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Assistant Professor of Computer Science Brian Rosmaita has been named the recipient of The Richardson Award for Faculty Innovation. Rosmaita intends to redesign a computer science course, Application, Implications and Issues, that will focus on Web design and implementation for visually impaired computer users. He developed the original course in 2004 as part of the Hewlett Pluralism and Unity grant and offered it this past semester.

Cheng Li, the William R. Kenan Professor of Government, was interviewed by the Associated Press for the article "Sixteen years since Tiananman crackdown, China's new leaders keeps tight grip on dissent." According to the article, "China's grip on dissent has tightened under the leadership of President Hu Jintao, disappointing those who hoped he might represent a more tolerant leadership," Li said. "The difference between Jiang and Hu is that Hu is far more popular than Jiang among the Chinese public. Hu has more political capital. The message is a mixed one. Hu wants to promote political reforms, as he states, but these political reforms should not be out of control."

Alison Eckberg, a 2002 graduate of Hamilton who is working on volcano research at Mount St. Helens in Washington state, is among geologists featured in a Washington Post article (5/29/05) about volcano experts. The article details the U.S. Geological Survey's concern that, because of flat budgets, a lack of hiring of new, young volcanologists will result in a collapse of volcano-monitoring programs. Eckberg is pursuing her master's degree in geology but fears that she will be unable to get a job as a specialist in volcanoes.

Winslow Professor of Chemistry George Shields published an article in the Journal of Physical Chemistry A. The article, "Comparison of Model Chemistry and Density Functional Theory Thermochemical Predictions with Experiment for Formation of Ionic Clusters of the Ammonium Cation Complexed with Water and Ammonia; Atmospheric Implications," was co-authored with Frank Pickard '05 and Meghan Dunn '06. The work, which was funded by ACS/PRF, Research Corporation and the National Science Foundation, was completed during the summer of 2004 and the 2004-05 academic year. The high-level quantum chemistry calculations predict that the thermodynamics for the formation of ion-water clusters is so favorable that virtually every ion in the lower troposphere will be hydrated with multiple water molecules.

A.G. Lafley, chief executive of Procter & Gamble Co. and a 1969 graduate of Hamilton, was featured in a Wall Street Journal article (6/1/05) about the consumer products company's successful turnaround under him.

Four professors in the science department brought a bit of magic and wonder to the eyes of 90 New Hartford third-graders on June 2 during Hamilton College’s annual Science Day. Geosciences Professor Cynthia Domack, Biology Professor David Gapp, Associate Professor of Chemistry Karen Brewer and Assistant Professor of Physics Seth Major planned half-hour demonstrations within each of their respective fields for the children, who traveled to Hamilton College from Myles Elementary School.

The Nature Handbook, by Ernest Williams Jr., the Leonard C. Ferguson Professor of Biology, is a Book-of-the-Month Club non-fiction selection of the month. The Book-of-the-Month Club's promotional materials say "All naturalists—from birders to gardeners, hikers to environmentalists, wildflower enthusiasts to butterfliers—will fall in love with this great nature book...The Nature Handbook is a comprehensive, user-friendly tool for deepening your appreciation and understanding of natural wonders."

Assistant Professor of Biology Mike McCormick presented an invited talk in May at the Cornell Nano-scale Science and Technology Facility (CNF) titled "Detecting single cell respiration in an iron reducing bacterium." The CNF laboratory is a National Science Foundation sponsored facility located at Cornell University that is one of 13 laboratories comprising the National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network. McCormick is working at the laboratory to design, fabricate and test microscopic devices for monitoring respiration in iron-respiring bacteria.

Richard Nelson ‘72, an internationally acclaimed playwright and Tony-winner, is prepared to touch the lives of many an aspiring playwright when he becomes chairman of the playwriting department of Yale School of Drama on July 1. This appointment is considered one of the most prestigious in the world of theatrical academia, and Nelson will begin his stint at Yale after a 30-year career in the playwriting industry.

Hamilton’s 10-year-old Jazz Archive received a newfound melody not too long ago. Monk Rowe, director of the Jazz Archive, discovered the only known recording of a single February, 1964, Providence, R.I., nightclub performance of two famed jazz legends, vocalist Joe Williams and tenor saxophonist Ben Webster, several years ago. This performance, which also featured pianist Junior Mance, bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Mickey Roker, became a CD this past February as a result of Rowe’s discovery, and is titled Havin’ A Good Time!