Greetings from the Dean’s Office!
Congratulations to all our graduates! You have played a major role in turning Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences into the true heart and soul of Chapman University. If you missed our “Wilkinson Class of 2020 Virtual Celebration,” or would like to view it again, the video is available here. We look forward to celebrating together once commencement ceremonies are re-scheduled. Wilkinson College ended the academic year on a high note, with numerous accomplishments and awards to applaud. The creativity, energy, and intellectual curiosity of our faculty and students are on full display in this issue of We are Wilkinson.
If you would like to share a story for an upcoming newsletter,
please contact wilkinsoncollege@chapman.edu.
Pictured above: Wilkinson College students on the Chinese, Culture, and Society 2019 travel course in Taiwan through the Chinese Language program.
Visualizing Wilkinson Through Art
The Escalette Art Collection staff will be curating new art installations in Roosevelt Hall and Smith Hall. This new plan showcases the college’s initiatives and goals through art, providing the campus with a visual representation of Wilkinson College, the heart and soul of Chapman University. Click below to read more about the plan and to see a sneak peek at some of the art that will be featured.
Surfing Remotely
This summer, four Wilkinson students will embark on their own remote research projects as part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), headed by the Center for Undergraduate Excellence. They will be tackling a wide array of interdisciplinary subjects with the help of a faculty mentor. Click below to read how these students adapted their projects to accommodate a remote research experience.
Career Corner:
Why Liberal Arts Matter Now More Than Ever
What difference can a Wilkinson graduate make during this unprecedented global pandemic? Wilkinson Career Advisor Erin Berthon shares her take on the importance of the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Click the link below to read her hopeful piece about what graduating with a liberal arts degree means during this historic moment in time.
Cheverton Award Winner Says Goodbye to Wilkinson
Alex Ballard ('20, History, Political Science, Economics) had big dreams when he started as a first-year student in 2016. Today, Ballard is graduating as the recipient of the Cecil F. Cheverton Award, the highest distinction given to an undergraduate at Chapman University. Click below to read his story as he looks back at his four years in Wilkinson and gives advice to future students.
A Comic Book Thesis?
Sam Risak, MFA '20, won the 2020 Graduate Student Research Showcase Award. Her thesis, “Tracing the Transmutations of the Ubume: A Digital Environmental Humanities Project,” (Project #20) explores how traditional elements of ancient folklore endure in our contemporary digital landscapes. Click below to read more about Risak's project and the curious internet meme that inspired it.
Island on Fire: The 1831 Jamaican Slave Revolt
English Professor Tom Zoellner's new book, Island on Fire: The Revolt that Ended Slavery in the British Empire, details a nineteenth-century slave revolt that forever altered the course of British history. A story told through research spanning three continents, Island on Fire provides context to a crucial but sometimes forgotten aspect of black history. Click below to read the Voice of Wilkinson's conversation with Zoellner on his new book.
June Events
Reaffirming our shared humanity and resolve to insist on social justice is more important than ever. What is our path forward? We can retain faith in our nation to truly become an anti-racist society. Black Lives Matter.
To this end, Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and the Fowler School of Law have partnered to organize a community conversation with two remarkable and inspiring individuals whose commitment to combatting racial injustice has never wavered.
On Tuesday (June 9) at 2 p.m., join us for this special virtual conversation with Jimmie C. Gardner and Presidential Fellow in Peace Studies, "Prexy" (Rozell W.) Nesbitt, with introductions by President Daniele Struppa. Click below to join the conversation.
During the summer, we will be continuing our Engaging the World virtual film series as a prologue to Wilkinson College’s new annual interdisciplinary examination of one pressing societal issue concerning the college-age generation coming Fall 2020.
Our next film, A NEW COLOR joyfully profiles the life and work of celebrated artist Edythe Boone whose colorful murals portray some of the major events of our time and illustrate the transformative power of art. Filmed over five years, the film illuminates how the passionate, heart-felt work of one resilient woman can reverberate throughout a community and inspire both art and a more powerful chorus for justice.
On Friday (June 19) from 1 - 2 p.m., join us for a discussion about the film with Dr. Lindsay Shen and Jessica Bocinski from the Escalette Collection of Art. Access to view the film through Kanopy is only available only to current students, faculty, and students. Others may have access through their local libraries.
Creative & Cultural Industries Podcast
Catalyst: A Creative Industries Podcast
Season four (part two) of Catalyst features Chapman student interviewers from the Practice-Podcasting course (CCI 304), taught by podcast guru Ryan Haley. They explore subjects relating to Creative and Cultural Industries including, including food as art, television writing, fashion design and much more. Click below to listen as new episodes will be added on Tuesdays.
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As the Heart and Soul of Chapman University, Wilkinson is constantly making new memories and writing the story of our college.
Be a part of that story.
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Wilkinson Alumni News
Check out what some of our awesome alumni are up to:
Nicole Carroll (’10, History) is an Assistant Archivist at the Walt Disney Archives.
Rex Wilde ('11, Sociology) launched a company, Rex Wilde Consulting, to provide education and direct guidance to workplaces on gender diversity & inclusion.
Ariel Roth ('13, Graphic Design) is the Art Director at Known, a beauty branding company.
We want to know what you've been doing with your degree!
Submit your news to wilkinsoncollege@chapman.edu.
Support Wilkinson College
Wilkinson College, home to nine departments, numerous centers and programs, and the heart and soul of Chapman University, invites you to support our vibrant intellectual community where our students thrive with a personalized education of distinction that leads to inquiring, ethical, and productive lives as global citizens.
