Fall favorites
Wheaton always has a lot happening, and fall 2016 was no exception. Here’s a look at our 10 most-read news stories:
#1 Sustainable dining
About one year after it reopened, Chase Dining Hall was recognized for its environmentally friendly renovations, earning LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Among its “green” attributes: energy-efficient windows, roofing and air ventilation systems, LED lighting and floors made with recycled materials.
#2 And the Emmy goes to …
Wheaton alumnus George Kunhardt ’09 was part of the Emmy-winning production team behind Jim: The James Foley Story, a documentary about an American photojournalist who was captured and killed in Syria. The film—a production of HBO Documentary Films, Kunhardt Films and Marigold Pictures—won a 2016 Primetime Emmy Award for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking.
#3 A visit to SOHL
This short piece highlighted one of Wheaton’s 16 theme houses—residential communities that are built around a shared interest. SOHL House, or the Student Organization of Hispanics and Latinos, is home this year to students from Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and the United States.
#4 Promoting wellness on campus
Alumna Valerie Tobia ’07 joined the Wheaton staff this fall as director of counseling and health services, promising to bring a holistic approach to mental health that integrates physical and mental wellness.
#5 Connecting experience, academics
The college won a $500,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to fund faculty development and off-campus programs that integrate classroom learning with applied experiences. This funding will enable Wheaton to build on work being done already in places like the Wheaton Autonomous Learning Lab and in programs such as the Wheaton Institute for Interdisciplinary Humanities.
#6 Perfect pitch
Wheaton hosted the first A Capella Fest on October 22—an event planned by student Mary Margaret Yancey ’19 as the winning entry in the Entrepreneurship Club’s first business pitch competition. The concert brought together seven college a cappella groups and raised money to benefit Norton High School music programs.
#7 Opening doors to community engagement
Alumna Cassie Peltola ’14 is helping Wheaton students help others in her new role as the college’s assistant director of community service and engagement in the Office of Service, Spirituality and Social Responsibility.
#8 Encouraging creativity
Student Emma-Kate Metsker ’17 organized an Art Day at Norton Head Start, with Wheaton student volunteers helping about 50 preschoolers create artwork.
#9 Peace rally
Amid reports of hateful acts across the country following the election, the Wheaton community joined together to “Take a Stand Against Hate and Rally for Peace.” The event, held outside Cole Memorial Chapel, did not delve into politics but featured speakers from the Student Government Association and Wheaton College Conservatives as well as the Rev. Bernie Hinkley, calling for peace and tolerance.
#10 Open for business
This fall, the college hired its first social entrepreneur-in-residence, Marcia Coné. Coné was formerly the founding CEO of the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and is helping students connect with mentors and opportunities on and off campus to bring their transformative ideas to life.
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