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Hamilton President Eugene M. Tobin announced today that Thomas A. Wilson, associate professor of history, has been promoted to full professor. In promoting Wilson, President Tobin acted on the recommendations of Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty David Paris, the elected faculty members of the Committee of Appointments, and senior colleagues in the department of history.

Professor of Philosophy Bob Simon was interviewed for an Oakland Tribune article Aug. 9, 2002 about ethics and morality in sports, particularly baseball. Simon is the author of Fair Play (Westview Press), a book about sports and social values. In the Tribune article, Simon noted, "Baseball, historically in America, has represented kind of an ideal. Baseball meant coming through in the clutch, showing courage, making smart plays." "We trade on that underlying morality, and the steroid issue undermines that. Maybe baseball properly should be held to a higher standard."

Richard I. Queen, a 1973 graduate of Hamilton College, and retired Foreign Service officer, died on Aug. 14 in Falls Church, Va., of complications related to multiple sclerosis. In 1979 Queen was one of 66 people taken hostage by Islamic militants at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. He was released in July 1980, after 250 days in captivity, when Iranian doctors discovered he had an undetermined illness that was then diagnosed as multiple sclerosis.

Nearly 200 members of Hamilton's class of 2006 are arriving on campus a week earlier than their classmates to participate in Adirondack Adventure, an eight-day outdoor program that takes them on one of 22 trips into the Adirondacks. This year's Adirondack Adventure will involve 194 first-year students, the largest group ever to participate, according to Andrew Jillings, coordinator of Adventure Programming. Adirondack Adventurers can choose from hiking, kayaking, mountain biking and rock climbing, as well as a community service opportunity in the Adirondack region.

David Paris, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty at Hamilton College, announced the appointment of new faculty members for the 2002-2003 academic year, including 10 tenure track appointments, 14 visiting professors, and 24 lecturers, teaching fellows and instructors.

Brandon H. Grove, former U.S. ambassador to Zaire, will join the Hamilton faculty this fall as the Sol M. Linowitz Visiting Professor of International Affairs. The Linowitz Visiting Professorship was established in 1986. It is named in honor of Sol Linowitz, a 1935 Hamilton graduate who served as ambassador to the Organization of American States, chairman of the board of Xerox and co-negotiator of the Panama Canal treaties. He was President Jimmy Carter’s representative in the Middle East negotiations from 1979 to 1981. The holder of the Linowitz chair teaches an upper-level seminar course while at Hamilton.

Joel Johnson, a 1965 graduate of Hamilton College, and chairman, president and chief executive officer of Hormel Foods, was a guest on MSNBC on August 16. Johnson discussed Hormel's stock and noted that on Hormel's behalf, he signed with confidence the accounting agreement for CEOs. Johnson said he sees strength in the food industry, as indicated by growing sales. He also noted that the company just sold its 6 billionth SPAM.

"Hairspray," a new musical that opened on Aug. 15 at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre, is the latest success for Hamilton graduate Thomas Meehan '51. Meehan co-wrote the book on which the musical is based with Mark O'Donnell. In its review The New York Times says Hairspray "is as sweet as a musical can be without promoting tooth decay." The musical is adapted from John Waters's 1988 movie about rock 'n' roll and race relations. Tom Meehan is also co-creator of the Broadway hit "The Producers."

Steven A. Culbertson, president and ceo of Youth Service America, Washington, D.C., and a 1979 graduate of Hamilton College, has been named to the NonProfit Times Power and Influence Top 50 list for 2002. NonProfit Times (NPT) is a business publication for volunteer management. In naming Culbertson to the list, NPT said "Starting with little more than force of will, Culbertson has helped to position volunteering and young people as an issue and a national priority."

The Emerson Gallery at Hamilton College will be closed for renovations through Wednesday, Aug. 21. A new exhibition will open on Monday, Aug. 26. For more information, call the Gallery's information line at 315-859-4396.