Trumbull Notes 3-8-16

March 8, 2016

Yesterday, a professor from New York University who gave an academic talk

at Yale and, later in the day, came over Trumbull  to talk about research but also  to see Trumbull and residential colleges at Yale.   In the short time she was present (just before our Mellon Forum began) she got a better view of life at Yale than I could have imagined. 

Of course she got to see the buildings here – the House and college. 

Then as we sat chatting in the living room a circle of students appeared in the courtyard.  I glanced out and said I had absolutely no idea what was happening but all seemed calm and orderly and fine.  

Meanwhile  Austin Jaspers arrived to help set up a screen in the living room, which, I told her, would be used for after dinner talks by some of our seniors – (That evening they would be on:  preparing a performance piece on

people’s experiences with sex education by Lily Shoretz, historical lessons centered on  leger art by Native Americans from the Plains of North America by Amy Sawyer, a talk on computer science, lighting and the attraction of two spheres by Brian Li, and a talk on the a 1938 garment workers strike led by Chinese women in 1938 by Cassie Tarleton .)      

As I explained the Mellon Forum to my guest and as our seniors began arriving in the foyer, Austin too glanced out the window at that group gathered in the courtyard was practicing casting (as in fly fishing) – Fly fish casting, in a dry courtyard, in March with no water! as a set of diverse talks by seniors occurs inside.   “A true Yale moment!” Austin aptly commented to my guest.

There’s much to be learned; much expertise to be shared and that’s what happens here.

I am continually amazed with all that you do and how far beyond the classroom this extends.

Trumbullians, I said to my guest, are an amazing bunch. Austin was there, of course, so I told her he had worked directly with the Secretary of Health and Human Services the year previously – at the Secretary’s personal invitation after Austin had worked there for a summer.  Meanwhile just feet away Karen Eisenman and Mitchell Mares were busy helping with everything in the house and Mitchell paid particular attention to this guest – greatly impressing her greatly with his engagement and good cheer and offers to bring her drink and food.

My friend’s commented on what a privilege it must be to live amongst all this.  Indeed, it is a rare privilege and I’m grateful to you all for it. 

In that vein the past few days have been especially enjoyable ones. 

I start with last week’s events and a heartfelt thanks to Niklas Deninger who arranged for us to have a wonderful tea guest, Ludwig Willisch, the CEO of BMW in North America.  Attendance was great.  It led to a move from the House to our Common Room so that everyone could fit in.  Niklas introduced our guest and led the questions in great fashion. 

During that event I received an invitation to The Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association’s Aeronautica event on Wednesday.  So…..I went.  I’m very glad I did.   Our Trumbull senior, Genevieve Fowler gave a fabulous keynote address at the event with film and still pictures that captured all that this group does and how it has grown in a few years from just a few people to many.   She’s president of this group this year – the first female president.  (She may be pursuing a career in engineering but she is one terrific public speaker as well.)  Her work and the facts that Alyssa Chen is also a member of the group and one who helped launch an impressive rocket last year and that, last spring, a Trumbullian woman, Aunica Steele, graduated not only at the top of Trumbull’s class last year but also as the top engineering student in Yale College makes me very happy.  (These women’s accomplishments are wonderfully visible evidence of a change in engineering from what was true not so long ago and especially from what was true when I myself was in college!)  

All this is not to say that we don’t also have some very impressive men in engineering as well including our own two freshmen Milo Brandt (who is working on a multi-year CubeSat project) and Lance Chantiles-Wertz (whom I already knew could fly on stage in a ballet but whom, I now know, also knows much about designing and flying fixed wing vehicles.).  Congratulations to all of you. 

Over the weekend I also attended, for the first time, a performance of The Opera Theatre of Yale College’s performance of L’Etoile thanks to Jack Siegel telling me about it and how to get tickets. I loved it.  My spouse did as well.  Trumbullians Cooper D’Agostino (Siroco) and our freshman Rachel Kaufman (Chorus) sang (wonderfully), and Sara Siegel (Trombone) and Rebecca Leibowitz (Percussion) performed in the orchestra (also wonderfully).    

Of course, I know that every week I miss more events than I attend – The Heathers this past week, for instance.  I heard it was great.  This past weekend also included senior night for the Women’s Basketball Team.  Trumbullian Whitney Wyckoff  (the team captain!) was recognized for all her contributions to the basketball team over her Yale career and I congratulate her.  (The women’s team, incidentally, bested Columbia – by a lot, 67 to 49.)  I wish I could get to more events.  Dean B was there for this event.

This week.

On Thursday Anne Fadiman, essayist, book author, and writer-in-residence at

Yale will be speaking at our Trumbull Fellows Meeting.  All students are most welcome to attend.

Her talk will occur at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday evening in the Common Room.  By Thursday evening almost all mid-terms and papers due this week will be completed.  Please join us if you can.  (I have books of her essays available if anyone wishes to borrow them and read one or two beforehand.)  

Spring Break

…… is almost here! I’ve just commented on some of the many non-course activities in which you are all involved.  That’s all on top of our being in the midst of mid-terms and many papers being due.  Get sleep.  Eat well.  Get some exercise.  Soon you’ll be able to catch up on sleep and relax.  Hang in there.