Olivia DrakeThe Anderson Fitness Center will be open for tours during the 2007 Family Health Fair Feb. 3. Posted 01/22/07 Yoga, skin analysis, blood pressure screenings and massages are all part of the 2007 Family Health Fair for Wesleyans faculty, staff and their families. The free event takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 3 in the Freeman Athletic Center. It is sponsored by the Employee Benefits Office. All of us could use a little inspiration now and then when it comes to staying healthy and fit, explains Pat Melley, director of Employee Benefits. The Wesleyan Health Fair provides…
David Bodznick, the new dean of the Natural Sciences and Mathematics, researches neuron signals in skate brains when he's not busy with administrative duties. Posted 01/22/07 When David Bodznick took on the role as dean of the Natural Sciences and Mathematics in July 2006, he became, in essence, a part-time mediator. In his new position, the professor of biology, professor of neuroscience and behavior, works as the liaison between the Wesleyans science and mathematics faculty and the administration. For example, I have the chance to present the needs and aspirations of the Division III faculty to the rest of the…
Richard Whitmore, associate director of Athletics, oversees the scheduling of all 15 Wesleyan athletic facilities, including the Wesleyan Natatorium. Posted 01/17/07 On any given day, there are 29 athletic teams, 10 intramural sports, several sport-related clubs or Wesleyan employees all vying for a rink, court, pool or field to use for practice or play. It is the job of Richard Whitmore, associate director of Athletics, to schedule Wesleyans athletic facilities with those who need them. And when occupied, he insures the venue is safe, secure and teams are equipped properly. Half of my job is working with people to…
Adam Kubota, press and marketing coordinator for the Center for the Arts helps more than 275 shows a year get publicity at Wesleyan and with the local media. Posted 01/17/07 Q: When did you first come to Wesleyan, and when were you officially full-time for the Center for the Arts?A: I started as interim CFA press and marketing coordinator at Wesleyan in November of 2005, filling in for Lex Leifheit while she was the interim assistant director of the Green Street Arts Center. Lex finished her assignment in February, leaving me to look for a new job. Fortunately for both…
A new learning objects tool, designed by Associate Professor Elizabeth McAlister, features multimedia tools to help teach the story of Rara. Posted 01/17/07 In Haiti, the people celebrate their African ancestry and religion with a Rara festival, a culturally rich musical and dance event. Elizabeth McAlister, associate professor of Religion and chair of the Religion Department, associate professor of African American studies, and associate professor of American studies, has studied this tradition for 15 years. Through a newly-created teaching tool, she hopes people can gain new insights on the Rara festival. Designed by Wesleyans Learning Objects Studio staff, the Web…
THE PRESIDENT'S VOICE: Hunter King '08 uses an audio-recording device to record the voice of President Doug Bennet Dec. 13. King will use Bennet's voice clips during his surf-music radio program, Storm Surge Of Reverb, which airs from midnight to 1 a.m. Friday mornings on WESU 88.1 FM. King invited Bennet to record after hearing him speak at the High Rise residences. "I noticed that he was speaking in a very cool, very low voice," King says. "I thought it would be fun if I could have him record a few voice breaks for my show." (Photo by Olivia Bartlett)…
Steve Machuga, director of administrative systems for Information Technology Services, helps lead projects for Student Services, University Relations and Financial Systems and HR/Payroll. Posted 12/20/06 Q: You have the ultimate responsibility for the success of ITS administrative systems projects. Please explain what administrative systems are.A: Administrative systems are used by the administrative offices of the University and their student, faculty and staff customers. The administrative systems cover the business side of the university. Id divide them into three major categories: Student Services, University Relations and Financial Systems combined with Human Resources/Payroll. They include student services offices such as Student…
At left, Daniel Greengard '08, Albert Hill '07 and David Pollack, assistant professor of mathematics, work through problems, which were part of the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition held Dec. 2. Posted 12/20/06 During a recent mathematics test, which spanned six hours, Daniel Greengard 08 believes he only got one question completely correct out of 12. But getting only one question correct puts him in the top half of all test-takers, explains David Pollack, assistant professor of mathematics and faculty-advisor for the 67th Annual William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition held Dec. 2. The Putnam exam tests originality and technical competence,…
Posted 12/20/06 Wesleyan University Press will be the recipient of a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The grant was awarded for the publication, promotion and distribution of new collections of poetry. The press requested support for the publication and promotion of 12 poetry books that will be published in the Wesleyan Poetry Series in 2007 and 2008. Forthcoming titles to be covered by the grant include New and Collected Poems by Barbara Guest, a new edition of Victor Segalens modernist classic Stèles, and Zong by Marlene NourbeSe Philip. We are delighted that the NEA is recognizing…
Rebecca Littman '08, Thomas Coen '07, Stacie Szmonko 07 and Aaron Sussman '07 are the editors of Incite Magazine, which aims to bridge political commentary with the activist community. Posted 12/20/06 The power of insight, the power to incite. Thats the motto of a new magazine created by Wesleyan students that links progressive political commentary with action.Incite Magazine founded by Thomas Coen 07, Aaron Sussman 07 and Rebecca Littman 08, features articles that call for a compassionate and honest world while providing readers with the tools and resources to help fight for it. The magazine is updated online as new…
In back, Hilary Barth, assistant professor of psychology, works with her student, Ariel Ballinger 07, on data resulting from a study on children's counting ability. Posted 12/20/06 So many people have had one of those moments, when a check comes after dinner and theyre having a problem adding it up, and they stop and say, Im just not any good at math! says Hilary Barth, assistant professor of psychology. But they are. We all are. Were born with it. This isnt just an opinion from an overly-optimistic academic. Barth is one of a growing number of researchers studying intuitive understanding…
Matthew Donne '07, Jenna Gopilan '07 and Dan Austin '08 received fellowships based on academic achievement and enthusiasm for laboratory science. Posted 12/20/06 Three Wesleyan students received research bioscience fellowships from the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) and the Connecticut United for Research Excellence (CURE). The fellowships are designed to increase the number of qualified scientists interested in pursuing careers in the biosciences. Molecular biology and biochemistry major Dan Austin '08; neuroscience and behavior major Jenna Gopilan '07; and biology major Matthew Donne '07 each received the $5,000 fellowship. The students were selected on the basis of academic…