GRAND GRADUATION: Wesleyan University's 176th Commencement ceremony on May 25 awarded 737 undergraduates bachelor's degrees, 29 master of arts degrees in individual fields, 64 master of arts in liberal studies degrees and 12 Ph.Ds. Commencement speaker U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) spoke spoke about challenges graduating students faced from the daily "busyness" of their own lives to the needs for clean renewable power, more teachers for disadvantaged children, to rebuilding New Orleans. To Senator Obama's left is James van B. Dresser '63, chair of the Wesleyan Board of Trustees; to the Senator Obama's right is Michael Roth '78, president of…

CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL: Adam Black '09 leads a Japanese song titled "Sakura" during the Cherry Blossom Festival April 29 in the Mansfield Freeman Center for East Asian Studies. In Japan, "Hanami" is the traditional custom of celebrating the beauty of cherry blossoms with food, song and parties. Some celebrate the event by taking walks near the trees and renewing their spirits. Students, such as Elizabeth Goldgar '11, took turn reading poems during the festival, which was attended by more than 50 students from several majors. The students read poems in Japanese and translated them into English. Chia-Wei "Wade" Hsu '10…

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION: Wesleyan President Michael Roth speaks to the 102 attendees of the Wesleyan Employee Service Recognition Lunch for employees that have worked at the university for 20 years or more. The event, held inside Beckham Hall in the Fayerweather building, was coordinated by the Office of Human Resources. At left, Ilana Konerding, postal clerk at Wesleyan Station, celebrated her 23rd year at Wesleyan, and Rita Corsino, custodian in Physical Plant-Facilities, celebrated her 22nd year. Celebrating their 20-years plus are, from left: Gina Driscoll, associate director of development events; Vera Schwartz, the Mansfield Freeman Professor of East Asian Studies, chair…

BLOGS or WIKIS?: Kevin Wiliarty, academic technology coordinator, speaks on "Wesleyan Blogs and Wikis: What are they? How can I use them?" during the Academic Technology Roundtable March 3 in Olin Library. Wiliarty assists faculty and staff in the creation and maintenance of various professional webpages. He recommends users look into Web 2.0 technologies to collaborate on projects via the web. At left, Jamie Cohen-Cole, visiting assistant professor of history, speaks about his personal experience using Web 2.0 technologies. Faculty and staff can create their own accounts through Wesleyan's Electronic Portfolio. (Photos by Olivia Bartlett)

CLIMATE CHANGES: Jon Dickinson, the New York City Office of Environmental Coordination deputy director, delivers the keynote address for Focus the Nation, a nation-wide day of education, discussion and activism to address climate change, in Memorial Chapel Jan. 31. Wesleyan was one of 1,550 universities, schools, businesses, and places of worship that took part in Focus the Nation. Dickinson focused on proposed climate change, air and water quality, transportation and clean energy initiatives in the New York City area. To a full chapel audience, Dickinson said New York City's goal is "to have the cleanest air quality of every city…

OVER WINTER BREAK: Area children sled down Foss Hill after a gentle snow Jan. 14. Frosty trees near Exley Science Center. Ice-topping on the South College belfry. A winter walk near the front steps Olin Library and West College. A glistening-morning scene near Hall-Atwater and Shanklin laboratories. (Photos by Olivia Bartlett)

FROZEN IN TIME: A wintry mix created an icy glaze over Wesleyan's campus Dec. 3 following the first winter storm of the season. Freezing rain slowed commuters and resulted in power outages throughout much of Connecticut. A fall-bearing fruit glistens with Hall-Atwater Laboratory in the background. Ice-covered, heavy branches hang low on College Row. Pictured in back is the Center for American Studies. (Photos by Olivia Bartlett)

COLORFUL SEASON: Fall fades in an out on Wesleyan's campus. Pictured is the 200 Church Street student residence. Judd Hall. Davenport building. College Row. Hewitt residence halls.

SOUNDS OF EAST ASIA: The group IIIZ+ (Three Zee Plus) performed for an audience inside the Mansfield Freeman Center for East Asian Studies Oct. 11. From left to right are Ryuko Mizutani playing a Japanese koto; Yi-Chieh Lai, playing a Chinese zheng; Il-Ryun Chung playing Korean percussion; and Jocelyn Collette Clark '92 playing a Korean kayagum. Combining these instruments is not traditional in East Asia. Clark, who majored in East Asian studies, says the ensemble relies on collaborations with contemporary composers in order to build its repertoire. At left, Vera Schwarz, director of the Mansfield Freeman Center for East Asian…

  FIRST DAY FOR FROSH: Members of the Class of 2011 arrived on campus Aug. 28 during New Student Arrival Day. President Michael Roth welcomed new students to campus.  nformation packets were distributed in front of Exley Science Center. A week-long New Student Orientation program followed Arrival Day, which is designed to introduce the incoming class to the Wesleyan community and assist with the transition to university life. New students were immersed in information sessions, meeting with faculty and peer advisors, campus tours, arts events, field trips, dances and a barbecue. Jack Stewart, right, helps his daughter, Lia Stewart '11, unpack…