MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
It might seem like Wesleyan students are happiest in groups—talking, thinking, planning, creating, and going-out-and-doing. The Wesleyan Student Assembly lists more than 300 different clubs and activities, based on service, activism, athletic, artistic and cul- tural interests. With approximately 2,700 full-time undergraduates on campus, that would give each club an average of nine students in its membership—assuming people were only captivated by one passion and, thus, only belonged to its one club.
Do you remember the first time you met a fellow Wesleyan student who shared your unbridled enthusiasm for experimental music, the availability of unpasteurized milk, examin- ing the U.S. policy of aid to Haiti, or [fill in the blank with the favorite from your memory]? Often, one of the pivotal moments of freshman year is discovering that an interest you have that had seemed arcane—or just plain weird to others—has far wider appeal on campus than you ever could have imagined. Or, if your new Wesleyan classmates didn’t know about it, they were eager to learn about it—from you.
And do you remember the challenging level of discourse you found among fellow Wesleyanites? Intellectual curiosity and eagerness to learn are hallmarks of Wesleyan students.
You haven’t left these groups behind you at graduation. Those who have attended WESeminars can attest to that.
Now, though, these affinity and discussion groups are as near as your computer, waiting for you on Wesconnect.
To link into these virtual clubs, log into Wesconnect, the new alumni site, and find your peers.
Along with the class year groups, regions groups, and alumni-of-color networks, you’ll find the Shared Interest Groups. At the end of June, alumni had formed 30 or so groups: The College of Social Studies, Friends of Wesleyan Football, Medieval House, Digital Media, A Cappella, and Wesleyan Alumni in Philanthropy and Public Service, among others.
We all know our interests are wider than that, and we’re waiting for you to start the next “hot” group. Haven’t you wanted to dis- cuss recycling with a Wesleyan perspective—or learn about letting your lawn go “back to nature”? How about creating art quilts with a punk ethos? Post photos of your creations and get some informed critique. Want to talk about the latest films with a fellow College of Letters alumna? Do you know how to fertilize vanilla plants?
From even a cursory glance at Class Notes, it’s clear that we have a number of intriguing passions to share with each other—and I look forward to hearing that our Wesleyan conversations are humming.
To log onto Wesconnect: Go to http:// wesconnect.wesleyan.edu. You’ll be asked your last name at graduation and your six-digit Wes ID (hint: it’s on the address label on the back of this magazine) and then you can choose a login name and password.
I look forward to seeing you online.
Michael Klingher ’78, P’12, P’15
Chair, Wesleyan Alumni Association
alumni@wesleyan.edu
