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Professor William Hoyer of Syracuse University gave a lecture entitled "Aging, Skill Learning and Cognitive Expertise" on Oct 29 in the Science Auditorium. Hoyer talked about his research in the field of cognitive aging, particularly about the differences in skill learning between older and younger subjects. The event was the first in the John Rybash Memorial Lecture Series, established in honor of John Rybash, Hamilton College Professor of Psychology from 1991-1999 by his family, friends, colleagues and former students.

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Associate Professor of English Edward Wheatley has been awarded a Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities for 2004-2005. Wheatley’s project is a book he is writing titled “Stumbling Blocks Before the Blind: The Medieval Construction of a Disability.” This cultural studies project will present the first comprehensive exploration of a disability in the Middle Ages, drawing upon literature, history, arts history and religious discourse.

Zhiqun Zhu, visiting assistant professor of government, was interviewed on BBC "The World Today" about Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao's current visit to the U.S. and U.S.-China relations.  Zhu said Taiwan and trade will be two distinct issues on the Prime Minister's agenda.  "On Taiwan, he would ask President Bush to issue a clear-cut statement opposing Taiwanese independence.  Failing that, he would press the American government to curb Taiwan's movement towards formal independence from China," Zhu said.  On the trade issue, he said, "Prime Minister Wen is expected to explain China's positions.  Wen may argue that trade is global and trade imbalance between China and the U.S. is structural."

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Professor of French and Africana Studies Tracy Sharpley-Whiting presided over a panel at the annual Modern Language Association (MLA) convention, held Dec. 27-30 in San Diego.  The panel, "The End of Affirmative Action? Preferences, Reverse Discrimination and the New University," explored issues of race and preferences pre- and post- the Supreme Court challenges to the Michigan case. Professor of Women's Studies Chandra Talpade Mohanty was a panel participant. Shapley-Whiting also presented a paper on the panel, Multidisciplinary Approaches to Literature. Her paper was titled "Intersectionality or the Romancing of Diaspora Studies."

Cheng Li, the William R. Kenan Professor of Government, was interviewed by VOA radio on Dec. 14.  Li discussed the recent change in the Chinese provincial leadership and the consolidation of Hu Jintao's power.

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Ann Owen, former Federal Reserve economist and associate professor of economics, was quoted in the San Antonio Express-News article titled "Saving Social Security." Owen said, "I think that a modest amount of Social Security dedicated to private accounts would be fine. But I don't want us to forget the dual purposes of Social Security. One of the purposes of Social Security is redistribution to prevent poverty among the elderly. And can you have private accounts that have that as a goal? Yes, you can. But it can also interfere with that goal."