Olivia DrakeOctober 1, 20056min
Maria Cruz-Saco, dean of the college, is impressed by Wesleyan students’ involvement outside of the classroom.   Posted 10/01/05 It didn’t take long to settle in. In just two months, Maria Cruz-Saco has begun spearheading residential life and student programming initiatives. She’s also creating a new position to oversee diversity and multicultural learning environments on campus and seeking ways to improve current student services. As the new dean of the college, Cruz-Saco oversees the Class Deans, Student Academic Resources, Student Services and Campus Programs. The latter includes Residential Life, Student Activities and Leadership Development, International Student Services, the Office of…

Olivia DrakeOctober 1, 20059min
Persephone Hall, assistant director of Human Resources, posts job opportunities, searches through resumes and conducts interviews.   Posted 10/01/05 Q: What are some of your job duties as assistant Human Resources director?A: The thing I love most about my position is the variety. In my first six months, my primary responsibilities have revolved around working with hiring managers to recruit for and fill their job openings. I am beginning to help managers and employees with employee relations issues and in the near future, I look forward to developing training classes for managers and employees here at Wesleyan.Q: So, you’re fairly…

Olivia DrakeSeptember 28, 20052min
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…

Olivia DrakeSeptember 9, 20058min
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. “That’s what this job is all about. You have to be committed to problem solving to provide the best services for Wesleyan’s students, staff and faculty.” Cunard is responsible for such operations such as the campus bookstore, dining services, the House Sale Program, laundry…

Olivia DrakeSeptember 9, 20058min
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 Wesleyan’s campus, he has no destination in mind. He simply enjoys the luscious landscape. It is, after all, his masterpiece. As manager of Wesleyan’s grounds and events, every tree, shrub, flower garden and grassy knoll is part of his canvas. “Most people walk through campus…

Olivia DrakeSeptember 9, 20054min
Abigail Hornstein, assistant professor of economics, studies corporate performance.   Posted 09/09/05 Abigail Hornstein has joined the Economics Department as an assistant professor. Hornstein received her bachelor’s degree in Chinese language and history; her master’s degree in economics and international business from New York University Stern School of Business; and her Ph.D in economics and international business from the New York University Stern School of Business. Her dissertation examined the capital budgeting decisions of multinational enterprises. She examined U.S. firms in the 1990s to determine if effective capital budgeting is associated with where a firm invests. “I found that effective…

Olivia DrakeSeptember 9, 20054min
Posted 09/09/05, Updated 09.16.05 We The People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this, Constitution for the United States of America. –Preamble to the U.S. Constitution   We The People of Wesleyan University observed Constitution Day with a series of events Sept. 15-16.   Wesleyan’s observance is part of a nation-wide observance the U.S. Department of Education has mandated for all educational programs in all…

Olivia DrakeSeptember 9, 20055min
Posted 09/09/05 Accessing creativity will be the topic of discussion during the fourth annual Shasha Seminar for Human Concerns Oct. 6-8 at Wesleyan. “The Shasha Seminar is a wonderful example of Wesleyan's commitment to lifelong learning,” says Linda Secord, director of alumni education. “We expect this year's discussion of creativity to be stimulating, giving participants newly informed perspectives that they will take with them as they return to their personal and professional lives.” Through a series of seminars and hands-on workshops, alumni, parents and friends will expand their understanding of the creative process and its impact on human endeavors. Past…

Olivia DrakeSeptember 9, 200511min
Michaelle Biddle, head of Preservation Services, uses a special tool to preserve a book in the Preservation Services in Olin Library. Biddle and her student technicians make page mends, reback books and remove mold from pages.   Posted 09/09/05 Q: When were you hired at Wesleyan and what was your job title then?A: I was hired in 1983 as the assistant to the librarian. Initially, I was the clerk of the works for the $10 million library addition that was added in the mid-1980s. In 1988 I was asked to develop a preservation program for the library’s circulating collections. Now…

Olivia DrakeSeptember 9, 20058min
Mary Schreck Glynn, application technology specialist, created the telephone directory database, media database and the student summer registration system.   Posted 09/09/05 Q: What does it mean to be an applications technology specialist?A: Basically, an applications technology specialist evaluates new technologies and creates and supports academic and administrative applications using new and proven technologies. All the applications are database related.Q: What is the purpose of these applications? A: The general purpose is to service the Wesleyan community by automating tasks and sharing information.Q: Can you give me a few examples of some of the tasks and information that have undergone…

Olivia DrakeSeptember 9, 20054min
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…

Olivia DrakeSeptember 9, 20053min
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…