Amherst College

Adam Gerchick ’13

Interviewing Biddy Martin

By Adam Gerchick '13

Rohan Mazumdar ’12 had not expected to spend his Friday night with a typewriter. But on Friday, Sept. 16, he arrived at Amherst’s first “letter-writing social,” where, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., hundreds of students pressed envelopes with sealing wax and tapped away at classic typewriters. To Mazumdar’s surprise, he is now inspired to continue the practice.

The greatest myth about his class

The greatest myth about my class (“Actually, we’re not like that,” College Row, Spring 2011) is that it’s one generation.

Reading from cover to cover

I intended to quickly skim the winter edition of Amherst magazine.

Major (League) Overhaul

Neal Huntington’s challenge ("Major [League] Overhaul," Fall 2010) reminds me of the challenge facing Chicago Cub general managers for over 100 years. In fact, one of them is reported to have said: “We can’t win at home and we can’t win on the road. I just wish I could figure out somewhere else to play.” Good luck, Neal. We’re rooting for you.

The case for home birth

My decision more than two years ago to plan a home birth was a pivotal ideological and political choice. The actual labor was by far the most arduous experience I have ever put my body and mind through—and yet I emerged victorious on the other side cradling in my arms a precious son who had arrived when he was ready to greet the world.

The real story of the Ulysses bathroom

This photo of [from left] Robbi Vander Hyden '79, Dara Altman '80 and Kate Herrod '79 appeared in the 1979 Olio, but by 1995 the identities of these "mystery writers" were forgotten.

Minority report

Thanks for including “The Off-Brand Conservative” article (Fall 2009)—very sensitive and well-thought writing. I think publishing that article, with its “minority opinion,” shows courage and true diversity of thought at Amherst.

Thanks for publishing Susannah Black ’99’s “The Off-Brand Conservative.” She tells so much truth with such grace. I envy her roommates, cats and professors. But I fear the imago Dei in which we are formed has shattered forever.