News & Publications March 4, 2016

Preview the New Website — Amherst is launching a new website in mid-March. The redesigned site showcases the unique character of the academic experience at Amherst; the beauty of the campus; and the achievements of our students, faculty, alumni and staff. It also offers significant improvements to our search tool, campus map, site navigation and site content. Watch this short video for a sneak preview.

Live-Streaming Amherst LitFest — The inaugural literary festival is taking place on campus now and is free and open to the public. The Amherst community is invited to watch a live-stream of two LitFest events: "An Evening with Michael Chabon" at 7 p.m. on March 4, and "A Conversation with Mark Bowden and Stacy Schiff" at 10 a.m. on March 5.

Donna Brazile Issues Call to Amherst Students — "Find out what unites us," said the veteran political strategist during a Feb. 18 talk in Stirn Auditorium. Equal parts humorous and sharp-witted, her remarks also included astute political observations.

Author Chris Abani Speaks on Campus — Through his writing and public speaking, the award-winning Nigerian author has become an internationally respected voice on topics related to humanitarianism and ethics. His sentiments on humanity and inward reflection served as the basis for his talk at Amherst on Feb. 24. That same day, Abani sat for a video interview.

Seniors Launch Gift Drive — Last week, the class of 2016 continued a campus tradition stretching back to the 1930s by launching a gift drive to support the College's Annual Fund. This year's seniors set a goal of 92 percent class participation, which would break the all-time record.

Artist Finds "the Magnificent in the Ordinary" — How is a pencil like a paper plate? For artist Tom Friedman, whose works are now on view at the Mead Art Museum, it's all about the conversation between the ordinary and the extraordinary. He sat for an interview with Mead curator Vanja Malloy.

More Attention for Baird's Frank Lloyd Wright House — As much of a jewel as the beloved Amherst professor who once inhabited it, the Theodore Baird House (the only Frank Lloyd Wright structure in Massachusetts) is "a superb, richly finished, elegantly detailed home," says The Arts Fuse.