Text of Ed’s Speech to the Class 2016 at Wine and Cheese

Posted on September 27, 2015 by weswingsguy

On Friday September 25, WesWings sponsored a Wine and Cheese party for the class of 2016 at Beckham Hall. For those who were unable to attend or may have had difficulty hearing due to sound and mic equipment problems, we are posting the details of Ed’s speech here.

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Thank you and welcome. I am Ed Thorndike and I, along with my business partner, Karen Polascik, own Wes Wings and The Red & Black Café. As many of you know, Wes Wings will be celebrating its 25^th year in business. We have several events planned to celebrate starting with tonight. Next week we’re bringing a group of our staff to NYC to see Hamilton. We are also planning a large celebration next spring and we hope to see all of you then too.

Now in addition to owning WesWings, I am also an alum, class of 1989. I want to welcome you tonight on behalf of the alumni association as well. Over the coming days, weeks and months you will hear a lot of good reasons why you should contribute to the senior class gift. And for those who have or will soon be giving, I thank you for your gift. I know many of you have reasons why you DON’T want to give. I’ve heard them. I’m still paying tuition. I don’t have a job. I have tons of loans. Or maybe you’re just pissed off at one of things the administration has done recently. But here’s the thing. For me. When the smoke clears it comes down to the Wesleyan experience. The Wesleyan experience is special and is what motivates me. It’s been passed down to you and you will soon pass it down to classes that come after you. You’re probably asking yourself, “what is this Wesleyan experience of which you speak so eloquently?” Well I’ll tell you….

It’s football games and basketball and hockey. It’s ultimate Frisbee and West African dance concerts outside. It’s seeing your friends in shows at the ’92 theater. It’s Ebony Singers in the Chapel, it’s research in Hall Atwater

It’s bands at Art House, Buho and Eclectic. It’s parties in the backyards of Fountain. It’s a party ON Fountain. It’s Pine Palace or the Fishbowl. It’s getting a grilled cheese at 2 am from Whey and a breakfast pail from WesWings the next day. It’s O’Rourkes, or Ford News Diner. It’s Thai Gardens, Typhoon and Neon.

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Red & Black Cafe’s $53,000 Completes a Decade of Giving

Posted on September 17, 2015 by weswingsguy

Ten years ago beginning in 2005, we pledged a decade long campaign to contribute 1% of our gross sales from the Red & Black Cafe to support financial aid. Our 1% For Aid campaign has been completed with over $53,000 in contributions. These funds had been restricted to financial aid and since 2009 we specifically directed these funds to the Johannah Justin Jinich ’10 scholarship, (a cause dear to our hearts).

As we begin our 13th year in business at the RBC, we appreciate all the support we’ve received from students and the Wesleyan community. While this particular campaign is now complete, we will continue to support you, our customers, in new ways.

-Karen & Ed

Red & Black Cafe Financial Aid Contributions Approach $50,000

Posted on August 31, 2014 by weswingsguy

For almost a decade beginning in 2005, we have been contributing 1% of our gross sales from the Red & Black Cafe to support financial aid. Our 1% For Aid campaign has now just reached over $48,000. These funds have been restricted to financial aid and since 2009 we have specifically directed these funds to the Johannah Justin Jinich ’10 scholarship, (a cause dear to our hearts).

As we begin our 12th year in business, we appreciate all the support we’ve received from students and will continue to support you.

-Karen & Ed

Red & Black Café Financial Aid Contributions Top $38,000

Posted on September 25, 2012 by weswingsguy

Back in 2005, we began our 1% campaign to support financial aid. For over seven years, we have contributed 1% of our gross sales from the Red & Black Café, to the Wesleyan Fund. We are proud to announce these contributions have topped $38,000. Since 2009 we have specifically directed these funds to the Johannah Justin Jinich ’10 scholarship, (a cause dear to our hearts).