The Peter Morgenstern-Clarren ’03 Social Justice Award was created in memory of Peter Morgenstern-Clarren who pursued social justice while a student at Wesleyan. His activism included securing benefits for Wesleyan custodial staff, participating in the United Student and Labor Action Committee, and contributing his leadership to the campus chapter of Amnesty International. We are grateful to Dr. Hadley Morgenstern-Clarren and The Honorable Pat Morgenstern-Clarren for their generosity in sponsoring this award that honors their son’s activism for the public good. A committee will select the sophomore or junior who best embodies the pursuit of social justice. The application process is described below. Any sophomore or junior in good standing may submit an essay that addresses the following:
Describe in detail the most influential social justice effort in which you played a leadership role that sought to make our local and global communities more equitable (The effort should have a direct affect on the Wesleyan campus and/or on external communities.);
- Explain your level of involvement in the work for example: your role in raising awareness about a particular issue on campus, coordinating events, implementing programming and campaigns in the pursuit of social justice;
- In addition to your essay, you must include a letter of support from a faculty or administrator involved in your effort and submit evidence of impact that the social justice effort had on making our society more just by contributing testimonies from individuals (excluding family and friends) directly involved, artifacts from your social justice effort (e.g., past printed programs, presentations, and articles), and/or your work from courses. You may include non-print items, such as DVDs.
You must include at least four copies of the non-print and printed items and drop them off to Antonio Farias, North College, 3rd floor, Room 317 by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2016. All essays, letters of support and printed items must be in by the deadline. By submitting your packet, you agree to allow the Office of Equity & Inclusion to use it (or excerpts from it) for assessment, archival, and promotion purposes. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Antonio Farias x4771, afarias@wesleyan.edu
Previous recipients:
2015: Hannah Sokoloff-Rubin class of 2016 & Work and Leadership in the Wesleyan Doula Project
Claire Wright, class of 2016 Sexual Assault Prevention & Survivor Support
2014: Hailey Sowden, class of 2015 Middletown Food Project/Long Lane Farm
2013: Joshua Krugman, class of 2014 Long Lane Organic Farm
2012: Corey Guilmette, class of 2013 Wesleyan Committee for Investor Responsibility
2011: Ali Chaudry, class of 2012 Pakistan Flood Relief Initiative
2010: Allegra Stout, class of 2012 Disability Issues
2009: Lily Mandlin, class of 2010 Facilitator, North End Action Team Teen Dreams Society
2008: Mu Abeledo, class of 2009 Founder, Middletown Youth Radio Project (MYRP)
2007: Lashawn Springer, class of 2008 Program Organizer, “Common Struggle for Freedom & Justice”
2016 Peter Morgenstern-Clarren ’03 EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD
Nominations are now being accepted for the Peter Morgenstern-Clarren ’03 Employee Recognition Award. Eligible Wesleyan employees include custodians, dining staff, grounds crew, and building maintenance staff (i.e. electricians, plumbers). The award is to honor and thank the people whose every day work helps the students at Wesleyan. Nominators may only submit one person for consideration; you are welcome to nominate yourself. The winner will receive a cash award of $1,500.
The Peter Morgenstern-Clarren ’03 Employee Recognition Award was created in memory of Peter Morgenstern-Clarren, who pursued social justice as a student at Wesleyan. His activism included securing benefits for Wesleyan custodial staff, participating in the United Student and Labor Action Coalition, and contributing his leadership to the campus chapter of Amnesty International. We are grateful to Dr. Hadley Morgenstern-Clarren and The Honorable Pat Morgenstern-Clarren for their generosity in sponsoring this award that honors their son’s activism for the public good.
To apply, please respond to the following questions in no more than two pages:
1) What is your (the employee’s) job at Wesleyan? In what ways do you (the employee) engage and interact with Wesleyan students on campus?
2) In what ways have you (the employee) contributed to student life at Wesleyan? If possible, please give specific examples.
3) What do you (the employee) find most rewarding about working on campus?
4) Is there anything else that you would like to tell the committee about yourself (the employee)?
Submit nominations to Antonio Farias at North College, 3rd floor, room 317, call 860.685.4771 or email afarias@wesleyan.edu by 5pm, Tuesday, March 1, 2016.
Previous recipients
2015: David Csere 2014: Lucia Valenzuela 2013: David Wright 2012: Jose Rodriguez
2011: Gloria Tobon 2010: Mollie Lane 2009: Ron Bowman & Wendy Norton
Selection Committee for both awards: Joseph Matthew Brown ’03; Richard Culliton; Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students; Antonio Farias, Chair & Vice President for Equity & Inclusion; Derek Vincent Garcia, ’04; Sara Morgenstern; Mogenstern-Clarren, Family Representative, Bulaong Ramiz; Assistant Director, Student Activities & Leadership Development, Ann Wightman, Professor of History and Latin American Studies.