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 several major awards won by our students in the last month, a student-collaboration with a local artist on a stunning campus mural, and the installation of a major new artwork inspired by the college’s Survey of American Fears which involves numerous student researchers. Our inspiring students are leaving their mark on campus and the world!
If you would like to share a story for an upcoming newsletter,
please contact wilkinsoncollege@chapman.edu.
Pictured above: (left to right) Dr. Bernie Dickson (Art), Olivia Talevi ('24, Graphic Design), artist Damin (Zaoone) Lujan, Oona Clarke ('24, Graphic Design), Sascha Carter ('24, Graphic Design), Sophia Tefft ('24, Graphic Design), and Dr. Rachelle Chuang (Art) celebrate the Colors of Home mural unveiling in the Cross Cultural Center. Read the story below to learn more!
(pictured) Professor Bernie Dickson (Art), artist Damin (Zaoone) Lujan, and graphic design students Zoe Guthrie ('23) and Mary Bush ('23) working on the mural, Colors of Home.
Colors of Home: Integrating Interdisciplinary Thinking and Creative Practices
A mural was recently installed outside of the Cross Cultural Center in Argyros Forum, created by Los Angeles based artist, Damin (Zaoone) Lujan, in collaboration with students from Professors Rachelle Chuang and Bernie Dickson’s experimental Graphic Design course. Rather than attempting to represent all existing cultures individually, the final design of the mural, Colors of Home, aims to capture the essence of global diversity through universal colors, shapes, patterns, and simplified imagery.
From Our Eyes: Chapman’s Model UN Team Earns Honorable Mention in New York City
Chapman University’s Model UN team, led by Professor of Peace Studies, Dr. Hilmi Ulas, was named "Honorable Mention" at the 2023 Model UN Conference in New York City in April, a recognition awarded to fewer than 10% of the hundreds of teams who participated. The Model UN Conference brings together thousands of college students to discuss current global issues in a real world context. Student Emma Walker (‘25, Political Science, Peace Studies, Honors minor) shared her experiences with Model UN.
Makena Metz Wins 2023 James L. Doti Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Makena Metz ('23, Dual MA English / MFA Creative Writing) was awarded the James L. Doti Outstanding Graduate Student Award, the highest honor for graduate students at Chapman University. The award is conferred annually to the outstanding graduating master's and doctoral students with distinguished records of academic accomplishment, scholarship, & service.
Top row, left to right: Dean Jennifer D. Keene, Dr. Christopher Bader, Dr. L. Edward Day, Dr. C. Ann Gordon, Jeannie Denholm (friend and former Escalette board member). Bottom row: Jessica Bocinski, Daniel Canogar, Fiona Shen.
Daniel Canogar’s "Pareidolia" Multimedia Artwork Unveiled at Chapman University
Wilkinson's Phyllis and Ross Escalette Permanent Art Collection unveiled its newest artwork installation, “Pareidolia,” by internationally renowned multimedia artist Daniel Canogar. The artwork, inspired by Wilkinson College's Survey of American Fears, was commissioned thanks to a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts and matching gifts from Escalette donors.
Career Corner: Former Roommates Turned Collaborators
Recently two Wilkinson College former roommates Maïa Cooper ('14, History, French) and Valerie Valdivia ('14, Art) reconnected and collaborated on the children's book, Everybody Deserves a Home, a rhyming story for children with beautiful, bright illustrations about affordable housing matters.
Sarah Wilson Awarded Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship
Sarah Wilson (’22, English, Literature & Rhetoric) was awarded the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Award for the 2023-24 academic year. Wilson will be moving to South Korea to teach English. Wilson is passionate about women's education: "I plan on creating a joint weekly book club and writing program for girls in my host community."
Upcoming Events
Click to enlarge.
Monday, May 8 at 6 p.m.
Join Wilkinson College at the Orange Public Library (407 E. Chapman Ave) for a showcase and discussion of the website, Images and Imaginings of Internment: Comics and Illustrations of Camp, a multimodal, educational platform about the Japanese American incarceration created by Dr. Jan Osborn (English), Jessica Bocinski (Escalette Collection), and Associate Dean of Wilkinson College, Dr. Stephanie Takaragawa.
Click to enlarge.
Thursday, May 18 at 7 p.m.
Graduating seniors and their families, join Chapman University for the 2023 Interfaith Baccalaureate Service featuring Val Chmerkovskiy, two-time Dancing with the Stars winner and founder of the Humanitarian Aid Fund, Baranova27, sending relief to Ukraine, in the Fish Interfaith Center. Graduates must RSVP. Seating for guests and families is first come, first served. Come early!
2023 Commencement: May 19 - 21
Commencement is less than a month away! Please review the important reminders below to ensure you are ready for the big weekend.
- 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
Review your GradPass
- You should have received an email with your GradPass last week.
- Please be sure to review your GradPass and reach out to Commencement@chapman.edu if there are any errors.
- The week of Commencement, print your GradPass and bring it with you to your Degree Ceremony
Purchase your Cap and Gown
- Students can purchase their cap and gown in person in the Agora Gift Shop in Argyros Forum.
- If you pre-ordered online, but weren't able to pick up your cap and gown at Commencement Fair, you can also pick up your items at the Agora Gift Shop.
Reserve your guest tickets for the University Commencement Ceremony
- Students must reserve their guest tickets through Chapman Ticketing
- 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.
Gift of the Month
Thank you for your generosity during the Chapman University Giving Day held in April. The philanthropic gifts given to Wilkinson College provide funds that allow our college to plan events and programming that stimulate our students and bring awareness of societal issues to help them grow as individuals and inspire them to
become global citizens.
Wilkinson Alumni News
Check out what some of our awesome alumni are doing:
Morgan Hennessy-Shea (’22, Strategic and Corporate Communications, Creative and Cultural Industries Minor) is a Brand Strategist at Tastemade.
Jeff Sánchez ('13, Political Science and Government) is the Chief of Staff (Federal) for PhRHMA.
Ramya Sinha (’22, Business Administration, Sociology Minor, and Africana Studies Minor) is currently a JD Candidate at University of San Francisco School of Law.
We want to know what you've been doing with your degree!
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