Greetings from the Dean's Office!
Congratulations to all our graduates for reaching a major milestone in their lives! We look forward to celebrating together during commencement weekend (see below for more details). This issue of We are Wilkinson highlights two on-campus conferences that engaged students, faculty, and invited speakers in thoughtful and lively dialogue. We have concluded our hugely successful Engaging the World: Leading the Conversation on Environmental Justice series, videos of past events and podcasts are available here. Coming this fall, Engaging the World: Leading the Conversation on Ethnic Studies.
If you would like to share a story for an upcoming newsletter,
please contact wilkinsoncollege@chapman.edu.
Pictured Above: (left to right) Randy Felder, Dr. Jeffrey Koerber, Megan Lee, Dr. Alex Bay, Devin Clarke, Dr. Charissa Threat, Dr. Kyle Longley, Dr. Angelica Allen, and Bo Kent at the Vietnam War Conference, hosted by the Department of History and the MA War & Society Program. Visit the Voice of Wilkinson blog to read more about the
Vietnam War Conference.
Celebrating the Art of Short Fiction
The Department of English and Leatherby Libraries recently hosted the Conference on the American Short Story. This gathering brought together readers, scholars, teachers, editors, and writers, both established and emerging, for crucial conversations about how stories make sense of the world and what it means to be human.
History Students Win Best Paper Awards
Patrick Beirne (‘22, History) and Sydney Horner (‘22, History) tied for Best Undergraduate Pape and Nat Pendergraft (‘22, History, TV Writing & Production; '23, MA War & Society) was selected as a runner-up at the 2022 Southern California Phi Alpha Theta (History Honors Society) Regional Conference, organized by The Department of History and the Alpha Mu Gamma Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta.
Celebrating Professor Bob Slayton's Career
Dr. Robert 'Bob' Slayton, Professor of History and the Henry Salvatori Professor in American Values and Traditions, has announced his retirement after more than 34 years of service and contributions to Chapman University and Wilkinson College. "Dr. Slayton makes history real and powerful," said Nicole Saito ('22, Economics, History, Political Science), "he has such a thorough command of history through empathy, and that’s something that's so incredibly rare and special for a historian.”
Top 10 Pieces of Advice Every Grad Should Know
Graduation is right around the corner! Career Manager Erin Berthon shares her advice for new graduates to ease their concerns and help them stay connected to the Chapman Community, whether they're trying to find a job or beginning their graduate education.
Faculty Books: Krav Maga and the Making of Modern Israel: For Zion’s Sake
The Voice of Wilkinson sat down with Andrea Molle, Assistant Professor of Political Science, to discuss his new book, "Krav Maga and the Making of Modern Israel." The book explores the interaction between the Israeli martial art of Krav Maga and the development of Israel’s national identity, enlightening the ways martial arts, combat sports, and combative systems correlate with concepts of nationalism.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, May 19 at 1 p.m.
Join us for a Q&A between Nadia Murad, Nobel Peace Prize Winner and Human Rights Activist, and the Dean of Wilkinson College, Dr. Jennifer Keene, in Beckman Hall 404 or via Zoom.
In 2014, Islamic State militants attacked the village of Kocho in the Sinjar District in Iraq and killed hundreds. Murad was captured and taken into slavery with more than 6,500 Yazidi women and children. A leading advocate for both gender equality and survivors of genocide and sexual violence, Nadia Murad chronicled her story of survival in her book, The Last Girl.
Monday, May 9, at 5 p.m.
The John Fowles Center for Creative Writing (JFC) presents "Ferlinghettifest," the culminating event of JFC's 25th Anniversary Celebration, in Beckman Hall 404. The festival will honor famous American poet, novelist, and painter, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, with invited speakers to discuss his art and writing for a broader understanding of Ferlinghetti’s work as an artist and humanitarian.
Gift of the Month
As another academic year comes to an end we wish to thank philanthropic donors such as Vicky Carabini, a member of the Italian Studies Council, whose recent gift of $2,000 supports the programming, annual events, and student scholarship for the Italian Studies Program within Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. The program allows students to participate in Italian culture and community, invites them to immerse into experiences of Italy both here and abroad, and provides a highly versatile area of study complimenting various career paths.
2022 Commencement: May 20 - 22
Next Steps for Graduating Students
Graduating students, Commencement is only 20 days away! Be sure to complete the steps below in order to participate in this year's ceremonies.
- Reserve your guest tickets for the University Commencement Ceremony. Tickets are not required for individual School/College Degree Ceremonies, but guest tickets ARE required for Friday evening’s University Commencement Ceremony. Beginning Tuesday, March 1, students must reserve their guest tickets
through AudienceView,. Students may reserve up to (4) guest tickets and sign up for an additional (2) tickets through the Waitlist. Deadline to reserve guest tickets: Friday, May 6, 2022.
Note: Check the Agora Gift Store in the Argyros Forum Student Union for Wilkinson Stoles. Available the week before Commencement.
Questions? Contact commencement@chapman.edu, or call 714-997-6740.
Wilkinson Alumni News
Check out what some of our awesome alumni are doing:
Kyra Brandman ('19, Graphic Design) is a digital designer at Savage X Fenty: Lingerie by Rihanna.
Carrie Nocella ('99, Legal Studies, Political Science) is the Director of External Affairs at Disneyland Resort.
Eric Scot Tryon ('06, Dual MA/MFA English, Creative Writing) is a writer and the founding editor of Flash Frog literary magazine. His work appears in Glimmer Train, The Los Angeles Review, Willow Springs, Berkeley Fiction Review, Pithead Chapel, and Monkeybicycle. Tryon visited campus for the Conference on the
American Short Story.
We want to know what you've been doing with your degree!
Wilkinson Parent Council
Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences is excited to announce the formation of its first-ever Parent Council. If you are interested in drawing upon your professional and personal interests to work with Dean Jennifer Keene and support Wilkinson’s strategic interests, or you would like more information, contact Mary Shockey
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