Olivia DrakeDuring the academic year, Wesleyan's Green Team is researching, communicating and implementing effective strategies that increase sustainability within their own departments and the university. Since 2014, the team has started sharing a "Green Minute" at Administrative Assistant meetings; purchased utensils to distribute to staff at annual meetings; installed a water cooler in Woodhead Lounge; encourages staff to bring their own cup or mug to meetings; received funding to install cabinets to house dishes in Woodhead Lounge to be used for key events; and encouraged the placement of houseplants in office spaces. They're currently focusing their efforts on managing waste sustainability, making sustainable purchases, reducing energy in their departments…
Lauren Rubenstein“There is no single ‘right way’ to be an environmentalist.” This is the philosophy of the Wesleyan Green Fund, which since 2010 has provided financial support to a wide range of sustainability projects on campus. Overseen by six to eight students, and advised by Sustainability Director Jennifer Kleindienst, the Green Fund has received 50 proposals for grants from over 30 organizations and individuals this year alone, and distributed close to $100,000 in funding. The money distributed by the Green Fund comes from a $15 per semester opt-out fee paid by students along with tuition. About 90 percent of students participate,…
In a story about the spread of microgrids in Connecticut, The Hartford Courant points to Wesleyan as a leader. Wesleyan's microgrid was the first project to come online under the inaugural round of Connecticut's first-in-the-nation statewide microgrid pilot program. According to the Courant, the $23 million state program to create a network of mini power generation plants across Connecticut was prompted by Tropical Storm Irene and Hurricane Sandy, which caused widespread power outages, flooding and other problems. In the case of a widespread power outage, microgrids can continue providing power to water treatment plants, emergency shelters, hospitals, police and fire stations. The Courant interviewed Alan Rubacha, director of Wesleyan's…
In her latest essay on The Huffington Post, Professor of Anthropology Gina Athena Ulysse takes on the matter of U.S. foreign food aid policy vis-a-vis Haiti, which she writes is undermining farmers in the Caribbean nation. She focuses on mamba, the Kreyòl word for peanut butter, which she fondly recalls being made by locals when she was growing up in Haiti. "To me, mamba is as quintessentially Haitian as basketball is (North) American. Now, it faces risks as another charitable gift of food aid undermines Haitian autonomy by threatening to bench local farmers’ peanuts production, our cultural practices, and even our tastes," she writes. "This is not…
Lin-Manuel Miranda '02 has won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize in Drama for his hit musical, Hamilton, directed by Thomas Kail '99. According to Playbill, Hamilton "joins an exclusive club of just eight other musicals that have won the prestigious award since it was founded nearly a century ago." The awards were announced April 18
The Pulitzer is awarded to "a distinguished play by an American author, preferably original in its source and dealing with American life." It includes a $10,000 cash prize.
On April 12, the Purchasing Office organized a Green Vendor Show to showcase ecologically-minded businesses and promote new sustainable products and services awareness. Representatives visited from WB Mason, 3M, Proshred Security, Gateway Limo, Ricoh, Sun Services, Raymour & Flanigan, Polar Beverages, KIND Snack Bars and more. "Members of the Wesleyan community were welcome to stop by and learn about new products and services and ways they might save money for their departments," said organizer Olga Bookas, director of purchasing. Participants left with many free samples and raffle prizes. (more…)
During WesFest, April 13-15, the Office of Admission invited all Class of 2020 admitted students and their families to visit Wesleyan and experience university life first-hand. The three-day celebration allowed admitted students to explore the diverse opportunities that a Wesleyan education has to offer. Activities included campus tours, an all-campus barbecue, student band performances, a Student Activities Fair, department open houses, daily fitness classes, student-to-student and parent-to-parent panels, an a cappella concert, opportunities to attend classes and academic department open houses, and much more! Alumni Keynote Speaker, Bozoma Saint John '99, head of global consumer marketing for Apple Music and…
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On April 7, more than 600 Wesleyan alumni from the classes of 2006-2015 attended a GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) party to spend time with friends and raise funds for Wesleyan. Parties were held in Beijing, Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, Denver, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, New Haven, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Shanghai, Singapore, and Washington D.C. This year’s GOLD Challenge response exceeded last year’s, with more than 500 young alumni making a gift to Wesleyan! View GOLD party images below and online in this Wesleyan Flickr album or on this Facebook gallery. (more…)
Lisa Dierker, professor of psychology, director of pilot programs for the Center for Pedagogical Innovation, and Ishita Mukerji, the Fisk Professor of Natural Science, professor of molecular biology and biochemistry, professor of integrative sciences, were both honored at the 12th annual Women of Innovation Awards. Presented by the Connecticut Technology Council, the awards celebrate the energy, creativity and success of women and students from Connecticut's science and technology community. Both professors were honored in the category of Academic Innovation and Leadership. The celebration was held April 6 in Plantsville, Conn. Dierker was honored for her work developing a curriculum to introduce students to…
Registration for Wesleyan’s Reunion & Commencement Weekend is open! (Register online here prior to May 6.) From May 19-22, alumni, parents, students and families can participate in reunion gatherings, a festival on Foss Hill, WesSeminars, THIS IS WHY campaign dedications and celebrations, stargazing, a conversation with President Michael Roth ’78, a parade of classes, an all-campus college sing and campus party, the 184th Commencement Ceremony and much more. View the entire schedule of events online here. Classes celebrating their reunions are those ending in a "1" or "6," and the weekend celebrates the graduating class of 2016. All alumni planning to attend…