Why Good Alums?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wesleyan University
1

<p>So I finally finished my apps.... wow. Now all I have to do is wait three months. Argggh.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, I was reading the thread about the two Wesleyan alums now heading the Jets and Patriots and I was wondering. Is it just coincidence that Wes has such a variety of prominent graduates in diff fields? Or is it something about the place? I mean, besides top NFL coaches there are all these big shots in Hollywood, screenwriters and such. Then there's the guy who founded Southwest Airlines, the guy who's running Sun Microsystems, the woman who got a genius grant who's saving the South Bronx. And Dar Williams, a great folk singer. Just to name a few. Seems like other schools have more narrow types of alums. Oberlin has writers, Amherst has investment bankers, etc. Or am I just getting too juiced about my first choice?</p>

<p>God, I hope I get in.</p>

2

<p>I know a few Wesleyan grads who would say there is 'something about the place.' They claim that there's a lot of self-selection among applicants and that the school just seems to attract creative intellectuals. Maybe there's a critical mass of them on campus who propel each other toward risk taking and new ideas.</p>

<p>And good luck on your application.</p>

3

<p>Speaking of Dar Williams: If anyone out there remembers the 1970 music scene and is within striking distance of NYC you might be interested in a free Grateful Dead tribute by an impressive roster of musicians including Dar. It's an homage to the release of two seminal albums that year, Workingman's Dead and American Beauty. Check it out: <a href="http://www.worldfinancialcenter.com/calendar/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.worldfinancialcenter.com/calendar/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

4

<p>Speaking of alums, consider Kelly Lee: "Kelly was the valedictorian of her high school, got into Wesleyan early admission and had plans of being an international lawyer like her parents - which is why it's so embarrassing to her to be discovered by former classmate Harry Kennison in her current profession, that of Korean hooker in a massage parlor."</p>

<p>Not to worry; Ms. Lee is a fictional character in a new sitcom "In case of emergency".</p>

5

<p>Oh my god, I think I walked in on my mom watching that show last night. The Korean hooker part rings a bell. The show itself seemed pretty much... horrible.</p>

6

<p>Great publicity... Not. I think I liked it better when actor-alum Brad Whitford (Josh on "The West Wing") wore a Wesleyan T-shirt during one episode. Even though "Josh" supposedly went to Harvard.</p>

7

<p>Hehe, I believe there are other Wesleyan moments Whitford snuck in there, too. I heard that there was a Wesleyan mug on his desk once. :D</p>

<p>Also, froshdad, that concert sounds fantastic.</p>

8

<p>Nice piece in the New Yorker this week about alum Michael Bennet (yes, son of the Wes president) and his remarkable work as Denver school superintendent. By the way, the mayor of Denver is John Hickenlooper '74.</p>