Cokie Roberts, a best-selling author and award-winning journalist, will address the Class of 2006 at Wheaton's 171st Commencement on May 20, 2006.

Massachusetts Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deval Patrick will visit Wheaton on April 3 to speak with students and local residents in a town-hall setting.

Wheaton College students are invited to apply for funding to support independent learning experiences this summer through the Wheaton Fellows program and the Davis International Fellows program. The application deadline for both programs is Friday, April 7, 2006.

NORTON, Mass.--Polynesia, Australia, Japan, Costa Rica, Brazil and South Africa. These countries are among the world's most prized surfing destinations. In August Wheaton College senior Alexandra Cheney of Santa Monica, Calif., will visit them all to study the intersection of surf culture and environmentalism as a 2006 Watson Fellow.

Wheaton's Greenhouse will host an open house and plant re-potting clinic on Wednesday, March 15, from 11 a. m. to 2 p. m.

Former U.S. Marine Lt. Colonel Josh Rushing, the accidental star of the 2004 documentary Control Room, will speak at Wheaton on March 28 as part of a weeklong series of events to mark the third anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq.

During its winter meeting, the Wheaton College Board of Trustees approved the 2006-2007 comprehensive fee rate, made plans to improve significantly financial aid for the college's students, reviewed plans for the renovation of the historic Presidents' House and granted tenure to six professors.

A nationwide campaign to promote the importance of liberal education in sustaining America's competitiveness and its democratic values will be led by Wheaton President Ronald A.