Class of 2009

CHRISTOPHER BRODIGAN FUND AWARD

The Christopher Brodigan Fund was established in memory of Christopher Brodigan, a Wesleyan student who died in an accident in his frosh year. The Fund pays tribute to Christopher’s deep interest in Africa and to the public service he provided through teaching in Botswana prior to entering Wesleyan. Awards will be made to graduating Wesleyan seniors (first priority) and recent Wesleyan graduates who plan to pursue public service or research (in that order of preference) on the African continent.

Students from any discipline are encouraged to submit applications proposing a public service or research project. Service projects should be carefully designed to provide some form of valuable assistance to people in Africa. Students may propose to provide service in educational institutions, development organizations, grassroots groups, or non-governmental organizations pursuing service work. Research projects will be supported especially if it is likely to provide concrete benefits to African society or to contribute to the student’s ability to serve African interests in some capacity.

Several awards averaging about $3,000 each will be offered. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with a member of the African Studies faculty (see Faculty listing on this website) while formulating their proposals. Recipients are required to submit reports on their projects once they are completed.

Applications should include:

1. a proposal explaining the project and how it will be carried out, including a description of the sponsoring organization (maximum of 2 pages). If appropriate, proposals should address any concerns regarding safety or political sensitivity.
2. a budget, including airfare and room and board costs (1 page)
3. a resume, including a listing and description of relevant Wesleyan coursework or other experiences
4. the name of one faculty member who can serve as a reference for you and for your project

Applications (paper copies only) should be submitted to the Head of the African Studies Committee, Assistant Professor Lorelle Semley, History Department, Public Affairs Center, Room 113, by 4pm Friday, April 17, 2009. Awards will be announced prior to graduation. For more information, go to http://africa.blogs.wesleyan.edu.

**********DUE DATE EXTENDED TO APRIL 17^th**********

On Friday May 1, 2009 there will be a Spoken Word Extravaganza/Open Mic held at 200 Church Street.  The event is inspired by a Spoken Word class offered at Wesleyan this spring, ENGL 290.

Half of this event is devoted to a “New Voices Open Mic.”  What do we mean by new voices?  New voices include persons with little or no spoken word experience.  All artists are welcome; we want to hear from you!

The other half is for more experienced slammers; we are putting out an open call for all of you who want to strut you stuff and show Wes the best you’ve got. Please e-mail Lily at lbushmancopp@wesleyan.edu if you’re interested in stepping up to the mic.   We hope to see you there!!!

Dear Student:
       
            You will soon be leaving Wesleyan and entering the world after college in the most challenging and tumultuous economic period of the last half century.  OBHS wants you to know we are here for you.  We invite any senior who might benefit from a consultation (full appointment) with OBHS simply to call—and reply to this invitation.  Can a consultation solve the world’s problems?  No—but laying out your specific concerns with an expert problem solver can help you see things differently, more clearly, and sometimes it can suggest solutions/directions you hadn’t thought of.

            The appointment hours may be late in the day or in the evening or on the weekends, but they will be available, so don’t hesitate to call.  Each of you is important to Wesleyan and to us.

Sincerely,

Philippa M. Coughlan, Ph.D., ABPP
Director, Office of Behavioral Health for Students
(Phone:  860/685-3144)
 

Notice: The Gay, Lesbian, and Sexuality Studies Prize

The Gay, Lesbian, and Sexuality Studies Prize for 2009 will be awarded to that Wesleyan undergraduate student who submits the best essay or thesis on, or pertaining to, gay, lesbian, and sexuality studies. All submissions, in hard copy, must be received by the English Department office staff no later than 4 PM on Tuesday, April 14. The winner’s name will be printed in the commencement booklet, but no money will accompany the award.If y 

If you have any questions, contact Henry Abelove, Willbur Fisk Osborne Osborne Professor of English

Tuition Transition Day 2009 will be celebrated again this year on Friday March 27th with cookies, music, balloons, and of course the usual Cardinal cheer! This celebration is held to build awareness among students of the support they receive from alumni, parents and friends through the Wesleyan Fund by marking the date when tuition money has been applied and alumni and parent donations kick in to support every student’s education. The Office of Alumni and Parent Relations and the Wesleyan Fund have organized an afternoon get-together with students, faculty, and alumni, and would love to see you there too!

Please mark your calendars for Tuition Transition Day celebrations, Friday, March 27, from 12:00 -1:00 p.m. on the 1st floor of Usdan.

The 5th Annual Sexual Health Expo is this Friday!

Friday, March 27, 2009
12:00 to 5:00pm
Exley Science Center Lobby

Convened each year by WesWELL, the goal of the Sexual Health Expo to promote sexual health and responsibility and increase student knowledge of campus health resources. A variety of issues are addressed, including promoting healthy relationships, disease and pregnancy prevention, sexual violence prevention, current political issues related to sexual and reproductive rights, and more.

To reach that goal, we are offering:

• Tabling & fund raisers with the WesWELL PHAs, FemNet, Clinic Escorts, ASHA, SGAC, HealthCAN, Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Health Services and Oh My! Sensuality Shoppe.
• Workshops presented by the WesWELL PHAs, WesKink and Sign House.
• And our first ever Sexual Health Art Show…you be the judge of Best in Show!!!

Bring $$$ for fund raisers, raffles and other purchases!

Click here for the complete schedule

March 2, 2009 

 Dear Members of the Class of 2009:

 In about three months, you will be continuing your good work beyond the Wesleyan campus.  To celebrate this new beginning and your accomplishments during your time here, Wesleyan will be holding Commencement on Sunday, May 24 on Andrus Field. The procession steps off from the top of Foss Hill at 10:45 a.m. and by about 1:00 p.m. you will have been awarded Wesleyan’s baccalaureate degree. It is a wonderful occasion and I congratulate you in advance.  As the day draws nearer, you will be receiving detailed information about the event. 

An important part of the ceremony is the reading of each of your names as you cross the platform to receive a diploma cover* and a presidential handshake. We are fortunate each year to have two faculty members volunteer to read each student’s name. They spend countless hours preparing for this. Please help them learn the correct pronunciation of your name. We know that it is important to you, your family, and your friends to have your name spoken clearly and accurately.

A. What YOU need to do by March 31, if you plan to attend Commencement:

1) Think how you and your family would like your name to be read and heard: with a middle name or names, a first or middle initial, Jr., III?

2) Call 860-685-2005 to record your pronunciation.  Make sure your phone reception is good (or call from a landline**) and call from a space where background noise is at a minimum.  

3) When you connect, you will get instructions about recording your name.   Speak slowly and clearly.

a. Give your Wesleyan ID.

b. Pronounce your name slowly and distinctly, exactly as you want it to be read.

You may listen to your reading by pressing # and 2. If you want to rerecord your name, press 3 and begin again.  If your pronunciation cannot be understood or you do not give your Wes ID, you will be contacted and asked to redo your name pronunciation.

B. What YOU need to do by March 31, if you DO NOT plan to attend Commencement:

1) Call 860- 685-2005.  Make sure your phone reception is good (or call from a landline**) and call from a space where background noise is at a minimum.  

2) After the message, which is meant for students who are attending Commencement, slowly and clearly give your Wes ID, then say “I will not be attending Commencement.”

The deadline for recording your name is Tuesday, March 31, because all the names need to be checked and alphabetized. Feel free to e-mail Marianne Calnen (mcalnen@wesleyan.edu) , if you have any questions or concerns about this recording.   

As your Class Dean, I know I speak for all of my colleagues in the administration and on the faculty in expressing our pride in the accomplishments of the Class of 2009.  I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.                                                                                Sincerely,                                                                            

Louise S. Brown, Ph.D.                                                                                Dean for the Class of 2009

*Actual diplomas will be distributed on Friday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Registrar’s Office.

**Need a landline?  Barbara Jones, University Librarian, has generously volunteered the landline at the desk at the entrance to Olin Library for this purpose.