Greetings from the Dean's Office!
It’s been a year in the making! Tomorrow we finally welcome George Takei to campus to discuss his childhood spent behind barbed wire in a Japanese American internment camp during World War II. This keynote lecture caps an overwhelming successful series of Engaging the World: Leading the Conversation on Ethnic Studies fall events. In this month’s issue of the Voice of Wilkinson, we celebrate two distinguished alumni who are using their voices and creativity to bring awareness to key social issues at home and abroad. We wish the entire Wilkinson community a happy Thanksgiving, traditionally a time to reconnect with family and friends, while also recognizing that Thanksgiving remains a complex holiday.
If you would like to share a story for an upcoming newsletter,
please contact wilkinsoncollege@chapman.edu.
Pictured above: This past summer, the MA in International Studies and Department of Peace Studies launched a new partnership with the Center for International Experiential Learning (CIEL). To learn more about the partnership, visit The Voice of Wilkinson blog.
Team FEAR (left to right): (first row) Eva Jones (’24), Lexi Reekie (’23), Christian Grevin (’22). (second row) Markos Buhler (’23), Nicole Drew (’23), Dani Espiritu (Sociology). (third row) Dr. Ann Gordon and Talisa Flores (Political Science). (fourth row) Dr. Chris Bader and Dr. Ed Day (Sociology).
What Terrifies America? Team FEAR Knows
The ongoing Chapman University Survey of American Fears (CSAF) reveals the top 10 fears in America. Wilkinson College Undergraduate Research Fellows in the Henley Lab and the Earl Babbie Research Center completed research papers based on their participation in the study.
Dr. Sarah Halverson-Cano with her family at Chapman’s 2022 Homecoming.
Career Corner: Wilkinson College Honors Distinguished Alumni
Wilkinson College recently honored its Distinguished Alumni of 2022, the Rev. Dr. Sarah Halverson-Cano (’99, Religious Studies and English Literature). Halverson-Cano, currently serving as a pastor of Irvine United Congregational Church, is a progressive social justice leader in Orange County. Career Manager Erin Berthon sat down with Halverson-Cano to discuss her journey and her activism in racial, environmental justice, and ethnic studies sectors.
(left to right): Carolyn Torres, Jerry Almendarez, Bertha Benavides, and Linn Lee.
The Ethnic Studies Movement in the Santa Ana Unified School District
The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) was the first district in Orange County to build an ethnic studies program embedded throughout the K-12 curriculum. As part of the Engaging the World: Leading the Conversation on Ethnic Studies initiative, Wilkinson College invited representatives from the district to address the advancement of ethnic studies in Santa Ana schools, and the obstacles and challenges faced during its implementation.
Wilkinson's 'Museum Without Walls' Celebrates 10+2 Anniversary
The Escalette Permanent Art Collection celebrated its 10+2 year anniversary. Established in 2010 through a generous donation by Phyllis and Ross Escalette, Wilkinson College’s “museum without walls” has grown to include over 830 works displayed in the public spaces throughout campus. This event celebrated this monumental milestone and honored the donors, artists, and students who have shaped the collection’s trajectory.
Wounded Land: Alumni Documents the Lives of Ukranians during War with Russia
The Voice of Wilkinson spoke with Wilkinson College alum and founder of Marshootz Productions Scott Marshutz ('87, English), about his documentary,
Wounded Land. Marshutz's latest project tells the stories of a group of Ukrainian people who strive to protect their country and businesses during the Russo-Ukrainian War. Check out the trailer.
Faculty Books: Liberating Mindfulness: From Billion-Dollar Industry to Engaged Spirituality
How can self-help practice bring about true individual happiness or societal happiness, when so many problems stem from racist, misogynist, heteronormative, and classist policies and structures? This is one of the hard questions the Rev. Dr. Gail Stearns, Dean of the Wallace All Faiths Chapel and Associate Professor of Religious Studies, tackles in her latest publication, Liberating Mindfulness: from Billion-dollar Industry to Engaged Spirituality.
Upcoming Events
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Wednesday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Join us for "An Evening with George Takei," the keynote event in this year's Engaging the World: Leading the Conversation on Ethnic Studies, in the Musco Center for the Arts. Known around the world for his role as Hikaru Sulu in Star Trek, George Takei is a prominent voice for immigrant and LGBTQIA+ rights, particularly in his poignant recollections of his childhood spent behind the barbed-wire enclosures of Japanese American internment camps during WWII in his graphic novel, They Called Us Enemy. Reserve your tickets!
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Tuesday, November 8 at 7 p.m.
In partnership with the Fish Interfaith Center, the Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education invites you to gather as an interfaith community to remember Kristallnacht and those targeted by the antisemitic violence that swept across Germany and Austria on November 9-10, 1938. Jeffrey Kopstein, Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Irvine will bring his disciplinary expertise as a political scientist and his wide-ranging knowledge of the history of anti-Jewish violence to bear on the events of Kristallnacht.
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Friday, November 11 at 6:30 p.m.
Join Engaging the World: Leading the Conversation on Ethnic Studies on Veteran's Day for "A Night of Remembrance for Latino Veterans." Chapman University, led by Wilkinson College's MA War, Diplomacy, and Society program and the Office of the President, is holding a ceremony to honor Latino veterans. Don't miss special presentations by President Danielle Struppa, Congressman Lou Correa, and Judge Rick Aguirre, honoring those Latinos who have served and continue to do so.
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Monday, November 14 at 2:30 p.m.
Join Engaging the World: Leading the Conversation on Ethnic Studies and the Department of English for author Aiden Thomas's reading of Cemetery Boys, followed by a discussion of Young Adult Speculative Fiction in Argyros Forum 209A. Thomas is a trans, Latinx, New York Times Bestselling Author with an MFA in Creative Writing from Mills College.
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Wednesday, November 16 at 12 p.m.
Join Wilkinson College for "Discuss Creativity: The Lonely Island’s Jorma Taccone and Professor Lia Halloran" in Argyros Forum 209A. Taccone is a comedy writer, actor, producer, and director and one-third of the sketch comedy troupe, The Lonely Island.
Gift of the Month
National Philanthropy Day is a day set aside every year on the fifteenth of November. This day signifies the importance of giving and working together for the common good. Wilkinson College would like to acknowledge the philanthropists who profoundly impact our university. Our donors have enhanced the education of our students through programming made possible due to their dedication and commitment.
Wilkinson Alumni News
Check out what some of our awesome alumni are doing:
Ellen Joo ('19, Art History) was awarded the Arizona State University’s LACMA Fellowship in Art History. Joo plans to research East Asian ink paintings with a focus on Korean ink paintings of the Japanese colonial period.
Jonathan Moch ('20, MFA Creative Writing) directed Playing the Crease, a film that follows an aspiring, varsity hockey player and a former Olympic trainer, is available on Amazon Prime. Moch's film had a successful film festival run, with winnings in Best Actress and Best Musical Score. The upcoming, promotional segment for the film on NHL Now is expected to reach 46 million+ viewers.
Michelle Pichardo ('18, Sociology) is a Community Engagement Manager at the OC Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. She visited the Chapman campus for a career talk with our students.
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