The First Lady of Bucknell!
Favorites:
- Spot on campus: Dana Engineering (of course!)
- Meal at Bucknell: John is a fabulous chef – I would have to say the steaks he grills on the weekends at our house.
- Thing about Bucknell: The president!
- Freeze Flavor: German chocolate (I have never even tried a different flavor because I love their German chocolate so much.
Fun Facts:
- My mom wanted me to be called “Wendy,” so she opted for Wendelin instead of Gwendolyn. “Wendelin” is a man’s name in Germany. I only found out about this with the advent of Google.
- Cole weighed 10.5 lbs when he was born. I blame my exceptionally tall husband.
- Our cat’s full name is Sir Charles, Prince of Stanford, Lord of the Bay because as T.S. Eliot wrote “a cat must have three different names.” He is also known as Charlie Wright; he’s a Wright not a Bravman (like me, he didn’t change his name).
1) As the first lady of Bucknell University, where do you think our strengths lie? Our weaknesses?
Certainly our strengths lie in our central focus on undergraduate education and the quality of our teaching. The commitment of our faculty to the growth of our students is very special.
I think, perhaps in part due to our location, all of us at Bucknell would benefit from continually reminding ourselves that we are capable of learning from others by considering diverse points of view, alternative pedagogies, and different approaches to education. I think we would do well to remember this in all aspects of our University life.
2) Bucknell boasts one of the highest percentages of women engineers; as a professor and a woman engineer yourself, why do you think that is and how did you get involved with engineering?
The percentage of female faculty in the College of Engineering reflects changing demographics in the field. Bucknell was fortunate to hire a large number of faculty during the last 5–6 years, and so it’s only natural that a good number of these faculty are female. It makes for a great environment for me as a working mother. I took only two courses from female engineering professors throughout the nine years of my three engineering degrees, and I’m thrilled that this is not the experience of our Bucknell engineering students. I think it’s also good for male students to experience courses with female engineering faculty. Hopefully they have good experiences and take these experiences with them to their workplaces.
When I entered college, my plan was to be a physician like my dad. I struggled with chemistry during my first quarter though and dropped it. During the next quarter, trying to stay on track, I wanted to start the physics sequence, but the only sequence available was a special series for engineers. I took it and loved it; it set me on a completely different path from what I had envisioned.
3) You are somewhat of the do-it-all woman. How do you balance the duties of president’s wife, mother and professor?
I prioritize. First, I’m a wife and mother. Second, I am a professor, and third, I am the president’s spouse. Sometimes that doesn’t leave much time for anything else, but if I succeed at the first two and give the third my best effort, then I’m happy.
4) Cole and Cooper are absolutely adorable! Cooper has been growing up on Bucknell’s campus, what are his thoughts on the school? Do we have any future Bucknellians on our hands? More importantly, are you looking for a babysitter?
Cole loves Bucknell, especially the opportunities to attend athletics events and meet students. His wardrobe is predominantly orange, a color that he prefers of his own volition, so potentially we have at least one future Bucknellian on our hands. I will say though that, first and foremost, I want my children to be happy. If they are as happy as I was in college – wherever they go or if they choose a different path entirely – then I will be happy too.
Cole and Cooper have an absolutely wonderful nanny, so we usually aren’t looking for babysitters! Our nanny is an integral part of making our life work and achieving “the balance” you asked about. Our boys are fortunate to be loved by her.
5) If there was one thing you’d say to women with such fears, what would it be? Do you have any poignant advice you’ve learned along your way?
I would say “Always do what feels right for you.” I am the first to admit that this can be hard advice to follow and that I don’t always follow this advice myself, but things work out best for me when I do. You have to be willing to stand up for yourself and claim what’s yours, regardless of what other people think. My second piece of advice is that if you decide that you want a life partner, it is the most important decision you will ever make. Choose someone who will treat you as a true partner and cherish you above all others and love that person the same way. The rest will fall into place.