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Andrew Meier ’85 admits that an important part of his work as a journalist and writer is “chasing ghosts.” The Morgenthau family – counselors to presidents, participants in international diplomacy and important players in the criminal justice system – have given him plenty to chase. "They were a family that was kind of invisible to most Americans … they were really integral for a hundred years at the highest level of American political power. I don’t know any family that can really match that,” Meier said. In his newest book, Morgenthau: Power, Privilege, and the Rise of an American Dynasty,…

During the 2015-16 school year nearly 10 percent of Connecticut public school children met the criteria for being chronically absent. The disruption COVID-19 wrought on education only exacerbated the problem. The Connecticut State Department of Education launched the Learner Engagement and Attendance Program (LEAP) in April 2021 to help address these issues. In 15 school districts throughout the state, school officials and representatives from local non-profit agencies conducted home visits with almost 9,000 students who were considered chronically absent. School officials often assisted families with food, job placement, or just general support to remove any external barriers to school attendance.…

For most people, microbes are something to be observed under a microscope, but for Raquel Bryant, Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences, they provide insight into the way that the world around us works. “Collective action is actually possible,” Bryant said, “This is something I learned from microbes.” Strength in numbers is something that Bryant, who studies deep time interactions between life, the ocean, and the climate, sees as an essential principle of both activism and science. Learn more about Bryant in Madeleine Dickman '23's profile, posted at the Inclusion in STEM blog.

The 2023 Equity & Inclusion Week, hosted by the Office for Equity & Inclusion, will offer a series of talks, workshops and film screenings intended to foster fellowship, understanding, and collective community learning. “At Wesleyan we hold these values around celebrating and honoring that our community is as diverse as it is. I think we can live out that commitment by continuing to engage identities that are different from ours and also by creating opportunities for folks who have historically been marginalized to be able to come together and share their experience with one another, find support from one another,…

Deep philosophical ideas aren’t the only things Hedding Professor of Moral Science Joseph T. Rouse has been dueling with as of late. Rouse has been training for the United States Veteran Fencing team, a team comprised of fencers over the age of 70. His first national qualifier this season will take place in January at the North American Cup in Louisville, Kentucky. His first bout a year ago against the current world champion in his age group ended in a loss, but Rouse thinks he's got more than a fighting chance, having beaten his opponent the last two times they…

In the face of global climate and environmental crises, Elon Musk wants to launch humanity to Mars. His fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos believes we should build artificial space pods between the Earth and the Moon to increase the resources we need for our technologically soaked lives. They were the only ones who could save humanity from a dire end, they sort of said (and, perhaps, making a tidy profit for themselves in the process.) The messianic vibes were unmistakable. The thought of this baffled Mary-Jane Rubenstein, professor of religion. “The more I learned about the contemporary state of things in…

Eudice Chong '18, one of greatest individual competitors in the history of Wesleyan Athletics, competed in the 2023 Australian Open qualifiers. She lost to Carol Zhao of Canada 6-3, 6-2. Chong holds the distinction of being the first Wesleyan women’s tennis player to compete in a Grand Slam event. Chong’s career trajectory has been on the rise the past several years. Her Women’s Tennis Association ranking has increased, and she used the pandemic disruption wisely, training for 18 months at the Hong Kong Sports Institute. As a result, Chong has been playing the best tennis of her professional career heading…

By Dr. Jennifer D’Andrea, Director of Counseling and Psychological Services The holidays can be a time of relaxation, joy, and connection with loved ones. They can also be a time of stress, sadness, and loneliness. Over the next six weeks, we won’t see as much of each other as we normally do. Many members of our community will take time away from Wesleyan to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends, while others will remain on campus to rest and catch up on individual projects. Whatever our plans may be, we may find ourselves struggling. This time of year, most…

In this continuing series, we review alumni books and offers a selection for those in search of knowledge, insight, and inspiration. The volumes, sent to us by alumni, are forwarded to Olin Library as donations to the University’s collection and made available to the Wesleyan community. Carter Bays ’97, The Mutual Friend (Penguin Random House, 2022) It’s the summer of 2015, and 28-year-old Alice Quick needs to get to work. She has three months to study for the MCAT, and if she can just keep her eyes on the prize, she can start chasing her dream of becoming a doctor. A…

Without using words, movement can tell stories and communicate complex emotions. Wesleyan students across different class years presented new group works focusing on a diversity of techniques, methods, and aesthetic approaches in the Winter Dance Concert “11 Short Stories” on December 9 and 10 in the Center for the Arts Theater. Dance makers from the class DANC 250 “Dance Composition: Choreography Workshop,” taught by Assistant Professor of the Practice in Dance Joya Powell, focused this past fall on the process of making a dance in a theatrical setting. Similar to a collection of short stories by different authors, the resulting…

Wesleyan University’s picturesque campus takes on a new glow when the first snow falls. Students are busy wrapping up the semester and now there is just enough snow on Foss Hill to allow for a sled run – a rite of passage for Wesleyan students across the generations. Photos by James Sims.

An informal poll of a group of three- to five-year-old kids at the recently opened Neighborhood Preschool concluded that the best part of their new school is that they get a chance to climb indoors. And play in the pretend kitchen. The blocks and trains aren’t too bad either. And they like being able to go on the playground. Really, they just like the whole thing. “You seem pretty excited about it, buddy,” a dad said to his son. “Yeah!” the child responded. The students and their teachers, architects, and staff members gathered on Thursday, December 8 to cut a…

Q&A With Andrew Meier ’85, Author of “Morgenthau”

Research Shows New Program Helps Prevent Chronic Absenteeism

Strength in Numbers and the Power of Microbes: Meet Raquel Bryant

Equity and Inclusion Week 2023

Professor Parries With Ideas and Opponents

New Book Explores Corporate Space Race

Chong ’18 Competes in 2023 Australian Open

Support Your Mental Health: Advice for the Holidays

“You Just Have to Read This…” Books by Wesleyan Authors Bays ’97, Donaldson ’85, and White ’93

Students Share Personal Experiences Through Dance

A Welcoming Wesleyan Sight: The First Snow of 2022

Neighborhood Preschool Opens