under his watch, 15,000 jobs were created in clean energy, solar panels increased by 1000 percent while the cost of solar fell 60 percent, and wind generation increased 400 percent. During his talk in Shanklin Laboratory, Shumlin said Vermont is far better prepared for the next major storm,…

Three Wesleyan Molecular Biology and Biochemistry majors received the unique opportunity of presenting their thesis work at the 61st annual Biophysical Society meeting in New Orleans, Feb. 11-15. (more…)

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The month of February marked the campus-wide celebration of Black History Month. Hosted by Ujamaa, Wesleyan's Black Student Union, students took part in a plethora of events that celebrated black life, experiences and culture. This year events centered around the theme, "Freedom is a Constant Struggle," highlighting the many years of oppression people of color faced in the United States. Events included a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a student of color art show, a leadership conference, a Black History Month formal and much more. Photos of Black History Month activities are below: (Photos by Gabi Hurlock '20, Olivia…

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will hold their annual award ceremony to recognize excellence on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, 8:30 p.m., ET. The Academy Awards—or "Oscars"— for releases in 2016 have four film nominations with Wesleyan connections. Disney's animated comedy-adventure Moana features the song "How Far I'll Go." With music and lyrics both by Lin-Manuel Miranda ’02, it is one of five nominations in the category Best Original Song and was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film. Common Sense Media reviewer Sandie Angulo Chen writes, "This engaging adventure triumphs because of its empowering storyline, which pays tribute to Polynesian…

The pseudoscientific myths about love and sexuality that abounded in the Victorian era, many of which seem "cruel and oppressive" by today's standards, could also offer women relief from the era's "rigid gender politics," according to Associate Professor of History Jennifer Tucker, who comments on the topic for a Broadly article. For much of the 19th century, the Western world was fascinated with a variety of pseudosciences, or theories that lack a basis in the scientific method. "Definitions of science were malleable and hotly contested in the 19th century," said Tucker, who is also associate professor of science in society, associate professor…

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A new CNN original series, Believer with Reza Aslan, premieres Sunday, March 5, at 10 p.m. ET. Billed as a “spiritual adventure series,” in which Aslan, acclaimed author and religious scholar, will “immerse himself in the world’s most fascinating faith-based groups to experience life as a true believer.” The show employs the talents of two alumni who majored in film at Wesleyan: executive producer and show runner Liz Bronstein ’89 and director Ben Selkow ’96. Additionally, Professor of Religion Liza McAlister provided both academic scholarship and on-the-ground connections when the crew traveled to Haiti for the segment on Vodou, which…

Women at Wesleyan are hosting an International Women's Day cocktail hour and panel discussion from 4:30 to 6 p.m. March 8 in the Smith Reading Room. Wesleyan's faculty and staff will discuss "Being Bold for Change." All faculty and staff are invited.

For the first time in the history of Wesleyan athletics, the football, men's basketball and most recently, men's ice hockey team, won the Little Three title in the same academic year. The "Little Three" schools — Wesleyan, Amherst and Williams — first formally banded together in 1899 as the Triangular League. Since 1910, the teams have annually competed in the Little Three intercollegiate athletic conference. Although men's hockey lost to Trinity 7-2 during its Feb. 17 game, Amherst defeated Williams 1-0 on the same day, giving the Cardinals their first outright Little Three title in 30 years. The Cardinals are led by head coach Chris Potter. Football won…

Frederick Cohan, professor of biology, professor of environmental studies, has recently been elected to the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE). Set to be inducted during the 42nd Annual Meeting and Dinner on May 22, 2017, Cohan will join 23 others as “Connecticut’s leading experts in science, technology, and engineering,” and the academy’s newest members during their ceremony at the University of Connecticut. In line with CASE’s mission to honor those “on the basis of scientific and engineering distinction, achieved through significant contributions in theory or application,” Cohan’s work has led to the “development of a comprehensive new theory…

Wesleyan Named A Fulbright Student Top Producer

Shumlin ’79 Speaks to Wesleyan Community about Climate Change

Students Present Thesis Work at Biophysical Society Meeting

Students of Color Exhibit Artwork at Be the Art Showcase

Black History Month Events Celebrate Life, Culture, Experiences

Wesleyan Oscar Nominees: Miranda ’02, Topping ’89, Lonergan ’84 and Lame ’04

Tucker Comments on Victorian Pseudoscience, Romance

Students Thank a Cardinal For Giving to Wesleyan

Bronstein ’89, Selkow ’96 join Reza Aslan for CNN Documentary Series ‘Believer’

Celebrate International Women’s Day March 8

Cardinals Win Historic Little Three Titles in Men’s Ice Hockey, Basketball, Football

Cohan Elected to Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering