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Wesleyan University Magazine

Wesleyan University's Democracy in Action podcast asks how institutions of higher education can cultivate the ways we show up as citizens. It underscores Wesleyan’s unwavering dedication to preparing future generations for a world where the free exchange of ideas and the vibrant clash of perspectives reign supreme.

Democracy in Action is produced and hosted by Anya Kisicki and executive produced and edited by James Sims.

Democracy in Action

In Episode 18 of the WesConnects Podc(A+)st, International Student Noah Schlesinger ‘13 (men’s soccer) unravels his journey from the United Kingdom to Wesleyan, how he started a bowling league within the U.S. Trust and the tight-knit group of friends that came with it, and working in Private Wealth Management.

Ep 18: Insatiable Curiosity

In Episode 22 of the WesConnects Podc(A+)st, Julie Bennett ‘00 chats about participating on the undefeated women’s rugby team at Wesleyan, the importance of knowing the ins and outs of your resume, and what sales and trading is really like.

Ep 22, Know Your Resume

In Episode 23 of the WesConnects Podc(A+)st, Tim Gallivan ‘15 (men’s basketball) speaks about his unhappiness in financial services, how playing a sport in college builds resilience, and his current job as a full-time math teacher and part-time DJ.

Ep 23: Try New Things

In Episode 24 of the WesConnects Podc(A+)st, host Brian C. Adams talks to his former lacrosse teammate Jeff Jorve ‘04 about how he found his way to Middletown from Seattle, WA, his post-college career in China as a writer, working at the World Bank and, most importantly, how you should always follow your heart.

Ep. 24, Live a Life of Meaning

Blair Ingraham '14 played field hockey for four years at Wesleyan under head coach Patti Klecha-Porter and two years of women's lacrosse under head coach Holly Wheeler. After a successful playing career, she returned to Middletown to pursue her Master's degree while acting as a graduate assistant coach for both programs, learning from Klecha-Porter and current women's lacrosse coach Kim Williams. Ingraham, who has a strong family history at Wesleyan, is now an Associate Director of Admission, and Field Hockey and Girls' Lacrosse Program Director, at the St. George's School in Middletown, R.I.

Ep. 29: Chris & Coach; Beyond the Box Score with Blair Ingraham ’14

Avery Esdaile '00 is currently the athletic director for Boston Public Schools. Prior to that, he spent 12 years at Wellesley College in the Athletic Department. The former Wesleyan men's basketball player joined Chris & Coach to talk about his career path, his current job and the impact of Covid-19 on sports, and how he got into athletic administration.

Ep. 30: Chris & Coach; Beyond the Box Score with Avery Esdaile '00

Following an incredible baseball career as an undergraduate for the Cardinals, in which he was named to the NESCAC All-Conference Team three times and set the program record for doubles, Julian Sonnenfeld '11 is now helping athletes perform at their best for a living. Sonnenfeld is currently a fellow in Sports Medicine, Shoulder & Elbow surgery in North Carolina, where he is enjoying a fellowship as a Team Physician for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL).

Ep. 31: Chris & Coach; Beyond the Box Score with Julian Sonnenfeld '11

Former Wesleyan dual-sport athlete (basketball and baseball), Christopher Roellke '87, is now the President at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. Roellke joined Chris & Coach to relive his days in Middletown, tell stories about legendary coaches Herb Kenny and Peter 'Kosty' Kostacopoulos, talk about how he met his wife Kim at Wes, and he discusses his path to becoming a University President, among much more.

Ep. 32: Chris & Coach; Beyond the Box Score with Christopher Roellke ’87

Mike Whalen’s (Coach) college roommate, Steve Sorkin ’83, joined the podcast to reminisce with his good friend and former Wesleyan football teammate. Sorkin and Whalen shared several memories from their playing days in Middletown. They also went on to coach together, and against each other, for several years post-graduation before Sorkin made a career change and got into sales. The Wesleyan University fight song leader is extremely passionate about his alma mater, and it is evident throughout this interview.

Ep. 33: Chris & Coach; Beyond the Box Score with Steve Sorkin ’83

In Episode 25 of the WesConnects Podc(A+)st, 7x All-American Jenna Flateman Posner ‘04 talks about being inducted into the Wesleyan athletics hall of fame and winning a national championship, being opportunistic while entering the workforce, and her current role as the VP of Digital at SNIPES.

Ep. 25: Find that Balance

In this week's episode of the WesConnects Podc(A+), Roger Maynard Award winner Ralph Savarese ‘86 discusses teaching and coaching at Deerfield Academy, briefly living in Poland, the skills he learned from playing an individual sport, and his current position as an English Professor at Grinnell College.

Ep. 26: Sports and All Things Intellectual

In this clip, Bob Gallamore ’63 revisits his favorite memories of Wesleyan, which include two seminar courses he took with famed theorist Hannah Arendt, who was a visiting professor at Wesleyan from 1961–63. Bob remembers the professor who had the greatest impact on him—from her guttural, gravelly voice and melancholy eyes, to the questions she asked his class, to her seminar on “Eichmann in Jerusalem” at Russell House.

Bob Gallamore is a leading expert on railway and intermodal economics, technology and safety. He has worked in both policy and leadership positions in government, industry, academia, consulting and non-profits. In addition to teaching at Northwestern University and Michigan State University, Bob founded and expanded The Gallamore Group consultancy.

Bob received his B.A. from Wesleyan with high honors in government. He went on to receive an MA in Public Administration and Ph.D. in political economy and government from Harvard University.

[Ed. Note: Bob would like us to clarify that “A Report on the Banality of Evil” is the subtitle of Arendt’s “Eichmann in Jerusalem,” not her earlier book “The Origins of Totalitarianism,” and that Arendt did not consider herself a philosopher but someone engaged in political theory.]

Storytelling: Bob Gallamore ’63 (clip)

In this clip, Bill Brooks ’49 P’71 and his wife Audrey P’71 reminisce about Bill’s athletic achievements at Wesleyan. Bill set the track record for the 100-yard and 220-yard dash, in addition to having the longest run from scrimmage in football.

“And the day he won the [220-yard] race, I was 8 months pregnant and very large—and I ran down the track after him,” says Audrey Brooks.

Bill graduated from Wesleyan with a degree in English, and worked at Morgan Stanley as a financial officer. Bill’s late brother, Ralph, attended Wesleyan at the same time, graduating in ’48. The couple’s son, William Brooks Jr., also attended Wesleyan to study English, graduating in 1971.

(Image: Olivia Drake MALS ’08. Pictured: Mia Lobel ’97 interviewing Bill and Audrey Brooks.)

Storytelling: Bill ’49 P’71 and Audrey P’71 Brooks

Accompanied by her own guitar playing, Dar Williams ’89 sang for two hours before a rapt Homecoming & Family Weekend crowd in a benefit for financial aid on November 1. 

Between songs, she often broke off spontaneously to recount memories from her time on campus—including a favorite class that met in the concert hall. The large audience included alumni, students and their parents, local community members, and Dar’s own family—her husband, also a Wes grad, and their two children. Most of the evening’s set was drawn from Dar’s two most recent albums, Many Great Companions and In the Time of Gods, with a sprinkling of such older favorites as “The Christians and the Pagans.”  

The audience joined Dar for a rousing finale of “If I Had a Hammer” followed by a q&a session focused on how her songs get written.

For more information, visit <a href="http://wesconnect.wesleyan.edu/thisiswhy-events-hcfw">wesconnect.wesleyan.edu/thisiswhy-events-hcfw</a>

Dar Williams '89 in concert, Homecoming/Family Weekend 2013

Wesleyan alumni, faculty, staff, family, and friends experienced a one-of-a-kind Wesleyan-themed version of the Blue Man Group's 2013 show at a special fundraising event at Boston's Charles Playhouse on November 13. Blue Man co-founder Chris Wink '83 was on hand for a post-show talkback with President Michael Roth.

The Blue Man Group's interactive multimedia spectacle combines music, technology and comedy to create a form of entertainment that defies categorization and appeals to people of all ages. The show has been described by critics as "innovative," "energetic" and "wildly entertaining."

The special Boston performance—a fundraiser to support financial aid—also included Wesleyn-themed paint-splatter art, the auction of a sculpture created on stage, and an audience-participation section featuring references to Cardinal sports, notable alumni in attendance, and more.

After the show, Blue Man Group co-founder Chris Wink '83 joined President Michael Roth on stage for a wide-ranging conversation on art, music, performance and the origins of the Blue Men. Wink, a member of the Eclectic Society while at Wesleyan, asserted that without the uniquely rich education he experience at Wesleyan, there'd be no Blue Man Group today.

This event was part of a series in the $400 million THIS IS WHY campaign to support the University’s endowment. All proceeds from ticket sales—100%—go directly to financial aid for Wesleyan students.

For more information, visit <a href="http://wesconnect.wesleyan.edu/thisiswhy-events-boston">wesconnect.wesleyan.edu/thisiswhy-events-boston</a>

Red, Black & Blue: Chris Wink '83 and the Blue Man Group

Acclaimed author, Wesleyan Shapiro-Silverberg Professor of Creative Writing, and Director of the Shapiro Center for Writing Amy Bloom talks to President Michael S. Roth about the rhythm of writing, the elasticity of language, and creating a home for creative writing at Wesleyan independent of major or department.

Established in 2009 with a gift from John Shapiro ’74 and Shonni Silverberg ’76, the Shapiro Center brings together academic, creative, and public writing at Wesleyan University. In 2022, Wesleyan launched the Shapiro-Silverberg Distinguished Writers in Residence program, which was made possible through the continued generous support of Shapiro and Silverberg. Discover more Wesleyan University Magazine stories at http://magazine.wesleyan.edu

Wandering Mind

In Conversation: Creative Writing

In a conversation with Cynthia Rockwell, Xiomara Lorenzo ’05 talks about the transition from college to the workforce, the pull of labor and capitalism, and putting convictions into the questions she asks. 

“Still feels like a rare breed—the Wesleyan MBA.”

Xiomara is a principal consultant at High Start Group in Boston, MA. At Wesleyan, Xiomara studied History. She went to receive an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business.

Storytelling: Xiomara Lorenzo ’05 (clip)

Earlier this spring, Wesleyan University President Michael S. Roth ’78 was joined by Amin Abdul-Malik Gonzalez ’96, vice president and dean of admission and financial aid, to discuss the still-pending ruling by the Supreme Court on Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. University of North Carolina and Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard University, two cases which are expected to have broad, adverse impact on the future of recruiting students from under-represented communities.

Discover more Wesleyan University Magazine stories at http://magazine.wesleyan.edu

In Conversation: The Supreme Court and College Admissions

This week, we hear Jaron, Aaron and Claire in conversation. They remember a song that has stayed with them through their years of friendship.

Jaron: "People got to know as the duo - the rhyming Jaron and Aaron."
Aaron: "...it was a brand - Jaron and Aaron... mostly it was because people wanted to say it. Not that they were that excited to see us."

As students, Jaron and Aaron were active members of the a capella group, the New Group. Jaron studied Government and Spanish, and is a partner at ADR Media Integrators. Aaron studied sociology, and is a mental health counselor at an alternative school. Claire, who studied psychology, is now the director of the Speech & Language department at Park Terrace Care Center in New York. 

Storytelling: Jaron Argiz ’01, Aaron Frank ’01 & Claire Frank ’01

Cardinals nest for life: In this week’s story, we hear Miguel Guadalupe and Maria Santana Guadalupe ’98 tell the story of how they first met—through a mutual love of dance.&#13;
&#13;
Miguel:“How did we first meet? There’s a debate about that. I think I saw her first.”&#13;
Maria: “You did.”&#13;
&#13;
After studying government and Latin American studies at Wesleyan, Miguel went on to work in the financial services industry and is now a director at Gartner. Miguel is also an active alumni volunteer and a member of the Board of Trustees at Wesleyan. Listen to his Storytelling clip from last year: <a href="https://soundcloud.com/wesleyanuniversity/storytelling-miguel-guadalupe-98" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Storytelling clip</a>&#13;
Maria, who studied psychology at Wes, is a journalist and a television personality. She was recently <a href="http://wesconnect.wesleyan.edu/news-20140722-emmy-awards" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">nominated for an Emmy</a> for her work as the New York Anchor/Correspondent for CNN En Español.

The Wesleyan Storytelling Project is produced by Mia Lobel ’97 and production intern Tess Altman ’17.

Storytelling: Miguel Guadalupe ’98 & Maria Santana Guadalupe ’98

Wesleyan University's Democracy in Action podcast asks how institutions of higher education can cultivate the ways we show up as citizens. It underscores Wesleyan’s unwavering dedication to preparing future generations for a world where the free exchange of ideas and the vibrant clash of perspectives reign supreme. Each episode narrows in on a topic where universities and democracy intersect, beginning with an episode about free expression on college campuses. Future episodes will cover topics ranging from affirmative action, racial belonging at predominantly white institutions to media literacy and historic coalitions formed between colleges to imagine a world worth striving for.

Democracy in Action is produced and hosted by Anya Kisicki and executive produced and edited by James Sims.

Democracy in Action: Free Expression

This week, we hear Mia Lobel '97 in conversation with Honorable Terry J. Hatter, Jr. '54, a United States federal judge and one of the first black students to graduate from Wesleyan.

"I would take the station wagon in the middle of the night and drive to New York City...I would go listen to Latin Jazz at the Apollo theater— Tito Puente, Joe Loco. Get back in the car, get back on the Merritt Parkway, get back to the fraternity, —and start writing papers in the middle of the night, while the guys were asleep." 

After receiving his BA from Wesleyan in 1954, Terry went on to receive his JD from the University of Chicago Law School, and was a US Air Force NCO-In-Charge. He went on to have an illustrious career in the law. 

The Wesleyan Storytelling Project is produced by Mia Lobel ’97 and production intern Tess Altman ’17.

Storytelling: Terry J. Hatter, Jr. '54

This week, we hear from Rachel Mandal '99 and Nell Robinson '99.

Their story was featured as part of <a href="“http://wesconnect.wesleyan.edu/s/1318/index_social.aspx?sid=1318&amp;gid=1&amp;pgid=5033&amp;ref=soundcloud”" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wes-Side Story</a> a Wesleyan Valentine’s Day Special in 2015. 

Rachel is a public health analyst at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Nell is a med student at George Washington University. They live in DC with their two cats, Tweak and Luna. Tweak was recently featured as the Most Studious pet in “Washingtonian Magazine.”

The Wesleyan Storytelling Project is produced by Mia Lobel ’97 and production intern Tess Altman ’17.

Storytelling: Rachel Mandal and Nell Robinson '99

This week, we hear from Kate and Mike Gilles, Class of 2004.

Mike and Kate are looking forward to celebrating their 7th wedding anniversary this May, and expecting their second child in July. Their story was featured as part of <a href="“http://wesconnect.wesleyan.edu/s/1318/index_social.aspx?sid=1318&amp;gid=1&amp;pgid=5033&amp;ref=soundcloud”" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wes-Side Story</a> a Wesleyan Valentine’s Day Special in 2015. 

Kate and Mike were married in 2008, and currently live in Washington, D.C., with their two-year-old son, Sebastian, and two dogs. Kate works as a Senior Policy Analyst for the Population Reference Bureau, where she focuses on youth, gender, and sexual and reproductive health policy issues. She is also a coordinator for the D.C. Doulas for Choice Collective. Mike works as an Attorney-Adviser for the U.S. Department of State, where he current serves in the office of economic and business affairs. He also teaches a course in International Business Transactions at American University's Washington College of Law. 

The Wesleyan Storytelling Project is produced by Mia Lobel ’97 and production intern Tess Altman ’17.

Storytelling: Kate and Mike Gilles '04

Majora Carter ‘88 HON'13, President, The Majora Carter Group, an environmental consulting company; founder and former executive director, Sustainable South Bronx; MacArthur Fellow. “That was a really powerful thing that I still carry with me now…the act of creativity, whether it’s on a canvas or on a city street…you do need to be fearless when you do it, because no one is going to give you that permission, you have to take it.”

How do people decide what careers to pursue? Hear from scientists, entertainers, business people, activists, academics, and everyone in between about how they designed paths that were right for them, and what advice they have for you. Check out "Careers by Design," the course, on the Wesleyan University Gordon Career Center website. http://www.wesleyan.edu/careercenter/careersbydesign.html

No One is Going to Give You Permission: Majora Carter '88 HON'13

We speak with Jim Citrin, who leads the CEO Search and Succession Practice at Spencer Stuart and is a bestselling writer of a number of books on leadership and career development. "You don’t want to make mistakes, but we all know you’re going to make mistakes. And as painful as they are to make and experience at the time, you genuinely can only learn from making some sidesteps.”


Careers Only Make Sense in Retrospect: Jim Citrin, P'12, P'14

Peter Olson ’97, Director and Creative Technologist at IDEO, the global design and innovation firm. “I don’t think critical thinking can be [automated]. I think as machine learning and things like those become more sophisticated, the thing that’s going to be important to have really good positions in the labor market in the next 20 to 30 years is not going to be knowing a specific skill, but knowing how to learn new skills and knowing how to think analytically and critically about things. And also creatively."

Learn How to Learn: Peter Olson ‘97

This week Mia Lobel ’97 interviews Michael Lewis, a College of Social Studies major and member of the class of 2003. A Philadelphia native, Michael now conducts market research for Teach for America. He is also a sitting member of the Wesleyan University Board of Trustees. In this conversation Michael recalls how CSS altered his career trajectory, and how Wesleyan strengthened his relationships, with newer and older friends alike.

Storytelling: Michael Lewis ’03 - full episode

This week, listen to Joe Giaimo '11 and Justin Freres '11 reminisce about their time at Wesleyan, in an interview with Mia Lobel '97. Joe and Justin have a lot in common: both were members of Delta Kappa Epsilon, both majored in Economics, and both captained the baseball and football teams. Their unique friendship continues to flourish, years after graduation.

Storytelling: Joe Giaimo '11 and Justin Freres '11 (clip)

This week, listen to Mia Lobel ’97 in conversation with Brad Towson ’94. Brad, who lives in Middletown, is a Senior Legislative Attorney for the General Assembly of Connecticut. After graduating in government from Wesleyan, Brad went on to study law at Rutgers University. He continues to engage in the Wesleyan community—from running the moot court, acting as a liaison for the Wesleyan Lawyers Association, to speaking at WESeminars. Listen to Brad discuss coming to Wesleyan as a transfer, and what it took to find his niche.

Storytelling: Brad Towson '94 (clip)

Host Brian C. Adams ’04 (lacrosse), President of Excelsior Capital, speaks with John Gannon ’86 (hockey, crew), Director of Development & Alumni Affairs at the Hackley School. Gannon talks about his Wesleyan experience as a student and an athlete, his career path and provides advice and best practices on how to leverage the alumni network in securing work experience. https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-c-adams/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gannon-63a4a9/

WesConnects Podcast

Ep 1: Alumni Networking 101: How to build meaningful relationships though informational interviews

Chad Malinowski ’19 (hockey, lacrosse), Investment Banking Analyst at J.P. Morgan, talks about his Informational Interview process – viewing networking as a 5th class to knowing which questions to ask and etiquette after a connection is made. https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-malinowski-649686121/

Ep 3: Taking the Informational Interview to New Heights

The all-time leading scorer for both goals (35) and points (87) in Wesleyan men's soccer history, Amos Magee '93, joins Mike Whalen '83 and Chris Grace in this week's episode of Chris & Coach; Beyond the Box Score. Magee was named an NCAA Division III All-American in 1992 and helped guide the Cardinals to a 15-1-1 record in 1991, the program's greatest record in school history. He went on to play 12 years of professional soccer and was inducted into the Wesleyan Hall of Fame in the fall of 2008. Magee is now the Director of Player Personnel for Minnesota United FC.

Ep. 18: Chris & Coach; Beyond the Box Score with Amos Magee ’93

At Wesleyan, our open curriculum challenges and teaches you to think creatively, become intellectually agile, and take meaningful risks. This flexibility prepares you both for success and the inevitable setbacks along the path to discovery. Learn more at https://www.wesleyan.edu/

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