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Press Releases
Williams College Announces Its Commencement Speakers and Honorary Degree Candidates
May 1, 2008
Acclaimed artist and sculptor Richard Serra will be the principal speaker at Williams College's 219th Commencement on Sunday, June 1. Financial executive Robert Lipp will be the baccalaureate speaker on Saturday afternoon, May 31. Former Secretary of State George Shultz will hold a public conversation on Saturday morning, May 31.
Mathematician Edward B. Burger Named Gaudino Scholar at Williams
April 23, 2008
Dean of the Faculty William G. Wagner has announced the selection of Edward B. Burger, professor of mathematics, as Gaudino Scholar at Williams College. Burger will succeed Julia Cassiday, professor of Russian, who has served in this distinguished role since 2006.
Henry David Thoreau Foundation to Help Support Pilot Project on Environmental Leadership at Williams
April 22, 2008
The Henry David Thoreau Foundation has announced the award of a $24,800 grant for building environmental leadership skills among students. The proposal, "Using the Study of Green Building Practices at Williams College to Educate Environmental Leaders for Tomorrow," was presented by the Center for Environmental Studies (CES) and the Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives.
De Veaux Named 2008 Mosteller Statistician of the Year
March 31, 2008
Professor of Statistics Richard D. De Veaux has been named the 2008 Mosteller Statistician of the Year at an award ceremony on March 11, 2008.
Williams Professor Receives Grant to Investigate Effects of Risky Pensions
March 20, 2008
The Social Security Administration has awarded Williams College Assistant Professor of Economics David Love a grant of $40,000 in support of work by Love and Federal Reserve economist Paul Smith on the effects of risky pensions on household saving and labor supply decisions.
"Introduction to Topology," Newest of Colin Adams' Math Textbooks
March 20, 2008
"Introduction to Topology," co-authored by mathematics professor Colin Adams, was recently released by Pearson Prentice Hall.
Glenn Shuck's New Book Examines Current Cultural Pessimism
March 19, 2008
Williams College professor Glenn Shuck is the author of "Escape into the Future: Cultural Pessimism and its Religious Dimension in Contemporary American Popular Culture," recently released by Baylor University Press. Written with John M. Stroup, the book explores the subtle pessimism that pervades the present-day American milieu, as expressed in popular culture and religious discourse.
Williams College Announces Eight New Administrative Appointments
March 19, 2008
Williams College has announced the following administrative appointments:
Named Professorship at Williams Will Honor Longtime College and Community Member
March 18, 2008
Williams College will celebrate the legacy of longtime college and community member J. Hodge Markgraf by naming a professorship in his honor. It will go to a faculty member in any field who displays the "strikingly balanced skills of scholarly excellence and high citizenship that Hodge Markgraf did for almost 60 years.
Bolton's "Robot Ghosts and Wired Dreams" Explores Evolution and Role of Japanese Science Fiction
March 14, 2008
"Robot Ghosts and Wired Dreams: Japanese Science Fiction from Origins to Anime" co-edited by Christopher Bolton of Williams College, Istvan Csisery-Ronay Jr. of DePauw University, and Takayuki Tatsumi of Keio University in Tokyo surveys Japanese science fiction, which developed as a genre since the end of the Second World War.
Daniel Aalberts Awarded NSF and NIH Research Grants
March 11, 2008
Daniel Aalberts, associate professor of physics at Williams College, was recently awarded grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Williams College Senior Shannon Chiu Named Gates Cambridge Scholar - Alumnus Shawn Powers '04 also Wins Scholarship
March 11, 2008
The Gates Cambridge Scholars Program has announced the award of scholarships for study at the University of Cambridge to Williams College student, Shannon Chiu '08, and alumnus Shawn Powers '04. The scholarships will cover tuition, living expenses, and travel fees.
Williams College Invites Berkshire County High School Students to Apply for Summer Science Fellowships
March 11, 2008
For the 18th summer, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute will support four fellowships in the biological sciences for current high school juniors from Berkshire County. The recipients will participate in ongoing research projects of Williams College faculty between July 7 and August 1. The fellowships carry a stipend of $1,200.
Fay Vincent Makes Major Gift to Williams for Financial Aid
March 5, 2008
Former Baseball Commissioner Francis T. (Fay) Vincent, Jr. has made a $7 million gift to Williams College to support undergraduate scholarships and to create a new graduate fellowship.
Williams Provides Data to U.S. Senate Finance Committee
March 3, 2008
Williams College has responded to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee with information it asked for on the college's endowment, fees, and financial aid.
Composer Kechley Snags Two Music Awards
February 27, 2008
David S. Kechley, professor of music at Williams College, has won an ASCAPlus Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), in addition to an Aaron Copland Award composer residency from Copland House.
Planetarium Announces Spring Programming
February 19, 2008
Williams College astronomy students will host free shows on Friday nights this spring to introduce the public to the wonders of the universe at the Milham Planetarium, located inside the Old Hopkins Observatory on the Williams campus. The shows are scheduled for Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m.: February 22, 29, March 7, 14, April 4, 11, 18, 25, and May 2, 9.
Williams Announces 12 Promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure
February 12, 2008
Williams College has announced the promotion to associate professor and the award of tenure effective July 1, 2008 to 12 assistant professors. They are: Dieter Bingemann, chemistry; Cecilia Chang, Asian Studies; C. Ondine Chavoya, art and Latina/o Studies; Theo Davis, English; Jennifer French, Romance languages; Stephen Freund, computer science; Manuel Morales, biology; Noah Sandstrom, psychology; Lucie Schmidt, economics; Stefanie Solum, art; Heather Stoll, geosciences; and Janneke van de Stadt, German and Russian.
Tolkien Scholars Hammond and Scull Win 2007 Mythopoeic Award
February 8, 2008
Wayne G. Hammond, assistant librarian in the Chapin Library, Williams College, and his wife, Christina Scull, have been awarded the 2007 Mythopoeic Scholarship Award in Inklings Studies, for their two-volume book "The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide."
From Da Vinci to Iraq to Metaphor: Annual Williams Faculty Public Lectures
February 4, 2008
Six Williams College faculty member's research will be showcased in the annual Public Lecture Series beginning Thursday, Feb. 7. Satyan Devadoss, associate professor of mathematics leads off the series with a lecture titled "Reclaiming Da Vinci: Art, Visualization, Mathematics.
Williams College's '62 Center for Theatre and Dance Wins Architectural Kudos
January 16, 2008
The national American Institute of Architects (AIA) announced on January 4 that the Williams College '62 Center for Theatre and Dance and its architects, William Rawn Associates, Architect, Inc. of Boston have won a national AIA 2008 Honor Award for Interior Architecture.
2007 Year in Review: 10 Faculty Promoted to Full Professorships
January 16, 2008
In 2007, ten Williams College faculty were promoted to the rank of full professor. They are Sarah R. Bolton, physics; Denise K. Buell, religion; Susan R. Loepp, mathematics; Karen R. Merrill, history; James L. Nolan, Jr., sociology; Amy D. Podmore, art; Cheryl Shanks, political science; W. Anthony Sheppard, music; Steven J. Swoap, biology; and Carmen T. Whalen, history. (corrected 1/21/08)
Fieldwork Makes the Big Apple a Special Place for Williams Undergraduates
January 10, 2008
Imagine Williams College in the Berkshires. Take away the cows. Swap Spring Street for Madison Avenue, the Purple Bubble for skyscrapers, and traditional coursework for experiential learning. That's Williams in New York, the study-away program that brings eight Williams students to the Big Apple each semester. The program is about opening doors to institutions, field research, and social realities students might never experience otherwise. It's about breaking down the barrier between college and the "real world."
The Story Prize Announces its Finalists
January 9, 2008
The short story book award features an international lineup, with one American, one Canadian, and one British finalist
Williams College Announces Rise in Early Decision Applications
December 21, 2007
Williams College has announced the acceptance of 223 Early Decision students to the Class of 2012. The expected class size is 538.
Williams College Announces Awardees of Six Prestigious Post-Graduate Fellowships for Study at Oxford and Cambridge Next Year
December 12, 2007
Six Williams College students have won prestigious post-graduate opportunities to continue their education in England next fall. The awardees are Zoia Alexanian of East Windsor, N.J.; William Bruce of Nashville, Tenn.; Marcela Di Blasi of San Antonio, Tex.; Xiang (Jerry) He of Fort Pierce, Fla.; Carrie Plitt of Wenham, Mass.; and Sarah (Sayd) Randle of Arlington, Va.
Two Williams College Undergraduates Win National Linguistics Award/Publication
December 11, 2007
Williams College senior Jeremy Doernberger of Woodbridge, Conn. and Jacob Cerny, a junior from North Miami Beach, Fla., were recognized for their outstanding sociolinguistic research at the New Ways of Analyzing Variation Conference this year in Philadelphia.
MASS MoCA Launches Regional Berkshire Permanence Campaign with $5.8 Million Goal
Williams College Kicks off Berkshire Permanence Campaign with $1.8 Million Slated for LeWitt Programs
December 10, 2007
MASS MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) Director Joseph C.
Thompson announced today the launch of the Berkshire Permanence
Campaign -- the regional phase of MASS MoCA's overall Permanence
Campaign, an effort announced in April of this year with a goal of
raising $36 million for MASS MoCA's endowment and program support. The
regional campaign kickoff was accompanied by the announcement of a gift
of almost $2 million from Williams College for the previously announced
Sol LeWitt project.
National Science Foundation Awards Williams College Funding in Support of a High-Speed Imaging Facility
December 7, 2007
The National Science Foundation has awarded Joan Edwards, the Washington Gladden 1859 Professor of Biology, and Dwight Whitaker, assistant professor of physics at Pomona College, a grant in the amount of $105,110. The grant is in support of a high-speed imaging facility at Williams College for the study of ultra fast biological movements and other applications in the sciences.
"The House the Rockefeller's Built" Reveals the Clan's Human Face
December 7, 2007
"The House the Rockefellers Built: A Tale of Money, Taste, and Power in Twentieth-Century America" by Robert F. Dalzell and Lee Baldwin Dalzell explores the social and cultural significance of Kykuit, the most famous of Rockefellers' houses in Historic Hudson Valley, New York.
Williams Launches Center at Mt. Greylock Regional School
December 4, 2007
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., Dec. 4, 2007 -- Williams College announced today the launching Jan. 2 of a center at Mt. Greylock Regional School with the goal of maximizing the academic value the college can provide the school.
Williams College's Center for Environmental Studies Recycles a Professor
November 26, 2007
When Williams College invited Thomas C. Jorling to return as a Visiting Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies ( www.williams.edu/CES/ ), the retired educator, government administrator and corporate executive knew he would find major changes in the classroom after 20 years away from college teaching.
Williams Astronomy Department to Offer Two-Day Teachers' Workshop in February
November 20, 2007
The Williams College Astronomy Department will offer a two-day teachers' workshop Feb. 11-12, 2008, at the college's Hopkins Observatory.
Kimberly Elicker's Work Nationally Recognized for Genetic Research
November 12, 2007
Kimberly Elicker, member of the Williams College class of 2009, was awarded the prestigious undergraduate student poster presentation award by the American Association of Anatomists in recognition of her work on the "Characterization of the Zebrafish Small Heat Shock Protein Family." She was awarded the distinction during the annual meeting of the Society of Experimental Biologists. Her research with Lara D. Hutson, assistant professor of biology, was published in the November journal Gene.
Mutongi's "Worries of the Heart" Presents Captivating Perspective on Kenyan History
November 5, 2007
Kenda Mutongi, associate professor of history at Williams College, is the author of a new book titled "Worries of the Heart: Widows, Family, and Community in Kenya" (University of Chicago Press). Mutongi specializes in East Africa, urban history, and transport history and culture.
The Oakley Center for the Humanities and Social Sciences Names Fellows for 2007-2008
November 5, 2007
Eleven faculty members and two students have been awarded fellowships by the Oakley Center for the Humanities and Social Sciences at Williams College. The Fellowship Program is designed to provide a supportive, stimulating, and congenial atmosphere for research. The Center sponsors two types of fellowships: Resident Fellowships for faculty and Ruchman Fellowships for students.
Williams Replaces All Financial Aid Loans with Grants
November 1, 2007
The following e-mail letter was sent today to all students, faculty, and staff from Williams College President Morton Owen Schapiro.
Williams Announces Additions to Administrative Staff
November 1, 2007
Williams College has announced the following 16 administrative appointments.
Laylah Ali's Drawings Traveling to Two University Museums; Featured in New Monograph "Typology"
October 31, 2007
The exhibition "Laylah Ali: Drawings from the Typology Series" presents 23 selections of the artist's recent ink drawings. The show, first exhibited in the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, is at the University of Iowa Museum of Art until Jan. 6, 2008 and will travel to the University of Arizona, for exhibit from Jan. 31 through March 23.
28 Williams Students Elected to Phi Beta Kappa
October 11, 2007
Williams College has announced the election of 28 members of the Williams Class of 2008 to Phi Beta Kappa, the national honor society. The Phi Beta Kappa Society was founded in 1776 as a nationwide organization honoring students of the highest academic achievement at the college level.
"Understanding German Idealism" by Will Dudley
October 11, 2007
Will Dudley, associate professor of philosophy, is the author of a new book titled "Understanding German Idealism." Dudley specializes in 19th and 20th century European philosophy and is an expert on Kant and Hegel.
Jim Shepard Named National Book Award Finalist for His Collection of Short Fiction "Like You'd Understand Anyway"
October 10, 2007
Jim Shepard was named a National Book Award 2007 finalist in fiction on October 10 for his collection of short stories "Like You'd Understand, Anyway." Announcement was made in the Philadelphia Inquirer and The New York Times.
New Faculty Appointed at Williams College
October 5, 2007
Williams College has announced the appointments of the following assistant professors:
Williams Welcomes 2007-08 Visiting Professors
October 3, 2007
The following faculty are serving as visiting professors at Williams College in 2007-08.
"Was Japanese Defeat Inevitable?" Williams Historian Re-Examines the Pacific Theatre in WWII
October 2, 2007
In this provocative book "Japanese Military Strategy in the Pacific War: Was Defeat Inevitable?" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2007) historian James Wood challenges the received wisdom that Japan's defeat in the Pacific was historically inevitable.
Williams College Appoints Three as Gaius Charles Bolin Fellows
October 2, 2007
Williams College has announced the appointments of three graduate students as Gaius Charles Bolin Fellows. Since 1985, the college has appointed Gaius Charles Bolin Dissertation Fellowships to members of under-represented groups in the final stages of finishing their Ph.D requirements. Named in honor of the college's first black graduate, Bolin Fellowships are one-year residencies that include teaching one undergraduate course.
New Chair at Williams College to Honor Distinguished Historian Frederick Rudolph '42
September 19, 2007
Williams College has announced the appointment of Robert Dalzell as the college's first Frederick Rudolph '42 - Class of 1965 Professorship of American Culture.
Class of 2011 Chosen from Record Number of Outstanding Applications
September 19, 2007
The 283 men and 258 women who make up the Williams College Class of 2011 officially began their first day of classes on Sept. 6, when the college opened for the 2007-08 academic year.
Williams College Awards Annual Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching and Writing
September 13, 2007
Since 1995, Williams College has awarded the Nelson Bushnell '20 Faculty Awards in recognition of excellence in teaching and writing. This year, three received the award: Magnus Bernhardsson (history), Edward Burger (mathematics), and James Carlton (marine sciences). Bernhardsson was noted for his "innovative use of technology in the classroom and record of publication over the last several years"; Burger for his "prolific publication record and stellar teaching in a year when he also won a number of other awards"; and Carlton for his "prolific scholarship and outstanding teaching in the Williams-Mystic Program."
From Riverdance to Modern Dance: Limerick and Williams Make Connection
September 12, 2007
In recent years, Holly Silva, assistant director of dance at Williams College, has developed an instructional partnership with Orfhlaith Ni Bhriain, a traditional Irish dance instructor at the University of Limerick in Ireland.
Sustainability and Safety Priorities for Summer Construction Projects
September 4, 2007
Williams College continued investing in its campus and its commitment to energy efficiency this summer as workers tackled approximately $136 million of building renovations and construction projects.
Steamboat Foundation Celebrates Fourth Annual Final Dinner Ceremony
August 16, 2007
Steamboat Foundation Press Release
On August 16, Steamboat Foundation celebrated its Fourth Annual Final Dinner Ceremony at New York City's Harvard Club, where Kim Dacres and the ten other Steamboat Scholars officially commemorated the end of the ten-week internship and leadership development program. This summer, Steamboat Foundation provided 11 scholars from different universities with challenging, closely-mentored internships in fields such as journalism, sports management, fashion design, medicine, and art history. In addition, each scholar was given a grant of $12,000 and participated in leadership-building activities and social events with the other Scholars. Kim, a senior at Williams College, is an Art Studio and Political Science double major with an African Studies concentration.
A Little WIT Works Wonders - Summer Interns Explore New Technologies and Virtual Realities in Education
August 14, 2007
"It's an incredible resource to have at the college. There's so much learning going on from all sides."
The words belonged to Paula M. Consolini, coordinator of experiential education; the praise belonged to the Williams Instructional Technology (WIT) summer intern program led by Gayle R. Barton, director of instructional technology in the Office for Information Technology.
Learning Science by Doing Science - 195 Promising Young Scientists Involved in Summer Program
August 13, 2007
"There's something about being at a place like this that makes students want to do science." Williams College Director of the Science Center Professor Charles M. Lovett Jr.'s words are evidenced by increasing participation with the college's Summer Science Research Program.
Williams Announces Six Changes in Faculty Responsibilities
July 23, 2007
Williams College has announced new appointments of six faculty members, effective July 1, 2007. They are Michael F. Brown, James N. Lambert '39 Professor of Anthropology and Latin American Studies; Doug Gollin, associate professor of economics; Liza Johnson, associate professor of art; Leyla Rouhi, professor of Spanish; Jefferson Strait, professor of physics; and Wendy Raymond, associate professor of biology.
Joy James Wins Prestigious Fletcher Fellowship
July 13, 2007
Joy A. James, the John B. and John T. McCoy Presidential Professor of Africana Studies and College Professor in Political Science at Williams College, has been awarded the prestigious Alphonse Fletcher, Sr., Fellowship. The fellowship includes a $50,000 stipend and honors those whose research, art, or writing seeks to reform and rectify race relations.
Stephen Freund Receives Grant from NSF for Work on Software Errors
June 26, 2007
Stephen Freund, assistant professor of computer science at Williams College, has been awarded a five-year, $400,000 CAREER grant from the National Science Foundation to research "Hybrid Atomicity Checking," a method of searching for bugs in software systems. The grant will enable Freund to develop the infrastructure necessary to carry out his research and support research collaborations with students.
Sheppard Wins Prestigious Fellowship; Also Chosen to Lecture at Metropolitan Opera
June 25, 2007
W. Anthony Sheppard, associate professor of music at Williams College, has been awarded an American Philosophical Society Sabbatical Fellowship for 2007-08 to complete his book, "Extreme Exoticism: Japan in the American Musical Imagination."
New Book on Thomas Jefferson by Williams Professor Susan Dunn
June 14, 2007
Basic Books recently announced publication of "Dominion of Memories: Jefferson, Madison, and the Decline of Virginia," by Susan Dunn.
Marc Gotlieb to Lead Graduate Program in the History of Art at Williams College/Clark Art Institute
June 13, 2007
Williams College has announced the appointment of Marc Gotlieb as the Class of 1955 Memorial Professor of Art and director of the Graduate Program in Art History, effective July 1. He succeeds Mark Haxthausen as director of the graduate program.
1,120 Win Admission to Williams Class of 2011
April 11, 2007
Williams College offered admission to 1,120 students to the Class of 2011. More than 6,437 students applied, and letters of acceptance were mailed on March 28. The admission rate of 17.4 percent is the lowest in the history of the college.
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