Frederic Wills '19Tushar Irani, associate professor of philosophy, associate professor of letters, recently published an essay titled “What is good rhetoric?” for Aeon, a digital magazine for culture and ideas. Related to his current book, Plato on the Value of Philosophy, the essay calls on the public to consider the civic good that rhetoric serves in democratic politics, and the effect it may have on our ability to engage in independent thought. The essay discusses the difference between good and bad political rhetoric. By drawing on Plato’s understanding of persuasive speech, Irani draws a distinction between flattering rhetoric and “self-moving” rhetoric. The…
Olivia DrakeThe Wesleyan Green Team hosted a mini-trash bin workshop and discussion for faculty and staff on March 20. Dawn Alger, Theater Department administrative assistant and Green Team member, and Jen Kleindienst, sustainability director, led the workshop. Mini-bins are small containers that are used in place of standard waste receptacles. They encourage recycling and reduce the number of trash can liners used on campus. The Green Team provided craft supplies including cleaned coffee containers, colored paper, stickers, yarn, magazines, glue and scissors. Participants also discussed campus recycling efforts while designing their mini-bin. “We’d love to see all staff and faculty members at…
You may not know it, but Office 365 is here and available to you. Office 365 is the Microsoft suite of online and locally installed applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as many others. The online suite is available to everyone on campus through the Office 365 link in Portal under Campus Applications or by going to portal.office365.com, where you may login with your full email address. Mobile versions are available in the GooglePlay and Apple AppStore. Karen Warren, deputy chief information officer, says that ITS is working department by department to migrate faculty and staff email…
Nine Wesleyan students and one student from Yale Divinity school participated in an interfaith service trip March 19-24 in northern New Jersey. Wesleyan Chaplain Rev. Tracy Mehr-Muska coordinated the trip. The group stayed at a camp, and also worked at the camp while in New Jersey. In addition, they served meals at a soup kitchen, volunteered at a community thrift shop, and helped out at a farm sanctuary for unwanted/rescued farm animals. They also visited Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty and discussed immigration, refugee rights and religious freedom. The students visited and had in-depth discussions with members of…
In this Q&A, we speak with Teshia Levy-Grant, a 2000 Wesleyan alumna and the dean for equity and inclusion. Q: Teshia, when did you come to Wesleyan and what were hired as? A: I arrived at Wesleyan about three years ago. I initially started as the director for Upward Bound Math and Science and Pre-College Access programs. Q: You’re a 2000 alumna. What made you want to return to Wesleyan for your career? A: I credit Wesleyan for my interest in social justice. It was while I was here as a student that I learned to value and appreciate difference.…
Academic Affairs will host two happy hours for faculty and staff this spring. The first will be held on Friday, April 28 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on the patio of the Center for African American Studies, and the second will be held on Friday, May 12, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on the Church Street patio of the Exley Science Center.
This spring, Wesleyan joined Campus Compact, a coalition of more than 1,000 colleges and universities nationwide, to advance the public purpose of Wesleyan by deepening its ability to improve community life and to educate students for civic and social responsibility. In March, President Michael Roth signed onto to Campus Compact's Civic Action Plan. Cathy Lechowicz, director of the Jewett Center for Community Partnerships, and other members of the Civic Action Plan steering committee, are leading conversations on campus and in the community to create an actionable plan to realize Wesleyan's goals. Lechowicz publishes posts about the process on Wesleyan's ENGAGE blog. "We want to hear…
This spring, the Department of Athletics is offering Wesleyan Community Racquet & Fitness, a new fitness initiative at the Rosenbaum Squash Center. Both individual and small group lessons will be available. Classes will be taught by Assistant Squash Coach Tim Bacon, a certified squash, tennis and badminton coach. Bacon is a former world #23 in Racketlon and has taught all five major racquet sports since 1977. Offered classes include: Racquet Sport FUNdamentals for Children ages 10 – 17 (Age appropriate smaller racquets and slower, bouncier balls played in fun games and activities are used to teach physical literacy and FUNdamentals…
In this Q&A, we speak with Sherri Condon, accounting specialist for Auxiliary Operations and Campus Services. Q: Sherri, when were you hired at Wesleyan, and what were you hired as? A: I was hired Sept. 24, 2001 as an admin assistant III for Rental Properties. Q: What accounts do you oversee in Auxiliary Operations and Campus Services? A: I oversee the non-academic departments: housing, transportation, dining, vending, laundry and Wes Card; I am a first contact for risk, for auto accidents. I also collect and reconcile the faculty, staff and graduate rents for on-campus housing. Q: I understand you're involved…
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A tennis court renovation, a cooling tower replacement, and an informal outdoor classroom construction are among Physical Plant-Facilities projects this summer. Physical Plant-Facility's capital projects will include: Comprehensive Energy Phase 10 – LED lighting upgrades to Exley Science Center and other efficiency measures. Tennis Court Renovation – replacing half the courts and repairing the other half as a partnership with the City of Middletown. The RJJulia Wesleyan Bookstore at 413 Main Street. 116 Mt. Vernon – Renovate and convert to Shapiro Writing Center. Renovations to selected science offices and facilities Informal Learning and Outdoor Classrooms – improvements campuswide to refresh underutilized…
The Office of Human Resources reports the following hires, transitions and departures from January through April: Hires Seirra Fowler, director of health education on Jan. 3. Shelissa Newball, associate director of student activities and leadership development on Jan. 5. Rhoanne Esteban, data analyst in university relations on Jan. 9. Jacob Gonzalez, STEM Career Advisor in the Gordon Career Center on Jan. 9. Andrew Harazim, athletic facility maintenance person on Jan. 9. Katie Scheinberg, psychiatric nurse practitioner for CAPS on Feb. 6. Tania Inturrisi, budget analyst in financial planning on Jan. 9. Sarah Curran, director of the Center for the Arts…