Olivia DrakeImam Mahan Mirza, University Muslim Chaplain leads Quran Study Circles, and Islam Hour and sermons with Wesleyan's Muslim community. Posted 10/01/05 Q: Mahan, when were you hired to be the new Muslim chaplain at Wesleyan?A: I was officially hired as of August 29, 2005.Q: Where did you grow up and when did you move to America?A: I grew up as the son of a fighter pilot in the Pakistan Air Force. My parents came from India into Pakistan when the country was divided in 1947. My grandparents are from various different parts of India. My first spoken language was…
At top, Mark Flory, assistant professor of molecular biology and biochemistry, lectures to a group during the Sixth Annual Biophysics Retreat for the Molecular Biophysics Program Sept. 15. At left, Maggie Chen, a Ph.D candidate in the Department of Chemistry explains her research titled Site-Resolved Dynamics and Energetics of a Ribosomal RNA during the Fall Retreat Poster Session, part of the biophysics program. Posted 10/01/05 The Sixth Annual Biophysics Retreat was held at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown on Sept. 15. Organized by David Beveridge, professor of chemistry, Manju Hingorami, assistant professor of molecular biology and Ishita Mikerji, associate professor…
Olin Library's new Information Commons features a library reference desk, an Information Technology Services desk and a SARN information and referral desk. Posted 10/01/05 A new information lab in Olin Memorial Library has merged three services into one. Information Commons provides library reference, information technology and access to the Student Academic Resources Network (SARN). The facility is located in the Campbell Reference Center on the first floor of the library. Students are relying on the Internet more and more to get information, but theres still a demand for the librarys material, reference services and workspace, says Dale Lee, information service…
Posted 10/01/05 The September, 2005 issue of Perspectives, the monthly publication of the American Historical Association, included a study of history Ph.D.s earned between 1989 and 2002 and showed that the leader in the field was in fact Wesleyan University - even though Wesleyan doesnt have a Ph.D. program in history. Though the results may sound incongruous at first, the data is actually quite solid. The studys author, Robert Townsend, found that a higher percentage of Wesleyan students who earned bachelors degrees during the surveyed period went on to earn Ph.D.s in history than undergraduates from any other institution in…
Posted 10/01/05 First-year chemistry students will have the opportunity to spend some time with a Nobel Laureate at Wesleyan. Sir Harry Kroto, professor of chemistry at Florida State University, will lecture to chemistry classes at 9 a.m. Oct. 31 in room 84 of Hall-Atwater. Kroto shared the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1996 for discovering C60, a new form of carbon. In addition, Kroto will present a chemistry symposium titled Architecture in Nanospace, at 4 p.m. Oct. 31, also in HA 84, or Exley Science Center 150 if attendance requires it. This symposium will be open to the public. Formerly…
Cliff Ashton, director of Physical Plant, oversees 75 full-time employees and 50 contract employees from the department's new home on Long Lane. Posted 10/01/05 Q: Cliff, when did you become the new director of Physical Plant and what do you think of it so far?A: I came to Wesleyan in the middle of June 2005. The people here have been so nice and helpful getting me acclimated to the place. I look forward to a long career here.Q: What are your responsibilities?A: I'm responsible for overall operations and maintenance of the "physical plant" in other words most of the…
Francisco Rodriguez, assistant professor of economics and Latin American Studies is still getting settled into his new office. (Photo by Bill Burkhart) Posted 10/01/05 Francisco Rodriguez has joined the Economics Department and Latin American Studies Department as an assistant professor. He accepted the position because of the intellectual freedom and environment of a liberal arts institution, as well as the high quality and openness of both the Economics and Latin American Studies departments, he says. Rodriguezs research examines economic growth in developing countries and the interaction between inequality, distributive conflict and economic performance. Hell be teaching classes on international…
In preparation of the new Suzanne Lemberg Usdan University Center, portions of the old Fayerweather Gymnasium are being removed. Demolition is more than 80 percent completed as of Sept. 6. Associated Building Wreckers tear the building apart, beam by beam, brick by brick. Construction crew members demolish what is left of the Fayerweather pool, built in 1913. Alan Rubacha, Construction Services consultant, is the project manager. The renovated Fayerweather Gymnasium will become Fayerweather Hall. The facility will host a ballroom, catering kitchen, theater, dance studio and storage. The new university center will be built on the right side of…
Kevin Butler, assistant dean of Student Services, is the contact person for students with physical differences and co-advisor of the Student Judicial Board. Posted 09/09/05 Q: When were you hired at Wesleyan?A: I was hired in fall of all 2004 and started in January 2005 as the assistant dean of Student Services.Q: What led you to working at Wesleyan?A: I have excelled in conflict resolution and judicial affairs at several institutions. I thought it would be interesting to advise a student judicial board, which is something I hadnt done before.Q: And what is your role with the Wesleyan Student…
Manny Cunard, director of Auxiliary Operations and Campus Services, works from his new office on Pine Street. Posted 09/09/05 When Manny Cunard came to Wesleyan two and a half years ago, several services were in need of structure. Others needed to be invented. I resolve problems, says Cunard, director of Auxiliary Operations and Campus Services. Thats what this job is all about. You have to be committed to problem solving to provide the best services for Wesleyans students, staff and faculty. Cunard is responsible for such operations such as the campus bookstore, dining services, the House Sale Program, laundry…
Dave Hall, grounds and special events manger, stands in front of an old elm tree planted along College Row. Wesleyan once had hundreds of elms on its property, and now only a few remain. The rest have fallen prey to old age or disease. Posted 09/09/05 When Dave Hall takes a daily stroll across Wesleyans campus, he has no destination in mind. He simply enjoys the luscious landscape. It is, after all, his masterpiece. As manager of Wesleyans grounds and events, every tree, shrub, flower garden and grassy knoll is part of his canvas. Most people walk through campus…
Abigail Hornstein, assistant professor of economics, studies corporate performance. Posted 09/09/05 Abigail Hornstein has joined the Economics Department as an assistant professor. Hornstein received her bachelors degree in Chinese language and history; her masters degree in economics and international business from New York University Stern School of Business; and her Ph.D in economics and international business from the New York University Stern School of Business. Her dissertation examined the capital budgeting decisions of multinational enterprises. She examined U.S. firms in the 1990s to determine if effective capital budgeting is associated with where a firm invests. I found that effective…