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A study by Philip Klinkner, the James S. Sherman Associate Professor of Government, was featured in an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Klinkner contends that pundits and journalists have needlessly hyped the idea that Americans are segregating along political lines. The article, "The truths that might be false, and how they bear false witness to Campaign 2004," by David Shribman, executive editor of the Post-Gazette, was also published in the Buffalo News.

Journey's End, a play written by RC Sherriff in 1928 and currently enjoying a popular revival in London theatre, had its first amateur performance at Hamilton College by the Charlatans in the 1930s. The play, which concerns four days in the lives of British officers on the front lines in World War I, has been reproduced now in response to the situation in Iraq. A letter from playwright RC Sherriff to the Charlatans, dated March 24, 1936, says " The play 'Journey's End' was written for the use of a dramtic club in the little town of Kingston on the Thames, but as they fell out, the first amateur performance ever given of the play anywhere in the world was by the Charlatans at Hamilton College. From time to time I hear with pleasure how well and how often you repeat the play and I send you good luck and best wishes for the future with the hope that one I day I shall personally witness a performance," Sherriff wrote.

What do a biologist, an orchestra conductor and a swim coach have in common? Come summertime they – as well as numerous Hamilton colleagues and co-workers – lace up the running shoes and start training for the Boilermaker, one of the Mohawk Valley’s premier summer events. Billed as the biggest 15K (9.3 mile) race in the United States, the 27th annual Boilermaker will take place this year on Sunday, July 11.

Hamilton employees and retirees were treated to a summer picnic on the McEwen Quad on June 18. The dinner, that included clams and steak, was topped off with strawberry and blueberry shortcake.

After a number of traumatic incidents in his life, Adam Morris '05 discovered few resources available to parents who struggle to help their children cope with disaster-related traumatic experiences. Morris decided to develop and test a parent-training program to aid families whose children find difficulty coping after a disaster.

Amanda Bennett ’06 (Enfield, Conn.) believes her Emerson scholarship will allow her to acquire interdisciplinary research skills. She has spent the last two summers conducting research for Hamilton’s Chemistry Department. However, this summer her research will go in an entirely different direction.

Kamila Shamsie '94, an author and visiting assistant professor of English, was featured in an article in The Hindu Business Line (7/02/04). The article discussed her success as a writer. Shamsie has written three books: In The City by The Sea, Salt and Saffron and Kartography. Last year, In The City by The Sea was shortlisted for the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize. Kartography is an exploration of Pakistani cultural life in the 1970s. Set in Karachi, Shamsie's birthplace, the book revolves around the lives of Raheen and Karim, whose parents are not only best friends but actually swapped fiancés in the 1970s.

Iowa Governor and Hamilton alumnus Tom Vilsack's name is on the short list of potential running mates for John Kerry. Hamilton College political scientist Philip Klinkner said, "In addition to helping him in the heartland, selecting Tom Vilsack would signal that John Kerry wants a running mate with whom he is personally comfortable." On the campaign trail Klinkner said one of Vilsack's assets will be his wife, Christie, Kirkland '72. Klinkner said, "She is an experienced and popular campaigner. Her endorsement of Kerry before the Iowa Caucuses helped turn his campaign around."

James Schoolcraft Sherman, native and life-long Utican and graduate of Hamilton College class of 1878, ably served the nation. Working closely with his friend, President William Howard Taft, Sherman served as the vice president of the United States from March 4, 1909, until his death in Utica on Oct.30, 1912. Sherman was Utica’s foremost nationally elected public official. Sadly, he was only 57 when he died in office. His uniquely positive accomplishments remain a needed example for local inspiration, especially in today’s challenging times.

During commencement exercises last spring, Tom Vilsack ’72 and Christie Bell Vilsack K’72 watched their son, Jess, walk across the stage to receive his Hamilton diploma. Anyone who didn’t know them would never suspect that the tall, quietly confident "dad" is the governor of Iowa and "mom" the driving force behind the governor’s political career, as well as a pioneer in reshaping the role of the first lady of Iowa. The occasion brought back memories.