Olivia DrakeJim Lehrer P'85, anchor of The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, delivered the commencement address during ceremonies on May 27, 2007. His speech is below: Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am honored to be so honored, in such great company, by this great university. It means so much to me personally because I am the devoted father of a Wesleyan graduate, Lucy Lehrer, class of 1985. And she's sitting right over there. My first encounter with Wesleyan was because of Lucy and it was a most memorable one. My wife Kate and I had come here to take Lucy…
Posted 05/27/.07 The following remarks were made by by Wesleyan University President Douglas J. Bennet during the 175th commencement ceremony May 27, 2007. Welcome to the 731 members of the Class of 2007. Slava! Slava! Slava! And if you dont know what that means youll have to ask one of the students. They obviously knew of my love of Russian history. Welcome parents, family members, friends, and well-wishers. Welcome to our distinguished honorees. Welcome Wesleyan trustees, faculty and staff. Welcome alumni and your families, including Welcome to Wesleyans 175th Commencement. This is the last time as president I will have…
Posted 05/27/.07 (Click picture to open high-resolution picture. Large images are 300 DPI.) Chair of the Board of Trustees Jim Dresser '63 and Wesleyan President Douglas Bennet. Photo credit: Bill Burkhart Honorary Degree recipient and speaker Jim Lehrer P'85. Photo credit: Bill Burkhart Honorary Degree recipient Nobutaka Machimura. Photo credit: Bill Burkhart Honorary Degree recipient Alan Dachs '70, P'98 speaking in front of the Douglas Cannon. Photo credit: Bill Burkhart Honorary Degree recipient Rosa DeLauro. Photo credit: Bill Burkhart Honorary Degree recipient Jewell Cobb P'79. Photo credit: Bill Burkhart Honorary Degree recipient Thomas Malone. Photo credit: Bill Burkhart Doug…
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…
Nishita Roy '07 is one of five Wesleyan students to receive Fulbright Fellowships for the 2007-08 academic year. She will study economics in Cairo, Egypt. Posted 05/16/07 International politics major Nishita Roy '07 will graduate this May, but before she begins a career in international development, she will have the opportunity to conduct independent economic research in Egypt. As a Wesleyan Fulbright Scholar, Roy will study at the American University in Cairo during the 2007-08 academic year. She is among nine Wesleyan students and alumni named 2007-08 Fulbright Scholars. This is a record number for Wesleyan. I hope that…
Posted 05/16/07 When she first came to Wesleyan, Holly Wood 08 never considered going to graduate school. But after a few Wesleyan professors offered encouragement and guidance, Wood has changed her plans and is looking into doctorate programs. I've been very fortunate to have access to a couple of extremely affable professors who were dedicated to helping me achieve my goals, Wood says. As a newly-named Beinecke Scholar, Wood will receive more than $30,000 towards her graduate education. Eventually, she hopes to become a professor of sociology. Wood, who is majoring in sociology and government, is among 20 students across…
Picnics, entertainment, dances and get-togethers are all part of Reunion and Commencement Weekend, which kicks off May 24. Posted 05/16/07 Picnics, seminars, a parade of classes, alumni luncheons, campus walking tours, rock concerts, academic department open houses, and graduation ceremonies are all part of the 2007 Reunion and Commencement Weekend May 24-27. All Wesleyan alumni, students, staff, faculty and friends are invited to the three-day event, which will conclude Wesleyans yearlong celebration of its 175th anniversary. Reunion and Commencement weekends are partly about Wesleyan's past and present, says President Doug Bennet. We come together from across the Wesleyan map to…
More than 280 students received awards during the 2007 Academic Scholarships, Fellowships and Prizes awards ceremony May 8. Posted 05/16/07 During the 2007 Academic Scholarships, Fellowships and Prizes awards ceremony May 8 in Russell House, Maggie Filler 07 received the Camp Prize for excellence in English literature; Jeremy Marks 07 was honored with a Leavell Memorial Prize for film studies; and Per Stinchcombe 08 received the Rae Shortt Prize for excellence in mathematics. Kristen Haller 08 received the Thorndike Prize for excellence in psychology and John Burruss 07 was honored for his thesis on an American studies topic. At the…
Posted 05/16/07 Beth Ogata '09 has the power pedal power that is to raise awareness for American housing needs. She will be one of 90 college students riding coast-to-coast this summer to support the non-profit organization, Habitat for Humanity. This is her third year making the cross-country trek. She will accompanied by Jessalee Landfried '07, Liana Woskie '10. The 13th annual Habitat Bicycle Challenge (HBC) will generate approximately $430,000 in proceeds, enough to underwrite the construction of eight Habitat homes. HBC riders will also raise awareness of Habitat's work throughout the country as they pedal to end poverty…
Posted 05/16/07 Applauded by friends, family, faculty members and administrators, Wesleyans graduating Mellon Mays Fellows were honored at a banquet held on May 12 in the Russell House. As participants in the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship program, these students have been identified as students of great promise. Wesleyan and the Fellowship are helping them become scholars of the highest distinction as they pursue Ph.Ds in core fields in the arts and sciences. The senior Fellows are Gustavo Furtado, Meenasarani (Linde) Murugan, Acacia Stevens and Roberto (Tito) Soto-Carrión. In attendance were three of the junior fellowsMichael Bolds, Mark Leonida, and R.J.…
Posted 05/16/07 Wesleyan is donating more than $135,000 to the Middlesex United Way Campaign this year. Middlesex United Way supports critical human care services and county-wide projects that improve community conditions. Funds were raised through the annual Wesleyan Employee Campaign. This year, 45 percent of all employees made a donation, with the average gift of $252. Wesleyan has 43 staff and faculty members in the Leadership Circle. This year, these leaders gave $65,476 or 48.5 percent of the total. A number of departments had 100 percent participation including the Center for the Arts, Classical Studies Department, Office of International Studies,…
Krishna Winston, the Marcus L. Taft Professor of German Language and Literature, has been appointed the next dean of the Arts and Humanities. Posted 05/15/07 Krishna Winston, the Marcus L. Taft Professor of German Language and Literature, has been appointed the next dean of the Arts and Humanities. Winston will begin her four-year term in July. In her 37-year career at Wesleyan, Winston has proven to be a tireless university citizen, says Joe Bruno, vice president for Academic Affairs and provost. Winston has served on many committees and is currently the chair of the Educational Policy Committee. She coordinates the…