Hamilton in the News

Heather Schrum '05, a geology major, was quoted in an article in the Observer-Dispatch about an expedition to Antarctica in which she participated. She was a member of a team led by Professor of Geology Eugene Domack and including Jemma Kirkwood '05 and Stephanie Higgins '04, which discovered an undersea volcano. Originally, the team intended to study the stability of the Larsen Ice Shelf, which collapsed several years ago. "It was amazing because we weren't there to find a volcano," Schrum said.

A book written by Visiting Assistant Professor of History Aram Goudsouzian was reviewed in The Post and Courier of Charleston, S.C. Sidney Poitier: Man, Actor, Icon profiles the trials and triumphs of Sidney Poiter. The article notes the book uses "history to illustrate and to help readers fully conceptualize the boundaries Poitier leapt to claim his place in history."

William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Government Cheng Li was quoted in a recent Los Angeles Times article about divisions of power in China. The article notes it is unclear who, between the current president, premier and former president, is "in charge" of China. Many question the sustainability of the current system, but, according to Li, the current president and premier have begun to make gains on the former president.

Professor Emeritus of Biology Eugene Putala and the College's Root Glen are featured in a Syracuse Post-Standard article (5/28/04) for the newspaper's Garden Travelogue section. The article recounts the history of the 7 1/2-acre Root Glen and the famed Saunders peonies, as described by Putala during a recent tour. It also includes photos of a massive Tulip Tree, Grant Garden and the Primrose Basin.

Haley Reimbold, of Roosevelt, N.J., a rising junior at Hamilton, was honored with the "Russ Berrie Award for Making a Difference" in New Jersey on May 27. According to the Bergen Record, Reimbold received the top award of $50,000 "for combining academic achievement with volunteering in countless events for the homeless and needy families as well as the Special Olympics, blood drives, and meals at shelters and soup kitchens." At Hamilton, Reimbold is director of HAVOC (Hamilton Action Volunteer Outreach Coalition).

Associate Professor of Religious Studies Steve Humphries-Brooks was interviewed for a Newport News (Va.) Daily Press article about the merchandising of Jesus. The article notes: The huge success of Mel Gibson's superhero Jesus in The Passion of the Christ, "are all signs of the lingering appeal of a distinctly American Jesus." Humphries-Brooks, who teaches "The Celluloid Savior," about depictions of Jesus in films, was quoted as saying: "Jesus as an icon is part of America...He's not simply part of the church."

Assistant Professor of Physics Gordon Jones is featured on the Physics Central Web site in an article about the physics of the yo-yo, which is 75 years old in 2004. While the yo-yo is thought of primarily as a toy, "To a physicist, a yo-yo is a remarkably fun example of a flywheel," Jones said.

Alan Cafruny, Henry Platt Bristol Professor of International Affairs, was interviewed recently by David Lightman of the Hartford Courant for an article on Bush's Iraq policy. According to the article, Bush has begun to seek "crucial international and domestic support for his Iraq rebuilding effort." "The hard bargaining will be over things like oil and Iraqi debt," said Cafruny.

A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article profiling Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack '72 reports: "For months, the Iowa governor has been among the most frequently mentioned names on the short list of candidates to be Sen. John Kerry's running mate on the Democratic ticket."

CBC News of Canada featured the discovery of an undersea volcano in Antarctica. The expedition that discovered the volcano was led by Professor of Geology Eugene Domack and included three Hamilton undergraduates. The volcano, suspected to have been recently active, stands roughly 700 meters above the ocean floor. According to CBC, barren patches and lack of glacial scours on the volcano suggest it is relatively young.