In a recent piece in The New York Times that reports on the rapid expansion of American Sign Language (ASL) classes in American universities and colleges, Emily Brown ’12 comments on her experience and enjoyment learning ASL. “I imagine myself painting pictures in the air,” Brown says. “It feels more poetic than other languages.”
Tag Archive for The New York Times
Exhibit at Davison Art Center Lauded
by David Pesci •
‘Art and Appetite’ a new exhibit at Wesleyan’s Davison Art Center was enthusiastically reviewed in The New York Times recently. The review says that the exhibit goes beyond the “joy of looking at cooking” with many of the art works displayed are “less about food than is absence.” Artists featured include Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg, Käthe Kollwitz, Walker Evans, Pieter van der Heyden, among others. The exhibit runs through Dec. 12.
Yohe: Better Climate Change Communications Needed
by David Pesci •
A recent New York Times piece reports the call by scientists, communications professionals and others for the creation of “a nonpartisan education service aimed at helping organizations and governments make informed decisions about climate change.” The article cites Gary Yohe, Huffington Foundation Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies, who discusses the need for more focused communications to nonscientific audiences, including disseminating contrasting views without creating a “fog of uncertainty.”
Khan ’12 Refines Pitch for Non-Profit Grant
by David Pesci •
In a video for a piece in The New York Times, Tasmiha Khan ’12 discusses refining her elevator pitch in hopes of securing a grant for a non-profit she hopes to create. It was part of a DoSomething seminar in Chicago that helps students acquire the tools to turn their dreams of a non-profit into a reality.
Fowler: Negative Image of N.Y.C. in Poltical Ads Up
by David Pesci •
In a The New York Times article, Erika Franklin Fowler, assistant professor of government, director of The Wesleyan Media Project, discussed the repetitive vilification of Wall Street, ‘New York City Bankers’ and even New York City in campaign ads for both Democrats and Republicans during this election season. The Wesleyan Media Project was also cited as a source for data on these ads.
In separate stories in USA Today and for The Associated Press Fowler comments, respectively, on political advertising trends in Gubernatorial races nationwide, and on Linda McMahon’s extensive, self-financed campaign spending in Connecticut’s governor’s race in particular. The Wesleyan Media Project is also cited in both piece.
Fowler: China a New Campaign Ad Target
by David Pesci •
In a recent article appearing in The New York Times, Erika Franklin Fowler, assistant professor of government and director of The Wesleyan Media Project, comments on the newest target in campaign ads: China. 29 candidates for national office, Democrats and Republicans, have unveiled ads in the last week or so accusing their opponent of some connection to China. Fowler discusses why it may be happening, especially with such frequency.
McAlister on Customs of Haitian J’ouvert Celebration
by David Pesci •
A piece in The New York Times discussing components of the annual Haitian J’ouvert celebration festival cites Elizabeth McAlister, associate professor of religion, associate professor of American Studies, associate professor of African American Studies. Specifically, the piece discusses traditions during the early-morning parades that mark the end of the festival.
Potter on the Tenure and Retirement Question
by David Pesci •
Writing for The New York Times, Claire Potter, professor of History, professor of American Studies, announces that she will retire from the classroom…in 2025. Potter goes on to say why she believes that, as a tenured professor, planned retirement allows her to leave academia before her skills begin to diminish while simultaneously creating a process that allows the continued infusion of new, younger teacher-scholars.
Odede ’12: Slum Tourism, a Personal View
by David Pesci •
Writing for The New York Times OpEd page, Kennedy Odede ’12, a resident Kibera, Kenya, the worst slum in Nairobi, discusses the phenomenon of people from developed countries treating slums as curious tourists destinations. Odede says that while some arrive hoping to better understand the conditions through first hand experience, for most it’s just a curiosity bordering on a bizarre form of entertainment, and then they move on.
Odede and Jessica Posner ’09 have co-founded Shining Hope for Communities, an organization that has built a school and health care center in Kibera over the last two years. They have been supported by a start-up grant from the Davis Projects for Peace, as well a grant from Newman’s Own Foundation, a Dell Innovation grant, and a 2010 Echoing Green Fellowship. Posner also was the winner of the 2010 VH-1 “Do Something” award.
New Book by Milroy Benefits from Find of Lost Artwork
by David Pesci •
The New York Times reports about a collection of previously unknown paintings that has recently surfaced. One of these watercolors will appear in a new book by LiLy Milroy, professor of art history, professor of American studies.
Braxton Applauded in ‘Avant Gardist Tribute’
by David Pesci •
Anthony Braxton, professor of music, was honored in a two-day, benefit tribute in New York City with musical event titled “Tri-Centric Modeling: Past, Present and Future.” The event was lauded in a New York Times piece, which praised Braxton and his music and said the celebration “gathered a marvelous cohort of his protégés and peers, outlining something like a living index of contemporary improvised music.”
New York Jazz Festivals Features Wesleyan Faculty, Alumni
by David Pesci •
The New York Times cites performances by Anthony Braxton, professor of music, and Braxton’s students Taylor Ho Bynum ’98, James Fei ’99, Mary Halvorson ’02, and Chris Jonas ‘99 in a round up of Jazz Festivals happening in and around New York City during the next few weeks.
