All News

Professor of Comparative Literature Peter J. Rabinowitz delivered a paper, “The Rhetoric of Reference; or, A Ghost Sonata,” at a special session in memory of Wayne Booth at the International Conference on Narrative in Ottawa in April. After presenting a new rhetorically based typology of the ways literary texts refer to other works of art, Rabinowitz went on to deal with musical reference, concluding with a new interpretation of the role of self-quotations in Shostakovich’s Eighth String Quartet.

Professor of History Maurice Isserman published an article, "The Ethics of Mountaineering, Brought Low," in The Chronicle of Higher Education (May 5, 2006). The article explores the history of climbing Mount Everest. Isserman wrote "What has made the story so popular? Himalayan mountaineering is an esoteric pursuit that nonetheless seems to speak to the aspirations and concerns of a vast reading public that will never set foot on a glacier. And Into Thin Air is a particularly compelling narrative of a tragedy propelled by faulty leadership, blind ambition, and, in some instances, reckless indifference to human suffering. The similarities to the world of the late 20th and early 21st centuries as it exists closer to sea level are not entirely coincidental, for the book works on two levels — as survival tale and as jeremiad. It is a Culture of Narcissism at high altitude. The British historian Arnold Toynbee once famously denounced the view that history is just 'one damn thing after another.' I'll add that the history of mountaineering is more than just 'one damn peak after another.'

Works created using a wide variety of techniques and media are on display at Hamilton College’s Emerson Gallery as part of “15 Degrees: Hamilton Senior Art Show.” Large-format, silver-gelatin photographs, children’s story illustrations and wood and metal sculptures are some of the elements used in the creation of installations in the exhibition. A closing reception will be held on Saturday, May 30, from 1 to 3 p.m.  The reception and exhibition are free and open to the public.

Veteran broadcast journalist Tom Brokaw, the longtime anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News, gave the annual Sacerdote Great Names Series Lecture in the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House at Hamilton College on April 27. Brokaw shared his insights on the state of American politics and society, and called on today’s youth to involve themselves in politics and public service.

The Central New York Native American Consortium (CNYNAC) convened on the Hamilton College campus on April 26. The purpose of the Consortium, established in 1998, is to share ideas, plans, and other information related to Native American studies. Representing Hamilton College was Neal Keating, visiting assistant professor of religious studies.

HAVOC, the Hamilton Action Volunteer Outreach Coalition and one of Hamilton’s largest student organizations, has been recognized by Your Neighbors, Inc. as the Volunteers of the Year for the contributions of their Food Salvage project. For the past five years, HAVOC members have packaged food left over after meals at dining halls and delivered it to Your Neighbors. The project was started by Sharon Hakim ’06 with cooperation and support from Hamilton food service provider Bon Appetit. Suzy Belmont ’07 is the current head of the operation.

Tom Brokaw, who served for more than 20 years as NBC Nightly news anchor, met informally with Hamilton students and the staff of the student newspaper, The Spectator, before his public lecture at the College on April 27. Students from history, public policy and sociology classes had the opportunity to ask Brokaw questions on a number of topics, including education and the experiences that had the most impact on him as a reporter. Brokaw then delighted the Spectator staff by dropping in for a visit as the students were finalizing the next day's issue. He told the student writers and editors, "The quality that will help you most is learning to write."

Erika Holmes, a candidate for May graduation from Hamilton College, has been awarded a St. Andrew’s Society Scholarship. The society provides funding for two Scottish-American students to study in Scotland to promote cultural interchange and goodwill between Scotland and the United States. Holmes will study at the University of Edinburgh where she will pursue graduate studies in biology.

Hundreds of college students wait anxiously with sleeping bags in hand, after traveling hundreds or even thousands of miles. They are ready for a weekend of intense competition against opposing teams from around the country. This isn’t March Madness; this is the world of debating. In a world where names like Yale, Harvard, Princeton and Stanford reign supreme, the Hamilton College Debate Society is stepping in to butt heads with the best of American Parliamentary Debate Association (APDA).

William R. Kenan Professor of Government Cheng Li was interviewed by Dow Jones Newswire reporter Lingling Wei for a profile of Zhou Xiaochuan titled “China's Zhou, A Western-Style Voice Heard In Washington.”