Spring 2023 Issue, Wesleyan University Magazine

A Brain for Alzheimer’s

A biochemist with a self-described “neuroscience problem,” Professor Alison O’Neil is combating Alzheimer’s with a novel approach that bridges the sciences—and starts with a thousand tiny brains.

Letters

President’s Letter: Defending Pragmatic Liberal Education

“Lately, Americans have been fed a steady diet of stories about so-called woke students refusing to listen to points of view from outside the campus mainstream. At Wes, though, I’m more likely to find hardworking undergrads holding down jobs, or volunteering in their communities all while pursuing their diplomas. Among our alumni, I’m more likely to find productive nonconformists and practical idealists building companies and purpose-driven organizations.”

Editor’s Note: The Best of Both Worlds

“This Spring 2023 issue is packed with stories on the latest in brain research by Professor Alison O’Neil, alumni who have turned transformative philanthropy into a way of life, and an undefinable and undeniable visiting artist who turns disco into a form of joyous rebellion. You’ll also see what our enterprising students are doing with recyclable electronics and cheer on one of our most senior alumni, a World War II veteran who successfully campaigned to turn a Colorado military training camp into a national monument.”

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Mentoring the Next Generation of Scientists

Dr. Shonni Silverberg ’76 is helping to broaden the science pipeline and expand access for those pursuing careers in STEM, most recently with her gift to Wesleyan’s BA/MA program.

Class Notes

Left: Homecoming Family Weekend 2022. Right: Alumni attend the Nov. 29-Dec. 1 Wesleyan Week in New York City event celebrating WesCreatives.

Catch up on these and other updates from classmates across the globe!

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Love + Fury

With her new work-in-progress musical, You’re Having Too Much Fun So We’re Gonna Have to Kill You, artist-in-residence Toshi Reagon examines the roots of the disco music movement and the ongoing violent suppression of Black and Queer joy.

Short Takes

Camp Hale National Monument

Francis Lovett ’45 recalls Camp Hale’s former life as a WWII military training base and celebrates its newly earned designation as a national monument.

A Wesleyan Friendship in Italy

Tembi Locke ’92 and Michele Barnwell ’89 talk about their uniquely Wesleyan friendship, Tembi’s smash Netflix series “From Scratch,” and always pulling forward.

Holding Court at the Tony Awards

Charles Newell ’81 and Chicago’s Court Theatre

Historical Row: The Dogs of Wesleyan

Remembering some of the four-legged personalities that have graced Wesleyan’s campus.

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Envisioning Environmental Change

Throughout 43 years of marriage, Essel ’66 and Menakka Bailey have been partners in life and in philanthropy, championing education access, water conservation, and the arts. Now, they’re helping set a sustainable path toward interdisciplinary problem-solving in the College of the Environment.

Afternoons on the Connecticut River with women’s varsity crew.