Morse Fellows
Morse College is a vibrant community. We would love to count you among us. The Fellows meet a few times per semester at the Head of College’s house, to interact with friends from all parts of the University and from the broader community. Many play the role of Advisor for a student or two. We extend invitations to student functions such as performances and college-wide social events, welcome participation at intramural sports, provide dining privileges in the college at lunch or dinner, all so you can meet with students, faculty and friends. Please join us - we welcome you!
Catherine (Cat) Balco
Professor of Painting, Hartford Art School/University of Hartford
Biography
Cat Balco is a painter and a Professor of Painting at the Hartford Art School/University of Hartford. She makes bright abstract paintings that evoke joy, freedom, and physical movement. As an educator, she is committed to helping students develop grounded, individualized artistic practices. She has a special interest in connecting art making to personal and cultural healing, and has founded a number of Arts in Healthcare initiatives that connect students to patients in hospices, nursing homes, and other healthcare environments. Cat also writes about art and culture.
Contact Information:
Ruth Barnes
Thomas Jaffe Curator of Indo-Pacific Art, Yale University Art Gallery
Biography
Offers assistance in:
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Melissa Barton
Curator, Drama and Prose, Yale Collection of American Literature, Beinecke Library
Biography
Interests:
Melissa’s research interests include Black theater and performance and the conceptualization and status of archives in the humanities and information science. She loves teaching and spent several years teaching English at the secondary level, in both private and public schools, and she is happy to talk about those experiences with prospective teachers. She still holds a candle for theater production and ultimate frisbee, though increasingly only as a spectator for either. She lives in New Haven with her partner and their kids.
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Beth Anne Bennett
Senior Lecturer of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science
Biography
Beth Bennett graduated from Yale (Morse Class of 1991) with a double major in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Math. She has stayed at Yale ever since, earning her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering in 1997 and subsequently rising through the research ranks and the non-ladder teaching ranks to her current position of Senior Lecturer. Dr. Bennett teaches various courses in Engineering & Applied Science and Mechanical Engineering. She enjoys meeting students (and other people as well!) and chatting about academic and non-academic pursuits.
Interests:
In her spare time, Dr. Bennett reads mysteries and spy novels, and she and her husband enjoy renovating their home, which is a never-ending source of interesting DIY projects.
Dr. Bennett would be happy to discuss Yale’s engineering and applied math programs, what engineering research involves (i.e., what to expect if you are doing a semester or a summer of research), and what to expect when applying to and attending engineering grad school. Conversations about what Morse was like 35 years ago are also welcome!
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Hannah Black
Assistant Director of Leadership and Communications, Berkeley Divinity School; Research Fellow, Jonathan Edwards Center
Biography
Hannah grew up in Southern California and had a first career as a dancer at Disneyland. She went on to earn an M.Phil. and a Ph.D. in theology at the University of Cambridge. Now, she is the Assistant Director of Leadership and Communications at Berkeley Divinity School, the Episcopal seminary at Yale. She is also a Research Fellow at Yale Divinity School’s Jonathan Edwards Center, where she is collaborating on a book project.
Interests:
Hiking with my dog, traveling, crafting.
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Frederick Bland
Architect, Partner Emeritus (former Managing Partner), Beyer Blinder Belle, NYC
Biography
Frederick Bland is a 1968 graduate of Yale (Morse College) and 1972 Yale School of Architecture graduate. Got married in the chapel at base of Harkness 54 years ago! (still married… to the same Barnard grad). Have lived in New York (Brooklyn Heights) for 50 years with a weekend house in nearby Stony Creek where I have an extensive collector’s garden. Highly involved in New York civic affairs: Vice Chair of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, former Chair of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, etc. For 30 years Professor Adj in the NYU Art History Department, teaching about the future of cities. A current Cultural Companion at IRIS, New Haven. Advisory Committee of the Marsh Botanical Garden at Yale.
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Henry Bolanos
Retired Lecturer- SEAS
Biography
Henry Bolanos, retired VP of R&D for US Surgical Corporation, is named on Over 120 US patents in the Surgical and other Fields. He was responsible for the creation of state of the art surgical instruments: Endoscopic Clip Appliers and Endoscopic GIA devices used in Laparoscopic Surgery. He has a BSME from CCNY, and a Masters in Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology.
His career has spanned both National and International corporate assignments. He is currently a Consultant on Creativity and New Product Development, and is a Lecturer at Yale University and a Visiting Professor at The University of Virginia and The University of Auckland, in New Zealand.
Mr. Bolanos has also serves as an Expert Witness in Patent and Product Liability litigation and he is the author of 5 books on Creativity and New Product Development.
Mr. Bolanos also conducts Seminars in Creativity and New Product Development for both Groups and Corporations.. He currently serves on the Board of an on-line Computer Company and is Chairman of a company in New Zealand, EverEdge IP, Ltd.
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Alexandria Brackett
Clinical Librarian at the Cushing/Whitney Medical Library
Biography
Alexandria Brackett is a clinical research and Education librarian at the Cushing/Whitney Medical Library. She provides in-depth reference, information, research, and consultation services for clinical professionals and users in the health sciences community, including literature searches in support of systematic reviews, research, grants, and clinical practice. She received her MLIS from the University of Oklahoma and her MA in English from Oklahoma State University. See her profile page for a detailed biography: https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/alexandria-brackett/?tab=bio
Interests:
Alexandria enjoys reading books, doing puzzles, and playing with her dog, Monty.
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Michael Brenes
Lecturer and Co-Director of the Brady-Johnson Program in Grand Strategy
Biography
Interests:
Cold War foreign policy, American political history, archives and archival research. He is also a runner, musician, and enjoys travel and good food.