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Artistic creations by four Wesleyan alumni are displayed as part of the National Portrait Gallery’s landmark exhibit, Michael Jackson on the Wall. The contemporary art exhibition, which closes on Oct. 21, explores the influence of pop-music icon Michael Jackson and spans several generations of artists across all media. The exhibition opened to coincide with what would have been Jackson’s 60th birthday, on Aug. 29, 2018. The exhibit occupies 14 rooms and includes the works of Glenn Ligon ’82, Jonathan Horowitz ’87, Michael Gittes '10, and Lyle Ashton Harris ’88. The Wesleyan alumni are among 48 artists who have their work displayed,…

Wesleyan's newest students and their families are welcomed to the Wesleyan community during a series of Summer Sendoffs held July 19 to Aug. 15. Alumni and parents are hosting the events at various locations around the world including Boston; Beijing; Hong Kong; New York City; Mumbai; Seattle; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; and more. All members of the Wesleyan community are invited to attend the casual socials. Pictured below are photos from a few of the gatherings. Cecilia ’91 and Greg McCall hosted a Summer Sendoff in Fairfield, Conn. on Aug. 14. Carmen Cheung ’05 and Alecia Ng ’14 organized the Hong Kong Summer…

As a 2018-19 U.S.-Korea NextGen Scholar, Joan Cho, assistant professor of East Asian studies, will develop public policy skills and learn how to provide commentary and expertise on issues related to Korea. The U.S.-Korea NextGen Scholars Program is a unique two-year non-resident program that provides opportunities for mid-career Korea specialists to discuss issues of importance to U.S.-Korea relations with policymakers, government officials, and opinion leaders in Korea and the United States, learn how to effectively engage with the media, participate in the policymaking process, gain experience as public intellectuals helping to bridge the scholarly and policy communities, and address issues…

Michelle Personick, assistant professor of chemistry, is the recipient of a three-year, $339,000 Young Investigator Program grant funded by the U.S. Army Research Office. Personick will use the funds to support her nanoparticle research, which ultimately may protect military soldiers from hazardous chemicals and materials. The Army’s Young Investigator Program is designed to identify and support talented scientists and engineers who show exceptional promise for doing creative research, in order to encourage their teaching and research careers. The program is open to U.S. citizens, Nationals, and resident aliens holding tenure-track positions at U.S. universities and colleges, who have held their graduate…

In The Comeback: Greg LeMond, the True King of American Cycling, and a Legendary Tour de France (Atlantic Monthly Press, June 2018), journalist Daniel De Visé ’89 has written "a sprint through a big swatch of cycling history, focusing on racer Greg LeMond's triumphant return from disaster," according to Kirkus Review. In this Q&A below, he traces his path from a childhood love of the sport to Wesleyan, and through the journey of this book. Read an excerpt from his book online. Q: Tell us about your time at Wesleyan. What was your major? A: It was as much fun as I’ve…

As the Tour de France continues, we hope you enjoy this excerpt from the book by Daniel De Visé ’89, which chronicles Greg LeMond's 1989 victory. Kirkus Review writes, “It's a pleasure to ride in the peloton alongside LeMond, who emerges from this account as America’s once-and-future cycling great.” Also see our exclusive Q&A with the author. (more…)

The campus community now has the ability to tell time the way Egyptians did more than 3.500 years ago—by using light and shadows. A modern-day sundial, which mimics those used throughout history, now hangs on the south side of the Van Vleck Observatory’s 24-inch Perkin telescope. The six-foot-square structure is fabricated from 3/16-inch thick Muntz metal bronze with stainless steel reinforcing. "Campus doesn't have enough outside art," said Joyce Jacobsen, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. "A sundial is a perfect piece because it's not only aesthetically pleasing but it's functional too." Bill Herbst, John Monroe Van Vleck Professor of…

This month, students tending Wesleyan's Long Lane Farm are harvesting a bounty of fresh vegetables, herbs, fruits, and duck eggs. From 3 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday, members of the Wesleyan and local community can purchase these organic garden goodies at an on-site farmer's market, located at 243 Long Lane. Long Lane Farm is Wesleyan’s own student-run organic farm devoted to allowing students a place to experiment and learn about sustainable agriculture. The produce also is sold at local farmer's markets, donated to Amazing Grace Food Pantry, or served to students in Usdan. Long Lane Farm was founded in 2003 by a group…

Ellen Paik ’16, an analyst at Goldman Sachs, teamed up with three colleagues to pitch New Story, an organization working on developing low-cost housing solutions via 3D printing technology, to Goldman Sachs’ CEO and Partnership Committee as part of the Analyst Impact Fund, a global firmwide competition. The prize: a grant to the finalist teams’ selected nonprofits. The event was broadcasted live online on Yahoo Finance (see Paik's team come in around 38 minutes). Paik’s group placed second in the global finals and earned New Story $75,000 in support of the organization’s 3D printing initiative. The grant will go towards building…

Forty-three Wesleyan alumni, students, parents, and friends gathered in London on July 3 for a reception featuring artist Michael Gittes ’10. Gittes, an American studies major, discussed his work, which is being displayed as part of the National Portrait Gallery’s exhibit, Michael Jackson on the Wall. For the exhibit, Gittes created an experimental video. In addition, alumni Glenn Ligon ’82, Jonathan Horowitz ’87, and Lyle Ashton Harris ’88 also have works exhibited in the gallery. (more…)

On June 25, American studies major Casey Rothschild '20 became the youngest woman, and only the third woman this season, to complete the course on NBC's American Ninja Warrior. The 20-year-old, who hails from Holliston, Mass., is a former member of Wesleyan's women's track and field team, where she holds the triple jump record. She trains three times a week at Real Life Ninja Academy in Windsor, Conn., and New Era Ninjas in Hamden, Conn. For the summer, she is working as a gymnastics and circus aerial arts coach at a camp in Massachusetts. After tackling six obstacles, including foam steps, spinning bow…

In this recurring feature in The Wesleyan Connection, we highlight some of the latest news stories about Wesleyan and our alumni. Recent Wesleyan News NBC's American Ninja Warrior: Youngest Woman to Hit Buzzer: Casey Rothschild Rothschild '20 competed in the NBC television show's Philadelphia qualifiers, becoming the youngest woman to ever finish a course when she hit the buzzer at 4:57. Rothschild has been training for years and uses the moniker Circus Ninja because of her background in circus arts. Read Rothschild's interview with The Hartford Courant. 2. The Washington Post: This Is What It Feels Like to Be Separated at the Border Victoria Smolkin,…

Art by 4 Alumni Featured in Popular Michael Jackson Exhibit

Class of 2022 Welcomed at Summer Sendoffs Worldwide

Cho Named U.S.-Korea NextGen Scholar

Personick Honored with Young Investigator Program Award from Army Research Office

De Visé ’89 on the Tour de France, Greg LeMond, and Heroes (Addendum 10/02/2019)

Excerpt: De Visé ’89’s The Comeback: Greg LeMond, The True King of American Cycling, and a Legendary Tour de France

Sundial Sculpture Installed on Van Vleck Observatory

Fresh Organic Produce Grown, Sold by Wesleyan Students

Paik ’16 Wins Goldman Sachs Funds for 3D-Printed Housing Nonprofit

Alumni Gather in London for Artists Reception, Honoring Gittes ’10

Rothschild ’20 Youngest Woman to Complete American Ninja Warrior Course

Wesleyan in the News