Campus News & Events

Two drawings by James McNeill Whistler, part of the Davison Art Center’s collection of more than 100 Whistler works, will be shown in a new documentary on the life of the painter. The sketches, one in pencil and one in pen and ink, will be seen in “James McNeill Whistler & The Case for Beauty,” premiering September 12 on PBS. They represent just a small part of Wesleyan’s extensive holdings of works on paper by Whistler, one of the most important American artists of the 19th century. “Whistler was crucial in making the connection between the Impressionists and British art,…

Oneiry, in sixth grade and 11 years old, liked the tie-dye experiment, where learning about the light and color also resulted in cool take-home T-shirts. Genesis, a nine-year-old fourth grader, really enjoyed the liquid nitrogen demonstration, especially the ice cream she got to make with it. And Julia, at 10 in fifth grade, had a good time making "gak," a substance that's not quite solid and not quite liquid - and slimy and fun. They were among 10 Middletown girls between fourth and sixth grade who participated in a girls' science camp sponsored by the Green Street Arts Center Aug. 4-8. The session,…

Wesleyan welcomes 12 new faculty members this fall. They are: Amanda Belichick, adjunct assistant professor of physical education, head coach of women's lacrosse. Karl Boulware, assistant professor of economics. Janet Burge, associate professor of computer science. Claire Grace, assistant professor of art history. Roger Grant, assistant professor of music. Laura Grappo, assistant professor of American studies. Kerwin Kaye, assistant professor of sociology. David Kuenzel, assistant professor of economics. Ioana Emilia Matesan, assistant professor of government. Victoria Pitts-Taylor, professor and chair of feminist, gender and sexuality studies. Jesse Torgerson, assistant professor of letters. Camilla Zamboni, adjunct instructor in Italian.

Newly hired Sarah Jean Chrystler was hired as coordinator for special events on July 1. Nara Giannella was hired as digital media specialist on July 1. Frederick Ludwig was hired as assistant football coach on July 1. Susannah Capron was hired as civic engagement fellow on July 7. Huanan Li was hired as post doctoral research associate in Physics on July 7. Shannon Nelson was hired as Center for Prison Education coordinator/fellow on July 7. Benjamin Wohl was hired as assistant dean of admission on July 7. Joseph Hopkins was hired as boiler tender on July 9. Lindsay Rush was…

Wesleyan's Economics Department hosted the 2014 Workshop in Macroeconomics Research in Liberal Arts Colleges on August 5-6. The conference brought together about 40 macroeconomists from liberal arts colleges around the country to present and discuss research, and exchange ideas about research and teaching. It aimed to increase productivity of macroeconomists at liberal arts colleges. It was organized by Wesleyan's Bill Craighead, assistant professor of economics; Pao-Lin Tien, assistant professor of economics; Masami Imai, professor of economics, professor of East Asian studies; and Richard Grossman, professor of economics. The Allbritton Center for the Study of Public Life also provided support. Past years' conferences have been held…

From a journalist who launched a publishing start-up, to the multifaceted designer of the “Fremont Troll,” to a noted international lawyer, scores of Cardinals took time last year to share their “This Is Why” stories with Wesleyan. That loyalty – and the many gifts also shared by alumni, parents and friends – led to a stellar year in the university’s fundraising campaign. Generous donors gave a total of $44.3 million in gifts and pledges in fiscal 2014. The campaign raised $43.8 million in cash, more than any previous year. And $25 million went directly into the endowment. Currently, giving to…

Water is the most ubiquitous fluid on Earth, and plays a foundational role in life as we know it. And yet the complexity of this seemingly simple molecule remains a vigorously debated area of scientific research to this day. Writing in the most recent issue of Nature Physics, Professor of Physics Francis Starr provides a commentary on recent research to uncover the mystery of water's unusual properties. "We all learn as children that oil and water don’t mix," Starr writes. " If there was only one fluid – say just the water – then "unmixing" should not even be a possibility. …

New students interested in math and the sciences, who want to get a jump start on their college experience, are taking advantage of a new program this summer. The Wesleyan Physical Sciences and Mathematics Scholars Program will welcome 11 students from the Class of 2018 to campus for its debut summer session July 27-Aug. 1. An additional 11 students will participate online. “We’re really excited to put this program into place,” said Ishita Mukerji, dean of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. “One common variable among all these scholars is a very strong interest in science.” (more…)

In this issue of The Wesleyan Connection, we talk to Debbie Colucci, who came to Wesleyan in June 2014 as the new equity compliance director and deputy Title IX coordinator. Q: Welcome to Wesleyan, Debbie! Please briefly fill us in on your professional and personal background. What makes you uniquely qualified to take on this position? A: Personally, I have always been committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment that addresses the needs of a diverse population and provides a rewarding experience for all individuals. I have a master’s degree in college student personnel and higher education administration and, while my career in…

Lori Gruen, chair and professor of philosophy, professor of environmental studies, professor of feminist, gender and sexuality studies, has been elected a fellow of the prestigious Hastings Center. The 45-year-old center, an independent bioethics research institute, addresses ethics in the areas of health, medicine and the environment. “I’m delighted to be elected a fellow of the Hastings Center,” Gruen said. “The research publications (from Hastings) are cutting edge, and have been an integral part of my teaching.” Gruen is coordinator of Wesleyan Animal Studies and director of the university’s Ethics in Society project, which aims to develop and foster teaching,…

The Wesleyan Media Project, which for the past two federal election cycles has tracked and analyzed campaign television ad spending, is expanding into the realm of health policy analysis with a new study examining media coverage accompanying the Fall 2013 rollout of the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance marketplace. The question of inquiry: How did media coverage of the ACA (commonly called “Obamacare”) differ state to state—or even within states—and what impact might this have on new health insurance enrollments? Findings were published July 18 in the Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law from Duke University Press. (more…)

Archaeology students are exploring the historic Beman Triangle this summer

Two Whistler Drawings from DAC to Be Featured in PBS Documentary

Middletown Students Get Taste of STEM at Wesleyan

Wesleyan Welcomes New Faculty

Staff on the Move, July 2014

Wesleyan Hosts Macroeconomics Research Workshop

Cardinals Share Stories, Gifts As Campaign Nears $350 Million

When Water “Unmixes”: Starr Commentary Published in Nature Physics

Wesleyan Launches Pilot Pre-Frosh Math and Science Program

Debbie Colucci is Equity Compliance Director, Deputy Title IX Coordinator

Gruen Elected Fellow of Hastings Center

Wesleyan Media Project Expands Into Health Policy Analysis

Croucher’s Middletown Dig Featured in Courant