Olivia DrakeBob Shaeffner of Payette Architects explains a proposal for Wesleyan's new Molecular and Life Sciences building during an open house and design review June 12. At left, Ben Winslow, a biology Ph.D candidate, listens to Robert Schmidt, project manager, explain a proposed design plan for the Molecular and Life Sciences building. Posted 06/20/07 Physical Plant-Facilities held an open house and design review for Wesleyan's new Molecular and Life Sciences building June 12. The open house allowed Wesleyan staff and faculty, and members of the local community to comment on the proposed plans. The goal of the building is to…
Valerie Marinelli, administrative assistant for the Environmental Studies Certificate Program, recently helped plan and coordinate the local BioBlitz science event in Middletown. Posted 06/20/07 Q: Valerie, when did you come to Wesleyan and what brought you here?A: I started as a temporary employee in August 2006 in the Environmental Studies Certificate Program. In late October 2006, I became the departments full time administrative assistant. Q: Broadly, what is the Environmental Studies Certificate Program, and who is able to receive this certificate?A: The Environmental Studies Certificate Program, known as ESCP, is an interdisciplinary certificate program for undergraduate students that includes…
Cathy-Lee Rizza, WesCard coordinator, creates and programs all student, faculty, staff and special-occasion identification cards for the university. Posted 06/20/07 Smile for the camera. Thats a phrase Cathy-Lee Rizza may say a dozen times a day in Wesleyans WesCard Office. As WesCard coordinator, she creates Wesleyans faculty, staff and student ID cards and manages the information provided by ID holders. This card gives students access to their dorms, provides them with meals on campus, it also serves as a library and gym card. If the student is part of the Middletown Cash Program, they can purchase meals off campus…
The Eclectic Society house, located at 200 High Street, is 100 years old this year. Posted 06/04/07 Our reputation was one of respect from most everyone, recalls Bill Moody 59, P 91. We did not come across as rich or preppy or jock-filled or hyper-social or racist or nerdy. We did not dominate a given group or project or sport. Moody, author of the recently-published book, A History of the Eclectic Society of Phi Nu Theta, 1837-1970, shared memories with current and past Eclectic members during the 100th anniversary celebration of the completion of the Eclectic Society House May 26.…
Elena '93 and Trustee Robert L. Allbritton '92 have donated $5M to Wesleyan, to help build the Allbritton Center for the Study of Public Life. Posted 06/04/07 Trustee Robert L. Allbritton '92, his wife Elena '93 and family have pledged $5 million toward the renovation of Davenport Hall to house Wesleyan's new Center for the Study of Public Life and to challenge younger alumni classes to contribute to the Wesleyan Fund. The Center will be named for the Allbritton family. "Public life is changing, in part because new media have accelerated the exchange of ideas among leaders in government, business,…
Richard Slotkin, the Olin Professor of American Studies and English, was one of three faculty members to receive the Binswanger Prize for Excellence in Teaching by President Doug Bennet during Commencement Ceremonies May 27. Posted 06/04/07 Joyce Jacobsen, the Andrews Professor of Economics; Richard Slotkin, the Olin Professor of American Studies and English; and T. David Westmoreland, associate professor of chemistry were the 2007 recipients of the Binswanger Prize for Excellence in Teaching. They received the prize during the 2007 Commencement ceremony May 27. The Binswanger Prize for Excellence in Teaching was inaugurated in 1993 as an institutional recognition of…
Posted 06/04/07 Edward P. Jones, pictured at left, a winner of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Critics Circle Award, will be the keynote speaker at the 51st annual Wesleyan Writers Conference, held on campus June 17-22. The Writers Conference welcomes experienced writers, new writers and anyone interested in the writer's craft. One of the leading writers conferences in the nation, it has launched many writers publishing careers, notes Anne Greene, director. All of the programs are designed to offer you new perspectives on your work and the company of other writers who share your interests, Greene says. This summers…
David Wagner, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Connecticut, talks to Wesleyan faculty and Wesleyan Hughes and Mellon Fellows about the 2007 BioBlitz, to be held in Middletown June 8-9. Posted 06/04/07 BioBlitz 2007 is coming to Middletown and Wesleyan faculty and students are playing key roles. For those unaware, BioBlitz is a 24-hour environmental diversity survey that was originated in the state by the University of Connecticut and several partners. During BioBlitz, scientific specialists are partnered up with grade school students and others for field surveys and other activities. The idea is to get…
Posted 06/04/07 About 30 years ago, unnatural and excessive biological growth started occurring in the small, man-made Beseck Lake six miles southeast of Wesleyan's campus. Septic systems from lakeside homes deposited nutrients into the water, altering the biogeological cycles of carbon, sulfur, nitrogen and phosphorus in the aquatic ecosystem. By 2002, the problem was remedied by connecting the homes to a city sewer system and the quality of the lake water improved. However, excess algae growth continued to form, proving that some unwanted nutrients continued to exist. What was still polluting the lake? asked Tim Ku, assistant professor of earth…
Patti Miller, assistant director of programs, grants and marketing for the Project to Increase Mastery of Mathematics and Science (PIMMS). Posted 06/04/07 Q: Patti, when did you start working at Wesleyan and what were you hired in as?A: I started in Fall 2000 and I was hired on a part-time/temporary basis to assist a wonderful woman who was diagnosed with a terminal illness to help her manage PIMMS workshop registrations and promotion.Q: You are the assistant director of programs, grants and marketing for the PIMMS. What is the overall purpose of the program?A: PIMMS mission is to provide high-quality…
ADVERTISING ALUMNUS: Darren Kapelus, Class of '87, and Senior Partner and Executive Group Director of the advertising agency, Ogilvy and Mather, Worldwide, addressed the issue "Is Advertising Dead?" April 25 on campus. Carol Crosby, associate director of the Career Resouce Center, speaks with Kapelus, whose world renowned agency has addressed issues of self esteem and beauty stereotypes with the Dove "Campaign for Real Beauty." Kapelus discussed how the advertising industry is shifting from talking at to listening to consumers. "Is Advertising Dead?" was ideal for students interested in careers in marketing, branding and advertising, as well as students who have…
Posted 05/27/07 Wesleyan's 75th Commencement Ceremonies were held on Sunday, May 27. Wesleyan conferred: 731 bachelor degrees, 25 master of arts degrees, 58 master of arts in liberal studies degrees and 14 Ph.D. degrees. During that ceremony, the following people received honorary degrees: Jewel Plummer Cobb is renowned as a teacher, a research biologist, and an advocate for the participation of women and members of minority groups in the sciences. A graduate of Talladega College, she earned her Ph.D. in cell physiology at New York University. Her scientific research has centered on factors influencing the growth, morphology, and genetic expression…