Greetings from the Dean's Office!
In recognition of Women’s History Month, this issue of We Are Wilkinson highlights some amazing women in our college community! Dr. Shira Klein’s work on misinformation disseminated by Wikipedia about Poland’s role in the Holocaust underscores the enduring significance of the Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education’s annual Art and Writing Contest for students and educators, which takes place March 10th on campus. We also look forward to welcoming back our 2022 distinguished alumnus Dr. Rev. Sarah Halverson-Cano (’99, English and Religious Studies) who will speak to students about how her education in the liberal arts prepared her for a career in social activism. Interested in sharing your career journey with our students? Please contact the Wilkinson College Career Manager Erin Berthon!
If you would like to share a story for an upcoming newsletter,
please contact wilkinsoncollege@chapman.edu.
Pictured above: 2022 Wilkinson Commencement Speaker, Nicole Saito ('22, Political Science, History, Economics, Mathematics Minor) was selected by the Wilkinson College Student Advisory and Leadership Council in the inaugural Wilkinson Commencement Speaker Contest. Watch a clip from Saito's commencement speech. Wilkinson students, nominate a graduating senior today!
Research Reveals Wikipedia’s Intentional Distortion of the History of the Holocaust
New research by Professor of History Dr. Shira Klein and the University of Ottowa, published in the Journal of Holocaust Research, details the erosion of accuracy and unveils ideological zeal and prejudice on Wikipedia. "For the last ten years, a group of committed Wikipedia editors have been promoting a skewed version of history on Wikipedia, whitewashing the role of Polish society in the Holocaust and bolstering stereotypes about Jews,” said Dr. Klein.
Sisters Circle
Commemorates Black Herstory Month
Thanks to Dr. Angelica Allen, Director of Wilkinson College’s Africana Studies minor, partnership with Misty Levingston, Chapman’s Director of Black Excellence and Achievement in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Sisters Circle commemorated Black History Month by centering on the perspectives and contributions made by Black women toward feminist movements. Allen and Levingston ran a two-part campus conversation on Mikki Kendall’s Hood Feminism: Notes From the Women That A Movement Forgot.
From Our Eyes: Visiting the Chinese American Museum
Bernadine Cortina (’24, English) reflected on her recent trip to the Chinese American Museum in Los Angeles with fellow Wilkinson College students, staff, and faculty. Cortina discussed her personal connection to immigration histories and Asian American studies as a Pinay immigrant. "My endeavors to understand my embodied experience as a Filipina migrant have led me to Wilkinson’s Interdisciplinary minors like Africana Studies, Ethnic Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies."
Trinity Huynh ’24 Advocates for Higher Education with State Legislators
Trinity Huynh (’24, Political Science) will represent Chapman University as a participant in the 2023 Independent California Colleges Advocate Program (ICCAP). Organized by the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, ICCAP gives aspiring student leaders the opportunity to strengthen their advocacy, leadership, and communication skills by participating in public policy decisions and speaking with elected state officials about issues relating to higher education.
Career Corner: A Conversation with Wilkinson's Career Manager
Pamela Coelho ('23, Creative and Cultural Industries Minor) sat down with Wilkinson's Career Manager Erin Berthon for a one-on-one interview about her job and how she helps Wilkinson College students during their time at Chapman and beyond, with internships, jobs, and so much more.
Faculty Books: Have Mercy On Us
Creative Writing Professor Lisa Cupolo recently published her book Have Mercy On Us (Regal House Publishing, 2023). The new book is a collection of stories that explore love, relationships, and all the complications: loss, betrayal, and longing. The collection features not only romantic love and relationships, but also that of mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, and friends and siblings. The Voice of Wilkinson sat down with Dr. Cupolo to talk about Have Mercy On Us.
Upcoming Events
Click to learn more.
Friday, March 10 at 11 a.m.
Join the 1939 Society and the Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education for the 24th Annual Holocaust Art and Writing Contest Awards Ceremony, "The Strength of Love and the Will to Survive," featuring guest speaker Dr. Glenn Kurtz, author of Three Minutes in Poland. Celebrate the achievements of students and educators in the United States and across the globe, and honor the Holocaust survivors who inspired them. Seating in Memorial Hall is reserved for Holocaust survivors and student and educator participants. The Chapman Community is invited to view the event via livestream by visiting the link below.
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Saturday, March 11 at 10 a.m.
Join Wilkinson College's Italian Studies Program and the Musco Center for the Arts for "Theater and Culture: An Italian Perspective," a thought-provoking celebration of Italian theater, featuring talks and performances showcasing a variety of theatrical genres and styles, with Daniela Bini, Nick Gabriel, and Matthias Martelli. An outdoor reception will follow from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
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Tuesday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Join Wilkinson College's Department of Peace Studies, The Office of the President, and the Delp-Wilkinson Lecture Series for "Bringing ISIS to Justice," a discussion with Nobel Laureate and Chapman Presidential Fellow Nadia Murad, at the Musco Center for the Arts. Murad’s book, The Last Girl, will be on sale before and after the event. A book signing will follow.
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Tuesday, March 28 at 11:30 a.m.
Join Wilkinson College's Distinguished Alumna Rev. Sarah Halverson-Cano ('99, Religious Studies, English Literature) for "Career Talk: Social Activism and the Liberal Arts" in Argyros Forum 209A. Halverson-Cano is a progressive social justice leader in Orange County, and known for her work with the LGBTQ+ community, low-wage workers, immigrants, and interfaith groups.
2023 Commencement: May 19 - 21
- The University Commencement Ceremony for all graduating students will take place on Friday, May 19, followed by the President's Toast.
- Wilkinson's Degree Ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 21 at 11:30 a.m.
- See the full schedule of activities here and be sure to share the information with family members and guests.
- All communication will be sent to students' Chapman e-mail accounts, so be sure to pay attention to all emails pertaining to Commencement.
Next Steps
- RSVP online: On March 1, you will receive an email with a link to set up your account and RSVP through our Commencement software: MarchingOrder. Deadline to RSVP: April 15.
- Reserve your guest tickets for the University Commencement Ceremony:
- Students must reserve their guest tickets through Chapman Ticketing beginning on March 1.
- Tickets are not required for individual School/College Degree Ceremonies, but guest tickets ARE required for Friday evening's University Commencement Ceremony. You can reserve up to (6) guest tickets. Deadline to reserve guest tickets: May 5.
- Order your cap and gown: All graduates must wear a cap and gown to participate in Commencement ceremonies. Order online before April 3 for pickup at Commencement Fair (April 6 & 7).
Gift of the Month
In February, Wilkinson College received a $10,000 gift from Jeffrey Griffith, a 2011 alumnus who double majored in History and Business Administration while at Chapman. Griffith donated to the Wilkinson College Academic Excellence Fund to support research grants for tenure-track junior faculty. We look forward to making the first Jeffery Griffith Junior Faculty Research Awards later this spring. Jeffrey Griffith has also contributed to the History and Religious Studies Department, and Wilkinson College is grateful for Griffith's support of our professors, who make a difference every day in the education of our students.
Wilkinson Alumni News
Check out what some of our awesome alumni are doing:
Nicholas Durell ('22, MA War, Diplomacy, and Society) graduated from Chapman with a Master's Degree in War, Diplomacy, and Society. He currently is a middle school teacher at St. Francis de Sales Catholic, teaching History and Religion to 6th through 8th graders.
Gretchen Grace ('17, Graphic Design, Dance Minor) is a Themed Entertainment Graphic Designer at Paramount Pictures.
Li Anne Liew (’22, Film Production, Creative & Cultural Industries Minor) is a digital designer at Pop-Up Magazine Productions.
We want to know what you've been doing with your degree!
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