Greetings from the Dean's Office!
In recognition of Black History Month, We are Wilkinson highlights ways that our faculty are invested in the struggle for racial equality domestically and globally, including two special events at the end of the month. We also have big news to share – Wilkinson received the largest National Endowment for the Humanities grant in Chapman’s history to create a new Asian American Studies minor! Parent Spring Summit offers an excellent opportunity to learn about all the new, exciting initiatives underway in the college. See below for registration information.
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Pictured Above: Environmental Advocacy Through Story Class (left to right) Berkana McDowell, Eva Stanton, Alexis Hernandez, Maya Cheav, Ben Jensen, Ruby Baldwin-Smith, Veronica Warner, Max Burrous, Kate Hartshorn, Holland Hatch, Christian Grevin, Hannah Waldorf, Amy Asmussen, Kelly Ly, Hilary Lee, and Dr. Richelle Tanner.
Associate Professor Dr. Stephanie Takaragawa leads a panel discussion on Japanese-American incarceration at the 2021 university event "Tsunami of Memory."
NEH Grant Awarded to Launch Asian American Studies Minor
A National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant will establish a minor in Asian American Studies and support ethnic studies courses and programming at Chapman University. The $150,000 award "will offer critical support for next year's Engaging the World: Leading the Conversation on Ethnic Studies initiative," said Dr. Jennifer Keene, Dean of Wilkinson College, "by helping us develop innovative curriculum that advances the conversation on diversity, equity, and justice in our community.”
Chapman Sociologist Testifies Against 'Unite the Right' Rally Organizers
Two weeks into the high-profile trial of the white nationalists who organized the deadly Unite the Right 2017 rally in Charlottesville, Va., hate-group researcher and Professor of Sociology, Dr. Pete Simi testified as an expert witness. Dr. Simi's intensive research into the minds and motives of white supremacists reflects his commitment to exposing the hidden spaces of hate.
Archbishop Tutu on the steps of New York’s City Hall in 1986, weeks before a planned anti-apartheid rally. Behind him are Cleveland Robinson, a leader of the protest, and Bella Abzug, former congresswoman. Credit: Chester Higgins, Jr., The New York Times
Wilkinson Faculty Reflect on Desmond M. Tutu and his Legacy
After the passing of Desmond M. Tutu, the archbishop and human rights activist who helped end apartheid in South Africa, Wilkinson faculty, including Professor and Presidential Fellow of Peace Studies Prexy Nesbitt, who worked with Tutu on the World Council of Churches’ Program to Combat Racism, reflect on Tutu's impact. "The history of modern South Africa and indeed the global struggle for human rights cannot be written without reference to Archbishop Desmond Tutu," said Dr. Adwoa Opong, Assistant Professor of History.
Framing the OC Oil Spill
When 25,000 gallons of oil spilled along Huntington Beach on Saturday, October 2, 2021 damaging valuable, intertidal ecosystems and threatening public health, the students in Dr. Richelle Tanner’s “Environmental Advocacy Through Story” course saw an opportunity to apply their knowledge of science communication and strategic framing to make a difference. In partnership with Dr. Tanner’s Socio-Ecological Adaptations & Climate Resilience (SEACR) Lab, the class developed a communications toolkit addressing the spill.
Career Corner: Career Champion 2022
Dr. Ann Gordon, Associate Professor of Political Science, was selected as Wilkinson College's 2022 Faculty Career Champion. Students share their experiences and appreciation for Dr. Gordon, who teaches Research Design and American Politics, and directs the Ludie and David C. Henley Social Sciences Research Laboratory and the Earl Babbie Research Center.
Engaging the World: Leading the Conversation on Environmental Justice
Podcast Series
As the Engaging the World: Leading the Conversation on Environmental Justice series draws to a close, Wilkinson College invites you to continue the conversation by tuning into Engaging the World six-part podcast series, which offers more in-depth dialogue on environmental justice with the experts who participated in the fall program.
Upcoming Events
Click to learn more.
Thursday, February 24, at 1 p.m.
In recognition of Black History Month, join Newark-based poet and visual artist Jasmine Mans for "An Afternoon of Spoken Word Poetry: Featuring Jasmine Mans." Her books include: Chalk Outlines of Snow Angels and Black Girl, Call Home. The talk, co-hosted by Wilkinson College's Africana Studies and English Departments, will highlight intersections of Black feminism and poetry.
Monday, February 28 at 1 p.m.
In recognition of Black History Month, join us for "Being Somebody and Black Besides: A Conversation with Presidential Fellow Prexy Nesbitt," a virtual discussion of George B. Nesbitt's memoir. Ann Burroughs, internationally recognized human rights leader and President and CEO of the Japanese American National Museum, will moderate the discussion.
Gift of the Month
A warm thank you to the faculty and staff within Wilkinson College and throughout the university who took part in the “I’m In” campaign to support our college’s programs and initiatives. Wilkinson College is the heart and soul of Chapman University and we appreciate your support!
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
Parent Spring Summit
Save the date! Friday and Saturday, February 11 and 12, join us on Zoom for Parent Spring Summit 2022. Attend several VIRTUAL events, including the annual State of the University Address, presented by Daniele C. Struppa, Tours, Meet the Career Advisors, Faculty Master Classes, and more. Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, all sessions will be facilitated virtually.
“This Land is Your Land” Student-Curated Art Exhibition Tour
Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences' Escalette Collection of Art is proud to introduce This Land is Your Land, a student-curated art exhibition about environmental
injustice, currently on display in Roosevelt Hall. We invite you to explore the virtual exhibition to view the artwork and hear audio commentary created by the student curators.
A Chat with the Dean & Special Presentation with Career Manager
Saturday (February 12) at 1 p.m., join "Dialogue with the Dean" virtually for a Q&A session for parents to learn more about the undergraduate experience at the Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Hear from Career Manager Erin Berthon and learn about all the resources that are available to your student to prepare them for life after Chapman. Join on Zoom.
Wilkinson Alumni News
Check out what some of our awesome alumni are doing:
Breanna Greenberg ('21, English, Journalism) is a Dana Point city reporter.
Stefanie Shoemaker ('17, Graphic Design) is a visual designer at Yelp.
Under the editorship of George Tajonera ('21, History, '22 MA Curriculum and Instruction) and Delaynie Voortman ('21, History, '22 MA Curriculum and Instruction), Chapman University's Historical Review Journal, Voces Novae, tied for third place in the 2021 Gerald D. Nash History Graduate Electronic Journal competition.
We want to know what you've been doing with your degree!
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