Olivia DrakePosted 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…
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…
Academic Commons, a Web site developed by two Wesleyan staff members and a staff member from Alma College launched in August. Posted 09/09/05 Colleagues from liberal arts colleges interested in technology-related issues can read original articles on the topic, share their own ideas and even collaborate with their peers on a Web site launched this month called Academic Commons (http://www.academiccommons.org). The site offers a forum for investigating and defining the role that technology can play in liberal arts education. The idea for the project came out of a series of meetings that took place at the Center of Inquiry…
Posted 09/09/05 Wesleyan University will offer Connecticut residents enrolled at colleges and universities in areas stricken by Hurricane Katrina the opportunity to take fall semester classes at Wesleyan, and Wesleyan students, faculty and staff have begun to coordinate other efforts for relief opportunities. The university has reached out to students from Connecticut who attend colleges in areas affected by the storm. These students may apply for status as visiting students and enroll in classes on a space-available basis. Wesleyan will work with families to ensure that their total costs do not exceed their existing commitments to the schools in which…
Posted 09/09/05 The University Recycling Committee has implemented a new campus-wide recycling system. Mixed paper, glass, metal, plastic, corrugated cardboard, batteries, printer cartridges and even old furniture can now be collected and recycled. Recycling is required by law in Connecticut, and is the obligation of every member of the Wesleyan community, says Bill Nelligan, the Wesleyan recycling coordinator and associate director of Environmental Health and Safety. We hope that the Wesleyan community will join this effort to make Wesleyan a leader in waste reduction and environmental responsibility. Nelligan says recycling saves resources, energy, reduces pollution, cuts generation of greenhouse gases…
Makaela Kingsley '98, associate director of Alumni Relations, Ciaran Escoffery '00 and Roxanne Williams '98 share a laugh during a previous Alumni and Parent Volunteer Weekend at Wesleyan. Posted 09/09/05 When Karen and Michael Haley sent their son, John 07, to Wesleyan in 2004, they were anxious to learn more about the community in which he would be spending the next four years. That year, they attended an Alumni and Parent Volunteer Weekend. They not only became informed, they became involved. We were so impressed that weekend with how cordially we were welcomed and made to feel a part…
At top, Wes-Haul volunteers Daniel Rubin 06 and Hanako Moondance 06 carry a refrigerator into freshman Jennifer Bunins room in the Fauver Field Residence during Arrival Day Aug. 29. At right, Ian Renner 08 helps carry students belongings into Clark Hall. Posted 09/09/05 U-HAUL? Not here. Leave that up to Wes-HAUL, a team of volunteers that welcomed new students to campus. They unloaded cars, carried belongings, directed traffic and answered questions during students Arrival Day Aug. 29. Wes-HAUL started five years ago as a small University Relations initiative and has evolved into a cross-university effort. More than 35…
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…