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Government Professor Cheng Li comments on rumors that Jiang Zemin wants to stay on as the Communist party chief. The rumors are based on the state media campaign commending his plan to modernize the party as well as reports of private letters and circulars sent to Central Committee members commending his leadership. Li says, “many Central Committee members are not from Jiang’s support base of Shanghai and are unlikely to vote for him at the Congress.” He adds, “Jiang does not have the power to do what he wants. There are limits on his power. I think most people want him to go.” China’s leaders have an unwritten rule that they will not seek office after 70. Jiang is 75.

Associate Professor of Government Stephen Orvis published "Moral Ethnicity and Political Tribalism in Kenya's 'Virtual Democracy'" in African Issues. In his article, Orvis focuses on the close relationship between politics and ethnicity that is so prevalent in Kenya.  As he follows the political history of the nation, Orvis discovers the ways in which the Kenyan political scene is changing.    When the one-party system was abolished in the early nineties it created a “double-edged sword,” where political tribalism was able to flourish, and where public debates and democratic principles began to take root.  Orvis demonstrates that while it is easy to see the negativity and violence associated with tribalism, we must look more closely in order to uncover the beginnings of a more accountable, democratic Kenyan government. 

Professor of Government and China expert Cheng Li comments on how Jiang Zemin will be remembered. Zemin will retire from politics later this year and hopes to leave his mark on history. Li said, “Mao was a God, Deng Xiaoping was a strong man, Jiang Zemin is a person who’s good at consensus building.”

Professor of Government Cheng Li is quoted in an article about China’s leaders and the role of Tsinghua University. “It will certainly continue to play a role in the new leadership,” Li said. He adds, “It will not be a vicious power struggle as in the past.” Hinting to a Tsinghua connection among the new political leaders. Common school ties may provide links between politicians who are divided for other reasons.

Associate Dean of Faculty and Associate Professor of Chemistry Tim Elgren gave two presentations at the Ninth National Conference of the Council on Undergraduate Research. The talks were titled "Innovative Chemistry Curricula that Support Undergraduate Research" and "Institutionalizing Research for All". The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) is a national organization that strives to support faculty members and their research activities at primarily undergraduate institutions. Elgren is finishing his second three-year term as an elected member of the council. He co-chairs the CUR Summer Fellowship Committee.

Andrew Barous, a 2001 graduate of Hamilton College, is featured in a Salem Evening News article about joining the Peace Corps. While at Hamilton, Barous’ first cultural exchange was a four-week trip to Costa Rica followed by a semester in Madrid, Spain. He was recently an English teacher with Harvard’s World Teach Program. He says, “living in another culture gives you a whole different perspective.” Barous will spend two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Tonga, a constitutional monarchy made up of 170 islands in the South Pacific where he will learn the native language, Tongan, and undergo technical training for his job as an agricultural business adviser working to improve the Tongan economy.

John J. Donohue III '74 was named the William H. Neukom Professor of Law at Stanford Law School. The professorship is a gift of William H. Neukom, Microsoft executive vice president for law and corporate affairs.

This month Marge Dandridge retired from Hamilton, where she worked in the Office of the Dean of Students for 28 years. Dean of Students Flossie Mitchell took several opportunities to wish Marge well and sing her praises -- at the annual Staff Recognition luncheon, at Class and Charter Day and at the school-wide reception held to toast Marge and her many contributions to Hamilton. Following are some friends and co-workers thoughts and best wishes.  

The Clinton "A Better Chance" (ABC) House is located on campus and supported by many members of the Hamilton community.

Leonard C. Ferguson Professors of Archaeology Charlotte Beck and Tom Jones collaborated together on works in 2002. Their first publication together was "Rocks are Heavy: Transport Costs and Paleoarchaic Quarry Behavior in the Great Basin." Beck and Jones worked together with Amanda K. Taylor, Cynthia M. Fadem, Caitlyn R. Cook, and Sara A. Millward to produce that work. Jones then published another piece with Robert D. Leonard titled "Natural Selection. In, Darwin and Archaeology: A Handbook of Key Concepts." The two proceeded to deliver a paper together at the 28th Biennial Great Basin Anthropological Conference, "Paleoarchaic Travelers in the Eastern Great Basin."