Olivia DrakeSeptember 26, 20122min
Wesleyan will host the 13th annual Molecular Biophysics and Biological Chemistry Retreat Sept. 27. The public is invited. Bertrand García-Moreno, professor and chair of the Department of Biophysics at John Hopkins University will deliver the keynote lecture at 4:15 p.m. He will speak on "Molecular Determinants of Electrostatic Effects in Proteins." García-Moreno investigates the relationships between protein structure, function, energetics, and dynamics with an emphasis on electrostatic properties that govern the actions of proteins in all biological processes. His research on ionizable groups buried in the hydrophobic interior of proteins provides fundamental insights into their special chemical properties and critical…

Olivia DrakeSeptember 26, 20124min
Q&As with outstanding students is an occasional feature of The Wesleyan Connection. This issue we speak with Catherine MacLean from the Class of 2014. Q: Catherine, what are you majoring in at Wesleyan, and why? A: I am a biology and science and society double major. I have been fascinated by biology for quite a long time, so I was pretty sure I wanted to study it when I came to Wesleyan. I am very interested in the way that such basic low-level structures can combine synergistically to give rise to an organism and the complexity of life. The combination…

Olivia DrakeSeptember 26, 20121min
David Hall, grounds and events manager, received a Cardinal Achievement Award in August. Hall was honored for demonstrating extraordinary initiative or providing outstanding service with regard to specific tasks in his department. This special honor comes with a $150 award and reflects the university’s gratitude for those extra efforts. The award recipients are nominated by department chairs and supervisors. Nominations can be made anytime throughout the year. For more information or to nominate a staff member for the award, visit the Human Resources website and scroll down to Cardinal Achievement Award under “Forms.” Recipients will continue to be recognized in The Wesleyan Connection.

Olivia DrakeSeptember 26, 20123min
Melvin "Mel" Strauss, adjunct professor of music, emeritus, died Sept. 5 following a prolonged illness. During his time at Wesleyan, Strauss directed and conducted the University Orchestra and Concert Choir and also served as director of the Private Music Lessons Program, which he helped to rejuvenate. Born in Newark, N.J., in 1929, Strauss earned his bachelor of arts degree in humanities from Rutgers University, and his master of arts degree in musicology from New York University. Subsequently, Strauss worked with Leonard Bernstein at Tanglewood (then the Berkshire Music Center), and it was through Strauss's involvement at Tanglewood, with the Boston…

Olivia DrakeSeptember 26, 20122min
Wesleyan hired the following new employees in July, August and September: Alexis Sturdy joined the Office of Community Partnerships on July 2. Joseph Giaimo joined University Relations on July 2. Jennifer Kleindienst joined the Office of Finance and Administration on July 2. Nicola Bennett joined University Relations on July 16. Scott Houser joined the Financial Aid Office on July 16. Evan Carney joined the Office of Admission on July 23. David Baird joined Information Technology Services on Aug. 1. Rachel Ludwig joined the Physical Education Department on Aug. 1. Rachel Cross joined the Office of Admission on Aug. 1. Robert…