WesFest 2025

Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 8:00 AM until Friday, April 18, 2025 at 8:00 PMEastern Daylight Time UTC -04:00

Wesleyan University
70 Wyllys Ave
Middletown, CT 06459
United States

Welcome to Wesleyan!

We are so excited to welcome admitted students for WesFest 2025 on April 16, 17 & 18! Join us for tours, info sessions, department drop-in hours, special lectures, performances, student group events, open classes and SO much more!

Schedule of Events

Please note: Visitors do not need to register for individual events in advance, and the schedule is subject to change until the day of the event. Each day of WesFest offers a similar experience, so families should not feel the need to attend more than one day.

Event	Time	Location	Description
Registration	8 AM - 4:30 PM	Office of Admission, McKelvey	Check in to receive all materials and event details before getting started.
Welcome to the Wesleyan Community!	9 AM - 9:45 AM	Memorial Chapel	President Michael Roth '78 and Vice President and Dean of Admission & Financial Aid, Amin Abdul-Malik Gonzalez '96 will officially welcome you to Wes!
Dorm Demo	9 AM - 5 PM	Usdan University Center, 1st Floor	Join Campus Store reps to talk about dorm essentials and Apple computers. See a full set of dorm furniture in a space where you can actually touch it! Learn about pre-ordering dorm essentials for pick up on arrival day so you can skip the trip to the store and stress less about having everything you need on day one.
Campus Tours (Leaving every hour on the hour)	10 AM - 4 PM	Office of Admission, Patio	Get to know Wesleyan through the eyes of current students with a student-led in-person tour around campus.
Student-to-Student Panel (repeats at 2:00pm with different panelists)	10 AM - 11 AM	Crowell Concert Hall	This panel is for students only! Bring your questions to this panel for and by students. They'll tell you everything you need to know about life at Wes.
Hot Topics for Parents Panel (Note: repeats at 2:00pm with different panelists)	10 AM - 11 AM	Fayerweather, Beckham Hall, 2nd Floor	This panel is for family members only! Wesleyan students will comprise this panel and will answer all the questions you may not want to ask in front of your admitted student!
Drop-In Hours with Wesleyan’s Muslim Chaplain	10 AM - 12 PM	Room 210, ORSL, 169 High Street	Pop in for a chat with our Muslim Chaplain, Shaykh Jamir D. Meah.
Financial Aid Office Drop-In Hours	10 AM - 5 PM	North College, Second Floor	Have questions about your individual financial aid package or circumstances? Stop in for a chat with one of our Financial Aid Directors.
Meet the Religion Department	11 AM - 12 PM	171 Church Street, Religion Department Main Office, Room 101	Come for an informal chat with Religion Department professors and find out how to study everything from Tibetan Buddhist ritual to Pantheism; from Christian feminist theology to the Hebrew Bible, the environment, and Dungeons and Dragons; from Evangelical spiritual warfare to Zombies as modern‐day monsters; from Muslim cultures to Islamophobia; and from the Roman Empire to American civil religion.
Class Dean Drop In with Kelly Dunn	11 AM - 12 PM	North College Lobby	If there's one person you absolutely must know here on campus, it's your class dean! Drop by to say "hi" to yours.
Are You Interested in Taking a Summer and Winter Term Class?	11 AM - 12 PM	74 Wyllys Ave	Visit Continuing Studies to learn more about taking winter and summer classes at Wes!
Lunch at Wesleyan’s Main Dining Hall	11 AM - 2 PM	Usdan University Center, Marketplace	Enjoy lunch at Usdan Marketplace, our main dining hall. If weather is nice, visitors are encouraged to take food to go and eat outside in the courtyard and under the tent.
Meet and Greet with the Director of Jewish Studies	12 PM - 1 PM	Religion Department, Room 211	All are invited to come, learn and ask questions while exploring the many facets of the Center for Jewish Studies: from hosting the academic Minor in Jewish and Israel Studies and offering a variety of innovative courses to exploring cultural and academic events including the Contemporary Israeli Voices series in the fall and annual Israeli Film Festival in the Spring. Snacks will be provided.
Civic Engagement & Community Partnerships: Student Panel	12 PM - 1 PM	Albritton 311	Learn about the Jewett Center for Community Partnerships (JCCP) and the many ways you can get involved in civic engagement and community partnerships at Wesleyan and in Middletown. Hear directly from a panel of students who are currently engaged in this work about their experiences, their groups, and the many opportunities available. Ask them anything you’d like about community engagement here at Wesleyan!
Freeman Athletic Center Drop-In Hours	12 PM - 2 PM	Freeman Athletic Center	Meet with student athletes and tour the facility!
Living the Liberal Arts at a College Seminar Table	12:15 PM - 1:15 PM	COL Library, Boger Hall 324	Join a College of Letters Colloquium seminar (readings provided on the spot!) for a seminar discussion. A light lunch/snacks are available.
Meet the Director of the Shapiro Center for Creative Writing and Criticism	12:15 PM - 1:15 PM	The Shapiro Center Patio	Enjoy coffee and doughnuts with Professor Merve Emre, Director of the Shapiro Center for Creative Writing and Criticism and award-winning staff writer at The New Yorker. Ask her anything you like about the literary scene at Wesleyan!
Early Decision Student Mingle	12:30 PM - 1:30 PM	Office of Admission, Patio	Were you admitted through Early Decision? Join other early decision students for lunch with our Senior Interns. Don’t forget to bring your meal ticket!
Davison Art Collection Gallery	12:30 PM - 4:30 PM	The Pruzan Art Center, 238 Church St. (Located between Olin Library and the Frank Center for Public Affairs)	Come visit the Pruzan Art Center to see the current exhibition on display. The exhibition features artwork from the Davison Art Collection, including works by Stanley Anderson, Stanley William Hayter, Dorothy Dehner, Norma Morgan, Anton Wurth, Andrew Raftery, Jean-Emilie Laboureur, and many others.
Your Voice Matters - Athletics & Team Culture	1 PM - 2 PM	Freeman Athletic Center Classroom	Every team has its own culture, shaped by traditions, leadership, and shared experiences. How do you find your place and adapt to new dynamics? This interactive session explores the role of culture in athletics through real-world case studies, small-group discussions, and an open conversation with student-athletes and staff. Learn how to navigate new environments, build connections, and make your voice heard as you begin your journey at Wesleyan!
Meet the Religion Department	1 PM - 2 PM	171 Church Street, Religion Department Main Office, Room 101	Come for an informal chat with Religion Department professors and learn how to study everything from Tibetan Buddhist ritual to Pantheism; from Christian feminist theology to the Hebrew Bible, the environment, and Dungeons and Dragons; from Evangelical spiritual warfare to Zombies as modern‐day monsters; from Muslim cultures to Islamophobia; and from the Roman Empire to American civil religion.
Candid Conversation	1 PM - 2 PM	Resource Center	Join current students of color at Wes for a candid conversation where you can voice your curiosities and ask questions about what life is like at Wes. This is a casual, student-moderated and open conversation to connect admitted students to the student community at Wesleyan. All are welcome!
College of Integrative Sciences and College of Design and Engineering Studies: Celebration of Science!	1 PM - 3 PM	Exley Science Center Lobby	The Colleges of Integrative Sciences and Design and Engineering Studies will be celebrating honors students and summer prize winners in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. Learn about our colleges, departments, programs, majors, and minors.
Drop-In Office Hours with Wesleyan’s Muslim Chaplain	1 PM - 3 PM	Room 210, ORSL, 169 High Street	Pop in for a chat with our Muslim Chaplain, Shaykh Jamir D. Meah.
Student-to-Student Panel	2 PM - 3 PM	Fayerweather, Beckham Hall, 2nd Floor	This panel is for students only! Bring your questions to this panel for and by students. They'll tell you everything you need to know about life at Wes.
Hot Topics for Parents	2 PM - 3 PM	Crowell Concert Hall	This panel is for family members only! Wesleyan students will comprise this panel and will answer all the questions you may not want to ask in front of your admitted student!
Seed Artists Fantasy Flam: Music from Wesleyan Alumni!	2 PM - 3 PM	Ring Family Performance Hall	Wesleyan Drum Instructor Pheeroan akLaff presents an interactive event with several former students who deliver impactful music: Guillermo E. Brown '98, Trevor Holder '96, Tim Keiper '02, and Jesse Nussbaum '10. This event will feature percussian etudes, hockets (alternation of notes), and insights on building musical integrity: More info
Gordon Career Center Open House	2 PM - 4:30 PM	Gordon Career Center, Boger Hall, Olson Commons	Admitted students and families are invited to drop by the Gordon Career Center to meet the team, ask questions, and explore how Wesleyan supports students in connecting academics to life after college. Whether navigating career interests, securing internships, or building alumni connections, the center provides guidance every step of the way.
ACT UP!: Reflections of a Black, Gay AIDS Activist and 1973 Wesleyan Graduate	2:50 PM - 4:10 PM	Fisk 302	Ron Medley '73 will share memories and reflections of his years as an activist in the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) in the 1980s and 1990s, one of the relatively few Black activists in the organization. Through their activism, Mr. Medley and others forced homophobic government officials to take the AIRDS epidemic seriously, at a time when no effective treatments were available. This talk is part of Professor Jesse Nasta's ADAM 189 LGBTQ history course.
Make Your Own Softcover Journal	3 PM - 4 PM	The Deitrich Room in Olin Library	Join Preservation & Book Arts Librarian Krista Narciso for a hands-on bookbinding workshop. You’ll learn how to fold and sew a basic pamphlet binding, which can be used as a journal, notebook, or sketchbook. (Limited space available).
Tours of the Brand-New Fries Arts Building	3 PM - 4 PM	44 Hamlin Street	Take a tour of Wesleyan’s brand-new Fries Art Building, a state-of-the-art space designed to inspire creativity and collaboration.
Ask an Academic Peer Advisor Drop-In	3 PM - 4:30 PM	Usdan, Room 110	Prospective students and parents may ask Academic Peer Advisors (APAs) questions about all things Wesleyan! APAs are students who work in Student Academic Resources to provide guidance to their peers on a wide variety of topics such as course registration, academic skills, navigating campus resources and campus life, and more.
Master Class: Protest Music: The Case of Modern Japan	3:30 PM - 4:30 PM	Exley Science Center, ESC 150 (Tishler Hall)	In this Master Class, we will consider how “protest singers” in modern and contemporary Japan transcended the turbulent global sixties and developed critiques that spoke to the specificities of their own moments and contexts, challenging limited notions of what “protest” is or can be. These artists offer hints on recalibrating our understanding of protest and critique.
Tours of New Science Building	4 PM - 5 PM	Meet in between the Allbritton Center and 200 Church St.	THIS IS AN ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION SITE. Take a tour of Wesleyan’s new, cutting-edge science building, set to open in 2026, featuring state-of-the-art labs, classrooms, and collaborative spaces. For your safety, all participants must wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. Be prepared to wear a hard hat, safety vest, and goggles, which will be provided.
Ask Me Anything: Center for the Arts!	4 PM - 5 PM	Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery	Wondering where to catch performances and exhibitions as a student at Wes? Well, everywhere! But also in those odd gray buildings on the corner of campus, also known as the Center for the Arts. Meet members of the CFA’s Director’s Council, its student leadership team, at this drop-by info session, ask questions about arts programming on campus, and pick up a free ‘zine!
Ask Me Anything: Center for the Arts!	4 PM - PM	285 Washington Terrace, Art Workshops (across from Zilkha Galleries)	Are you curious about the Art Studio program at Wesleyan? Stop by to meet the Program Director and ask any questions you might have.
Center for the Arts Feature: Moon Bounce	4:30 PM - 5:30 PM	Van Vleck Observatory	Wesleyan's Toneburst Laptop and Electronic Arts Ensemble examins the creative possibilities of reflecting signals off the moon, and transmission arts more broadly: More info
Banker, Teacher, Coder, Artist; Learning Career Management in a Liberal Arts Environment	4:30 PM - 5:30 PM	Boger 112	Sharon Belden Castonguay, Executive Director of the Gordon Career Center, will discuss why a liberal arts education is critical for navigating careers in the 21st century. Learn about the center's innovative approach to career education and the resources available to Wesleyan students throughout their undergraduate years and beyond.
The Global South Asian Studies Program Panel	4:30 PM - 5:30 PM	Usdan 108	The Global South Asian Studies Program brings together expertise from many disciplines, among them English, Film, Government, Hindi/Urdu, History, and Religion. We invite you to visit, meet some of our faculty, and hear about their research and teaching interests. Faculty scheduled to participate include William Pinch, Hafiz FazaleHaq, Andrew Quintman, and Hari Ramesh.
Senior Capstone Project Reading	4:30 PM - 6 PM	Downey House, Room 200, 294 High Street	Come hear senior English majors read from their capstone projects. The readings will be followed by a Q&A session about the English major, and light refreshments will be served.
Alumni Keynote Speech: Akiva Goldsman '83	5 PM - 6 PM	Memorial Chapel	Raised in Brooklyn Heights, New York, Akiva Goldsman received his bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University and attended the graduate fiction writing program at NYU. His feature writing credits include The Client, Batman Forever, A Time to Kill, Practical Magic, Cinderella Man, I Am Legend, The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, Insurgent, and I, Robot. He also wrote A Beautiful Mind, for which he won an Oscar, Golden Globe, and WGA Award. Upcoming features include Brilliance, Major Matt Mason, and the sequels to I Am Legend and Constantine. He has worked in television as a producer, writer, and director for the TV show Fringe, for which he garnered a Saturn Award and a Hugo Award nomination; as well as Underground, which was nominated for multiple NAACP Image Awards. He also co-created, wrote, and produced the live-action series Titans and Star Trek: Picard. Released last year, limited series The Crowded Room was a passion project of Goldsman’s that he created, wrote, and produced. Currently, Goldsman is running the series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, which he also created. Upcoming series include Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Land of the Giants, and The Time Tunnel. Under his Weed Road Pictures banner, Goldsman has produced Deep Blue Sea, Constantine, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Hancock, Starsky and Hutch, Without Remorse, The Map of Tiny Perfect Things, Back to the Outback, and Meet Cute.
Open Rehearsal: The Moors	6 PM - 7 PM	275 Washington Terrace, Theater Department, Theater Studio (TST 001)	Please join us to take a sneak peak in the rehearsal room for our upcoming Mainstage Production of The Moors by Jen Silverman, directed by Visiting Assistant Professor Alex Keegan. Students may attend the first hour of the rehearsals, from 6-7p in the Theater Studio (TST 001) - please arrive by 6:15p at the latest to avoid disruption. A limited number of guests will be permitted to attend for each night, so please indicate your first and second choice. Register here.
English Department Millett Reading featuring Pulitzer Prize winning poet, Jericho Brown	6 PM - 7 PM	Russell House, Millett Room (350 High Street)	This reading will be followed by a Q&A and book signing. Light refreshments will be served. Learn more about Jericho
Meet the Peppers!	6:30 PM - 7 PM	Office of Admission Patio	Come see the Cardinal Player's Pep Band perform some of their classic stand tunes and learn the most essential Wesleyan songs. They will be performing a combination of accessible classic rock, modern pop, and teaching you the fight song, alma mater and victory song.
Film Screening: The Teacher	8 PM - 10 PM	The Jeanine Basinger Center for FIlm Studies, Goldsmith Family Cinema	This fiction drama was filmed in the West Bank over three months. A Palestinian school teacher struggles to reconcile his risky commitment to political resistance with his emotional support for one of his students and the chance of a new relationship with a volunteer worker. (118 minute run time)

Event	Time	Location	Description
Registration	8 AM - 4:30 PM	Office of Admission, McKelvey	Check in to receive all materials and event details before getting started.
Welcome to the Wesleyan Community!	9 AM - 9:45 AM	Memorial Chapel	President Michael Roth '78 and VP & Dean of Admission & Financial Aid, Amin Abdul-Malik Gonzalez '96 will officially welcome you to Wes!
Dorm Demo	9 AM - 5 PM	Usdan University Center, 1st Floor	Join Campus Store reps to talk about dorm essentials and Apple computers. See a full set of dorm furniture in a space where you can actually touch it! Learn about pre-ordering dorm essentials for pick up on arrival day so you can skip the trip to the store and stress less about having everything you need on day one.
Campus Tours (Leaving every hour on the hour)	10 AM - 4 PM	Office of Admission	Get to know Wesleyan through the eyes of current students with a student-led in-person tour around campus.
Student-to-Student Panel (repeats at 2:00pm with different panelists)	10 AM - 11 AM	Crowell Concert Hall	This panel is for students only! Bring your questions to this panel for and by students. They'll tell you everything you need to know about life at Wes.
QBFGLI Panel	10 AM - 11 AM	Ring Family Performance Hall	Calling all QuestBridge Scholars, first-generation college students and students from limited income backgrounds! Chat with current students who share one or more of these identities and learn about their experience. Bring your questions!
Hot Topics for Parents Panel (repeats at 2:00pm with different panelists)	10 AM - 11 AM	Fayerweather, Beckham Hall, 2nd Floor	This panel is for family members only! Wesleyan students will comprise this panel and will answer all the questions you may not want to ask in front of your admitted student!
Drop-In Hours with Wesleyan’s Muslim Chaplain	10 AM - 12 PM	Room 210, ORSL, 169 High Street	Pop in for a chat with Wesleyan's Muslim Chaplain, Shayk Jamir.
Financial Aid Office Drop-In Hours	10 AM - 5 PM	North College, Second Floor	Have questions about your individual financial aid package or circumstances? Stop in for a chat with one of our Financial Aid Directors.
Narrative Nonfiction Workshop with Andrew Leland	10:20 AM - 11:40 AM	The Shapiro Center Patio	What is “narrative nonfiction”? Join Andrew Leland, Pulitzer Prize finalist for The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End Sight, for a workshop about the ways that speculation and imagination are essential to writing grounded in “fact.” How can nonfiction strike the balance between being rigorously verifiable but also rich with expressive energy?
Master Class: Global Change and Infectious Disease	11 AM - 12 PM	Exley Science Center, ESC 150 (Tishler Hall)	Human demands upon the environment have caused animal diseases to spill over into humanity and will continue to do so. A key to reducing the stream of new pathogens into our species is to understand the nexus among the health of all human populations, animal health, and environmental health.
MALS Expedited Admission	11 AM - 12 PM	74 Wyllys Avenue	As a current Wesleyan student, applying to the Graduate Liberal Studies program can be easy—no essays, no letters of recommendation, and no long forms. Simply complete a quick application to take the next step in expanding your academic and creative opportunities. Join Dr. Glenn Knight, Associate Director, Admissions and Student Services to learn more.
Lunch at Wesleyan’s Main Dining Hall	11 AM - 2 PM	Usdan University Center, Marketplace	Enjoy lunch at Usdan Marketplace, our main dining hall. If weather is nice, visitors are encouraged to take food to go and eat outside in the courtyard and under the tent.
Resource Center Drop-In Hours	11 AM - 2 PM	Student Resource Center	Come learn about your potential home away from home by chatting with The RC staff about the programs and services coming out of Wesleyan's multicultural center. Pick up some free buttons, snacks, and promotional materials!
Meet and Greet with the Director of Jewish Studies	12 PM - 1 PM	Religion Department, Room 211	Discover the Center for Jewish Studies while enjoying some tasty snacks.
Theater Department Drop-In Tours	12 PM - 1 PM	275 Washington Terrace, Theater Department	The Theater Department will offer rolling tours of our facilities led by a current Theater Major. See our costume shop and scene shop, the Center for the Arts Theater, our Theater Studio black box space and the . Tours will last approximately 15-20 minutes and require navigating stairs. Please contact dalger@wesleyan.edu with any questions or to discuss accessibility accommodations.
WesThrift Open House	12 PM - 1 PM	284 High Street, Bailey College of the Environment (Please enter through the basement back door)	Come check out Wesleyan's thrift store!
Freeman Athletic Center Drop In	12 PM - 2 PM	Freeman Athletic Center	Meet with student athletes and tour the facility!
Early Decision Student Mingle	12:30 PM - 1:30 PM	Office of Admission, Patio	Were you admitted through Early Decision? Join other early decision students for lunch with our Senior Interns. Don’t forget to bring your meal ticket!
West African Dance Workshop	12:30 PM - 2 PM	160 Cross Street Dance Studio	This workshop aims to delve into the intricate tapestry of Ghanaian traditional dance, examining its symbiotic relationship with culture and its pivotal role in shaping contemporary dance expressions in Ghanaian society. Participants will engage in a comprehensive exploration of Ghanaian rhythmic traditions, acquiring a foundational movement vocabulary and developing a profound appreciation for the resilience and beauty inherent in these traditions. Through experiential learning, participants will embody the physicality of Ghanaian dance, experiencing its transformative power in fostering community cohesion and honoring both individual and collective identities.
Davison Art Collection Gallery	12:30 PM - 4:30 PM	The Pruzan Art Center, 238 Church St. (Located between Olin Library and the Frank Center for Public Affairs)	Come visit the Pruzan Art Center to see the current exhibition on display. Engraving after 1900: A Technique in Its Time features artwork from the Davison Art Collection, including works by Stanley Anderson, Stanley William Hayter, Dorothy Dehner, Norma Morgan, Anton Wurth, Andrew Raftery, Jean-Emilie Laboureur, and many others.
Your Voice Matters - Athletics & Team Culture	1 PM - 2 PM	Freeman Athletic Center Classroom	Every team has its own culture, shaped by traditions, leadership, and shared experiences. How do you find your place and adapt to new dynamics? This interactive session explores the role of culture in athletics through real-world case studies, small-group discussions, and an open conversation with student-athletes and staff. Learn how to navigate new environments, build connections, and make your voice heard as you begin your journey at Wesleyan!
Great Poets Steal: Poetry Workshop and Reading (with Oliver Egger)	1:20 PM - 2:40 PM	The Shapiro Center Patio	T.S. Eliot said that "Good Poets Borrow, Great Poets Steal." In this generative poetry workshop, Oliver Egger, the Young Poet Laureate of Connecticut, will teach you discuss how to use the work of great poets as the building blocks for our own poetry. There will also be a reading by students from the class "Writing Your own Poetry Collection."
Drop-In Hours with Wesleyan’s Muslim Chaplain	1 PM - 3 PM	Room 210, ORSL, 169 High Street	Pop in for a chat with Wesleyan's Muslim Chaplain, Shaykh Jamir D. Meah.
Drop-In Hours with the Office of Residential Life	1 PM - 3 PM	North College, Lower Level, Office of Residential Life	Do you have questions about living on campus? Stop by the Office of Residential Life to meet the staff and get all of your questions answered.
Come Meet the Office of Student Involvement	1:30 PM - 3 PM	Usdan 108	Join the Office of Student Involvement to learn about campus events, student organizations, and ways to get involved! Meet the team, ask questions, and discover how you can make the most of your Wesleyan experience.
Hot Topics for Parents Panel	2 PM - 3 PM	Crowell Concert Hall	This panel is for family members only! Wesleyan students will comprise this panel and will answer all the questions you may not want to ask in front of your admitted student!
Your Journey Begins: What to Expect from Orientation and Beyond	2 PM - 3 PM	Fayerweather, Beckham Hall, 2nd Floor	Join us for an informative panel discussion with our experienced Orientation Leaders! Learn what orientation is like, what you can expect to do over the summer before arriving on campus and get a sneak peek into the in-person programs designed to help you transition smoothly into university life. This is your chance to ask questions and hear firsthand about the resources, activities, and tips that will help you make the most of your first year.
Museum Tour	2 PM - 4:30 PM	Exley Science Center, 4th Floor	The Joe Webb Peoples Museum of Natural History in Exley Science Center, is based in Earth & Environmental Sciences, and has amazing collections of fossils and minerals. The Museum is named after Professor Joe Webb Peoples (1908-2000), who was a strong advocate for the museum’s and collections’ role in teaching and science outreach. Come take a tour with student curators!
Student Academic Resources/Accessibility Services Drop-In	2 PM - 5 PM	North College, Room 022	Stop by to chat with Student Academic Resources (SAR) and Accessibility Services staff. Bring your questions about academic support, peer tutoring, peer academic support, and Accessibility Services. We’d love to see you!
Alumni Keynote Speech: Michael Silber '86	3 PM - 4 PM	Crowell Concert Hall	Michael Silber was a Studio Art major at Wesleyan (having come to Middletown intent on becoming a physician). His goal throughout most of college was to become an architect - which he pursued through summer jobs and a semester abroad in Italy. After Wes, Michael shifted focus and went to work as a research analyst at a boutique management consulting firm in New York City. In 1989, Michael moved to California to enroll in the MBA program at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. At Stanford, Michael planned to pursue a career as a movie/TV producer and briefly worked at The Walt Disney Company. With an MBA in hand, he returned to management consulting in New York as an Associate at McKinsey & Company - the global management consultancy. Michael spent 32 years at McKinsey, focusing on clients in life sciences, consumer products, health services and private equity. Michael also served as McKinsey’s Chief Financial Officer for five years and as an elected member of the firm’s board. He also oversaw McKinsey’s global efforts around social responsibility for nearly a decade. Michael retired from McKinsey at the end of 2023. Michael has recently embarked on a new journey focused on food in New York City - as an investor, co-creator, mentor and (soon to be) restaurant operator. This life chapter brings together passions for food, design, service operations, hospitality and entrepreneurship. Since 2022, Michael has made 10 investments in new restaurants and food-related businesses - several of which have emerged as some of New York’s hottest new places. He also serves on the board of Generation - a 10-year old global nonprofit network that supports people to achieve economic mobility and a better life. Michael has been an active Wesleyan alumnus - as a member of the President’s Council, through his support of programs related to the arts and as an on-campus recruiter. Michael lives in New York City - less than a mile from where he was born.
Tours of the Brand-New Fries Arts Building	3 PM - 4 PM	44 Hamlin Street	Take a tour of Wesleyan’s brand-new Fries Art Building, a state-of-the-art space designed to inspire creativity and collaboration.
(Barely) Controlled Substances: Flask and Furious	3 PM - 4 PM	Exley Science Center, ESC 150 (Tishler Hall)	Join the Free Radicals as we go through a series of exciting chemical demonstrations, all while giving you a glimpse into what Wesleyan has to offer. This event is designed to ignite your curiosity and introduce you to the exciting world of chemistry and university life. Whether you’re a science enthusiast or just looking for some thrill, our showcase is a great way to learn more about the Wesleyan University experience.
Biology Department Drop-In Hours	3 PM - 4 PM	Woodhead Lounge, Exley Science Center 184	Learn more about the Biology program at Wes with Professor Phil Arevalo.
Master Class: A Green Vortex: The Amazonian Rubber Boom in the 19th Century	3 PM - 4 PM	PAC 100	Bananas, silver, and coffee connect Latin America to consumers across the globe. From the discovery of massive silver deposits in Potosí in the 16th century to the growth of the illegal drug industry in the 20th century, commodities have shaped how people work and eat, not only in Latin America but worldwide. Everyday goods like sugar and rubber have given rise to political revolutions, environmental destruction, scientific discovery, and new literary and artistic movements across the region.
Civic Engagement & Community Partnerships: Student Panel	4 PM - 5 PM	Albritton 311	Learn about the Jewett Center for Community Partnerships (JCCP) and the many ways you can get involved in civic engagement and community partnerships at Wesleyan and in Middletown. Hear directly from a panel of students who are currently engaged in this work about their experiences, their groups, and the many opportunities available. Ask them anything you’d like about community engagement here at Wesleyan!
Tours of the New Science Building	4 PM - 5 PM	Meet in between the Allbritton Center and 200 Church St.	THIS IS AN ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION SITE. Take a tour of Wesleyan’s new, cutting-edge science building, set to open in 2026, featuring state-of-the-art labs, classrooms, and collaborative spaces. For your safety, all participants must wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. Be prepared to wear a hard hat, safety vest, and goggles, which will be provided.
Legato Pesante Quartet	4:30 PM - 5:30 PM	World Music Hall	Tuba instructor Steven Wilkinson presents a concert by his Legato Pesante Quartet: More Info
Cardinal Notes: Wesleyan's Music Showcase	4:30 PM - 6:30 PM	Fayerweather, Beckham Hall, 2nd Floor	Come see performances from Wesleyan student bands, acapella groups and more! Feel free to stop by at any time during the showcase.
Listening From the Heart	7 PM - 8 PM	PAC 100	Join us for an evening of testimony, resilience and reconciliation with members of the Parents Circle, a joint Israeli-Palestinian grassroots organization of over 700 bereaved families united by loss and a shared commitment to dialogue and peace. This will include a Q&A with Shiri Ourian, Executive Director of American Friends of Parents Circle - Families Forum. Sponsored by Wesleyan J Street U & Office of the Jewish Chaplain, Cosponsored by the Albritton Center for the Study of Public Life.
Indonesia in Musical Voyage	7 PM - 9 PM	Memorial Chapel	Indonesia is renowned for its diverse musical traditions, which have developed over centuries. Ethnomusicologist/composer Andy McGraw PhD '05 and Indonesian composer/professional singer Peni Candra Rini will present their contemporary collaborative works, inspired by an ancient heart-shaped lute depicted in the reliefs of the ninth-century Buddhist monument Borobudur. Composer/performer Neely Bruce, John Spencer Camp Professor of Music, will play "A Fugue for Maeny," and four string players will present the premiere of "A String Quartet for Sumarsam" (for Winslow-Kaplan Professor of Music Sumarsam MA '76), compositions inspired by Bruce's personal connection to the Indonesian.
Bible Study	8 PM - 9 PM	Light House (227 Pine Street)	Come join Wesleyan Christian Fellowship for our weekly Bible study and meet students in our Christian community! At Bible study, we read and discuss passages of scripture and have fellowship together, and this semester, we're reading the book of James.
Schmooze with the Jews	8:30 PM - 9:30 PM	Bayit (157 Church Street)	Join us for chocolate covered matzah and other passover snacks, and get to know the Jewish community at Wesleyan! All are welcome!
Film Screening: How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies	8 PM - 10 PM	The Jeanine Basinger Center for Film Studies, Goldsmith Family Cinema	When M hears news of his terminally ill grandmother, he plans to inherit her fortune by moving in and becoming her primary caretaker. As he learns more about her, his scheming plans become emotionally troublesome. (127 minute run time)

Event	Time	Location	Description
Registration	8 AM - 4:30 PM	Office of Admission, McKelvey	Check in to receive all materials and event details before getting started.
Welcome to the Wesleyan Community!	9 AM - 9:45 AM	Memorial Chapel	President Michael Roth '78 and Vice President and Dean of Admission & Financial Aid, Amin Abdul-Malik Gonzalez '96 will officially welcome you to Wes!
Dorm Demo	9 AM - 5 PM	Usdan University Center, 1st Floor	Join Campus Store reps to talk about dorm essentials and Apple computers. See a full set of dorm furniture in a space where you can actually touch it! Learn about pre-ordering dorm essentials for pick up on arrival day so you can skip the trip to the store and stress less about having everything you need on day one.
Campus Tours (Leaving every hour on the hour)	10 AM - 3 PM	Office of Admission	Get to know Wesleyan through the eyes of current students with a student-led in-person tour around campus.
Student-to-Student Panel (Repeated with different panelists, at 2:00pm	10 AM - 11 AM	Crowell Concert Hall	This panel is for students only! Bring your questions to this panel for and by students. They'll tell you everything you need to know about life at Wes.
Hot Topics for Parents Panel (Repeated at 2:00pm with different panelists)	10 AM - 11 AM	Fayerweather, Beckham Hall, 2nd Floor	This panel is for family members only! Wesleyan students will comprise this panel and will answer all the questions you may not want to ask in front of your admitted student!
Translation 101: A Workshop (with Ryan Bloom)	10:20 AM - 11:40 AM	The Shapiro Center Patio	What is literary translation? And what role does it have in the age of Google Translate and ChatGPT? Join the award-winning translator Ryan Bloom, the world's leading translator of Nobel Prize winner Albert Camus, for an interactive workshop that will have you scrutinizing words like never before!
Student Academic Rsources/Accessibility Services Drop In Hours	10 AM - 12 PM	North College, Room 022	Stop by to chat with Student Academic Resources (SAR) and Accessibility Services staff. Bring your questions about academic support, peer tutoring, peer academic support, and Accessibility Services. We’d love to see you!
Financial Aid Office Drop-In Hours	10 AM - 5 PM	North College, Second Floor	Have questions about your individual financial aid package or circumstances? Stop in for a chat with one of our Financial Aid Directors.
Campus Jobs 101	11 AM - 11:45 AM	Gordon Career Center, Boger Hall, Olson Commons	Nearly half of Wesleyan students work on campus, gaining valuable experience while contributing to university operations. This session, led by the Gordon Career Center’s campus employment team, covers finding a job, building skills, and connecting work experience to future career goals.
Class Dean Drop In with Kelly Dunn	11 AM - 12 PM	North College Lobby	If there's one person you absolutely must know here on campus, it's your class dean! Drop by to say "hi" to yours.
Master Class: From Sci-Fi to Reality: Demystifying AI	11 AM - 12 PM	Exley Science Center, ESC 150 (Tishler Hall)	As AI is increasingly becoming part of our daily lives, understanding its common applications and ethical implications is crucial. This talk will cover the history of AI, its philosophical underpinnings, and how it actually works.
Lunch in Wesleyan’s Main Dining Hall	11 AM - 2 PM	Usdan Marketplace	Enjoy lunch at Usdan Marketplace, our main dining hall. If weather is nice, visitors are encouraged to take food to go and eat outside in the courtyard and under the tent.
Student Activities Fair	11 AM - 2 PM	Andrus Field	Looking to get involved with student groups while at Wes? Of course you are! Visit some student organizations to learn more about different ways you can get involved as a student.
Meet and Greet with the Director of Jewish Studies	12 PM - 1 PM	Religion Department, Room 211	All are invited to come, learn and ask questions while exploring the many facets of the Center for Jewish Studies: from hosting the academic Minor in Jewish and Israel Studies and offering a variety of innovative courses to exploring cultural and academic events including the Contemporary Israeli Voices series in the fall and annual Israeli Film Festival in the Spring. Snacks will be provided.
Theater Department Drop-In Tours	12 PM - 1 PM	275 Washington Terrace, Theater Department	The Theater Department will offer rolling tours of our facilities led by a current Theater Major from 12 PM - 1 PM. See our costume shop and scene shop, the Center for the Arts Theater, our Theater Studio black box space and the . Tours will last approximately 15-20 minutes and require navigating stairs. Please contact dalger@wesleyan.edu with any questions or to discuss accessibility accommodations.
Theater Department Open House	12 PM - 2 PM	275 Washington Terrace, Theater Department	Please join us for a light lunch to mix and mingle with Theater Department Faculty and Staff and current theater students, and to discuss our program and life at Wesleyan. Register here.
Parent to Parent Panel	12 PM - 1 PM	Ring Family Performing Arts Hall	Join current Wesleyan parents for a panel discussion. Bring your questions!
The Big Picture on Health Professions at Wesleyan	12 PM - 1 PM	Usdan 108	Join Mildred Rodríguez, PhD, Health Professions Advisor and Program Coordinator, as she discusses the various factors that need to be taken into consideration by any student considering a health profession such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physician assistant, pharmacy, etc. Dr. Rodríguez will also touch upon the benefits of the Open Curriculum and how it helps our health professions students prepare for the broad scope of healthcare and its humanistic focus.
Freeman Athletic Center Drop In	12 PM - 2 PM	Freeman Athletic Center	Meet with student athletes and tour the facility!
200XBlock Party	12 PM - 2 PM	Malcom X Courtyard	Join the communities of 200 Church, Malcom X House, and Writer's Block for lawn games, food and music. All are welcome!
Join the Classical Studies Department for their annual Homerathon!	12 PM - 6 PM	Starting outside of Usdan University Center	Join the Classical Studies Department for their annual Homerathon! They will be reading the Odyssey all around campus and conclude with a goat roast finale in the backyard of Downey house.
Early Decision Student Mingle	12:30 PM - 1:30 PM	Office of Admission, Patio	Were you admitted through Early Decision? Join other early decision students for lunch with our Senior Interns. Don’t forget to bring your meal ticket!
Davison Art Collection Gallery	12:30 PM - 4:30 PM	The Pruzan Art Center, 238 Church St. (Located between Olin Library and the Frank Center for Public Affairs)	Come visit the Pruzan Art Center to see the current exhibition on display. The exhibition features artwork from the Davison Art Collection, including works by Stanley Anderson, Stanley William Hayter, Dorothy Dehner, Norma Morgan, Anton Wurth, Andrew Raftery, Jean-Emilie Laboureur, and many others.
Jumuah Service and Lunch with the Muslim Student Association community and Wesleyan’s Muslim Chaplain	12:45 PM - 2 PM	ORSL Lounge, 169 High Street	Wesleyan's Muslim Chaplain, Shaykh Jamir D. Meah, and the Muslim Student Association (MSA) invite all new students and families to attend Jumuah prayers and lunch on campus! Jumuah consists of a traditional sermon and prayer, followed by lunch. If you’re not Muslim but interested to see what Muslim life on campus looks like, you’re also welcome! Come and get to know the Wesleyan MSA community!
Study Abroad Information Session	1 PM - 2 PM	Exley Science Center, ESC 058	Wesleyan considers study abroad to be an essential part of a liberal arts education for students majoring in any subject—and financial aid applies for students who qualify! At this session, you will meet Wesleyan's Office of Study Abroad staff and hear from students who have studied abroad.
Q&A With the Wesleyan Argus	1 PM - 2 PM	Boger 112	Are you interested to learn more about the inner workings of America's oldest twice-weekly college paper (except in wartimes and pandemic)? Join us for a panel discussion about The Argus and our coverage of events and updates across campus, from student theatre productions to archival research to administrative updates!
How to Research Like a Professor	1 PM - 2 PM	Olin 014	Get a one-hour crash course on how to read and research like a professor and enter your first classroom at Wesleyan already knowing the secrets to the game.
Your Voice Matters - Athletics & Team Culture	1 PM - 2 PM	Freeman Athletic Center Classroom	Every team has its own culture, shaped by traditions, leadership, and shared experiences. How do you find your place and adapt to new dynamics? This interactive session explores the role of culture in athletics through real-world case studies, small-group discussions, and an open conversation with student-athletes and staff. Learn how to navigate new environments, build connections, and make your voice heard as you begin your journey at Wesleyan!
Candid Conversation	1 PM - 2 PM	Resource Center	Join current students of color at Wes for a candid conversation where you can voice your curiosities and ask questions about what life is like at Wes. This is a casual, student-moderated and open conversation to connect admitted students to the student community at Wesleyan. All are welcome!
Coffee Hour with the Physics Department!	1 PM - 2 PM	Exley Science Center, 2nd Floor, Cady Lounge (Room 225)	Join the faculty and students of the Physics Department for a casual coffee hour where you can ask any questions you might have about the physics program at Wesleyan. This will be followed by a tour of the department.
Dorm Tours	1 PM - 3 PM	Nicolson and Clark Hall	Stop by Clark Hall and/or Nicolson Residence Hall for a quick tour! Please meet the Residence Life Staff member outside of the buildings next to the balloons. All locations are labeled on your campus map and if you are having trouble navigating your way to the locations, please stop by the Office of Admission to have a student guide you.
Come Meet the Office of Student Involvement	1:30 PM - 3 PM	Usdan 108	Join the Office of Student Involvement to learn about campus events, student organizations, and ways to get involved! Meet the team, ask questions, and discover how you can make the most of your Wesleyan experience.
Student-to-Student Panel	2 PM - 3 PM	Fayerweather, Beckham Hall, 2nd Floor	This panel is for students only! Bring your questions to this panel for and by students. They'll tell you everything you need to know about life at Wes.
Hot Topics for Parents Panel	2 PM - 3 PM	Crowell Concert Hall	This panel is for family members only! Wesleyan students will make up this panel and will answer all the questions you may not want to ask in front of your admitted student!
Drop-In Hour with the Dance Department	2 PM - 3 PM	160 Cross Street, Lobby	Come learn about DANCE at Wesleyan!
Astronomy Drop-In	2 PM - 3 PM	Van Vleck Observatory, Room 111	Welcome, astronomers! If you're curious about the astronomy major or want to know what's inside the big white dome, head up to the observatory to chat with the astronomy department chair.
Alumni Keynote Speech: Maggie Feldman-Piltch '14	3 PM - 4 PM	Memorial Chapel	National security expert and aggressively proud Wes alum counts her admittance to Wesleyan as one of the proudest moments of her life, and traces a great deal of the joy since to the chosen family it continues to create for her. She was too afraid to apply to CSS and became a University Major instead with dreams of working in corporate social responsibility for luxury consumer brands. Maggie ended up building a life in national security and defense, and her undergraduate thesis is not infrequently downloaded by Iran-based IP addresses. Her graduate thesis from Georgetown School of Foreign Service is, conversely, favored by the Chinese Communist Party. Her work covers information operations, algorithmic warfare, and making national security make sense. She's taught at Joint Special Operations University, National War College, and Naval Post-Graduate School; been a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and a Global Fellow at the Wilson Center, and built the largest women's centric professional development community in national security, #NatSecGirlSquad, in the world. Maggie was (and somehow continues to be, year after year,) the youngest Participant at the Munich Security Conference and is working on her first book. All of these things are the result of Wesleyan's practical idealism, unwavering commitment to democratic freedom, and liberal arts curriculum which ensured she could offer something meaningful to the world.
Tours of the Brand-New Fries Arts Building	3 PM - 4 PM	44 Hamlin Street	Take a tour of Wesleyan’s brand-new Fries Art Building, a state-of-the-art space designed to inspire creativity and collaboration.
Tour of the College of Film and Moving Image	3 PM - 4 PM	Jeanine Basinger Center for Film Studies	Stop by the Jeanine Basinger Center for Film Studies to learn about everything offered by CFILM. Whether you're interested in our major, minor, or extracurricular offerings, this tour covers it all!
Tours of the New Science Building	4 PM - 5 PM		THIS IS AN ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION SITE. Take a tour of Wesleyan’s new, cutting-edge science building, set to open in 2026, featuring state-of-the-art labs, classrooms, and collaborative spaces. For your safety, all participants must wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. Be prepared to wear a hard hat, safety vest, and goggles, which will be provided.
Men's Baseball Game: Wesleyan vs. Amherst	4 PM - 6 PM	Dresser Diamond	Wesleyan faces off against Amherst College in an exciting men's baseball matchup. Expect great competition, strong teamwork, and plenty of action as these two teams take the field. Don’t miss it!
Quantitative Analysis Center: Student Posters and Open House	4:30 PM - 5:30 PM	Exley Science Center, ESC 189	Come meet the faculty of the Quantitative Analysis Center (QAC) and interact with 10 students who will be happy to talk about their research posters. The QAC is an interdisciplinary center that offers a minor in data analysis and a certificate in applied data science to students who come from every division of the university. We would love to meet you and talk about your interests to see how the QAC can be apart of your Wesleyan experience.
Spike Tape Student Theater Spectacular	4:30 PM - 5:30 PM	Beckham Hall, Fayerweather	Come see a 45 minute theatrical showcase of all that Spike Tape does on campus: Musicals and plays both licensed and student written. They wwill be highlighting 3-4 shows from this semester with samples of scenes and songs plus a 15 minute Q&A afterwards.
Kabbalat Shabbat	5:30 PM - 6:45 PM	Bayit, 157 Church Street	Join the Jewish community fo some soulful Shabbat songs and melodies. All are welcome.
Shabbat Dinner	5:30 PM - 6:45 PM	Bayit, 157 Church Street	Share a meal with the Jewish Community at our weekly Shabbat dinner. The dinner will be held at the Bayit, 157 Church Street. All food will be kosher for Passover, and all are welcome!
Open Rehearsal: The Moors	6 PM - 7 PM	275 Washington Terrace, Theater Department, Theater Studio (TST 001)	Please join us to take a sneak peak in the rehearsal room for our upcoming Mainstage Production of The Moors by Jen Silverman, directed by Visiting Assistant Professor Alex Keegan. Students may attend the first hour of the rehearsals, from 6-7p in the Theater Studio (TST 001) - please arrive by 6:15p at the latest to avoid disruption. A limited number of guests will be permitted to attend for each night, so please indicate your first and second choice. Register here.
Film Screening: Videodrome	8 PM - 9:30 PM	The Jeanine Basinger Center for Film Studies, Goldsmith Family Cinema	A hypnotic descent into the horrors of media, technology, and the human body. When a sleazy TV exec stumbles upon a pirate broadcast of extreme violence, he’s drawn into a labyrinth of hallucinations and conspiracies, only to discover it’s more than just a signal — it’s a portal to a new reality. Long live the new flesh... (89 minute run time)

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