Recent Community Happenings

Issue 13 · Winter 2008
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October 21

Legacies of Success (Health Professions with Carlton Barnswell ’83)

Wesleyan University

This was the third of the six-part career networking series, proposed and sponsored by Kurt Lyn ’87 and Michelle Anderson-Lyn ’84. The series, designed to facilitate meaningful connections between alumni and students of color, has been very successful. Several student participants at this session have kept in touch with Carlton Barnswell and continue to discuss their future careers in medicine.

November 3

The Dedication of Edgar F. Beckham Hall and the 15th Annual Dwight L. Greene Symposium

Wesleyan University

On November 3, 2007, the Wesleyan Black Alumni Council sponsored the dedication of Edgar F. Beckham Hall in the restored Fayerweather building. This joyful commemoration of Dean Beckham’s life and career drew an overflow crowd to the beautiful high-ceilinged room. Fellow graduates from the class of ’58, former students, and faculty colleagues shared their memories with each other and with current students and parents on campus for Homecoming/Family Weekend, some of them hearing for the first time of Edgar Beckham’s passion for education, recognition of diversity, and equal opportunity.

BAC co-chair Sanford Livingston ’87 and Dean of the Humanities and Professor of German Krishna Winston spoke about Dean Beckham’s gifts as teacher, scholar, and mentor; his contributions to educational thinking on the national stage; and the powerful influence he had on his students and his peers. President Michael Roth thanked Neil ’71 and Mary Clendeninn for their lead gift establishing Beckham Hall and reminded the audience that Edgar Beckham’s lifelong exertion for greater diversity in education and society is unfinished work. Roth called on everyone who believes in Beckham’s vision to make a gift in his honor to Wesleyan education.

Following a rousing talk on civic participation by the author Walter Mosley, the 15th annual Dwight Greene Symposium speaker, the hall was formally dedicated. Beckham’s wife and son, Ria Haertl Beckham and Frederick H. Beckham, joined Roth in cutting the ceremonial ribbon as Sanford Livingston read aloud the words on the text of the memorial plaque:

In memory of Edgar F. Beckham ’58
Dean of the College Emeritus
Mentor, Innovator, Pioneer, Advocate, Educator, Philanthropist, Scholar, Steward, Visionary, Teacher

Through the generosity of his family, friends and colleagues.

November 18

Legacies of Success (Business with Adam Dumey ’02 and Miguel Guadalupe ’98)

Wesleyan University

Another successful session! Close to 20 students came out to chat about the ins and outs of a career in business with two highly accomplished recent graduates.

November 30

Para La Familia Weekend

Wesleyan University

Para la Familia successfully hosts the 3rd annual Fin de Semana Familiar.

The student group, Para la Familia, is dedicated to bridging the gaps that distance many Latino families from understanding “life at Wesleyan.” For the past three years, they have hosted a Latino Parents Weekend that offers a variety of bilingual panels, mock classes, and information sessions in the hope that these weekends will enable Spanish-speaking families to more comfortably engage with Wesleyan University’s students, faculty, and administrators. This year, 90 people came back to campus to share in a weekend of bilingual programming, catered meals, and a family-style Noche de Gala celebration.

President Michael Roth ’78 and his family joined the group for dinner in Beckham Hall and, with the help of a translator, Roth was able to answer a few questions and share his sentiments of support for the Latino community on campus and off.

For more information and pictures of Fin de Semana Familiar 2007, please see the Fin de Semana Campus Snapshots.

December 1

The Place of Race in 21st-Century America with Theodore Shaw ’76

Wesleyan University

Close to 100 alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and students came out to hear Ted Shaw speak on “The Place of Race in 21st-Century America.”

For pictures from this event, please see the Ted Shaw Campus Snapshots.

Noche de Gala and Alumni Reception

Wesleyan University

Several alumni, administrators, and staff came out to meet and mingle before partying the night away at Ajua Campos’s annual Noche de Gala. A fantastic evening!

December 7

Kwanzaa Celebration hosted by Jimmy ’76 and Sezelle Haddon

New York, NY

Once again the Haddon’s hosted close to 50 alumni, parents, and current and prospective students in their home for an evening in celebration of this African American holiday honoring community and family.

January 11

Three Kings Day Celebration

New York, NY

Close to 100 alumni, parents, and current students came out Camaradas El Barrio to celebrate Three Kings Day (January 6) with savory hor d’oeuvres and dancing.