All News

Stone Professor of Psychology Douglas A. Weldon's laboratory is working on studying the mid-brain this summer, an extension of last year's research done by Jennifer DiNieri '03. Through the use of laboratory rats the researchers, Aliscia Thomas '04 and Matthew Silver '05 will study the superior colliculus by surgically grafting electrodes into the rat's brain and monitoring data during a laboratory experiment.

As part of Reunion events, Assistant Director of the Hamilton Physical Plant Terry Hawkridge guided a "slightly damp" group of alumni through the Root Glen. The alumni were treated to a both humorous and enlightening walk through the Glen and the Grant Garden on a rainy Thursday afternoon.

Maxim, a men's magazine, quoted "Doctuh" Associate Professor of Music Michael Woods in a recent article. He commented on the swing of jazz music. He said swing is "a rhythmic phenomenon with a flexible feel and lots of syncopation."

Hamilton Commencement was featured in the Syracuse Post-Standard. Commencement speaker and PBS news anchor Jim Lehrer said, "Praise, question, be part of the debate and the decision making," Lehrer said. "We must all serve with our hearts and our minds and our voices. I implore you to do so."

The Associated Press reported on Hamilton's commencement ceremony and quoted PBS news anchor Jim Lehrer. "Serve a common purpose beyond yourself and your immediate family and/or interests," Lehrer told the 463 graduates.

The Syracuse Post-Standard featured a recent Hamilton graduate Li Qi '03 and his amazing journey from performing in the circus to receiving a college education. Qi ran away from the Chinese circus and defected to the U.S. when he was 15. Then, according to the article, "by sheer chance, he met an eccentric, big-hearted writer from New York City who paid to fix Qi's decaying teeth, taught him English and guided him toward an education Qi could not have dreamed of in China." Qi won a one-year Bristol Fellowship and will spend the next year traveling around the world studying circuses.

Professors of Biology Ernest Williams and William Pfitsch received a grant from the National Wildlife Federation Professors of Biology Ernest Williams and William Pfitsch have received a grant from the National Wildlife Federation's Species Recovery Fund to help begin the reintroduction of the Karner Blue butterfly, a federal endangered species to the Rome Sand Plains. Williams is also monitoring the population of Frosted Elfin butterfly. “The National Wildlife Federation grant is primarily to plant lupine populations in the Rome Sand Plains that will eventually allow us to begin introduction of the Karner Blue butterfly,” said Pfitsch. Pfitsch and Williams have four students working with them this summer: Charlotte Hodde '04, Ashley Kuenzi '05, Krista Marran '04, and Sarah McNeil '04.

The third graders of Myles Elementary School in New Hartford were already excited to get half the day off from school, but they had no idea how much entertainment was in store for them during their science day at Hamilton College. "I hope to spark their enthusiasm, and it would be great if I could help them maintain it," said Professor of Physics Gordon Jones.

The annoucement of Hamilton's new president was included in The New York Times. Joan Hinde Stewart is the first woman president in the College's 191-year history. Stewart, a professor of French and Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of South Carolina, will assume the position July 1.

An Associated Press article reports that Joan Hinde Stewart has been named the 19th president. Stewart is the first woman president in Hamilton's 191-year history. "Hamilton attracted me because of its intellectual heritage, especially its historical emphasis on teaching students to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively," said Stewart.