Connect Virtually
The Office of Alumni Relations and Parent & Family Engagement are here to support Wheaton community members as we all continue to stay connected and support one another, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. As we practice social distancing, this collection of online resources has been curated to provide our community members information, entertainment, and a way for the college to help you remain connected to one another, during these challenging times.
As our staff members are currently working remotely, rest assured that we remain accessible virtually to all of our community members. We’d love to hear from you, so please be in touch!
On this page
Social Media
Follow us on Facebook
Check out the Alumni Association Facebook page to get news from campus, event updates, and fun Wheaton facts!
Wheaton Alumni Association Facebook Page
Find us on Instagram
Follow the Alumni Association on Instagram and get swept away with beautiful campus scenery or have a lighthearted laugh while watching our Instagram stories.
Wheaton Alumni Association Instagram Account
Chat with us on Twitter
Tweet with the Alumni Association on Twitter and see alumni features and see what is trending at Wheaton!
Wheaton Alumni Association Twitter Account
Virtual Platforms
Wheaton Book Club
Take your love of reading to the next level by joining our free Wheaton College Virtual Book Club!
Find out more information here.
Wheaton CONNECT
Explore all the different ways you can CONNECT with classmates and friends and network with fellow alumni when you join the official alumni networking platform for Wheaton College.
Login to Wheaton CONNECT today.
Wheaton has Talent
Consider sending us a recording, YouTube video, podcast, webinar or Livestream link of your reading, performance or tutorial so we can share it with the Wheaton community.
Please share your talent with us!
#WheatonMAVotes
Join the Wheaton community in the campaign to vote this upcoming election. There are a few ways to show your support:
- Take a picture of you mailing in your ballot and post it to social media with #WheatonMAVotes
- Post a picture on social media after you vote in person and tag it with #WheatonMAVotes
- Use one of the digital vote stickers below on your social media and don’t forget to use #WheatonMAVotes
*Please, DO NOT share a picture of your ballot or which nominees you voted for. It is considered illegal in some states.
Here are the Wheaton digital stickers you can use on your social media pages:
Fun and Games
Color in Roary!
For Wheaties of all ages! Download Roary and showcase your Wheaton Pride by sharing your completed art on social media!
Wheaton Puzzle
Looking for a new puzzle to complete? Try out our online Wheaton puzzle, of an iconic campus spot.
Wheaton BINGO!
Let’s see how many community members can get BINGO! Share your completed BINGO cards on social media.
Share on social media how much fun you are having with Wheaton’s Fun & Games by using #WheatonMA with your posts!
Wheaton Pumpkin Carving Templates
Download and print these fun Wheaton pumpkin carving templates!
Pumpkin Wheaton W Logo Template (pdf)
Pumpkin Lyons Logo Template (pdf)
INSTRUCTIONS
Recommended supplies
• A small, sharp knife, such as a paring knife. This is useful for smoothing the edges to enhance the appearance of the carving.
• A transfer tool (a pointed thin tool, like a sharpened pencil or toothpick) to penetrate the paper and the outer layer of the pumpkin to help transfer the shape onto the pumpkin’s surface. Or, pick up an entire pumpkin carving kit that has tools included!
1. Prepare your pumpkin and stencil
Prepare the pumpkin as you normally would before carving; remove the top and gut out the pumpkin. Prepare the stencil you intend to use by trimming it down to size using scissors. Leave about half an inch of space around the stencil so that you will be able to tape it onto the face of the pumpkin. When attaching it, make sure not to crease it too much as it will mar the outcome of your carving.
2. Transfer your design
When the stencil is firmly attached to the surface of the pumpkin, use your transfer tool to poke holes through the lines on the paper stencil. The holes should be 1/8” apart but you can space them closer or further apart depending on how complex your design is. Push the transfer tool with enough force to penetrate the paper and the outer layer of the pumpkin. It is not necessary to push it all the way through.
These holes will act as a guideline for when you are using the knife so ensure that you follow the design lines as much as possible. Take your time when doing this and if necessary, repeat it a few more times until the outline is clearly visible on the face of the pumpkin.
3. Carve your pumpkin
Once you have a clear enough outline, take your knife and push the tip of the blade into one of the outline holes. Cut through to the next hole, wiggling the knife along using back and forth movements. Carefully cut along the outline of your design; do not rush. Make sure the blade of the knife connects the two dots before you make the cut. When cutting through tight angles, re-position the knife blade completely at the new angle.
Pro tip: To make your job easier, cut and remove smaller sections one at a time. You can use your finger or the eraser end of a pencil to push out the cut sections.
Finishing touches
Use the knife to smooth the edges by removing excess pumpkin flesh. Although it is not necessary, carving out the edges at an angle of 45 degrees makes the final carving look better, as it lets more light shine out.
When learning how to carve a pumpkin using a stencil, be patient and have fun! It can definitely be a fun project, but if you’ve never done it before, remember that it might take some practice before you master the technique. If your pumpkin doesn’t look exactly like the picture on the stencil, don’t worry—the important thing is the fun that you had and the accomplishment of trying something new!
Wheaton in the Community
Wheaton Blog
Visit the Wheaton Blog, a selection of the latest stories, photos, and videos about Wheaton people, programs and events, produced by members of our community.
Wheaton Magazine
Read the digital version of the Spring 2020 edition of Wheaton’s Magazine!
Wheaton News
Stay up to date on current Wheaton happenings by reading Wheaton News.
Alumni Engagement
The President of the Alumni Association, Josh Bauchner ’95, shares a message about the myriad of ways alumni can stay connected.
Parent & Family Engagement
Parents and families play a big role at Wheaton. Learn more about how family members can get involved at Wheaton.
COVID-19 Resource Page
Curious how Wheaton is responding to the COVID-19 crisis? Visit the official webpage of information and updates on COVID-19 for Wheaton College.
Virtually @ Wheaton
Explore campus life and hear from students, staff, and faculty. Visit Virtually @ Wheaton today!
Perspectives from Wheaton
Wheaton Virtual Happy Hours
Do you find yourself jumping on a lot of video conferences, but truly thinking about your upcoming happy hour with your Wheaton friends? How about you be socially distant in style and download a Wheaton College virtual backdrop to use during your next Wheaton virtual get-together!
Don’t forget to tag @WheatonMAalum when you share your virtual alumni get-togethers on social media to be featured on the Alumni Association accounts.
While scheduling your virtual happy hour with classmates, try making something on the newly designed Wheaton Cocktail Menu, created by Sam Wetterau ’09 (view instructions (pdf)). Looking for your own class menu, visit Sam’s website at menyou.cool.
Wheaton on the Front Lines
Alumni share Insight into COVID-19
A Family Affair
Alumni share Insight into COVID-19
Sustaining Community
Alumni share Insight into COVID-19
Polar Seltzer & PPEs
