Former WSU Squirrel Watching Club president delivers departmental seminar

Alum Kelvin Selegean presents seminar on “Sciuridae in Michigan”

Wayne State University hosted a unique and timely lecture on Nov. 4 about the Sciuridae family, commonly known as squirrels, led by Kelvin Selegean, former president of the WSU Squirrel Watching Club. The talk, posted below, began with a solemn nod to “Peanut the Squirrel,” a social media-famous tree squirrel with over 690,000 Instagram followers who was euthanized by New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation on Nov. 1.

Selegean’s presentation provided a captivating overview of squirrel diversity across the globe, before focusing on the nine species found in Michigan, which range from chipmunks to groundhogs. Special attention was given to the eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), including both the familiar gray and black variants that are a staple on the WSU campus.

Highlighting the squirrels’ fascinating behaviors, Selegean explained their advanced social strategies, such as creating decoy caches with stones to mislead potential food thieves. He also discussed the potential origins of the black morph of the eastern gray squirrel, which could involve a genetic introgression recently documented in other regions (McRobie et al. 2019).

The lecture, described as “mandatory campus knowledge” by attendees, offered a blend of scientific insight and campus culture. The recording of the event was made available for those unable to attend in person.

Selegean, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a Minor in Computer Science in 2024, founded the Squirrel Watching Club during his undergraduate years, growing it into an organization of over 100 active members. The group maintains a lively presence on Instagram, showcasing their passion for campus wildlife.

Beyond his leadership in the club, Selegean was a research assistant in the laboratory of Dr. Glen Hood in the Department of Biological Sciences from 2019 to 2021. His family’s connection to Wayne State runs deep: his brother Noah is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, and their father, Jim Selegean, has long taught river morphology and surveying in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Selegean’s contributions, both academic and extracurricular, exemplify the strong ties and vibrant community spirit that make Wayne State University a special place.

For more about the Squirrel Watching Club, visit their Instagram page.