Ronald Kuivila, '77, adjunct professor of music, smiles from the Grand Teton in Wyoming.   Posted 02/23/05 Q: When did you join the Music Department at Wesleyan? A: I joined the department as an artist in residence in the early 80s and converted to adjunct associate professor in the early 90s. As an artist in residence, I was expected to teach three courses a year and maintain an active professional profile as an artist and composer. As an adjunct professor, I am expected to teach four courses a year, participate in committee work, and maintain an active professional profile. Most…

  Ulrich Plass studies German literature and continental philosophy with an emphasis on aesthetics.   Posted 02/23/05 Ulrich Plass joined the faculty in the German Studies Department as an assistant professor in 2004. He teaches language courses as well as classes on a range of other topics that fall under the interdisciplinary rubric "German Studies."   Plass completed his bachelor's degree from the University of Hamburg in Germany, received a master's degree from the University of Michigan and completed his Ph.D at New York University with a thesis on the essay form in Theodor Adorno's "Notes to Literature."   Plass…

  Carol Scully, director of Foundation and Corporate Relations seeks grants for the university from local and national foundations, corporations and private agencies.   Posted 02/23/05 When University Relations decided to spearhead a comprehensive campaign drive seven years ago, they needed someone to work with corporations, foundations and private funding agencies. Carol Scully was their leading lady. As director of Foundation and Corporate Relations, Scully helped Wesleyan raise more than $30 million from 219 funding sources for the recently completed Wesleyan Campaign. Most of these donations range between $10,000 and $3 million. “We’ve been quite successful,” she says, modestly. “But…

  Matthew Sharpe, assistant professor of English, is the author of "The Sleeping Father," which will be part of Norwalk's "One Book, One Community" celebration.   Posted 02/23/05 More than 20 publishers rejected the manuscript for "The Sleeping Father." But one small independent publisher, Soft Skull Press, decided to take a chance. Since then, "The Sleeping Father" has earned critical praise, won the 2004 Independent Publishers Award for fiction in 2004 and been part of the "The Today Show Book Club."   In April it will receive one more distinction: the town of Norwalk will kick off its first "One…

Frank Kuan, director of community relations, stands outside the Center for Community Partnerships. Posted 02/23/05 Q: Community Relations collaborates initiatives between the university and the greater Middletown community. How does this benefit Wesleyan and the community?A: I would echo President Bennet’s sentiment: what is good for Middletown is good for Wesleyan, and vice versa. Wesleyan is a key employer and economic generator in Middletown. Under President Bennet’s leadership, Wesleyan has taken a proactive approach to town-gown relations – of course, the leadership of the City of Middletown has also reciprocated on this positive connection. One of our most recent efforts…

Noreen Baris, administrative assistant for the Women’s Studies Program, stands outside her office on High Street. Baris serves as a liaison between the program’s chair, faculty and students.   Posted 01/31/05 Q: When did you become the administrative assistant in the Women's Studies Program? Were you working at Wesleyan before then?  A: Yes. I first came to Wesleyan in November 1986 and worked in the Romance Languages and Literatures Department until 1992. I've been at Women's Studies since then. Q: How would you describe a typical day? Are you mostly working at your desk, talking on the phone or meeting with people?…

  Carol Wright is a visiting instructor in the African American Studies Program.   Posted 01/31/05 Q: You started working at Wesleyan in 2003. What has impressed you most about the university? A:  I am impressed with the incredible depth, intelligence and humanity of many Wesleyan students and my colleagues in the African American Studies Program. Q: What does 'visiting' instructor refer to? Where are you visiting from and how did you end up at Wes? A: Visiting instructor refers to the fact that my position is non-tenure track and temporary. As a practical matter, I am visiting from Bowdoin…

Vera Schwarcz, professor of History and East Asian studies, collaborated with artist Chava Pressburger for the book, "In the Garden of Memory," published by March Street Press. The publication features 18 poems with accompanying paper-art images.   Posted 01/31/05 How does memory speak? Not with words in this small country of silenced song. Winter is the native tongue of children without food. -words from Vera Schwarcz’s "In the Garden of Memory" When visiting Jerusalem in 1991, a striking oil painting caught Vera Schwarcz’s attention. The Romanian-born daughter of Holocaust survivors instantly felt a connection with the artwork titled “Memories.” “I…