Latino Alumni Council: Three Kings Day
Celebration
Contributed by Jose Filpo ’91,
National Co-Chair
of the Latino Alumni Council
On Monday, January 6, a
festive group of Wesleyan alumni and friends gathered in New York City to
celebrate Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes). The holiday is traditionally
celebrated twelve days after Christmas to commemorate the Biblical story
of the three kings (also known as wise men or magi) who followed the star
of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the baby Jesus. Widely celebrated in the
Hispanic community, the day of fun usually consists of caroling from house
to house, dancing in the streets, and lots of delicious food.
Although there was no dancing through the streets of New York, everyone
present at this year’s celebration enjoyed an evening of food and fun.
Attendees represented a wide range of class years, and some were even able
to walk away as the proud winners of some fabulous Wesleyan gear.
The Three Kings celebration, like the annual Kwanzaa celebration, is
quickly growing into a New York City alumni club tradition. Special thanks
to University Relations for continuing to make this event possible and to
Pat St. Germain for joining us for the event.
Wesleyan Black
Alumni Council Memorial Prize
Contributed by Ciaran
Escoffery ’00
In April 1986, the Wesleyan Black Alumni Council established a memorial
fund to honor deceased alumni of African descent. The memorial honors the
memory and spirit of Bruce D. Hall ’77, James "Donnie" Rochester ’74, and
Dwight L. Greene ’70. The Council agreed that the most fitting way to
honor of the spirit of deceased alumni would be through a scholarship to
enrich and expand the education of an African American student. The BAC
established a scholarship to provide financial support to a student of
African descent who wishes to pursue a summer project related to the
African American experience. The amount of the summer stipend for 2003 is
$3,500.
Each academic year the university will name one recipient of the Wesleyan
Black Alumni Council Memorial Prize. The recipient will be asked to submit
a written report summarizing their summer project by September 1. The
Prize recipient will be recognized during Homecoming/Family Weekend and
will have an opportunity to present information about their project. The
recipient will also be honored at the annual Awards and Scholarships
reception and with a listing in the book presented by the Office of the
Dean of the College.
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