Greetings from the Dean's Office!
Spring has sprung on campus, the time of year when we turn our attention to Commencement (see below for important details). Career Specialist Erin Berthon offers some tips for negotiating salary, advice useful for both current students and alums! This issue of We are Wilkinson also contains faculty insights on the current crisis in Ukraine (and reflections on the Holocaust) and homeland insecurity in the wake of mass shootings and terrorist attacks, once again revealing the relevance of the arts, humanities, and social sciences for making sense of our world.
If you would like to share a story for an upcoming newsletter,
please contact wilkinsoncollege@chapman.edu.
Pictured Above: Robert Munoz from St. Justin Martyr School and Holocaust Survivor Yvonne Carson Cardova at the 23rd Annual Holocaust Art & Writing Contest
Awards Ceremony.
A Sunflower of History and Hope
Director of the Samueli Holocaust Memorial Library Marilyn J. Harran shares her reflections on Ukraine's national flower, a symbol of peace and hope, in the midst of the nation's fierce fight against an invader seeking to occupy their land and end their democracy. Ava Lazar's film, also titled “The Sunflower,” was the first place winner of the high school film category in the 23rd Annual Holocaust Art & Writing Contest, co-sponsored by Chapman University and The 1939 Society.
Dr. Axelrod-Sokolov Awarded California Humanities Grant
Dr. Mark Axelrod-Sokolov (English) and Wilkinson
College's John Fowles Center for Creative Writing (JFC) were awarded a grant from California Humanities’
Humanities for All Quick Grant program to host Ferlinghettifest in May 2022, the culminating literary event of JFC’s 25th anniversary celebration. Lawrence Ferlinghetti, last of the beat poets, will be honored as an artist and humanitarian.
Graduate Careers In Focus: Alumnus Gregory Falcon Applies Historian Training at Plethora Businesses
In the inaugural Graduate Career Focus feature, recent graduate Gregory Falcon (’21, MA War and Society) discusses how his historical degree informs his work at Plethora Businesses, where he is responsible for analyzing economic trends across various industry sectors and helping business clients make informed decisions.
Career Corner: How to Negotiate Your Salary
Career Specialist Erin Berthon discusses tips and tricks for negotiating your salary. Like any other skill, it takes preparation and practice, but when done right, it goes a long way to establish your worth and set your career in the right direction.
Faculty Books: Homeland Insecurity: Terrorism, Mass Shootings and the Public
Dr. Ann Gordon, Associate Professor of Political Science and co-author Kai Hamilton Gentry (’18, Political Science) provide actionable solutions for saving lives and reducing violence due to terrorism and mass shootings in their newest publication, Homeland Insecurity: Terrorism, Mass Shootings and the Public. Dr. Gordon and Gentry, members of Chapman's Team FEAR, grew their research from the ongoing Chapman Survey of American Fears (CSAF) to complete the project.
Upcoming Events
Monday, April 18, at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 19, at 4 p.m.
Join us for the Conference on the American Short Story, co-hosted by the Department of English and Leatherby Libraries in AF 209A. Celebrate the reading and writing of short fiction in the United States. Featured authors include English faculty members Richard Bausch and Jim Blaylock, Yoon Choi, Dana Johnson, and Gavin Jones. Registration is required.
Thursday, April 21, at 2 p.m.
Don't miss Dr. Robert Slayton's Retirement Party in the Wallace All Faiths Chapel. Dr. Slayton is the Henry Salvatori Professor of American Values and Traditions and an integral part of the History Department. Faculty, staff, students and alumni are invited to celebrate Dr. Slayton and his 34 years of service and contributions to Chapman University and Wilkinson College.
Saturday, April 30, at 10 a.m.
The Office of Church Relations is pleased to welcome the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II to teach and preach at the 38th Annual Founders Day in Memorial Hall Auditorium. Dr. Barber will teach in the morning and preach during the worship service after lunch. The worship service will also include the Chapman University Singers and leadership from Disciples on Campus students.
Gift of the Month
Jocelyn and Stan Pearson generously gifted $20,000 to the Wilkinson College Fund for Academic Excellence through their family foundation. Their son Hunter who recently graduated this past December and has accepted a project-based position at a law firm in Irvine was inspired by his history and political science professors within Wilkinson College and stated that they truly made his Chapman experience exceptional.
2022 Commencement: May 20 - 22
Next Steps for Graduating Students
Graduating students, Commencement is only 50 days away! Be sure to complete the steps below in order to participate in this year's ceremonies.
- RSVP Online. Tuesday, 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: Friday, April 15, 2022.
- 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.
- Order your cap and gown. All graduates must wear a cap and gown to participate in Commencement ceremonies. Deadline to order online: Thursday, April 14, 2022.
Questions? Contact commencement@chapman.edu, or call 714-997-6740.
Calling Graduate Students and Graduate Program Alums
In conjunction with the Wilkinson College Career Specialist, Wilkinson College’s graduate programs are looking to build out comprehensive career coaching for graduate students of the arts, humanities, and social sciences. This conversation relies heavily on the input from our current students and alums, and we want to hear from you.
The below survey should take only moments to complete, and your feedback is
greatly appreciated.
Wilkinson Alumni News
Check out what some of our awesome alumni are doing:
David Astrofsky ('19, Screenwriting, English) was a finalist in the 2021 Narrative 30 Below Contest. He is a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop.
Lauren Potts ('14, Studio Art) is a tattoo artist based in Long Beach, California. Lauren was one of the alumni featured in our Wilkinson Alumni Studio Art Series.
Rosario Rodriguez ('09, Graphic Design) is a Senior Product Designer at LinkedIn.
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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