“Got Passion?” Wells College Does!

Third annual Activism in the Academy symposium is student-driven 

Wells College's third annual symposium on Activism in the Academy is planned for Friday, March 12 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm at various locations across campus. The theme for this year’s event is "Got Passion?" The symposium focuses on the ways people in academia and on college campuses find and express their passion to change the world. The day-long event is free, and the public is cordially invited to participate in this engaging series of workshops and lectures.

Kick-off keynote speaker is activist, economist, and author Medea Benjamin of San Francisco.  Her motivating talk will be given at 9:00 am in Phipps Auditorium, Macmillan Hall, on the Aurora campus. Following the keynote address, participants will disburse to the workshop location of their choice. There will be two morning sessions, a lunch session, and one afternoon session. This appearance marks the beginning of Medea’s East Coast tour.

Benjamin is co-founder of Global Exchange, an international human rights organization dedicated to promoting environmental, political and social justice (www.globalexchange.org). She also co-founded Code Pink, a women’s anti-war movement. Medea is the author of several books that have given voice to Latin American activists, including Brazilian senator Benedita de Silva. She has made several trips to Afghanistan and Iraq to investigate the humanitarian situation among the refugees, to assess the consequences of U.S. bombing, and to hear from Afghan women’s groups.

Before co-founding Global Exchange with husband Kevin Danaher in 1988, she worked for ten years as an economist and nutritionist in Latin America and Africa for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Division, the World Health Organization, the Swedish International Development Agency, and the Institute for Food and Development Policy. She also ran for U.S. Senate, mobilizing thousands of Californians around issues such as the living wage, schools not prisons, and universal healthcare. 

The symposium consists of a series of presentations, lectures, and workshops presented by regional activists and Wells College faculty, staff and students. Sessions explore a wide array of topics, from the very local to the very global, with such titles as: “Saving the Planet: What you can do and why it will work,” “How to Steal the 2004 Election: College Students and Grassroots Campaigning Strategies,” and “Student Action: Community Involvement at Home and Abroad.”

A 12:30 lunch session will feature invited guest Bo Lipari. A professional software engineer, he will speak on “Electronic Voting Machines: Understanding the Problems.” His talk refers to the vote counting discrepancies and other tribulations encountered during the 2000 Gore vs. Bush presidential election. He will discuss the resulting panic over voting procedures, the perceived need for reform, and the technology available now for electronic voting.

Afternoon workshop sessions will wrap up around 4:00 pm.

Started by the Collegiate Association (student government) in 2002, the purpose of the student-centered symposium is to promote civic engagement, encourage critical thinking, and find links between the academy and the world at large. One objective of the day is to empower Wells and local community members to use the college as a resource for advancing social justice and community development through interdisciplinary study. As a liberal arts institution, Wells College recognizes the value of service and activism as part of the learning process.

Faculty advisor and key coordinator Laura McClusky is excited about the symposium. “We are anticipating a great day of discussing the many ways academia is really about passion, not just sterile intellectual thought,” she says. “The students have done a remarkable job organizing this opportunity for the community to learn more about how each of us can work responsibly to change the world.”

To learn more about “Got Passion,” please contact assistant sociology professor Laura McClusky at 315/364-3252.

February, 2004

PLEN honors three co-founders, former Wells president among them 

The Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Thursday evening, February 26th at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.  The organization will honor PLEN’s three co-founders:

• Frances Tarlton “Sissy” Farenthold, former Wells College president, founded the National Women’s Political Caucus and was nominated for vice president of the United States at the 1972 Democratic National Convention.

 
• Ruth B. Mandel is currently director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University and board vice chair of the National Holocaust Museum.

 
• Betsey Wright is former executive director of the National Women’s Educational Fund, served as chief of staff to Bill Clinton when he was governor of Arkansas, and was deputy chair of the Clinton/Gore campaign in 1992. 

PLEN was established in 1978 at Wells by Sissy Farenthold. Farenthold wanted the nation’s women’s colleges to have an increased role in preparing their students to assume leadership roles. She envisioned a national consortium of women’s colleges that would offer educational programs, including seminars and internships. To achieve this goal, she turned to her friends and colleagues Ruth Mandel and Betsey Wright. Together they secured funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York to launch the organization.

PLEN originally consisted of five women's colleges: Wells, Carlow, Goucher, Stephens, and Spelman. Today, membership includes 15 women’s colleges and two associate member colleges; PLEN established its Washington, D.C. headquarters in 1989. 

For the last quarter century, PLEN has prepared women college students from across the country for leadership by offering educational opportunities where their mentors are women leaders in Congress, courts, executive agencies, and advocacy groups in the United States as well as women engaged in shaping policy around the world. 

Present at the ceremony will be presidents, faculty, students, alumnae and staff from PLEN colleges along with women leaders who have served as mentors for PLEN students. Wells College senior and Collegiate President Tazeem Pasha participated in PLEN last year. She will attend the gala and will make brief remarks about her PLEN experience studying at the London School of Economics and Political Science and holding an internship in the British Parliament.

For more information about PLEN and Wells College, please contact Director of Communications Gwen Webber-McLeod at 315/364-3260. 

February, 2004

Professor Kanaté Dahouda of Hobart & William Smith Colleges to speak 

Wells College welcomes Dr. Kanaté Dahouda to the Aurora campus on March 3 and 4, 2004. While at Wells, he will give a public lecture on “Black Women in Contemporary Cultures” on Wednesday evening, March 3 at 7:00 pm in the Art Exhibit Room. The reading is free and open to the public. A reception with the speaker will follow the presentation.

Originally from the Ivory Coast, Dr. Dahouda is now an assistant professor of modern languages at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York.  His field of teaching encompasses Francophone literature, cultures, and societies (Quebec, the Antilles, and Africa). His principal research interests include exile, migrancy and quest for identity, and the memory of violence as well as the writing of subversion in contemporary Francophone literature. His current research and this public lecture are relevant to the representations of black women in the media, literature, and films from Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. 

Dr. Dahouda received his Ph.D. from Laval University in Quebec, and his M.A. and B.A. degrees from the Université Nationale de Côte d’Ivoire. Prior to coming to central New York, he taught French and the problematics of “la Francophonie” at Language Studies Canada in Montreal. 

While on the Wells campus, Dr. Dahouda will attend a screening of “The Life and Times of Sara Baartman: The Hottentot Venus" (1998, dir. Zola Maseko). He will also meet students for an informal discussion of the current political situation in the Ivory Coast and will give an informal presentation on "negritude," identity, and Aimé Césaire. Additionally, he will comment on two poems by Leopold Sédar Senghor and René Dépestre during a poetry presentation which will be given in French. 

Dr. Dahouda’s visit to the Wells College campus is sponsored by the Office of Intercultural Programs; the Office of the Dean of the College; the Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Cultures department; the Office of Campus Involvement; International Studies; Women’s Studies; and the Sociology and Anthropology majors. The reception is sponsored by the following student groups: P.O.W.E.R., the Wells International Students Association, and the Women’s Resource Center.

To learn more about Kanaté Dahouda and his lecture, please call assistant professor of French Amy Staples t 315/364-3258.

February, 2004

On February 10, more than 800 students representing New York’s private colleges and universities converged on Albany to lobby against proposed cuts in student aid and to educate both legislators and the public about budget issues facing the state’s private higher education sector.

A record number of Wells students attended this year’s event: Tazeem Pasha ’04, student government president; Eberle Schultz ’04, student government vice president; Alexis Boyce ’04, Community Court chair; Cindy Cicarell ’06; student government treasurer; Meghan Hawley ’06, student government corresponding secretary; and Carrie Elliott ’05, representing Wells’ student newspaper. The students were accompanied by Gwendolyn Webber-McLeod, Wells’ director of communications. 

“Having so many Wells women attend this year’s Lobby Day had a two-fold benefit,” said Webber-McLeod. “Ninety-one percent of our students receive some form of financial aid, and 51% receive funds from the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), which is facing reduction by a third. This is an issue that touches their lives directly. Also, it’s important for young people to understand how government works and that by being articulate and expressing their views they can have an impact.” 

In addition to serving as an opportunity for students to make their case with elected officials, Lobby Day, organized by New York’s Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU), was a time for educating those involved about key political issues and encouraging active participation in the democratic process. Information sessions were offered for students, public relations professionals, financial aid administrators, parents, and alumni, among others.

According to Webber-McLeod none of the Wells students had visited Albany previously and few had any experience with lobbying. She prepared them by putting together an information packet and teaching them effective lobbying strategies “They were excited, engaged, and looked very professional,” she said. 

The Wells women met with Assemblyman Gary Finch and Senator Michael Nozzolio. “Typically when there is a major lobbying day in Albany, state representatives run on a tight schedule and have limited time to meet with groups. In our case, they were so engaged with what the Wells students had to say they spent additional time with us, which was positive for all. The students were smart, articulate representatives for the issues and for Wells,” said Webber-McLeod.

The experience had an added benefit for Alexis Boyce who said, “The trip did a lot to boost my self confidence. I'm a very low-key person, and I was pleased to discover I can hold my own in such a professional environment.” Eberle Schultz came away from the meetings feeling positive about her efforts: “I think it was an easy sell. No one wants to cut funding that helps students attend the school of their choice. Unfortunately, TAP has become a pawn in the political game, but I will be very surprised if the cuts are 
passed.”

Meghan Hawley spoke passionately about the need for young people to be more involved in the political process. She said, “I do not believe in apathy. Young people need to be educated about how they can make their voices heard on issues that matter most to them. By being in active in politics myself, I can ensure that my generation's needs will not be stifled and speak for those who remain silent.”

Central to the lobbying efforts are the restoration of many programs that have been targeted for cuts or have already been eroded. According to information provided by CICU, legislators are being urged to restore cuts and proposed cuts in TAP, Bundy Aid, the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP), the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (C-STEP), and Liberty Partnerships. 

Advocates called for increased funding of the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), which offers economically disadvantaged and under-prepared students counseling, tutoring, and supplemental financial assistance. They also requested restoration of direct institutional aid to colleges and universities that helps defray increasing institutional expenditures for students.

Meghan Hawley viewed the lobbying effort as a resounding success: “Wells women articulated the need for financial assistance and proved to the legislators the programs are successful. No politician can deny the importance of education, and we made it clear higher education funding needs to be a priority.  These budget cuts have been proposed for the past three years, but thanks to students' lobbying, New York State continues to make quality education affordable.”

Webber-McLeod said, “Lobby Day is another great example of the Wells experience at work. Students learn about politics, activism, and persuasive speaking in the classroom. Through this kind of involvement, they see the liberal arts come alive in the world.” 

February, 2004

For rising 12th grade seniors on beautiful lakeside campus 

Wells College extends its mission of preparing young women for leadership by offering conferences for rising 12th grade girls in two sessions this summer. Students can choose to attend the conference either:

Monday, June 28th through Thursday, July 1st (Session I)

Monday, July 5th through Thursday, July 8th (Session II) 

Workshops provide information and practice in areas important for leadership development such as problem solving, goal setting, public speaking, teamwork, and communication. 

The fee of $175 includes three nights’ accommodation in college residence halls, meals catered by Sodexho Food Service, use of recreational facilities, programs and materials. 

Each student is asked to bring to the conference an issue from her community or school that she feels needs to be addressed. In addition to the workshops, a ropes course, lakefront swimming and evening activities will be provided during the conferences.

The conference is limited to 60 participants in each session, so make your reservations now! 

For more information and an application about this program sponsored by Wells College, contact our office at 315.364.3441, visit our website at www.wells.edu/cds/leadership.htm, or e-mail at leaders@wells.edu.

February, 2004

“Sounds of Sisterhood: A Black Woman’s Story” 

In celebration of Black History Month, the Wells student club POWER is sponsoring “Sounds of Sisterhood: A Black Woman’s Story” on Thursday, February 26. Beginning at 7:00 pm in the Sommer Student Center, “Sounds of Sisterhood” will offer an evening of arts and fellowship for all. The event is free and open to the public.

A combination of dance, music, art, poetry, and drama, “Sounds of Sisterhood: A Black Woman's Story” is a celebration in honor of Black History Month. Too often the history of black women is overshadowed by the fame of historical black men. This celebration seeks to change that. The evening is a tribute to the black women of the past, present, and future who have shaped our history and who continue to influence it.

 “Sounds of Sisterhood” is sponsored by POWER, Praising Our Work, Ethnicity, and Race. The student organization provides multicultural women on the Wells College campus with support and an extra voice while addressing issues that affect them. POWER acts as a resource for and link between the administration, faculty, and students. The group hosts various activities throughout the year in an effort to increase multicultural awareness and promote harmony in and around the local community. POWER has a continuing commitment to supporting the race, work, and ethnicity of members of the Wells College community.

For more information on “Sounds of Sisterhood” and POWER, please call faculty advisor Victoria Munoz at 315/364-3248. 

February, 2004

Wells College seniors Natalie Claire Holly and Emilie Smith will present research findings from their senior thesis projects as part of the college’s Social Science Colloquia series. The presentations will take place on Wednesday, February 18 at 12:30 p.m. in Macmillan Hall’s Art Exhibit Room on the Aurora campus. The event is free and open to the public.

Holly’s talk is entitled “A Dream Deferred: The Quiet Resegregation of Public Schools.” Smith will speak on “Grassroots Development of Sustainable Agriculture: Why NGOs Should Lead the Charge (The Case of Senegal).” Both students are sociology/anthropology majors. 

The Wells Social Science Colloquia series is coordinated by assistant professor of sociology Laura McClusky, who works with her colleagues to bring speakers to campus whose perspectives connect to current classroom topics. “Wells students are also invited to share their research, especially if it has been selected for a national conference presentation,” says Laura. 

Previous speakers include peace studies scholar Robert K. Dentan from SUNY Buffalo; Teri Hover and Stephanie Cyganovich led a panel discussion on transgendered identity and the family; documentary photographer Donna Galluzzo; Chinese dissident poet Yi Ping; and investigative reporter and author Bill Weinberg.

For more information on the Social Science Colloquia series, please call Laura McClusky at 315/364-3252 or visit the series’ site: <http://aurora.wells.edu/~socsci/>.

February, 2004

Transgendered Artist Gives Reading at Wells College

S. Bear Bergman of Boston to read from hir book “Butch Is A Noun” 

Wells College welcomes writer, performance artist, instigator and ex post papa S. Bear Bergman back to the Aurora campus this month. Bergman will participate in a residency at Wells the week of February 23 - 26, 2004. While in Aurora, ze will give a public reading of hir book “Butch Is A Noun” on Tuesday evening, February 24 at 7:00 pm in the Art Exhibit Room. The reading is free and open to the public. 

S. Bear Bergman has published essays and poems in a variety of books and magazines and is a book reviewer at butchdykeboy.com, as well as a perennial favorite and featured reader at queer spoken word events, such as GenderCrash in Boston. Bear is a frequent lecturer and panelist at high schools, colleges, and universities, including casual lunchtime discussions, “Queer 101” educational panels, classroom and evening lectures, and training for health, counseling, and public safety staff regarding making campuses safer and more affirming for GLBTQ students.

“Ex Post Papa: Life As A Freelance Dyke Dad,” Bear’s first touring solo performance, had its premiere in April of 2002, and has since traveled all over the U.S., including Wells College and stops at the National Gay and Lesbian Theater Festival 2002 (where it won the Best Socio-Political Play award), and the National Transgender Theater Festival 2003, where “Ex Post Papa” was a curated production. 

Bear is a longtime activist on behalf of anyone who wants to learn and be different at the same time (particularly queer/trans youth and students) and is currently working on the creation of a national, web-based, Queer Mentoring Project. Less recently, ze was also one of the five original founders of the first Gay/Straight Alliances, a frequent lecturer at high schools and colleges on the subject of making schools safe for GLBTQ students, and a founding commission member of what is now called the Massachusetts Safe Schools Project. 

S. Bear Bergman was educated at Hampshire College where ze studied poetry with Andrew Salkey and solo performance with Peggy Shaw of Split Britches Theater. Ze is pursuing an M.Ed at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Ze has also been a private student of Kate Bornstein and Gabrielle Hamilton.

As part of hir residency on the Wells campus, Bear will facilitate a series of workshops for interested students, staff, and faculty to raise awareness and educate about transgender issues. Ze will also meet with health and counseling staff to answer questions about gender identity, sexual orientation, and the process of transitioning. 

Bear’s residency is sponsored by the Offices of Experiential Learning and Intercultural Programs, the department of Women’s Studies, and the Student Diversity Committee.

To learn more about Bear Bergman’s residency and public reading, please call Psychology professor Victoria Muñoz at 315/364-3248. Additional information about Bear and “Ex Post Papa” may be found on www.expostpapa.com.

February, 2004

Skaneateles Book Artist Joins Wells College Faculty

Printer Michael Bixler teaches Intro to Letterpress Printing

Michael Bixler, a book artist and printer from Skaneateles, New York, is teaching Introduction to Letterpress Printing during the spring semester at the Wells College Book Arts Center. The class covers the history of printing, principles of typography and design, and how to care for and use a printing press. 

Wells Book Arts Center Director Terrence Chouinard gives perspective on just how lucky the college is to have Michael Bixler on its faculty: “It’s like having Chopin teaching our students the scales.” 

Michael and his wife Winifred have been involved with the Wells Book Arts Center for over a decade. In 1993, they printed Victor Hammer and the Wells College Press, which recounts the legacy of Hammer, who was professor of fine arts at Wells from 1939 to 1948 and an eminent printer and typographer. 

Bixler says programs like the Wells Book Arts Center are rare in higher education; and for someone who has worked in relative isolation for 30 years, teaching is a welcome change of pace. “As craftsmen, Winnie and I have lived quite a solitary life,” Bixler says. He adds that working with a group and working at a distinguished college like Wells is satisfying and rewarding.

The Bixlers design books and certificates, cast type, and print and bind books at their shop, located in an 1867 mill building near Skaneateles. They met at the Rochester Institute of Technology in the late ‘60s. Since 1973 they have worked together to produce the finest type available to printers worldwide. They are one of three commercial type foundries still operating in the United States. 

The Bixlers also design and create diplomas for such prestigious universities as Yale and Juilliard, and print books for collectors, such as the Limited Editions Club of New York, and museums.

Since the inauguration in 1998 of the Victor Hammer Fellowship, which brings a talented young book artist to Wells for two years, the Bixlers have hosted an apprenticeship for the fellow at their shop. 

To learn more about the Book Arts Center at Wells College, please call Director Terry Chouinard at 315/364-3420 or visit the Center’s website: www.wells.edu/bookarts.  Additional information about Michael and Winifred Bixler may be found at their website: www.mwbixler.com.

February, 2004

January Internships – Student Diversity Widens the Wells Network

During January 2004 over 150 Wells students held internships that took them to destinations around the globe including Kenai, Alaska; Long Beach, California; Kingston, Jamaica; Paris, France; and Canton, China. 

“Because students are coming to the college from increasingly diverse geographic locations, they are requesting internships in places familiar to them but which do not yet have established, Wells-affiliated sites,” said Nancy Karpinski, director of career development service. “This is a great opportunity for career services to form new partnerships with organizations. As a result, the Wells connection is broadening into new territories and internship opportunities for all our students are expanding.”

According to Karpinski, a third of the Wells interns this January were first-year students who worked in settings such as theatres, humane societies, legislative offices, and police departments. “This early involvement demonstrates the success of our liberal arts practicum for new students that encourages them to connect classroom learning to professional settings starting in the first year. They come to our office excited about holding internships, and their involvement helps them select a major in which they will excel and, later, find the right career match.”

Other Janaury internship sites included Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York City; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC; Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, California; CVM Television Limited, Kingston, Jamaica; Broadway Inner Circle, New York City; Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc., Lexington, Massachusetts; Africare, Senegal; Brainchild Productions, Chicago, Illinois; and Rogue River Press, Rogue River, Oregon.

Two students were selected for internships in the college’s Corporate Affiliates program at the Bank of New York in New York City and Wells Fargo Bank’s historical services office in San Francisco. 

“Alumnae make Wells’ internship program a high-quality experience by offering internships where they work, providing housing, and serving as advisors and mentors. This year they sponsored receptions for interns in New York City and Boston. I thank them for their continued support. We know that students benefit from interaction with alumnae, and we hope alumnae can learn from current students about Wells today and the exciting programs we offer,” said Karpinski.

February, 2004

Third Annual Gospel Workshop and Concert at Wells College

The third annual Wells College Gospel Workshop and Concert Weekend will be held February 20 and 21, 2004. The workshop is a two-day event in which the Wells College community and the local Aurora community come together to learn about and engage in singing this uplifting genre of music. No auditions are required and the event is free and open to the general public. Everyone is warmly invited to lift up their voices during this inspirational weekend event. 

The Gospel Workshop Weekend is coordinated by Wells’ Gospel choir Appointed and the Dean of Students Office. All rehearsals and the concert will be held in Barler Recital Hall. The weekend schedule is as follows:

Friday, February 20
Rehearsal 7:00-9:00 p.m. 

Saturday, February 21
Rehearsal 9:00-1:00 p.m.
Concert 7:30 p.m.

Interested parties are encouraged to show up for rehearsals; no advance registration is necessary. Participants must attend all rehearsals. The culminating concert is free and open to all. 

Gospel Weekend and Appointed are the brainchildren of Wells’ Dean of Students Karen Green, who will coordinate the weekend. L. Kirk Hatcher of Montgomery, Alabama will be choir director, and Ed Menifee of Atlanta, Georgia serves as music director.

For more information about Gospel Weekend and the concert, please contact Jenn Bell in the Dean of Students Office at 315/364-3311.

February, 2004

College Without Walls

Wells’ January term 2004 gave students and faculty members an opportunity to add breadth and depth to their classroom work through off-campus study in a wide variety of interesting settings.

Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Niamh O’Leary took six students to the Florida Everglades to participate in one of the world’s largest ecological restoration projects. Through a combination of service learning, field experiences, and discussions with environmental professionals, the Wells women explored the impact of humans on a unique, freshwater ecosystem. 

British Actress Frances Anne Kemble’s landmark publication, Journal of Residence on a Georgia Plantation 1838-39, served as the central text for Associate Professor of English Catherine Burrough’s January course. Using St. Simon’s Island as a home base, she and six students immersed themselves in the history, culture, and environment of the Georgia sea islands. 

Associate Professor of Anthropology and Religion Ernie Olson took three students to the Islands of Hawaii for fieldwork and experiential learning. They studied Native Hawaiian culture and history, environmental preservation, and agricultural development of sugar cane and coffee, among other topics.

Other January term courses provided academic credit for students who attended the Art Students League in New York City and the Women and Public Policy (PLEN) Seminars in Washington, DC. Students also participated in Wells programs that took them to Spain (as well as other European travel) and Senegal. 

February, 2004

Susan Sandman and ensemble present “A Winter Joy”

The melodious notes of Elizabethan music will once again fill the crisp air in Aurora. On Sunday, February 22, at 4:00 pm, Elizabethan Conversation will present “A Winter Joy” concert at the beautiful Aurora Inn. Admission is $5.00. All are warmly invited to enjoy the splendid live acoustics and intimate setting of the Inn’s Lakeside Room, located at 391 Main Street.

Elizabethan Conversation is Susan Sandman and Derwood Crocker of Aurora. They will be joined this day by trained tenor Gary Aubin, also of Aurora. “A Winter Joy” offers the olde English music of Shakespeare’s time played on period instruments. In addition to art songs for tenor, lute, and bass viol, the concert includes dance songs for treble viol and lute, plus a solo recorder piece. Featured composers are John Dowland, Thomas Campian, Tobias Humes, and Richard Nicholson.

Early music performer and musicologist Susan Sandman earned her B.A. in music from Vassar College and a Ph.D. in musicology from Stanford University. Now a professor emerita from Wells College, Susan devotes her time to music performance, particularly with the viol consort of the Syracuse-based Schola Cantorum, as well as solo recitals. She also serves as the researcher and organizer for all programs offered by Elizabethan Conversation. 

Derwood Crocker’s interest in design, sculpture, and music led him to making musical instruments. He has been a full-time craftsman and musician for almost 40 years. The Crocker Workshop has produced hundreds of instruments, some now found in private and public collections. The two viols used in “A Winter Joy” were produced in his workshop. Crocker also practices art restoration. 

Tenor Gary Aubin has trained under Renata Carisio in New York City. He holds an M.S. in Voice from The College of St. Rose, and has performed in numerous engagements in the U.S. and Canada. Gary is currently a general manager for Sodexho Campus Food Services at Wells College.

As Elizabethan Conversation, Crocker and Sandman have performed together at many venues around New York State, including Hamilton, Elmira, Heidelberg, and Wells Colleges; SUNY at Binghamton, New Paltz, Potsdam, and Buffalo; Cornell, Colgate, and St. Lawrence Universities; Tompkins County and Liverpool public libraries; the Everson Museum in Syracuse, the Johnson Art Museum at Cornell, and the Plattsburgh Autumn Festival.

For more information about the concert and Elizabethan Conversation, please contact Susan Sandman at 315/364-8406. Additional information about the Aurora Inn, including directions to the concert, may be found at www.aurora-inn.com or by calling the Inn at 315/364-8888.

February, 2004

Pat Stock, environmental health and safety manager of Pall Trinity Corporation’s Cortland, New York division, will be the featured speaker in the Wells Science Colloquium Series on Friday, February 13. Her presentation, “Environmental Health and Safety: Workplace Issues and Career Opportunities,” will begin at 12:40 p.m. in Zabriskie Hall, Room 102, on the Wells campus in Aurora. The event is free and open to the public.

With headquarters in East Hills, Long Island, Pall Corporation is the largest and most diverse filtrations, separations, and purifications company in the world, helping a wide array of clients solve complex, liquid contamination problems. Their products contribute to increased safety and liquid purity in water treatment, power generation, medical and pharmaceutical fields, and the food and beverage industry. 

In recent years, Pall Trinity of Cortland has created a 20 million gallon per day water treatment facility for the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority and was selected by General Electric Corporation to produce water filtration systems for a nuclear power plant in Taiwan. Pall generates $1.6 billion in revenue annually. (For more information visit www.pall.com)

The Wells Science Colloquium Series is organized by two Wells faculty members: Niamh O’Leary, associate professor of environmental studies, and Carol Shilepsky, professor of mathematics and computer science. Other faculty members in the sciences contribute by inviting speakers and organizing the colloquia that focus on internships.

According to Professor O’Leary, this series brings scientists and speakers in a variety of science-related fields to campus. “These presentations keep students and faculty up-to-date with current scientific research and connected with the wider scientific community. It also serves as a venue for students to explore possible career venues,” she says.

Wells alumnae in the sciences are frequently invited to return to campus to make presentations in the series. The series also provides an opportunity for members of the Wells community to share their work. All science majors present the results of their senior thesis projects in the Science Colloquium. Information about internship opportunities and outcomes are disseminated, and audience members are able to network with professionals in many fields. 

Recent speakers include Wells alumna Anna Jensen ’98 of Ithaco Space Systems; Dr. Robert Smith, department of bioengineering and neuroscience, Syracuse University; summer research and internship presentations by Wells students; and Dr. M. Todd Walter, senior research associate in biological and environmental engineering, Cornell University.

For more information about the Wells College Science Colloquium Series, visit http://aurora.wells.edu/~science/ or call 315.364.3212. 

February, 2004

Partnership with Booker T. Washington Center honors civil rights leader

On Monday, January 19, as our nation paused to reflect on the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., individuals from Wells College honored Dr. King’s legacy by participating in a community service project with the Booker T. Washington Community Center in Auburn.

Wells College President Lisa Marsh Ryerson shared her thoughts on the project: “Honoring this important day through engagement of service to others enables our community to experience our college’s motto, Habere et Dispertire – ‘to have and to share’.”

Coretta Scott King once said, “Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is not only for celebration and remembrance, education and tribute, but above all a day of service.”  In keeping with that sentiment, Wells Chaplain James K. Boodley coordinated a service project for the Wells community.

“Dean of Students Karen Green approached me last fall about doing a service project around the MLK holiday,” said Boodley. “Based on successful past collaborations Wells has had with the Center, it seemed an excellent choice. The folks at BTWCC were so enthusiastic about Wells’ involvement last fall, we were delighted when they welcomed us back to celebrate this special day with them.”

Twenty individuals from Wells, along with approximately 20 Auburn community members, met at the Center at 9:00 am. Wells provided van transportation from Aurora and granted its employees release time to participate in the project. Work assignments included cleaning the Center, painting interior walls and offices, and organizing the Center’s main storage room. A communal potluck lunch provided an opportunity for all to gather during the workday to share stories and fellowship.

The Booker T. Washington Community Center, founded in 1927, is a not-for-profit agency which provides services to assist the community in promoting civil rights, justice and equality. The Center offers comprehensive youth development services and programs for children of all ages.

Chaplain Boodley was pleased with the final results. “The folks at BTWCC were incredibly enthusiastic about having the Wells community join them for a morning of work in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life. In a political climate of needlessly strained relationships in this nation, no doubt Dr. King would be pleased.” 

February, 2004

An eclectic mix of art will be on display in Wells College’s String Room Gallery from February 11 - March 5, 2004. Artwork produced by students enrolled in studio art classes during the Fall 2003 semester will be shown. The exhibit is free and the public is cordially invited to view the show. An opening reception with refreshments on Wednesday, February 11 from 7:00-9:00 pm offers an opportunity to meet the student artists and view and discuss their work.

More than 50 students are exhibiting this year. Media represented include advertising art, painting, ceramics, photography, design, drawing, and more. Art professor William Roberts oversees the students’ work in the studios and coordinates the installation of the show.

Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information about the show and art classes at Wells, please contact William Roberts at 315/364-3237.

February, 2004

Wells College Ushers in New Semester with Spring 2004  Convocation

Keynote speaker is Vivian Malone-Jones

As it traditionally does, Wells College will open the spring 2004 semester with a convocation ceremony this afternoon, February 2 at 4:45 pm in Phipps Auditorium. The theme for convocation is “Opening Doors, Opening Minds.” The entire campus community is invited to help usher in the new semester.

Dean of Students Karen Green and Collegiate Cabinet president Tazeem Pasha ’04 collaborated to bring special keynote speaker, Vivian Malone-Jones, to campus this year. Vivian Malone was one of two African-American students that then-Governor George Wallace tried to keep from attending the University of Alabama in 1963. Although she graduated from the University in 1965, Vivian endured prejudice, racism, and ostracism during her two years there. Eventually Wallace reversed his stand on integration, and in 1996, he honored Malone-Jones with the first Lurleen B. Wallace Award of Courage. The award is given to a woman who has overcome adversity and advanced herself and the state of Alabama.

“Collegiate was looking for someone who could speak to the various political persuasions and perspectives,” shares Karen. “I met Vivian Malone-Jones several years ago when I was working at Hamilton College, and suggested her because she is an excellent role model. She is an African-American woman who used her voice as a means of upsetting the status quo in the segregated South forty years ago.” 

Vivian Malone-Jones was the first African-American graduate of the University of Alabama. She earned a management degree in 1965, and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in August 2000. The University of Alabama has honored Ms. Malone-Jones as one of its outstanding women graduates, and has endowed the Vivian Malone-Jones Scholarship Fund. Her portrait hangs in Bidgood Hall, home to the College of Commerce and Business Administration.

Ms. Malone-Jones has been featured on all the major television networks as well as the History Channel and Boston Public Television as part of the JFK series. She has held several positions in the federal government, and was named executive director of the Voter Education Project, Inc., becoming the first female CEO of the Atlanta-based non-profit organization. She is a past president of Real Estate Professionals, Inc. and Metro Medical Equipment Co. She has served as a financial advisor and insurance associate, and is currently writing a book about her experiences at the University of Alabama in the 1960s. 

Ms. Malone-Jones has received numerous awards and honors, including the NAACP Emancipation Day Award; Atlanta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Torch Award; Concerned Black Clergy Award; YWCA Smith-Breckenridge Award; a listing in the international Who’s Who of Professionals; the Environmental Protection Agency’s Silver Medal; and the African-American Association of the University of Alabama Award.

For more information about Spring Convocation and Vivian Malone-Jones, please contact director of communications Gwen Webber-McLeod at 315/364-3260 or via email at gmcleod@wells.edu.

February, 2004

Squad raises money for soldiers’ recreational soccer team in the Middle East

The Wells College soccer team paid special tribute to U.S. soldiers in Iraq last fall. Led by athletic trainer Julie Swain and head coach Chris Perkins, the squad raised nearly $1,000 to sponsor a recreational soccer team. 

When Julie saw on the news that the U.S. Army was seeking financial support for soccer teams, she located a woman in Syracuse whose daughter was coordinating the effort in Iraq. She then brought the idea to the soccer players, who responded enthusiastically. The funds were sent overseas to purchase equipment and specially-made red jerseys with “Wells” emblazoned on the front.

“This was a way for us to make a small difference. Without taking a stance on the war, we wanted to support Americans in Iraq and show our love of the game,” said Swain.

For their efforts, they were awarded a Wolverine Certificate of Appreciation from the 94th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) “for displaying outstanding patriotism in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Your dedication to our soldiers undoubtedly increased morale and contributed to mission success.” An accompanying letter stated in part “It is awesome to see our soldiers truly enjoying the game of soccer. They call the few hours spent on the field each week their sanity and freedom. Releasing stress on the field allows them to focus when it comes time to carry out the mission.”

To learn more about the soccer team and sports in general at Wells College, please call Coach Julie Swain at 315/364-3411 or athletic administrator Lyn LaBar at 315/364-3410. The sports section of the college’s website http://www.wells.edu/slife/sl2c.htm also carries sports updates.

February, 2004

Powerful Dance Troupe Lights Up the Wells College Stage

Renowned Koresh Dance Company of Philadelphia blends many styles

The Wells College Arts and Lecture Series proudly welcomes the Koresh Dance Company of Philadelphia to the Aurora campus. This intense, vibrant troupe will captivate the audience in Phipps Auditorium, Macmillan Hall, on Saturday, February 7, at 7:30 pm. All are cordially invited to experience this exhilarating performance. Prices are $3 for students and children, $6 for senior citizens and the Wells College community, and $10 for the general public. Tickets are available from the college bookstore or the box office the week preceding the show, and at the door the night of the performance. Please call 315/364-3456 or 364-3428 to reserve seats.

Renowned for their powerful stage presence and high-energy style, Philadelphia’s Koresh Dance Company presents its audiences with an exciting and emotional blend of ballet, modern, and jazz. Each performance strives to offer a balance of dark and intense, lighthearted, and sensual pieces to create a varied show. The troupe prides itself on offering a technically superior mix that is both uniquely complex and beautiful.

The Company was founded in 1991 by Israeli-born choreographer Ronen Koresh. His eclectic repertoire features a style of choreography that is both eloquent and explosive. Ronen has taught his techniques at the Koresh Company Studios as well as Philadelphia’s University of the Arts, where he has been a faculty member since 1986. Koresh is a multi-year recipient of choreography fellowships from the Pew Charitable Trusts, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts. The Company’s critically acclaimed work attracts a continually increasing audience, and Koresh’s reputation for passion and outstanding technique regularly results in sold-out performances. 

While in Aurora, the troupe will also present a master dance class for Wells dance students, led by professor Jeanne Goddard.

For more information about the Koresh Dance Company and their Aurora performance, please contact assistant dean for campus involvement Meagen Mulherin at 315/364-3428. Additional information about the Company may also be found on the troupe’s website - www.koreshdance.org.  Members of the media may arrange for an interview or photo session with artistic director Ronen Koresh by contacting director of communications Gwen Webber-McLeod at 315/364-3260 or via email at gmcleod@wells.edu

The Wells College Arts and Lecture Series features professional guest artists and performers who are brought to campus to enrich the cultural and academic components of Wells as a learning community. The acts are selected annually by a committee comprised of Wells faculty, staff, administrators, and students.

January, 2004

Earlier Articles in Wells College News:
 

	Dec., 2002	Jan.,1999	Sept.,1997
	Nov., 2002	Fall,1998	July - Aug., 1997
	Oct., 2002	Aug.,1998	May - June,1997
Jan.-Feb., 2004	Sept., 2002	June -July, 1998	March - April,1997
Nov., 2003	Aug., 2002	May,1998	Feb.,1997
Oct., 2003	Sept.,2001.-May.,2002	April,1998	Nov. - Dec.,1996
Sept., 2003	Sept.,2000.-May.,2001	March,1998	Oct.r,1996
Summer, 2003	Sept. 1999-Aug.,2000	Feb.,1998	Sept.,1996
May, 2003	August,1999	Jan.,1998	June - Aug.,1996
April, 2003	May,1999	Dec.,1997	May,1996
March, 2003	April,1999	Nov.,1997	April,1996
Jan.-Feb., 2003	Feb. - March, 1999	Oct.,1997	Feb - March, 1996

Last updated 04/08/2004