Greetings from the Dean’s Office!
With the spring semester in full swing, we have lots of wonderful stories to share in this edition of We are Wilkinson. March is Women’s History Month, and as the stories below reveal, our college contains impressive and talented female faculty and students. Graduation is fast approaching, so we have included information on the nuts and bolts of preparing for commencement. Faculty and students go on spring break from March 23-28, and once classes resume the college will kick off the second half of the spring semester with some amazing events.
If you would like to share a story for an upcoming newsletter,
please contact wilkinsoncollege@chapman.edu.
Pictured above: Julye Bidmead (Religious Studies) took her all-female Interterm class to the Harry Potter lot at Warner Bros. Studio London.
New Africana Studies Minor coming Fall 2020
Wilkinson will have a new minor available for all Chapman students in Fall 2020 — Africana Studies. The new program will delve into the history, culture and contributions of people of African descent and takes a transnational approach to the Black experience. Check out our piece to find out how it was developed and why it is an important step in diversifying Wilkinson.
Wilkinson Graduate Student Wins National Master's Thesis Award
Liz Harmer, MFA '19, was the national winner of the 2019-20 WAGS/ProQuest Distinguished Master’s Thesis and/or Final Master’s Capstone Project Award in the Creative, Visual and Performing Arts category. Her thesis, “Interpretation Machine: A Memoir,” details her religious upbringing and coping with a family member's mental illness. Read more about Liz's work and her award.
A Q&A with Editor-in-Chief of The Panther
Lou Marshall ('20, History) is a warrior for truth. As Editor-in-Chief of Chapman's student newspaper, The Panther, she leads her newsroom of student journalists to cover complex issues and controversial stories around campus everyday. We are Wilkinson sat down with Marshall for an introspective Q&A, discussing her journey, the stories she's covered, and her advice for future student journalists.
Above art created by Graphic Design student Henry Littleworth ('23, Graphic Design)
Escalette's New Exhibit Creativity After Combat honors veteran artists
Creativity After Combat explores the unique ability of visual art to capture aspects of the veteran experience. The exhibit features artwork created from the testimonies of veterans recently returned from conflicts around the world. The exhibit will be open until August on the second floor of Argyros Forum, in the Henley Galleria. Click below to find out more about this unique exhibit.
Dr. Peter Simi testifies as an expert witness in high-profile trial
Sociology professor Dr. Peter Simi testified in the trial of the 2017 Portland MAX Attack. Simi’s research focus is the social psychology of extremist groups and violence — seeking insight into how extremist individuals think and why they think that way. Read about his testimony, which The Oregonian called "key" to the conviction.
Dr. Charissa Threat rediscovers forgotten WWII Black Pin-ups
Dr. Charissa Threat's new research focuses on an overlooked aspect of Black culture: Black WWII pin-up girls. Threat has since received several awards for her work, including a highly-coveted fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Read more about her fascinating research and the letter that started it all.
Wilkinson Commencement 2020
We’re excited to have all Chapman graduating students together on Wilson Field for the University Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 22, at 7 p.m. and for the Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Degree Ceremony on Saturday, May 23, 2020 at 12 p.m. These two ceremonies will honor your achievements and celebrate the work you have done in your time at Chapman University and within Wilkinson College. Click below to find all the info you need to know about graduation, from commencement speakers, to tickets and graduation stoles.
Wilkinson College Events at a Glance
Whether you're into art, politics, history, or poetry, there's always something new and exciting happening in Wilkinson College!
Here is just a slice of our intriguing upcoming events. For a full schedule of Wilkinson events, click here.
April 1
The 6th Annual Public Policy Conference:
Fighting Climate Change
As the 50th anniversary of Earth Day approaches, it is time to dig more deeply into the details of the fight against climate change. On April 1, the Political Science Department will be holding an all-day Public Policy conference on climate change from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the George H. W. Bush Conference Center (Beckman Hall 404).
April 4
Food and Culture: An Italian Perspective
Join Italian studies on April 4 at 10 a.m. for a thought-provoking celebration of
Italian food culture, featuring talks by influencers, scholars, and chefs, as well as access to a tasting pavilion with
the best from local Italian restaurants and food producers.
Wilkinson Alumni News
Check out what some of our awesome alumni are up to:
Alexis Sutterman ('19, BA Political Science) is a Fellow at California Environmental Justice Alliance.
Justin Pineda ('18, BFA Graphic Design) is a Graphic Designer at Unfold Agency in Los Angeles.
McKenzie Tavoda ('15, BA History and Peace Studies) is an Assistant Manager at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.
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.
