Olivia DrakeOctober 27, 20093min
Under beaming spotlights and surrounded by video cameras and an audience holding their breath in anticipation, Max Nussenbaum ’12 pondered a single question: "What is the one-word title of the 2009 book whose subtitle is "A History of the Propitious Esculent"? A. Nitrogen, B. Penicillin, C. Potato or D. Gold. "Obviously I have no idea … I feel like it would be something kind of funny, like a potato. That would be a clever title to a book," said Nussenbaum during a recent episode of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? After using two "lifelines" on the popular television quiz…

Brian KattenOctober 27, 20096min
Wesleyan men’s soccer has accomplished two feats never before witnessed by Cardinal faithful: they have yet to lose after 15 games, and have set a school record for shutouts in a season. Now they are looking for a NESCAC title, something that has only been done once before (in 2005) by Wesleyan Men’s Soccer. Their campaign has in no way been easy. They opened the year on Sept. 12 facing perennial power and Little Three rival Williams College on the road. In that match the Cardinals came back after being down 1-0 to forge a 1-1 tie. Over the eight…

Olivia DrakeOctober 20, 20092min
Zak Kirwood ’12, a volunteer with Planned Parenthood of Connecticut, was awarded the 2009 Planned Parenthood Federation of America Young Volunteer of the Year award. During his senior year at Amity Regional High School in Woodbridge, Conn., Kirwood volunteered for Planned Parenthood and was recruited for the organization's Students Teaching About Responsible Sexuality (S.T.A.R.S.) peer education program. S.T.A.R.S. educators speak to members of their communities about sexual health issues. "I would act as a resource in my high school - handing out condoms, and information about sexual health and rights," Kirwood said during his award acceptance speech in Houston, Texas.…

Olivia DrakeOctober 8, 20093min
For 15 days, Nathaniel Draper ’12 mingled with top filmmakers at the Cannes Film Festival while participating in educational workshops, seminars, pitch sessions, roundtable discussions and screenings. He also happened to pick up an award for a film of his own while he was there. As a student intern at the 62nd annual Cannes Film Festival, held May 13-24 in southern France, Draper had a hands-on opportunity to explore the film industry through the prism of perhaps it most prestigious international event. "It was, to put it lightly, a surreal experience," Draper recalls. "I was able to meet iconic directors…

Olivia DrakeSeptember 22, 20093min
Every October, Wesleyan's Jewish community dwells in a temporary structure built for the festival of Sukkot. For eight days, students study, socialize, mediate, eat, host events and occasionally sleep in the religious building. This holiday, the Jewish students will celebrate the Israelites 40-year journey to the Holy Land inside an airy, five-mound curving structure of carbon-steel clad in bamboo. Designed by 15 students enrolled in Architecture II, a research-design-build studio, the "WesSukkah" provides a sacred space that adheres to a complex, medieval Rabbinic building code. "The students have crafted something which is both compelling and meaningful for Wesleyan's campus," explains…

Olivia DrakeSeptember 22, 20093min
During the summer recess, amateur gardeners Sierra Bintliff ’12 and Nat Lichten ’09 seeded rows, weeded, irrigated, and tended fruits, vegetables and livestock at a small organic farm near St. Joseph's College in Standish, Maine. A bulk of the bounty was harvested for St. Joseph's dining services, managed by Bon Appétit Management Company, the same business that oversees Wesleyan dining. "I was thrilled at the opportunity to work for a company whose mission statement embodies the ideal combination of my two passions: sustainability and food," says Bintliff, who works as a Bon Appétit catering employee at Wesleyan. "While working on…

Olivia DrakeSeptember 3, 20092min
Noah Klein-Markman ’13 learned his first lesson at Wesleyan 20 minutes after arriving on campus. "I already lost the key," he said, carrying in two armloads of belongings. "I think I left the key inside the room." Klein-Markman, of Berkley, Calif., was one of the first students to move into the Butterfield Residence Hall during the Class of 2013 Arrival Day Sept. 1. He joined more than 800 other first-year, transfer, exchange and visiting students in the class. His mother, Laura Klein '78; father Henry Markman; and brother Sam Klein-Markman assisted Noah with the early morning move. The family dog,…