“Create Lasting Changes” In Schools and Community, Amherst College President Anthony Marx Tells Class of 2008

May 25, 2008
Caroline J. Hanna
Director of Media Relations
413/542-8417

AMHERST, Mass. — In his traditional address to the Class of 2008 during Amherst College’s 187th Commencement ceremonies today, President Anthony W. Marx charged graduates to “create lasting changes” and help fix what he sees as a flawed American education system by either working in the nation’s public schools or working to improve them as members of the community. His thought-provoking remarks and the exercises themselves capped a weekend of activities celebrating the Class of 2008; the events also included the awarding of seven honorary doctorates to distinguished guests and 445 bachelor of arts degrees to the college’s new graduates.

Canes, Smoked Turkey and Diplomas: Fun Facts About Amherst College’s 187th Commencement

May 22, 2008
Contact: Caroline J. Hanna
Director of Media Relations
413/542-8417

AMHERST, Mass.—On Sunday, May 25, Amherst College will celebrate its 187th Commencement at 10 a.m. on the school’s Main Quadrangle. The exercises—which will feature addresses from college president Anthony W. Marx and senior Daniel J. Cluchey and the awarding of bachelor of arts degrees to 445 graduates and honorary degrees to seven distinguished guests—are expected to attract more than 5,000 friends and family members to the town of Amherst for the weekend.

Amherst College and UMass Faculty to Perform Concert Together June 8

May 20, 2008
Contact: Sara Leonard
Concert and Production Manager
Amherst College
413/542-2195

AMHERST, Mass.—University of Massachusetts professor Elizabeth Chang, violin; Amherst College professor David Schneider, clarinet; Amherst College piano instructor Alissa Leiser, piano; and Volcy Pelletier, cello, will together present a concert of music by French composer Olivier Messiaen

Amherst College Junior Calista McRae Awarded Beinecke Scholarship for Graduate Study

May 16, 2008
Contact: Emanuel Costache '09
Media Relations Intern
413/542-2321
Caroline Jenkins Hanna
Director of Media Relations
413/542-8417

AMHERST, Mass.—Amherst College junior Calista McRae, an English major from East Brookfield, Mass., is one of just 22 undergraduates from across the United States to have been awarded a 2008 Beinecke Scholarship.

Amherst College Biology Professor Michael Hood Receives Guggenheim Award

May 14, 2008
Contact: Caroline Jenkins Hanna
Director of Media Relations
413/542-8417

AMHERST, Mass.—Amherst College biology professor Michael Hood is among 190 winners of the 2008 John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation’s 84th annual fellowship competition for the United States and Canada. Hood received one of the prestigious awards in support of his research on the evolutionary ecology and global disease distribution of a fungus that causes a common plant disease.

Amherst College To Honor Atomic Agency Head, Princeton President and Five Others at Commencement May 25

May 7, 2008
Contact: Caroline Jenkins Hanna
Director of Media Relations
413/542-8417

AMHERST, Mass.—Robert H. Brown Jr. ’69, professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School and director of the Day Neuromuscular Research Laboratory and Muscular Dystrophy Association clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital; Geoffrey Canada, president and CEO of the Harlem Children’s Zone; Mohamed ElBaradei, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency; Henry A. Freedman ’62, executive director of the National Center for Law and Economic Justice; Shirley M. Tilghman, president of Princeton University; Sir Brian Urquhart, former undersecretary-general of the United Nations; and Saraswathi Vedam ’78, professor and director of the University of British Columbia’s division of midwifery, will all receive honorary degrees from Amherst College during the school’s 187th commencement exercises Sunday, May 25, at 10 a.m.

Polly Longsworth to Receive Medal for Service at Amherst College’s Commencement May 25

May 7, 2008
Contact: Caroline Jenkins Hanna
Director of Media Relations
413/542-8417

AMHERST, Mass.—Polly Longsworth, member of the board of governors of Amherst College’s Emily Dickinson Museum and prolific Emily Dickinson scholar, will receive the school’s Medal for Eminent Service during its commencement exercises on Sunday, May 25. The award is presented to a member of the Amherst community who has demonstrated extraordinary devotion to the college.

Eight Amherst College Seniors Awarded Fulbright Fellowships for Study and Teaching

May 22, 2008        Contact: Emanuel Costache ’09 Media Relations Intern 413/542-2321 Contact: Caroline Jenkins Hanna Director of Media Relations 413/542-8417AMHERST, Mass.—Eight Amherst College seniors have been awarded J. William Fulbright Fellowships for study and teaching abroad during the 2008-09 academic year. The winners include Vincent Chen, Benjamin Dickman, Adriana Fazzano, Brad Haynes, Katherine Roza, Emily Smith, Alice Tsay and Marina Weiss.