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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 Dean Marina J. Melendez, North College 215 by 5 p.m. on February 29, 2012. 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 Student Affairs and the Office of Diversity and Institutional Partnerships to use it (or excerpts from it) for assessment, archival, and promotion purposes.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Dean Marina J. Melendez, Ph.D., x2765, mmelendez@wesleyan.edu.

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.

For application information click here: EMPLOYEE flyer revised nov 2011