University Communications

After wrapping up a successful Spring 2020 issue showcasing the intellectual vibrancy and risk-taking Wesleyans employ in their creative pursuits, the Wesleyan University Magazine team thought they had their next issue’s subject all figured out. With a highly divided political landscape and a contentious presidential election looming, it was clear that the next issue should focus on Wesleyan’s long history of civic engagement and the University’s recently announced commitment to Engage 2020—an initiative aimed at encouraging widespread participation in the political process. But then COVID-19 hit. And just as the world was busy adapting to a new and scary reality,…

Now that many students, faculty, staff, and alumni are working, teaching, or taking classes from home, several have opted to use the software Zoom for online video conferencing and virtual group meetings. The Office of University Communications is offering an array of cropped-to-size, virtual backgrounds featuring campus images and Wesleyan graphics, all available for download. Missing Wesleyan? The images also can be used for computer desktop backgrounds. To save an image: Double-click an image on the page to open it, then right-click on the image. Select "Save As" to save the file to your computer. Insert background into Zoom: Open…

Wesleyan announced Wednesday that a design submitted by Gabriel Drozdov ’19 has been selected by popular vote as the University’s next monogram. Drozdov’s submission garnered more than 50 percent of the 6,200 votes cast by Wesleyan community members. "For the monogram, I personally wanted to reintroduce some of Wesleyan’s old spirit back into a new design," Drozdov said. In September of 2018, Wesleyan launched an updated website, featuring new messaging and visual elements. One of those elements was a new monogram that many community members felt did not cohesively represent the University. Wesleyan's administration responded by rolling back the mark,…

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) recently honored Wesleyan University with a Circle of Excellence Gold Award in the Single-Day Special Events category. The Office of University Relations and the Office of University Communications collaborated on the prize-winning event, “Wesleyan Hamilton Evening on Broadway," which included a benefit performance and after-party. On Oct. 2, 2015, more than 1,300 members of the Wesleyan community descended on the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City as Wesleyan hosted a sold-out performance of Hamilton, written by and starring Lin-Manuel Miranda ’02, Hon. '15 and directed by Thomas Kail ‘99. The evening…

Wesleyan has a new look online. On Jan. 14, the Office of University Communications and Information Technology Services' New Media Lab launched a new Wesleyan homepage and associated landing pages. The new design features a photo-rich look with an abundance of newsy campus content up top. As users scroll down, they'll see links to upcoming events, President Roth's blog, an Exploring Wes section catered to prospective students, and several more links connecting users to Wesleyan resources, tools and social media. Content, overseen by University Communications, is updated multiple times a week. “The new page reflects current industry standards in web…

University Photographer Bill Burkhart retired in early March after two decades of service to Wesleyan. Known particularly for his portraiture work, he was the principal photographer for Wesleyan magazine and provided images of classrooms, faculty and staff, students at work and play, alumni across the country, and just about every aspect of campus life one could imagine. His work contributed to the magazine’s receiving several national awards. “If you’ve seen images of Wesleyan and its people on the web or in print, you’ve almost certainly seen a Burkhart image,” says William Holder ’75, director of university communications. “He did a…

Steven Jacaruso, art director in the Office of University Communications, recently judged the 2010 Connecticut Libraries Publicity Awards Contest. As one of three judges, Jacaruso observed more than 75 imaginative bookmarks, brochures, newsletters, program flyers and innovative web sites, blogs, podcasts, videos and electronic newsletters. Awards in each category are based on the library’s total operating budget (less than $750,000 or $750,000 and over). The event was held at The Middletown Library Association in Middletown. "Considering the budget constraints and the fact that most of the submissions were by non-professional designers, some of the work was of a very high…

Q: Dena, you recently celebrated your first-year anniversary working as a publication production manager in the Office of University Communications. Do you oversee all publications produced for campus-use? A: Not all, but I manage hundreds of projects- booklets, posters, direct mail pieces, banners, postcards and more- that are intended for Wesleyan communities on-campus and off. Q: Please cite a few examples of publications that you have helped manage recently. A: The Wesleyan Annual Fund’s compelling direct mailer, the freshly redesigned packet mailed to newly admitted students, and the simply elegant Homecoming and Family Weekend booklet are terrific examples. Each uniquely…

Wesleyan has launched its new online look with a completely redesigned homepage. The new, image-rich homepage, http://www.wesleyan.edu/, offers rotating photographs of campus life, university factoids and departmental highlights that change when the page is reloaded. The most noticeable change to the new homepage is the open layout that emphasizes information, facilitates navigation, and refocuses content for Wesleyan's primary target audiences, including prospective students, their parents and external users. Under the images are recent headlines, upcoming events and title selections from a new, open access Community Blog. All members of the Wesleyan community can author a post, and anyone can comment…

Q: Anne, you came to Wesleyan in 2001. What were you hired in as, and what is the objective/purpose of your position? A: I was hired as senior designer in the Office of University Communications. I design and produce many of the print pieces and some of the web sites for various departments in the university. Q: Who are your "clients" on campus? Does this repeat year to year? A: I have worked with many of the academic departments and programs over the years, but much of my recurring work is with University Relations, particularly the events staff and the…

The web at Wesleyan is undergoing major design and functionality changes, and the Website Design Team is seeking input from the Wesleyan community. "This team has been charged with preparing a new website design strategy for the university," says Melissa Datre, director of the Information Technology Service's New Media Lab. "Through their request for feedback, peer school interviews, and faculty and student input, they will, over the next several weeks, propose to a new design concept for Wesleyan’s website presence." In early March, the team launched a web redesign blog to give every member of the campus community the opportunity…

Q: Jenny, in November 2008, you became Wesleyan's first digital asset and project manager for University Communications. How would you describe this role? A: I am in the process of setting up and maintaining a digital repository of photos, logos, and other digital collateral that is used in the University Communications Office, and other offices on campus. I’m also a photo editor, meaning that I respond to photo requests, do color correction, handle stock photography, and schedule photographers for events. Q: If someone, say from the Office of Admission, needs a photograph of student activity for the department's website, how…

Wesleyan University Magazine Honored with Prestigious CASE Award

Download Wesleyan Virtual Backgrounds to Use with Zoom

Drozdov ’19 Wins Wesleyan Monogram Design Competition

CASE Honors Wesleyan’s Hamilton Fundraising Event with Gold Award

Wesleyan Launches Responsive Homepage

University Photographer Bill Burkhart Retires

Jacaruso Judges Connecticut Library Design Contest

Dena Matthews Oversees Hundreds of Campus Print Projects

Wesleyan Launches New Homepage, Community Blog

Marcotty Designs Campus Brochures, Calendars, Digital Magazine Archives

Blog to Collect Input on Wesleyan Web Presence

Fields ’03 Maintains Digital Repository of Photos, Logos