HAMILTON STUDENT AWARDED A THOMAS J. WATSON FELLOWSHIP

Ema Kisel, a senior physics major atHamilton College, was recently awarded a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship for 1997-1998. In a national competition each year, the Watson Foundation selects and provides funds for 60 graduating seniors from America's leading liberal arts institutions to embark on a year of self-directed, independent study and travel.

As a Watson Fellow, Kisel will be traveling to Italy to study "The EducationalRole of Astronomers and Observatories."

The Watson Fellowship was established in 1968 by the children of Thomas J.Watson Sr., the founder of IBM, and his wife, Jeannette K. Watson, in honor oftheir parents' long-standing interest in education and world affairs. The program provides graduates of small liberal arts colleges an opportunity to spend a year overseas to independently explore a topic of their choice. This year's Watson Fellows will be traveling to more than 70 countries.

Winners are selected based upon their character, leadership and thewillingness to immerse themselves in new and different cultures. Watson Fellowsare known for developing creative, imaginative projects evolving from deeppersonal interests. Topics range from various concentrations, including business, science, humanities, social-science, music and the arts.