Kate Carlisle

Imagine a place where Wesleyan students with a panoply of interests – art, photography, architecture, graphic design, and theatrical design, to name but a few – can work together in a dedicated digital space. Where faculty and students can bridge the divide between traditional arts and humanities courses and the tremendous shifts taking place in the technological world. That place is no longer imaginary. A $150,000 grant from the George I. Alden Trust will support a Digital Design Studio in the repurposed carriage house section of the Davison Art Center. Beginning with about eight classes taught by three or four faculty…

Roth reviews new book suggesting the Diaspora, Israeli should thrive in productive tension

Scott calls the new documentary "terrifying"

Assistant professor of Astronomy Meredith Hughes and eight colleagues have found evidence of magnetic fields in stardust – an indication that magnetic fields are important in the process of planetary system formation, according to a new paper in the journal Nature. The discovery is another step in work by Hughes and other astronomers to understand how celestial bodies are formed. It is known that magnetic fields in the “accretion disks” of stars play a dominant role in the star formation process. Using data from an observatory near Bishop, Calf., Hughes and her colleagues were able to spot signs of magnetic…

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., came to Wesleyan Oct. 6 to hear students’ concerns about sexual violence, survivor support and penalties for perpetrators. This was one of a series of listening sessions the senator is conducting around the state. In his discussions with students he shared details of legislation he has proposed to provide better frameworks on campuses for handling sexual assault cases. Under the bill, colleges and universities would be required to identify confidential advisors and implement minimum training standards. Financial penalties would be imposed on schools that do not comply. The listening session was held just days after the…

For the second year in a row, Wesleyan will welcome its neighbors to campus for fun, food and football during Middletown Day, Oct. 18. Starting at 11 a.m., the public can enjoy family entertainment (face painting, balloon art, a bounce house for little visitors, and a DJ), along with free popcorn and food for sale from Wesleyan athletic teams. Plenty of Wes alumni also are expected at Andrus Field for the Homecoming football game versus Little Three rival Amherst College. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. and Middletown residents will be admitted to the game for free with ID. The mighty…

One of Davison Art Center’s most important works – an early 19th century Francisco Goya lithograph – will be shown in a major art exhibit in Boston this fall. The print, a portrait of the printer Cyprien-Charles-Marie Nicolas Gaulon, was made at the end of Goya’s life, between 1825 and 1826, and is one of only two known “first state” copies of the work (the other is in France's Bibliotheque Nationale). Gaulon taught Goya lithography during the artist’s senescent exile in Bordeaux. “It’s a portrait of a friend, the man who taught him this technique, towards the end of his life,"…

Scott Rohde became Wesleyan's new Public Safety director the first week of October. The long-term police chief at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse says he's looking forward to new partnerships between the campus community and Public Safety, and pursuing other initiatives as head of the university's 30-plus member safety team. Q: Welcome to Wesleyan, Scott. What attracted you to Wesleyan? A: I was attracted to Wesleyan by its reputation as well as its strong commitment to a solid liberal arts education. During the interview process and my visit here I felt very welcome and comfortable both on campus and in the community.…

Sixty-six million years ago, a meteorite struck the Earth with enough force that the ensuing environmental changes, including floods, earthquakes, variable temperatures and light-obscuring dust clouds, possibly wiped out dinosaurs and other pre-historic life. Scientists believe this opened a path for mammals, and ultimately humans, to evolve. A new study by Dana Royer, associate professor of earth and environmental sciences, and colleagues from the University of Arizona and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science suggests that the chaos in the wake of the space rock's impact changed the Earth's plant life as well. Deciduous plants survived and flourished to a…

Ishita Mukerji, dean of natural sciences and mathematics and director of technology initiatives, represented Wesleyan at a White House-sponsored conference of STEM educators Sept. 16. Mukerji said she was intrigued by other universities' approaches to increase access to science, technology, engineering and math - and happy to share Wesleyan's STEM initiatives with her counterparts. "It was a great opportunity to learn about what works and compare with what we are doing," said Mukerji, who also is professor of molecular biology and biochemistry."I was happy to see that in many instances, we were on the right track and have some of the…

A significant federal grant will support efforts to make works in Wesleyan's Davison Art Center more accessible to students, faculty and the wider world. The $111,173 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, announced this week, will fund digital photography of some of the DAC's permanent collection, beginning in 2015 with Dutch and German "old master" prints. The funds, awarded in the Museums for America program, will allow the DAC to execute high quality, rapid photography of key parts of its holdings; these images can then be used for collection management or in classes. (more…)

President Michael Roth discussed "The Future of Education" at the 92nd Street Y's Social Good Summit on Sept. 21. The event is the focus of his popular MOOC on the Coursera platform, which will be offered again starting in Nov., 2014. In his second appearance at the annual two-day festival of ideas, Roth discussed why education is still the best vehicle for social change, even while it has become more controversial then ever. Watch the video of his talk. "Education remains the most potent tool for changing the world, " he said. "And training teachers who can help students acquire the…

New Digital Design Studio to Bridge Divide between Arts, Technology

‘At Home in Exile’ Examines Jewish Diaspora

“Citizenfour” Draws Praise

Hughes Finds Magnetic Fields in Stardust; Study Published in Nature

Senator Blumenthal Speaks With Students on Assaults; Wesleyan Releases Report

Wes Welcomes Neighbors to Middletown Day Oct. 18

Davison Art Center’s 19th Century Goya Print Exhibited in Boston

New Public Safety Director Looks Forward to Campus Partnerships

Royer’s Study Suggests that the Meteorite That Wiped Out Dinosaurs Changed Forests

Mukerji Represents Wesleyan at National STEM Meeting

Federal Grant Supports DAC Digital Initiative

Roth Discusses “The Future of Education” at Social Good Summit