Wesleyan University

Wesleyan University is a private university located in Middletown, Connecticut. Its athletic teams are members of the New England Small College Athletic Conference.

Johanna Justin-Jinich, Class of 2010, was shot and killed by Stephen Morgan at an off-campus bookstore on May 6, 2009. Morgan was still at large as of May 7, 2009. Police issued warnings that Morgan is armed and dangerous and may be focused on the "Wesleyan University campus as well as the Jewish community."NY Daily News: Armed and Dangerous Suspect on the Loose (May 7, 2009)

Noted Programs

University History

The university was originally founded in 1831 as part of the United Methodist Church. Originally admitting males only, the college began allowing women to enroll in 1872. This ended in 1912, with the separation from the church following, in 1937. It was not until the late 1960s that women were allowed to enroll again. Most recently, in 2004, the college opened its film studies school.

Notable Alumni

Eric Asimov, chief wine critic, The New York Times
Gerald L. Baliles, former governor of Virginia
Michael Bay, film director and producer
Bill Belichick, head coach of the New England Patriots
Robin Cook, writer
Steve Englehart, comic book writer

Student Murdered

On May 6, 2009, Stephen Morgan, 29, walked into the Red & Black Cafe inside Broad Street Books, an off-campus Middletown, Connecticut bookstore, and shot Johanna Justin-Jinich five times, killing her.Hartford Courant: Wesleyan Shooter (May 7, 2009)

Morgan had met Johanna Justin-Jinich when they participated in a six-week summer program at New York University in [[2007]. Near the end of the summer program, Justin-Jinich said she had received harassing e-mails and phone calls from Morgan and filed a harassment complaint with the NYU Public Safety Department. The campus Public Safety Department informed the NYPD of the complaint and according to Beckman, "initial conversations were conducted with each person by the police. Ultimately, after attempts to follow-up with Ms. Justin-Jinich about pursuing the matter, she declined to pursue the case."Hartford Courant: Wesleyan Shooter (May 7, 2009)

Vigil for Justin-Jinich

Wesleyan students had planned a candlelight vigil to remember Justin-Jinich during the evening of May 6, 2009. The vigil was canceled when officials emailed the Wesleyan community warning against any gathering.Wesleyan University: Johanna Justin-Jinich '10 (May 6, 2009)