Olivia DrakeDecember 2, 20081min
While the financial markets continue to decline, a group of Wesleyan students is proving that there's always a way to defy the current trend. This fall, the student-run Wesleyan Investment Group increased their portfolio from $27,500 up to $44,000. "We're very selective in our stock purchases, and we analyze each company very carefully," says Wesleyan Investment Group co-chair Ramanan Sivalingam '10. Sivalingam and the group's other two co-chairs Dan O'Brien '10 and Mike Levin '09 manage the group. It has about 20 active members and 40 subscribed to the club's list-serve. Participants are from all currently matriculated class years. "We're…

Olivia DrakeDecember 2, 20081min
In 2008, Lisa Drennan ’09 accomplished something never done by any Wesleyan athlete: she became a two-time New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Player of the Year. She was also named a second-team All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). She was the only player from a New England College to be named to any of AVCA’s three All-America teams. “This season was by far Lisa’s best,” says 24-year Wesleyan head coach Gale Lackey. “Repeating as NESCAC Player of the Year is no surprise. (more…)

Corrina KerrDecember 2, 20081min
Allison Hardy’s experiences as a study abroad student in Cameroon have reinforced her knowledge about criticisms of the United States. One common stereotype she encountered is that “all Americans are really wealthy.” In fact, she was asked if she had a huge sweet sixteen birthday bash like what is depicted on television. Although Hardy '10 has explained that the majority of Americans are not wealthy, she feels that other issues are harder to explain. For example, she’s gained a new appreciation for the United States’ improving gender equality, fighting homophobia and moving past hetero-normative attitudes, she says. Sherry Cho '10, another…

Olivia DrakeDecember 2, 20082min
Swedish sweet bread, Greek jam cookies, Iranian walnut puffs and Irish soda bread were just a few tasty treats sold recently to benefit a local food pantry. On Nov. 20, Wesleyan hosted an ethnic bake sale in the Usdan University Center. More than 70 bakers and volunteers contributed to the event, helping to raise almost $1,200 in two and a half hours. All proceeds were given directly to Middletown’s Amazing Grace Food Pantry. "It was so wonderful to see the Wesleyan community come together as one and see what we could do for the community during these tough economic times,"…

Olivia DrakeDecember 2, 20081min
In 1996, Linda Putnam realized she was dying of metastatic colon cancer. She assumed she'd spend her last days of life in a nursing home. "When we told her that she was going home to be with her family and be cared for by hospice nurses, she was relieved," says Putnam's daughter, Camille Dolansky, project coordinator for planned giving. "Having hospice care (more…)

Olivia DrakeDecember 2, 20082min
Q: Brian, in addition to being the William Griffin Professor of Philosophy and tutor in the College of Social Studies, you are the executive editor of the journal History and Theory. What is the purpose of the publication? A: The purpose of the journal is to publish the best current thinking about the theory and philosophy of history. We also maintain a discussion network that provides a site for members to communicate about matters relevant to our subject area. Lastly, we seek to enhance the intellectual life at Wesleyan (more…)