Greetings from the Dean's Office!
We have concluded the hugely successful 2023 Engaging the World (ETW): Leading the Conversation on Health Equity fall series, held in partnership with Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. We are particularly proud of the range of topics discussed and the widespread engagement across the campus and community. If you are traveling over the holidays or just looking for enriching conversations, ETW series podcasts are available featuring past discussions on the significance of race, environmental justice, and ethnic studies. The Wilkinson Student Advisory and Leadership Council has been busy organizing our third annual Wilkinson Winterfest – a bit of fun and relaxation in December before we head into finals. With winter break fast approaching, we want to take this opportunity to wish the entire Wilkinson College community a joyous holiday season!
If you would like to share a story for an upcoming newsletter,
please contact wilkinsoncollege@chapman.edu.
Pictured Above: Engaging the World: Leading the Conversation on Health Equity "Trans Health & Wellness" alumni panel from left to right: Addison Rose Vincent ('15), MLin (’14), Mckenzee Griffler (’13), Tuck Woodstock (’13). Photo by Ava Brandt.
In Memoriam
Dr. Patricia See
It is with great sadness that we share the news that Professor Emerita Patricia See has passed away. For over 50 years Dr. See provided exemplary service to the university in many capacities. She served as director of the University Honors program, the head of the Alpha Kappa Delta sociology honors chapter at Chapman and held multiple roles in faculty governance. She was selected as one of the “150 Faces” of Chapman University during our 150 anniversary celebrations, reflecting her monumental influence on the educational experience of multiple generations of students. On the occasion of her fiftieth year at Chapman, former and current students organized a surprise celebration for her.
Professor See had suffered a stroke in March of 2022 from which she never fully recovered. She died peacefully on October 28, 2023.
Across her career Dr. See was a pillar of the Sociology Department. She taught courses in microsociology, the sociology of consciousness, holistic health, and her legendary course in marriage and the family. Her teaching earned her a range of outstanding teaching awards on both the school and university level, recognition from her peers that she was one of the best within a faculty of dedicated and effective instructors.
Dr. See worked tirelessly to create a campus culture in which female, minoritized, and economically disadvantaged students could thrive.
Dr. See was one of our most celebrated and influential faculty, and she will forever be cherished by those lucky enough to have known her. Her commitment to Chapman ran deep and she leaves a legacy of distinguished contributions that substantially shaped the university.
Dr. See is survived by her daughter, Ariana See, a Chapman alumna.
Trans Health & Wellness alumni panel from left to right: Addison Rose Vincent ('15), MLin (’14), Mckenzee Griffler (’13), Tuck Woodstock (’13).
ETW: Trans Health & Wellness Panel
Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences recently hosted a panel featuring trans Chapman alumni who spoke on their work striving for trans liberation and the need to challenge institutions, narratives, and gender norms.
Dr. Pete Simi Awarded $211,074 Grant to Study Homeland Security
Dr. Pete Simi (Sociology) will use his newest grant to support opportunities for student researchers to work on two large-scale multi-year projects aimed at developing a comprehensive understanding of the patterns and trends of threats targeting public officials.
Career Corner: How a Wilkinson Alum Found Screenwriting Success with a Political Science Degree
According to alum Nolan Dunbar ('10 BA Political Science with emphasis on International Relations, minor in History), his education and studies of international relations and history at Chapman have been fundamental tools to his success as a screenwriter.
Hailey Ramos ('25 Studio Art, minor in Graphic Design).
Wilkinson Celebrates its First-Gen Students
November 8 was National First-Generation College Day, honoring the Higher Education Act of 1965 and Chapman University celebrated first-gen students with a week-long list of events. As part of the commemoration, the Voice of Wilkinson sat down with Hailey Ramos (’25 Studio Art, minor in Graphic Design) to highlight her Chapman experience as a first-gen student.
Faculty Books: Defining Democracy: Democratic Commitment in the Arab World
Assistant Professor Hannah Ridge (Political Science) recently published her first book, which focuses on how Arabic-speakers in the Middle East use the word dimuqratiyya. As her research outlines, the English translation – democracy – fails to capture the nuance of how the word is employed.
Upcoming Events
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Tuesday, December 5 at 11:30 a.m.
Argyros Forum 209C
The Escalette Collection is hosting "Sewing in Community: Artist Talk" with Tahereh Sheerazi, an artist and member of the Los Angeles based quilting collective, The Running Stitch. Sheerazi will discuss the use of community to bring relief and joy through art-making which uses recycled materials as the medium. This event is free and open to everyone and will have light lunch served.
Save the Date!
Monday, February 19 at 7 p.m.
Marion Knott Studios Folio Theater
Art Department Chair Lia Halloran and Dr. Kip Thorne (California Institute of Technology) will discuss their collaborative book The Warped Side of Our Universe, An Odyssey Through Black Holes, Wormholes, Time Travel, and Gravitational Waves with President Struppa. There will be a book sale and signing following the discussion.
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Wednesday, February 21 at 7 p.m.
Dee Henley Reading Room in Leatherby Libraries
Dr. Luca Cottini, an associate Professor of Italian Studies at Villanova University and host/creator of the Italian Innovators YouTube project will speak on the role that storytelling plays for the marketing and branding of Italian companies. Dr. Cottini will examine the Italian storytelling tradition as the core of entrepreneurship in Italy.
Wilkinson Alumni News
Check out what some of our awesome alumni are doing:
Ayanna Dozier ('12 BA Art History, BA French Literature & Film) is currently a professor at University of Massachusetts Amherst and is a filmmaker-artist.
Addison Rose Vincent ('15 BA Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution) is a founder and lead consultant at Break the Binary LLC.
Rain Lee Francisco ('16 BA Communication Studies) recently launched a digital platform (thepostgrad.org) focused on empowering recent grads and young professionals to thrive after college.
We want to know what you've been doing with your degree!
Support Wilkinson College
Gifts will help Wilkinson College grow interdisciplinary programs, strengthen the university’s diversity and inclusion plan, and build bridges with other colleges (especially the sciences, engineering, and film) to ensure the continued relevance of the arts, humanities, and social sciences for all Chapman students.
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