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Outstanding Young Alumni 2010

The Outstanding Young Alumni Award is presented to up to two alumni of Stetson University who are 35 years of age or younger. The award recognizes contributions to society, to a profession, or to Stetson University. Recipients must demonstrate significant accomplishment or promise in their fields; leadership; or civic, cultural, or charitable involvement.

Wesley L. Whatley '02

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A 2002 magna cum laude graduate of Stetson University who majored in Music with Business as an outside field, Wesley worked briefly in the entertainment departments of both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando before joining the staff of Macy's Entertainment Department. He currently serves as creative manager for Macy's Parade and Entertainment Group, which produces the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Macy's 4th of July Fireworks in New York City.

Over the last seven years with Macy's, Wesley has been responsible for developing and producing new music and performance programs, as well as handling casting and stage direction for the company's iconic national events. Often in the recording studio, he has worked with many stage and screen professionals, from opera greats Renee Fleming and Deborah Voight, to Broadway stars Betty Buckley, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Victoria Clark and Anika Noni Rose, to Emmy Award winner Jane Krakowski. Wesley currently is working on the 2010 Macy's 4th of July Fireworks music score, which will be recorded by the New York Pops orchestra.

In 2008, Wesley composed the song, "I Believe," with lyrics by Macy's Creative Director William Schermerhorn, which was performed by Kermit the Frog in that year's Macy's Parade. The song was nominated for a 2008 Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Song. It was published by Walt Disney Music Publishing and released as a holiday single. "I Believe" made its Carnegie Hall debut in 2009, performed by the New York Pops orchestra. The song later was featured in Macy's Puppet Theatre production of Miracle on 34th Street.

In addition to his work with Macy's, Wesley is an active songwriter and performer. In January 2010, he was a teaching artist in the inaugural "We Are the Song – After the Storm" songwriting workshop in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The year he entered Stetson, Wesley was one of only four recipients of the prestigious and competitive J. Ollie Edmunds Distinguished Scholarship, which he retained throughout his time at the university.