Bill Holder If you’ve enjoyed attending Wesleyan events, chances are that you have Gemma Fontanella Ebstein to thank. As associate vice president for external relations, she has had an ever-evolving set of responsibilities, but one constant has been ensuring that events for alumni, parents and the campus community are first rate. Under her direction, for example, Wesleyan merged Commencement and Reunion weekends into one event that rapidly has become a valued Wesleyan tradition. “Gemma has great management instincts and I can absolutely count on her to get things done,” says Barbara-Jan Wilson, vice president for university relations. “We can’t have successful…
Olivia DrakeQ: Michelle, when did you come to Wesleyan? A: I arrived on campus in August, 2007 to work as a development officer in University Relations. Q: What department are you part of? A: Major gifts. We solicit financial gifts of $100,000 and higher. Q: How many alumni do you generally work with? A: Around 225 alumni and parents. For the most part, we do maintain relationships with the same individuals. Q: How do you encourage alumni to support Wesleyan during these economically difficult times? A: I think last year was more of a challenge than this year appears to be.…
More than 5,000 parents, alumni and friends came to campus Nov. 6-8 to celebrate Homecoming/Family Weekend. This year's theme was "Come Home!" Event photos are posted on the HCFW website. "Every year, I hear from alumni, parents and students that Homecoming/Family Weekend gets better and better," says Gemma Fontanella Ebstein, associate vice president for external relations. "We had a terrific turnout this year and the energy was palpable across campus – in the WESeminars, athletic contests, department anniversary celebrations and other special gatherings throughout the weekend. This has become one of the highlights of the year for the Wesleyan community.” The…
WesWars, an inter-class, campus-wide competition, was held Oct. 30 on Andrus Field. Modeled after older class competitions and “cannon scraps,” which were popular in the mid 1800’s, WesWars is composed of field games and trivia questions. The students participated in games such as tug-o-war, the human pyramid, disc toss, the loudest scream, three-legged-race and a roll down Foss Hill. The Class of 2012 won WesWars. WesWars is supported by the Cardinal Council, University Relations, the Alumni Association and the Office of Student Affairs. (Photos by Olivia Bartlett Drake)
Carol-Ann Kosloski, associate director of stewardship, is retiring from Wesleyan May 15. Kosloski built the scholarship donor stewardship program from the ground up—from matching students and donors to overseeing the appropriate stewardship for each donor. She is responsible for several plaques that recognize donors in Usdan University Center, the Center for Film Studies, Freeman Athletic Center and on the Scholarship Wall in North College. Kosloski has worked at Wesleyan almost 12 years.
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Q: Ariel, when were you hired at Wesleyan? A: I started at Wesleyan in October 2006. Q: As the manager of University Relations Information Services, what information do you oversee? A: I manage our data services staff to ensure data integrity throughout our database. We have a database of over 150,000 constituents consisting of alumni, parents, corporations and foundations and friends of Wesleyan. My area is responsible for processing all the gifts we receive as well as all the biographical data we maintain on people. Q: What type of information do you keep track of? A: Each constituent has their…
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…
As part of the reorganization of the Office of University Communications, formerly the Office of Public Affairs, three staff members' roles have changed to directly support the department's mission and priorities. Mark Bailey, formerly director of development communications, is now director of strategic communications. His responsibilities are for university brand and messaging; strategic initiatives to communicate Wesleyan advantages; and marketing communications integration across media. Adrian Cooke, formerly web administrator, is now associate director of web technology. In this role, Cooke is the web technologist for University Communications and University Relations and principal contact for University Communications’ web initiatives. With Information…
Anne Bergen has been promoted to campaign director for the Office of University Relations. (more…)
Victoria Neill was hired by the Office of University Relations as an assistant director of stewardship Sept. 29. Her primary role is managing a scholarship program with a focus on writing.