Ellen Thomas, research professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences,  gathered evidence that Long Island Sound has been impacted by human activities. Posted 07/11/ 07 A Wesleyan researcher has discovered that nitrogen pollution may have altered the food chain in Long Island Sound. This can threaten habitats that support large commercial and recreational fisheries. Ellen Thomas, research professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, has, together with Wesleyan undergraduate students, gathered evidence that Long Island Sound has been impacted by human activities, including effluents from wastewater treatment plants, waste disposal and urban and agricultural runoff. These…

Seven students, including Zoe Holder '08 (top, center) and Consuelo Gonzales ’08 (center), traveled to Chuso, Peru this summer to volunteer at a local elementary school. Posted 07/11/ 07 Zoe Holder ’08 returned from a Peruvian trip this summer with knowledge of a new culture, and well-callused hands from jabbing rocky ground with a pick-ax.She and six other Wesleyan students volunteered to go to Chuso, Peru June 1-17 to help the small village with a community identified need. They are members of Wesleyan Without Borders, a group dedicated to doing volunteer work in developing countries, and keeping the Wesleyan community…

Posted 07/11/ 07 Chris Summers, textbook coordinator at Broad Street Books, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 6. He was a resident of Middletown. Chris joined the team at Broad Street Books in January 2006. He was an enormous asset to our store. He was extremely diligent and detail-oriented, and he thrived on the ability to help both students and faculty with their needs. For his co-workers at the store, this is a tremendous blow personally. Everyone who interacted with Chris was aware of his quick wit, intelligence and humanity. Chris is survived by his mother, Helen Morris Summers, three…

Andrea Roberts, visiting instructor of chemistry, has introduced "green" techniques into her organic chemistry laboratory sections. Students use fewer chemicals, producing less waste. Posted 06/20/07 At first glance, Wesleyan’s Organic Chemistry Laboratory doesn’t appear much different to the naked eye. But a closer look shows that virtually everything in the lab has changed. “We’re going green,” says Andrea Roberts, visiting instructor of chemistry and Ph.D candidate. “We’re promoting sustainability and teaching the leaders of tomorrow better ways to do chemistry.” Roberts started teaching the organic chemistry lab in Spring 2004, using a routine syllabus. The class had nine weeks of…

Posted 06/20/07 Magdalena Teter, assistant professor of history, will study religious groups of premodern Poland as a Radcliffe Institute Fellow in 2007-08. Teter was one of 32 women and 19 men selected by the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. Teter will work individually and across disciplines on projects chosen for both quality and long-term impact. Her project is titled “An Anatomy of Religious Violence: Jews and Christians in Premodern Poland.” She will research the close social interaction between Jews and Christians; the role of lay and religious instigators in exploiting religious sentiments; position of the accused Jews…

Bob 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…

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,…

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…

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 summer’s…