THISISWHY – Page 6

#THISISWHY In this Q&A meet Colin Russell from the Class of 2015. Q: Colin, what are you majoring in? What have been your most instrumental courses so far? A: I am majoring in neuroscience and behavior while also on the pre-medical path. Two of the most instrumental courses in my journey through Wes have been Organic Chemistry and the Organic Chemistry Lab that is paired with the lecture course. The reputation of Organic Chemistry was extremely intimidating prior to taking the course, and I was nervous that I would not like this subject that is the basis for so much of the…

Alton Wang '16 is a sociology and government double major who plans to enter public service after graduation, advocating for the rights of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

#THISISWHY The Office of Human Resources awarded two Cardinal Achievement Awards in November 2014. Library assistant Jennifer Hadley received a Cardinal Achievement Award for her volunteer work as coordinator of the Friends of Olin Library. Over time, Hadley has become the primary organizer for the activities of the Friends that include a semi-annual book sale, two or three annual issues of the library’s newsletter, Check it Out, and the sponsoring of an annual Constitution Day lecture by an invited scholar. For the recent book sale this fall, Hadley coordinated the sorting of books, publicized the sale on campus and in the community, arranged the…

Jesse Lieman-Sifry '15 received a $5,000 Undergraduate Directed Campus Scholarship from the Connecticut Space Grant Consortium, funded by NASA. The award will be applied to his financial aid package and support his ongoing research in the Astronomy Department.

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#THISISWHY In this Q&A, meet Lily Herman from the Class of 2016. Q: Lily, what are you majoring in and why did you choose Wesleyan? A: I’m a junior double majoring in government and sociology, and I hail from the semi-boonies of Jacksonville, Fla. I ended up at Wesleyan after my mom checked it off in a Fiske Guide to Colleges when I was a high school sophomore and I read all about it. After visiting Wes on a clear, sunny September day during my senior year of high school, I was 100 percent sold and applied Early Decision. Despite the fact that…

#THISISWHY Lynne Gambell of the Finance Department and Krystal Gayle O’Neill of Residential Life each received a Cardinal Achievement Award in November. Gambell, accounting specialist provided assistance to the Physical Plant-Facilities Department by processing more than 100 vouchers in one day. If the vouchers were not processed on time there were concerns that it would negatively impact Wesleyan's local contractors. “Lynne demonstrated extraordinary initiative in helping Wesleyan ensure that our contractors were paid in a timely fashion,” said Joyce Topshe, associate vice president for facilities. O’Neill, area coordinator, was honored for taking the initiative to create a women’s group on…

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Victoria Pitts-Taylor, chair and professor of feminist, gender and sexuality studies, joined the faculty this fall. Q: Welcome to Wesleyan, Professor Pitts-Taylor! What attracted you to Wesleyan? A: Wesleyan has a great tradition of progressive liberal arts education, including a long tradition of feminist/gender/sexuality studies. Like most programs, it began as women’s studies, more than three decades ago, evolving into its current form as times and perspectives changed. Wesleyan has a reputation for having really smart, socially engaged students, for fostering interest in and commitment to social justice, and for investing in interdisciplinary modes of scholarship and teaching. It’s also full of incredibly…

Imagine a place where Wesleyan students with a panoply of interests – art, photography, architecture, graphic design, and theatrical design, to name but a few – can work together in a dedicated digital space. Where faculty and students can bridge the divide between traditional arts and humanities courses and the tremendous shifts taking place in the technological world. That place is no longer imaginary. A $150,000 grant from the George I. Alden Trust will support a Digital Design Studio in the repurposed carriage house section of the Davison Art Center. Beginning with about eight classes taught by three or four faculty…

Japanese-born choreographer/dancer Eiko Otake, visiting instructor in dance, recently accepted a three-year appointment in the Dance Department and College of East Asian Studies. Otake has a 13-year performance history at the Center for the Arts, which began with a three-hour performance of "Offering," Eiko & Koma’s response to 9/11, in the Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery. Since then, Otake has visited campus many times as a Center for Creative Research Artist-in-Residence, and then as a Wesleyan University Creative Campus Fellow to teach, to offer workshops, to curate events, and to give lectures. Since 1972, Otake has collaborated with Takashi Koma…

Neuroscience Major Russell ’15 an A Cappella Singer, Organic Chemistry TA

Wang ’16 Advocates for Asian American Civil Rights

Hadley, Stegmaier Honored with Cardinal Achievement Awards

Scholarship Helps Lieman-Sifry ’15 Study Gas Planet Formation

Students “Thank a Cardinal” for Wesleyan Fund Donations

Lily Herman ’16 Active in Online Media, Journalism

Gambell, O’Neill Receive Cardinal Achievement Awards

A. O. Scott Moderates Talk on Arts Criticism

Freeman Scholars, Freeman Alumni Gather at Reception

FGSS Chair Pitts-Taylor Explores How Bodies are Symbolically, Politically, Socially Meaningful

New Digital Design Studio to Bridge Divide between Arts, Technology

Choreographer Otake Begins 3-Year Appointment with Seminar, Exhibition