Olga Bookas, procurement specialist, negotiates prices and purchases mailing equipment, furniture, paint, light bulbs, and even window shades for the university.   Posted 08/17/05 Q: When were you hired in Financial Services as a procurement specialist? A: I started working at Wesleyan in January 2005.Q: Please explain what a procurement specialist means.A: I am responsible for negotiating and developing contracts with vendors. Some of my purchasing duties include processing purchase orders for furniture, lease copiers, cell phones. I also meet with Wesleyan colleagues to determine their purchasing requirements and then I meet with vendors to ensure that they are reliable…

  At top, Ricardo Morris, director of the Green Street Arts Center, is developing classes for the center’s fall semester. At right, Morris enjoys a snack with participants of the Free Lunch Program inside the center in Middletown’s North End.   Posted 08/17/05 When Ricardo Morris taught English in public schools, he refused to let his students simply read “Beowolf.” The class would feast, dance and listen to 10th century music – all before opening the epic narrative. His unconventional teaching methods, however, weren’t appreciated beyond the classroom. “I was sent to the principal’s office far more than any of…

Steven Stemler, a new assistant professor of psychology, will teach Psychological Statistics this fall.   Posted 08/17/05 Steve Stemler has joined the Psychology Department as an assistant professor. In an era of increasing specialization, Stemler says he admires Wesleyan for recognizing the importance of training undergraduate students to value the diversity of knowledge accumulated across different fields of study. “There is a tremendous value to studying such topics as classical languages, hard sciences, social sciences and the arts simultaneously,” he says. “I believe that a liberal arts education results in a well-rounded person who will be capable of seeing broad…

Heather Minetti, adult fitness program coordinator, climbs Last Dollar Pass at 11,000 feet during a trip from Telluride, Colorado to Moab, Utah this summer.   Posted 08/17/05 Q: How do you apply your love for exercising and fitness enthusiasm into your position as the Wesleyan Adult Fitness Program coordinator? A: I feel very fortunate to be a part of the Wesleyan community. Here, we are surrounded by a very diverse and interesting staff and an administration that actively supports and views opportunities for personal wellness as a benefit that should be available to all. Within walking distance from all corners…

Joan Adams, assistant to the dean of admission, stands outside the Office of Admission.   Posted 07/13/05 Q: Joan, you are the assistant to the Dean of Admission. How long have you been in the Office of Admission?A: I started working in the office of admission in January of 2000.Q: And what were you doing before that? A: I was hired in August of 1999 and started my Wesleyan career in the registrar’s office.Q: What do you like most about working here after these five years?A: There are many things that I love about working at Wesleyan. First and foremost,…

Lex Leifheit, press and marketing coordinator for the Center for the Arts, stands inside the Zilka Gallery. Leifheit works to increase media coverage for the CFA.   Posted 07/13/05 Q: Your position as press and marketing coordinator is fairly new. How long have you been at Wesleyan?A: I have been here a little over a year, since March 2004. I showed up on a Saturday during one of the CFA’s annual season highlights, DanceMasters Weekend, and immediately started taking photographs. It was a great introduction to the constant activity of the CFA.Q: What were you doing before you came to…

Rosann Sillasen examines laminate flooring before installing it in the 200 Church Street house for students.   Posted 07/13/05 Roseann Sillasen knows how to take care of a bowing floor or sagging ceiling. She’s also pretty good at helping treat pneumonia, intestinal bleeding and other major ailments. Sillasen, the associate director and project manager of Wesleyan’s Construction Services, is also a practicing registered nurse. The full-time project manager and part-time nurse says the two occupations are a perfect match. “Both careers involve working with people and critical thinking,” she says. “They create a balance.” Not that balance equals easy. Being…

Paul DiSanto, director of leadership gifts, builds strong programs for the 25th and 50th reunions.   Posted 07/13/05 During his fifth-year reunion, 1981 Wesleyan alumnus Paul DiSanto realized the importance of pledging annual gifts to the university. “I feel the type of education Wesleyan offers is important, and can only continue with support from future generations,” he says. DiSanto has pledged an annual gift every year since. As Wesleyan’s director of leadership gifts, DiSanto has also encouraged several thousand other alumni to give to their alma mater. DiSanto works with a number of top donors and helps build strong programs…