Former Nader VP Running Mate Winona LaDuke Lectures on Native American Issues at Wells College

Activist speaks on American Indian struggles for environmental, social justice

Wells College is pleased to welcome Native American environmental activist and former vice presidential candidate Winona LaDuke to campus for a lecture on Wednesday, September 21. Ms. LaDuke will speak in the Chapel in Main Building at 7:00 pm. Her talk is free and the public is invited to hear her lecture on Native American struggles for environmental and social justice. She will also discuss her latest book, Recovering The Sacred: The Power of Naming and Claiming. A reception and book signing will follow the talk; refreshments will be served.

Winona LaDuke, the two-time vice presidential running mate of Ralph Nader, is an acclaimed Native environmental activist and author. She is a member of the Mississippi Band of Anishinaabe and resides on the White Earth Reservation in Minnesota. LaDuke became involved in Native American activism while a student at Harvard University. At the age of 18, she spoke in front of the United Nations regarding Indian issues and since has become known internationally as a voice for American Indian economic and environmental concerns. 

She is the program director of the Honor the Earth Fund and founding director of the White Earth Land Recovery Project. Ms. LaDuke has authored several books, including All Our Relations: Struggles for Land and Life, Last Standing Woman, and her most recent, Recovering The Sacred: The Power of Naming and Claiming. 

In 1995, she was named one of "50 leaders for the future" by Time magazine. Ms. LaDuke continues to be a spokesperson for the Chippewa people of northern Minnesota, remains active with the Indigenous Women's Network, an agency which she founded, and teaches Native Environmentalism at the University of Minnesota.

Ms. LaDuke's presentation on the Wells College campus is sponsored by the Office of the President and the Dean of the College. 

For more information about Winona LaDuke and her lecture at Wells College, please contact Anthropology professor Ernie Olson at 315/364-3206 .

September, 2005

Wells College Receives Grant to Host Speaker on Racial and Cultural Issues

Dr. Janet Helms to lecture on “Racial Identity and Hurricane Katrina”

The Wells College Psychology faculty are pleased to welcome multicultural competence expert Dr. Janet Helms to the Aurora campus next week for a two-day residency and public lecture. Dr. Helms will speak on “Racial Identity and Hurricane Katrina” at 4:45 pm in the Art Exhibit Room, Macmillan Hall on Thursday, September 22. All are invited to hear her free talk. A question and answer session will conclude the lecture.

Dr. Janet E. Helms is the Augustus Long Professor of Counseling Psychology and director of the Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture at Boston College. Dr. Helms is a Fellow in Division 17 (counseling psychology) and Division 45 (ethnic diversity) of the American Psychological Association (APA). She is also a member of the Association of Black Psychologists.

While on the Wells campus, Dr. Helms will also give a classroom talk on “Integrating Race and Culture in Qualitative Methods,” and will hold open dialog workshop sessions with students and faculty on several different occasions.

Dr. Helms’ residency at Wells College is sponsored by the Department of Psychology, and is made possible by a grant from the APA’s Commission on Ethnic Minority Recruitment, Retention, and Training (CEMRRAT) and matching funds from the Dean of the College. This is one step in fulfilling the Psychology Department’s commitment to diversifying the psychology curriculum to be more relevant and welcoming to ethnic minority students. This effort is central to the recruitment and retention of all students, and especially students of color.

For more information about Dr. Janet Helms and her residency and lecture at Wells College, please contact Kelly Tehan, Communications Director, at 315/364-3260.

September, 2005

Social Iroquois Dance Presented at Wells College

Sherri Waterman Hopper leads youth dance group

Sherri Waterman Hopper returns to Wells College on Friday, September 23. At 7:00 pm in the Sommer Student Center, Smith Hall, Hopper and her 12 member Native American youth dance group will lead a social Iroquois dance. The public is invited to join in this free event.

Sherri Waterman Hopper, a Haudenosaunee educator and member of the Onondaga Nation - Beaver Clan, leads the Haudenosaunee Singers and Dancers. She will bring the group’s youth to Wells for this special event. Such social dances of the Iroquois, or Six Nations, acknowledge our natural surroundings and celebrate friendship. The group has performed at the New York State Fair, the Empire State Games, the Native Dance & Friendship Festival, and at Wells College.

In 2003, Hopper was the recipient of the Wisdom Keepers Award, presented in Syracuse by the Native American Society Agency in recognition of Women’s History Month. She has long been actively involved in outreach efforts in the regional Native American community.

For more information about Sherri Waterman Hopper and the social Iroquois dance at Wells College, please contact Kelly Tehan, Communications Director, at 315/364-3260.

September, 2005

Wells College Kicks Off Annual Arts & Lecture Series

Actress Deb Margolin presents Index to Idioms one-woman play

The Wells College Arts & Lecture Series Committee is pleased to announce that Index to Idioms will be presented on the Aurora campus. The one-woman show, performed by New York City actor Deb Margolin, will take place on Saturday, October 1 at 7:30 p.m. in Barler Recital Hall. Prices are $6 for students, senior citizens and the Wells College community and $10 for the general public; free for Wells College students. Tickets are available at the door the night of the performance or from the box office the week preceding the show. Please call 315/364-3456 to reserve seats. Special group rates are available by calling 315/364-3232.

Index to Idioms is a solo performance piece inspired by the title of a grammar book that once belonged to Margolin’s son.  In the play, she performs a series of twelve lyrical segments in which a woman reflects upon her femininity, sexuality, domesticity, and motherhood.  Each monologue, pulled from a list of idioms projected over the performer, pieces together a narrative from episodes of epiphanies and emotionally charged snapshots in this woman’s life.  Described as “taking place on the collapsible boundary between fiction and memoir,” Margolin’s one-woman show paints a wide-angle portrait of life punctuated by profound yet ordinary events.

Margolin is an Obie-winning playwright and performance artist.  She has toured throughout the United States and was recently commissioned by the Jewish Museum of New York, the Joseph Papp Public Theater/NYSF, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and other theaters.  Currently, Margolin is a faculty lecturer in Playwriting and Performance at Yale University.

The Wells College Arts & 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.

For more information about Index to Idioms and the Wells Arts & Lecture Series, please contact Siouxsie Grady, chair of the Arts & Lecture Series Committee, at 315/364-3232.

September, 2005

Wells College Introduces New Faculty Members

Three new scholars arrive in Aurora to share their expertise with students

Wells College’s Vice President for Academic Affairs Ellen Hall announces three new full-time faculty appointments for the 2005-06 academic year:
 
 

R. Joseph Hoffmann has been appointed to the tenure-track position in Religion. Previously he was a visiting professor of religion at Wells. He earned his B.A. and M.A. from Florida State University, M.T.S. from Harvard University, Th.M. from the Harvard Divinity School, and D.Phil. from the University of Oxford. His areas of specialization are religions of late antiquity; early Christianity; early medieval studies; and interdisciplinary studies in history, literature, and religious thought. He has taught at the American University of Beirut, Westminster College (Oxford), and Africa University in Zimbabwe, among others. This fall he is teaching “Ancient and Medieval Philosophy,” “Hebrew Bible and Jewish Tradition,” and “Faith, Culture and Modernity.” Professor Hoffmann is the recipient of Wells’ Excellence in Teaching Award, chosen by the students and presented during Honors Convocation in May 2005.

N. André Siamundele holds a tenure-track position in French. He will also serve as the director of Wells’ off-campus study program in Dakar, Senegal. He received the Ph.D. in French, the M.A. in French Literature, and the M.Phil. in Francophone Studies from Yale University, and the M.A. and B.A. from the University of Zaïre. Professor Siamundele has taught previously at Colby College, Louisiana State University, Yale University, Gateway Community College, Université de Genève, and the University of Zaïre. He has also been a language trainer (French and Lingala) for the U.S. Peace Corps Training Center in Zaïre. Dr. Siamundele is teaching “Topics in French” and “Topics in European Language, Literature, and Cultures” this fall.

Xiaoliang (Leon) Zhu has been hired for the tenure-track position in Physics. He received the B.S. from the University of Science and Technology of China, and the M.S. in Computer Science and Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Georgia. He has taught and been a research assistant at the University of Georgia. In addition to his academic awards, Dr. Zhu was the recipient of the Most Helpful Income Tax Assistant award at the University of Georgia. He is teaching “Applied and Computational Math” and “Fundamentals of Physics III” this semester.

“We are very pleased to have recruited such talented and dedicated professors to Wells’ excellent faculty,” says Dr. Hall. “Each of these professors brings special expertise that will enrich student learning and the entire Wells community.”

Wells College has a national reputation for offering excellent academic programs at an affordable price. U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Wells 12th among national liberal arts colleges on their 2006 “Great Schools, Great Prices” list.

For more information about these new faculty appointments at Wells College, please contact Kelly Tehan, communications director, at 315/364-3260.

September, 2005

Wells College Welcomes New Associate Dean

Kelly Michael Moselle joins administrative team; leads several student programs

Wells College’s Dean of Students Karen R. Green is pleased to announce that Kelly Michael Moselle will join the Wells community in mid-September as the new associate dean of students. As associate dean, he will be part of the leadership team that oversees programs and services for students that encompass cross-cultural programming, residential life, campus involvement, safety and security, athletics, and student counseling. 

Before coming to Wells, Moselle was the assistant dean of students at the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. There, he oversaw student and volunteer activities, and orientation; promoted student development through education, accountability, and personal interaction; presented awareness educational programming; and provided leadership of living and learning environments.

“I am excited about the appointment of Kelly Moselle as associate dean of students,” says Green. “His extensive experience in the field of student affairs will be an asset to the work we are doing in creating a thriving co-curricular environment at Wells College. He shares our student life philosophy of providing students with the best educational experience we can offer.”

Moselle received his B.A. in political science from Syracuse University, a Master of Science in Teaching from SUNY-Potsdam, and a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in student affairs administration from Syracuse.  He previously served as residence hall director at Valdosta State University in Georgia and Cazenovia College in New York, coordinator of judicial affairs and director of student activities at Cazenovia, and has taught social sciences and social studies.

In his new role at Wells, Moselle will share management of the day to day operation of the Division of the Dean of Students, and provide direct leadership and supervision to several program areas, including cross-cultural programming and training initiatives that pertain to student life, international student orientation, and advisement for the non-resident student population. He will also serve as an advocate for student interests and encourage student development. 

For more information about Kelly Moselle’s appointment at Wells College, please contact Kelly Tehan, communications director, at 315/364-3260.

September, 2005

Wells College Responds to Students Affected by Hurricane Katrina

Provides at no charge tuition, room and board to displaced students

Wells College President Lisa Marsh Ryerson expresses her deep concern for the Gulf region colleges and universities devastated by Hurricane Katrina.  In keeping with Wells’ commitment to making higher education accessible, the College will assist displaced students.  Through September 12, Wells College will accept as many as 15 students for the Fall 2005 semester into its undergraduate liberal arts programs with no application, tuition, or room and board fees, providing these costs have already been paid to an accredited college or university located in the Gulf region. In addition, Wells will make room and board available to neighboring upstate New York colleges and universities who are enrolling displaced students but may need assistance with housing. Interested students should contact Vice President for Academic Affairs Ellen Hall via email: ehall@wells.edu or telephone: 315/364-3241. 

For more information about how Wells College is assisting students displaced by Hurricane Katrina, contact Kelly Tehan, communications director, at 315/364-3260.

September, 2005

Wells Greets First Coed Class

The days are a bit cooler and students are settling into their residence halls and daily routines. Wells prides itself on being an open, accepting campus, and this year, the College is welcoming 33 men as matriculated students, a first in its 137-year history. 

To celebrate the beginning of the new academic year, the entire campus community was invited to Opening Convocation on the first day of classes – Thursday, August 25. Opening Convocation is a venerable tradition that has been observed since the College first opened in 1868. Wells’ reputation for academic excellence is reflected in this event. Professors and administrators march in a formal procession wearing academic regalia and colorful hoods that denote their fields of study and the many colleges and universities where they earned their degrees, reminding those present of Wells’ place in the wider higher education community. 

Members of the senior class made their first official appearance in their robes, a tradition that anticipates their graduation in May. Students in the first-year class expressed their identity and made their presence known by wearing their new class shirts, black T’s which read “Got Clues?,” a reference to the ambitious four-day orientation program they had just completed. Their sophomore and junior classmates were present as well, as were many staff members. All were greeted by President Lisa Marsh Ryerson, who officially opened the new academic year.

Following the event, the entire assemblage gathered on the lawn in front of Macmillan Hall to participate in a pass the flame ceremony. The candlelight ritual was practiced in the College’s early days, faded away for a time, and then was revived in 1991. In it, each person is given a candle and everyone joins together in a large circle. President Ryerson lights her candle, then lights those of two guest alumnae, who in turn pass on the flame. In this moving and powerful observance, a wide ring of light illuminates some 300 participants in the darkness, connecting each to the other. Following the singing of the alma mater, the president reminded all that the flame symbolizes the spirit of Wells College: community, commitment, compassion, and support of one another throughout life. 

A sense of excitement, school spirit, and unity set the tone at opening convocation as the College entered a new era full of promise. The school’s many time-tested traditions will clearly not be forgotten: immediately following convocation, the senior class sprinted down to the College’s dock for a jump in the lake, just as they have been doing for years.

September, 2005

U.S. News Ranks Wells College Among the Best

12th for a great value; in the top 100 liberal arts colleges overall

Wells College has once again been recognized for excellence by U.S. News & World Report. The 2006 edition of America’s Best Colleges ranks Wells 12th in the nation as a best value in the “Great Schools, Great Price” section. According to the report, this determination compares “a school’s academic quality, as indicated by its U.S. News ranking, to the net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average level of financial aid. The higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better the deal. Only schools ranked in the top half of their categories are included, on the premise that the most significant values are among colleges that are above average academically.”

Wells President Lisa Marsh Ryerson is pleased and not surprised by the ratings. “Our long standing commitment to providing access to higher education at an affordable price has been recognized yet again by U.S. News,” she says. “These rankings place Wells among the top schools in the country, and will inspire even more students to learn about our college.” 

Wells was also ranked in the top 100 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in the country. Wells received a 94th place listing along with such schools as Goucher College in Baltimore and Washington & Jefferson College near Pittsburgh, Penn. Data were collected from 215 liberal arts colleges across the United States, measuring academic quality in seven areas: peer assessment; retention and graduation of students; faculty resources; student selectivity; financial resources; alumni giving; and graduation rate performance. 

Students use these rankings to create an initial list of schools to consider, to narrow down that list, and to compare overall academic quality. They can also use the data underlying the rankings to identify schools with specific characteristics that are important to them. 

For more information about Wells College, please contact Communications Director Kelly Tehan at 315/364-3260. Details about U.S News’ 2006 rankings may be found at www.usnews.com/usnews/home.htm.

September, 2005

New Sports Information Director Joins Wells College

Amanda Alnutt to work with press, promote athletics

Wells College Athletics Director Lyn LaBar announces that Amanda Alnutt has joined the athletics staff as sports information director. Alnutt began her new duties on August 22.

“As the new sports information director, Amanda will play a key role in helping to spread the word to both the Wells and outside communities about the accomplishments of our teams and the development of the intercollegiate athletics program,” said LaBar. “Amanda is motivated and ready to tackle the varied responsibilities of this position. I'm confident that she will make a great addition to our athletic staff team.” 

Alnutt, originally from Union Springs, earned her B.A. in journalism and English, with an emphasis on sports journalism, from the University of Connecticut. While at UCONN, she was a senior sports writer and copy editor of the daily campus newspaper, and worked in the Office of Athletic Communications as a communications assistant for women’s basketball.

“One of my primary goals is to boost athletics at Wells through media contact and management of our website,” says Alnutt. “Athletics offer important opportunities for student involvement on campus. As enrollment numbers grow, I hope to see our sports programs flourish as well.”

For more information about athletics at Wells College, please contact Communications Director Kelly Tehan at 315/364-3260.

September, 2005

Wells College Announces First Art Exhibit of the Year

Sculpture, book art, and ceramics on display through October 6

The Wells College Art Department is pleased to announce the opening of its first exhibition of the 2005-2006 academic year. A selection of ceramics, book art, and sculpture by present and former Wells faculty members will be on display in the String Room Gallery from September 7 through October 6, 2005. The exhibit is free and the public is cordially invited. An opening reception to be held on Wednesday, September 7 from 7:00-9:00 pm offers an opportunity to meet the artists; refreshments will be served.

Tricia Bishop was raised in the Caribbean island nation of Grenada. She first expressed her artistic talents through oil and acrylic paintings; one of her works hangs on permanent display at the Embassy of Grenada in Washington, D.C. As a student at Howard University, she changed her artistic focus to three-dimensional works in clay. She holds a B.F.A. from Howard and an M.F.A. from Syracuse University, and spent time in Italy studying under renowned ceramist Giovanni Cimatti. Tricia was a lecturer in ceramics at Wells during the 2004-05 academic year. She maintains a studio in Fillmore, New York.

Margot Ecke is the Victor Hammer Fellow at the Wells Book Arts Center. Margot received her B.F.A. from Cornell and her M.F.A. from the Rhode Island School of Design. She recently completed the book conservation program at the North Bennet Street School in Boston, the only full-time hand bookbinding program in the U.S. She spent a year in the Tamarind Master Printing Program at the University of New Mexico and held a summer residency at the Carolina Redivival Library in Uppsala, Sweden. She teaches book arts classes at Wells and holds an apprenticeship at the Bixler Press and Letterfoundry in Skaneateles, New York.

Theodore Lossowski received his B.A. in studio art with a concentration in ceramics, and a double minor in photography and art history from Brockport State College. He went on to earn an M.F.A. in ceramic sculpture with a minor in glass blowing from the School for American Crafts at Rochester Institute of Technology. There, he was classically trained in all phases of ceramics, including both sculpture and wheel-thrown and hand built pottery. Since leaving school, he has been both a practicing artist and college professor of fine arts at Geneseo State College, Monroe Community College, and Finger Lakes Community College before coming to Wells College in 1989. His latest interests have been in multi-media abstract sculpture, work that combines various hard woods, metals and ceramics in the minimalist tradition.

The String Room Gallery is located in Main Building. 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 exhibit, please contact art professor and String Room Gallery director William Roberts at 315/364-3237.

September, 2005
 

Wells College News Archive
 

Last updated 02/14/2006