Month: April 2013

GOLD Parties and a Great Day in NYC

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I was in New York yesterday meeting with alumni and parents who are supporting our financial aid program. It was a great day; I am always so inspired by members of our extended family who dig deep to provide scholarship support so that talented students in the future will be able to experience fully the benefits of a Wesleyan education.

Last night there were alumni parties for graduates of the last decade. John Usdan ’80, P’15 sponsored our gathering in Hell’s Kitchen, and we had more than 200 attendees. Ellen Jewett ’80, P’17 very generously agreed to match gifts given last night, and there were lots of credit cards being swiped.

I’ve been president long enough now so that about half of these alums graduated while I’ve been at the helm. It was great to see some familiar faces and to meet new people doing exciting things in New York. There were even a few alumni there who were student members of the search committee that hired me in 2007. Any regrets, we asked one another? None on my side, that’s for sure.

Actors, teachers, financiers, librarians, community organizers and county prosecutors…Wesleyan folks doing it all.

THIS IS WHY.

GOLD party in N.Y.C.
GOLD party in N.Y.C.
GOLD party in Denver.
GOLD party in Denver.
GOLD party in Providence.
GOLD party in Providence.

Little Three Champs in Lacrosse – Softball Soars

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Wesleyan student-athletes are having another strong year. Last week the men’s lacrosse team captured the Little Three Crown with a 7-6 win over Amherst. Mike Giambanco ’14 netted four goals and Mark Simmons ’14 led a strong defensive effort. Wes has built a strong winning tradition in lacrosse. Coach Raba and this year’s squad continue to build on that tradition.

The women’s softball team got off to a great start during their spring break swing through Florida. Back in Middletown, they have continued their winning ways by sweeping Hamilton College. Jill Gately ’15 has been knocking in runs like nobody’s business, and we’ve been getting great pitching from Su Pardo ’16 and Laura Getchell ’14. Allee Beatty ’13 has a 17-game hitting streak going!! That wasn’t a typo: 17 games in a row. Speaking of streaks, the softball team has tied the program’s longest winning streak with 12 consecutive wins. The women have a chance to break the record against Coast Guard on April 3. Come on out to the field to catch the action at 4:30!

I also received word last week that our swimming teams were awarded Scholar All-American status for the Fall 2012 semester. Congratulations to Coach Solomon and the squads. The women’s team had the fourth highest GPA in the country — just .02 points behind the leader! I’m proud to know that our athletes are as determined to succeed in the classroom as they are in their competitions.

 

UPDATE:

I just received a letter from NCAA officials that Kyle Roosa ’13, Nick Scotto ’13, Howard Tobochnik ’13, and Maika Nagata ’13, star members of the Wesleyan wrestling team, have earned distinction as Scholar All-Americans.  Howard had a particularly strong season, qualifying for the national championships (along with Jefferson Ajayi ’13 and Josh Roometua ’16). Congratulations to all, and to their might coach, Drew Black.

Track Closed but Tunnels Open for Training

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As many on campus already know, the track behind the Freeman Center is closed for several months for extensive renovation. Many have voiced their frustration that this important exercise venue is no longer available.

For years I have also been asked by dozens of students and alumni why Wesleyan no longer allows students to use the tunnels under the campus. For many, the tunnels represent a place of experimentation, a happy alternative to the more controlled environments above ground. Of course, sometimes this “experimentation” got out of hand.

So, I’ve decided to re-open the tunnels, but to do so for the purposes of health and exercise! We have been repainting the vast maze of underground paths (and putting cameras every 50 yards or so to ensure safety and security), improving ventilation, and fixing water fountains, etc. The Wesleyan tunnels will be a great place to work out, meet other students, and to get back in shape for summer. We’re even thinking of having an underground battle of the bands!!

Spring is here, but let’s be weirdly Wesleyan and go underground!