Lauren RubensteinNewly 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…
Kate CarlisleFrom 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
A June 10 note to the President’s Office at Wesleyan grabbed attention—Harvard’s Office of Undergraduate Education wanted help in quickly obtaining 125 copies of Michael Roth’s new book to distribute to Harvard faculty members. The email was indicative of the excitement that Roth’s latest book, Beyond the University: Why Liberal Education Matters (Yale University Press), has generated since it was published in May. The sixth book that Roth has authored, it has received substantial coverage in the national media and has helped put into historical context today’s debates over the value of a broad, liberal education. Roth reminds readers that accusations…
Olivia DrakeThe Office of Human Resources reported the following new hires and departures for June 2014: Newly hired Maureen Zimmer was hired as the Academic Affairs coordinator on June 2. Felicia Harrsch was hired as a research assistant on June 2. Kendrick Wiggins was hired as a residential operations coordinator on June 2. Lauren Davis was hired as a human resources coordinator/generalist on June 16. Hira Jafri ’13, MA’14 was hired as an evaluation fellow/assistant on June 18. Deborah Colucci was hired as the equity compliance director and Title IX coordinator on June 23. Jeanne McNeff was hired as an administrative assistant for the College of East…
Wesleyan’s Posse Foundation Veteran Scholars attended an academic immersion and campus visit July 10-11. The 10 scholars are funded by The Posse Foundation, which supports students with a four-year, full-tuition leadership scholarship.