Congratulations to the hard-playing, history-making Mammoths for their triple-OT runner-up result in the National Championship game. A truly well-played season! Game Recap.
The Mammoths are headed to the Women’s Ice Hockey National Championship on Sunday, March 19th at 3 PM—GO MAMMOTHS!! Game details.
“How can we have a process that allows students to bring their whole selves to Amherst except for [their race and ethnic] identity?” Matt McGann, dean of admission and financial aid, at a recent campus event that centered on the future of race-conscious admissions and the Supreme Court.
“The American firmament was shifting in ways I needed to understand, and these empty, forgotten places seemed an important part of that.” Ted Conover ’80, in his new book, Cheap Land Colorado: Off-Gridders at America’s Edge.
“This book left me feeling breathless and small and mortal but also part of a universe that will not ever let me go, not really.” Makena Onjerika ’10, reviewing the novel We All Want Impossible Things, by Catherine Newman. ’90.
“Stories are a way of subtracting the future from the past, the only way of finding clarity in hindsight.” Valeria Luiselli in her novel Lost Children Archive. Luiselli is a featured speaker at Amherst’s upcoming LitFest, an annual celebration of writers and writing. See the LitFest schedule.
“The people we most love do become a physical part of us, ingrained in our synapses, in the pathways where memories are created.” Meghan O’Rourke, in her book The Long Goodbye: A Memoir. O’Rourke is a featured speaker at Amherst’s upcoming LitFest, an annual celebration of writers and writing. See the LitFest schedule.
“Blame has no face. I have walked on its staircase, around and around, trying to slap its face but only hitting my own cheeks.” Poet Victoria Chang in her book Obit. Chang is a featured speaker at Amherst’s upcoming LitFest, an annual celebration of writers and writing. See the LitFest schedule.
“If you have a word of encouragement, you can do anything.” Writer, theater critic, and Presidential Scholar Hilton Als, in a 2018 interview in The Guardian. Als is a featured speaker at Amherst’s upcoming LitFest.
“Multiply me when necessary... Transform me into light when there is shadow, into a star when in the desert.” Ingrid Rojas Contreras, in her novel Fruit of the Drunken Tree. Rojas Contreras is a featured speaker at Amherst’s upcoming LitFest, an annual celebration of writers and writing. See the LitFest schedule.
“It’s unlikely that Braun anticipated the upheaval he would be chronicling when he set out to profile Gustavo Dudamel.” Josh Bell ’02, writing about documentary filmmaker Theodore Braun ’82.
“If we treat learning (not distinction) as the goal of education, then generative AI looks more like an opportunity than a threat.” Associate Professor of English Christopher Grobe on why he’s not scared of ChatGPT.
Note: Image from Wikimedia Commons: Image of Kempelen's "The Turk"
“Comics set firmly in the heroic mainstream can still lead us into danger.” Doctor Strange writer David Quinn ’82, from “Reinventing Doctor Strange,” in Amherst magazine.
“Volatility will always annoy our surprise-minimizing brains. But it can also titillate our innate curiosity and strengthen our compassion for one another.” Eleonora Mattiacci, assistant professor of political science, from her essay in Amherst magazine about writing a book on volatility in international politics during one of the most volatile periods on record.
“So there are places, I think, that I could choose to go to as soon as I grow up; there are cities where speech and life will be effortless.” Author and 747 pilot Mark Vanhoenacker ’96, in his new memoir, Imagine a City.
“I won’t forget what we saw here. It gives you perspective on the kinds of problems we have in our own life. Honestly, they’re nothing.” Magician Bill Herz ’79, in an Amherst magazine story about his tour to entertain Ukrainian children.
“Because of where Amherst sits in the landscape of higher education, it doesn’t have to worry about following every trend—and, in fact, it can define the trends.” Amherst College President Michael Elliott ’92, in an interview in the most recent issue of Amherst magazine. (Photo by Xiaofeng Wan, Associate Dean of Admission & Coordinator of International Recruitment)
“I had just met Biddy. I got her attention and said, ‘You know, I’d really like to take your photograph.’ And I never do that!” Photographer Annie Leibovitz, speaking at the unveiling of her new portrait of President Emerita Biddy Martin.
“Native art is not taught, centralized or prioritized in mainstream academia in the way that I feel it should be. So, a lot of the works that I create, I create them large.” Artist Dyani White Hawk, from “Seeing Native Art” in the most recent issue of Amherst magazine.
“You are plenty smart. That is not the key to success here. It’s not how smart you are. At Amherst, effort is going to matter.” Catherine A. Sanderson, Poler Family Professor of Psychology, delivered five pieces of researched-based wisdom about how to succeed at Amherst at the DeMott lecture.
“My parents were disconnected from their identity and their culture growing up because they were trying to survive. And we cannot forget about those stories.” DezBaa’ ’10E. Dark Winds actor DezBaa’ in the new Amherst magazine.
“He discussed how, in the book The Known World, by Edward P. Jones, there exists so much suffering. Yet the characters survive by investing in each other through mutual care, listening to one another and making meaning in community.” Mikayla Gordon Wexler ’19, writing about an Amherst professor whose small gesture changed her life.
“He inspired me to look at my biethnic identity from a place of abundance rather than scarcity, to see that I am made up of two wholes instead of two halves, to see that I am a bridge not just between my two ethnicities, but also between myself. ” Sade Green ’20, writing about an Amherst professor whose small gesture changed her life.
Highlights from Family Weekend, November 4-6, 2022.
“There are many women who have preceded you, and they did great things, and you should know that, because you are going to be one of those women one day.” Rhonda Cobham-Sander, the Emily C. Jordan Folger Professor of Black Studies and English. From the Black Women of Amherst Podcast, Episode 6: The Next 200 Years of Amherst College.
“His confidence in me as a student fundamentally changed my work ethic. Four years later, that initial bond of trust and respect has developed into one of the most cherished gifts of friendship Amherst gave me.” Rachel Chaffin ’20, writing about an Amherst professor whose small gesture changed her life.
“I want to give these veterans time and space to share what happened to them.” Emma Spencer ’23E on her project Vietnam Veterans: Then and Now.
“This was our time. This was our opportunity. What was it? Good trouble.” Denise Francois ’80, describing 1979’s three-day student takeover of Converse Hall to advance racial justice at Amherst. From the Black Women of Amherst Podcast, Episode 5: Activism @ Amherst.
“We come to love this place when we discover that Amherst can make the world almost infinitely larger for all of those who walk its halls and its hills. And our love endures because we know that the future can be greater than the past.” President Michael A. Elliott ’92 from his inaugural address delivered on October 28, 2022.
Candied apples + horse-drawn wagon rides + lobster rolls + live bluegrass music = Fall Festival 2022, now in its 9th year!
“I credit Amherst enormously for framing how I looked at issues of racial justice, sexism, all of the things that I care about deeply and the things that I end up covering on CNN every day.” Laura Jarrett ’07, co-anchor of CNN’s Early Start, from the Black Women of Amherst Podcast, Episode 3: Black Alumnae Speak, Part 1.
“He is unashamed to be exactly who he is and determined to do exactly as he pleases.” Allen Guttmann, the Emily C. Jordan Folger Professor of English and American Studies, Emeritus, on teaching Walt Whitman.
“We were part of herstory and history. And part of that history was that we had to protect each other and look out for each other. ” Poet and playwright Sonia Sanchez, the first African American woman to teach at Amherst and the second person to chair the Black studies department. From Episode 2: Song of Sonia Sanchez.
“One of the things art does is to show how interconnected we are.” Michael Kunichika, director of the Center for Russian Culture and interim director of the Mead Art Museum at Amherst, on showing works by Ukrainian-born artists.
Credit: Torso in Space, 1936 by Alexander Archipenko (1887-1964)
“This podcast is not just about Amherst College. This story is about the United States of America and about Black women’s place, both in America and the larger world.” Nichelle Carr ’98, founder and lead producer at WC1 Studios and chief content officer at AudPop, from the podcast: Black Women of Amherst, Episode 1: 200 Years of Amherst College.
This week, Amherst launches the six-episode podcast “Black Women of Amherst College,” which illuminates the experiences and contributions of Black alumnae, in their own voices and across multiple generations. Listen to the Podcast trailer.
“As you are coming together here as students, you are actually engaging in preparation to advance a democratic society.” President Michael A. Elliott ’92, addressing new students gathered in Johnson Chapel for Opening Convocation.
“I hope to work with underserved communities and increase awareness of the uneven access to care, and give back by helping others who have struggled like me.” Medical student Rana Barghout ’20 received her short white coat during Weill Cornell Medicine’s annual White Coat Ceremony.
Photo credit: Studio Brooke
“I aspire to help people see their lives and experiences reflected back at them, through objects and stories from cultures that may be completely different from their own.” Siddhartha V. Shah, director of Amherst’s Mead Art Museum. (posted 9/12/22)
“The connections you make with the people who are sitting in this room will have greater impact on your college experience than grades or win-loss records—and will stick with you for the rest of your life.” Professor Catherine Sanderson, speaking to new students at this year’s DeMott Lecture. (posted 9/12/22)
“Gorbachev was a visionary who changed his country and the world — though neither as much as he wished.” Professor William Taubman, in his definitive biography of Mikhail Gorbachev. The Soviet leader died Aug. 30 at age 91.
Bonus: In this video, William Taubman, the Bertrand Snell Professor of Political Science, Emeritus, and Pulitzer Prize winner, discusses his newly released book in this video: William Taubman on Gorbachev: His Life and Times.
“Every word I learned felt familiar, like a recovered memory.” Kristina Reardon, director of the intensive writing program; lecturer in English and education studies; and director of the Summer Bridge humanities and social science program, on learning her grandmother’s language.
“I always think it’s important that we hold the people we admire to high standards.” Author Roxane Gay, during a recent speech in Johnson Chapel.
“Take good care of yourself, physically and mentally, and remind your students of the importance of self-care and self-compassion. Teaching is a heart work, and you can’t give from an empty cup.” Shu-Min Liao, assistant professor of statistics, sharing a teaching tip with The Chronicle of Higher Education
Background image:Two Lovely Cups, by Dejan Krsmanovic
“The more we hear about our ancestors-by-affiliation, the richer all of our own transitions become, whether of orientation and identity, or philosophy and worldview.” Joy Williams ’88, in a letter to the editor in Amherst magazine.
This is the first official week on the job for Michael A. Elliott ’92, Amherst's 20th president. Welcome, President Elliott! Learn more about our president.
“You’re part of a chapter of the book of Emily Dickinson.” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, speaking to Amherst students at the Emily Dickinson Museum in the summer issue of Amherst magazine.
“ You don’t have to do everything. You just have to do what’s important.” Gyselle Hennessey ’22, reflecting on her experience as an assistant swim coach in the latest issue of Amherst magazine.
As President Biddy Martin's tenure comes to a conclusion, the Amherst College community reflects on Biddy's lasting impact. THANK YOU, BIDDY! Watch the video.
“Much of the progress in my professional life has been aided by my searching for the truth in every important issue affecting not only my life, but the lives of other people, for which I have some responsibility.”— William Webster ’45, the only person in history to head both the FBI and CIA.
