Wellesley Family Featured in WBUR’s “All Things Considered”
Melissa Ludtke ’73 and her daughter Maya Ludtke ’19 recently appeared on WBUR’s radio program “All Things Considered” to talk about their creation of a multimedia project called “Touching Home in China.” The interview with the Ludtkes aired on Feb. 7. Maya was given up for adoption in China because of the country’s single-child policy. Growing up in America as an adopted child, she has grappled with issues of identity and people’s lack of understanding about adoption. This multimedia project, which includes a website, iBooks and a myriad of videos, was created for teachers and students to understand Maya’s journey and be able to help others with similar circumstances. The website includes lesson plans on identity, government policies on adoption and Maya’s own personal reflections on her experiences. The Ludtkes hope that by sharing Maya’s story and creating these lesson plans, they will prompt important conversations about adoption and identity.
Wellesley Professor’s Research Featured in Valentine’s Day Globe
Angela Bahns, an assistant professor of psychology at Wellesley College, recently published a paper in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior which she co-wrote with researchers at the University of Kansas. The study and its findings were featured in an article in the Feb. 14 edition of The Boston Globe. The paper, titled “Eye Movements When Looking at Potential Friends and Romantic Partners,” monitored 105 heterosexual undergraduate students as they looked at pictures of friends and possible mates. With the aid of virtual reality headsets and eye trackers that measure movement, the research found that when looking at possible mates, people are more likely to look at the head and chest, while those looking for potential friends look more at the legs and feet.
Wellentine’s Day
On Feb. 13, Wellesley Snapchat reporters put their own spin on Galentine’s Day, a day made popular on the TV show “Parks and Recreation” as a time to celebrate your closest friends. The Wellesley Snapchat reporters set up a booth in the Bae Pao Lu Chow Campus Center and introduced a new twist to the holiday: Wellentine’s Day, a day for Wellesley students to reflect on their friends, faculty and other community members and to thank them for all they have done. Participating students were interviewed by the Snapchat reporters. Some filmed videos on the social media app in which they thanked someone for their love and support. This day gave those who participated an extra reminder to appreciate the meaningful people and relationships in their lives.
