Archive – May, 2005
Princeton University holds 258th Commencement
Posted May 31, 2005; 03:05 p.m.
Princeton University awarded degrees to 1,127 undergraduates and 688 graduate students at its 258th Commencement Tuesday, May 31. In addition, the University conferred honorary doctoral degrees upon six individuals for their contributions to the financial industry, the arts and humanities, and science.
Commencement Webcast available
Posted May 31, 2005; 02:45 p.m.
An archived Webcast of Princeton's May 31 Commencement ceremony is available on the University's Webmedia site.
Tilghman tells graduates to 'aim high and be bold'
Posted May 31, 2005; 02:36 p.m.
The seniors who graduated from Princeton May 31 and University President Shirley M. Tilghman began their freshman year together. In her Commencement address, Tilghman, who became the University's 19th president four years ago, reminded the students of their shared experiences and encouraged them to draw upon their education to "make this world a safer, more just and more compassionate place for all of its people."
2005 Valedictory Oration
Posted May 31, 2005; 02:25 p.m.
2005 Valedictory Oration by Varun Kishor Phadke
2005 Latin Salutatory Oration
Posted May 31, 2005; 02:11 p.m.
2005 Latin Salutatory Oration by Graham E. Phillips
President's address at 2005 Commencement
Posted May 31, 2005; 01:27 p.m.
2005 Commencement remarks by President Shirley M. Tilghman
Princeton awards six honorary degrees
Posted May 31, 2005; 12:56 p.m.
Princeton University awarded honorary degrees during Commencement exercises May 31 to six distinguished individuals for their contributions to the financial industry, the arts and humanities, and science.
Four faculty members recognized for outstanding teaching
Posted May 31, 2005; 12:48 p.m.
Four Princeton faculty members received President's Awards for Distinguished Teaching at Commencement ceremonies May 31.
Graduate students honored for excellence in teaching
Posted May 31, 2005; 12:39 p.m.
The Princeton Graduate School has given awards to five graduate students in recognition of their dedication and effectiveness in teaching.
Seniors celebrate a day of honors, memories and laughs
Posted May 30, 2005; 04:21 p.m.
Members of the class of 2005 honored the achievements of their classmates and evoked lessons from their four-year Princeton journey during the annual Class Day ceremony Monday, May 30, on Cannon Green. "We have had four great years of being challen...
Students honored for service and achievement at Class Day
Posted May 30, 2005; 12:43 p.m.
The class of 2005 gathered on Princeton's Cannon Green Monday, May 30, to celebrate the conclusion of their undergraduate careers in a Class Day ceremony honoring their achievements and service.
Morrison to seniors: 'There is serious, hard and ennobling work to do'
Posted May 29, 2005; 05:02 p.m.
The narrative of your life "is yours to write," Toni Morrison told members of the class of 2005 at Princeton University's Baccalaureate service on Sunday, May 29. "And I urge you," she continued, "don't settle for happiness because it's not good enough anymore."
Marianne Waterbury, associate dean of students, dies
Posted May 28, 2005; 02:03 p.m.
Marianne Waterbury, associate dean of students at Princeton and a 22-year member of the staff, died May 27 in Stockton, N.J., after a long struggle with cancer. She was 63.
Campus marks end of academic year with Reunions and Commencement activities
Posted May 27, 2005; 03:42 p.m.
For the next several days, the Princeton University campus will be filled with students, families, alumni and others taking part in a series of celebratory traditions that mark the end of the academic year. Events will begin Thursday, May 26, with Reunions and culminate on Tuesday, May 31, with the University's 258th Commencement.
Princeton students win Fulbright grants to study abroad
Posted May 26, 2005; 06:34 p.m.
Ten Princeton seniors have been awarded Fulbright grants to study abroad after graduation.
Princeton honors outstanding secondary school teachers
Posted May 26, 2005; 10:13 a.m.
Princeton University will honor four outstanding New Jersey secondary school teachers at its 2005 Commencement on Tuesday, May 31. This year's honorees are: Shirley Allen of Charles W. Lewis Middle School, Blackwood; Mark Gutkowski of Morristown High School, Morristown; Mary Hassenplug of High Point Regional High School, Sussex; and Mary Trotta of Woodbury Junior-Senior High School, Woodbury.
Tale teaches tots about tiger traditions
Posted May 26, 2005; 10:00 a.m.
As Mandy Lee Berman marched in the P-rade at her 10th reunion, she was struck by the number of Princeton graduates who had their children and even their grandchildren with them. Watching the kids enjoying the festivities, Berman had a thought: Wouldn’t it be fun if there were a children’s book that Princeton alumni could read to their kids describing the landmarks and traditions they would encounter at Reunions? Berman decided she would pen such a book herself.
'Apprentice' winner Kelly Perdew to speak, May 27
Posted May 25, 2005; 10:08 a.m.
Kelly Perdew, winner of the second season of television's "The Apprentice," will speak at the Princeton Entrepreneurs' Network's sixth annual Conference on Entrepreneurship Friday, May 27. Perdew, now executive vice president of Trump Ice, will deliver the keynote address at the conference at 1:45 p.m. in the Friend Center.
Discovery of distant planet offers hope for future finds closer to Earth
Posted May 24, 2005; 06:12 p.m.
The discovery of a new planet by astronomers from institutions worldwide, including Princeton, offers greater hope that researchers can eventually find planets that are closer in distance and size to Earth.
Don Albury, media services manager and outdoorsman, dies
Posted May 24, 2005; 01:39 p.m.
Donald P. Albury, who as Princeton's manager of media services witnessed and recorded nearly every major University event during the past 20 years, died of cancer May 22 at the University Medical Center at Princeton. He was 54.
Graduates of first 'no loan' class look to future
Posted May 24, 2005; 09:27 a.m.
With Princeton soon to enter their rear-view mirrors, members of this year's senior class are looking forward to pursuing their passions after graduation without having to worry about paying off huge student loans.
Four honored for their work mentoring graduate students
Posted May 23, 2005; 01:24 p.m.
Four Princeton faculty members have been named the recipients of Graduate Mentoring Awards by the McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning and will be honored during the Graduate School's hooding ceremony on Monday, May 30.
Valedictorian Phadke embodies Princeton's spirit of excellence in research and teaching
Posted May 23, 2005; 12:06 p.m.
When making his college decision, Varun Phadke was swayed by Princeton's strong undergraduate focus and the opportunity to work closely with faculty members who are considered leaders in their fields. In his four years at the University, Phadke has achieved a reputation as an excellent researcher and teacher in his own right. Selected as valedictorian of the class of 2005, he will deliver an address at the May 31 Commencement.
Hopkins selected as architect for new chemistry building
Posted May 23, 2005; 10:45 a.m.
Michael Hopkins and his London-based practice, Hopkins Architects -- a leading pioneer in British architecture -- have been selected to design Princeton University's new chemistry building and its surrounding neighborhood.
Players to perform 'The Fantasticks,' May 27-28
Posted May 21, 2005; 12:40 p.m.
The Princeton University Players will present "The Fantasticks" Friday and Saturday, May 27-28, in the Frist Campus Center theater. Showtimes are at 2 and 8 p.m. Friday and at 7 p.m. Saturday. Princeton University Players is a student-run organiza...
'In the nation's service' is next stop for salutatorian
Posted May 20, 2005; 03:59 p.m.
To write his senior thesis on the development of tanks in the U.S. Army, Graham Phillips immersed himself in the study of tank design, deployment and doctrine. That knowledge should come in handy next fall, when he will serve as a member of an Army tank crew. But first he will fulfill another responsibility: Phillips has been chosen as the class of 2005's salutatorian. He will continue the Princeton tradition of delivering a speech in Latin at Commencement May 31.
Valedictorian Phadke embodies Princeton's spirit of excellence in research and teaching
Posted May 20, 2005; 03:51 p.m.
When making his college decision, Varun Phadke was swayed by Princeton's strong undergraduate focus and the opportunity to work closely with faculty members who are considered leaders in their fields. In his four years at the University, Phadke has achieved a reputation as an excellent researcher and teacher in his own right. Selected as valedictorian of the class of 2005, he will deliver an address at the May 31 Commencement.
Shapiro to study at Oxford under Keasbey Scholarship
Posted May 20, 2005; 12:21 p.m.
Senior Matthew Shapiro has won the Keasbey Scholarship, which provides the opportunity to study for two postgraduate years at selected British universities.
Discovering a new passion along with a new language
Posted May 19, 2005; 04:22 p.m.
Benjamin Good did not know German when he started at Princeton, but he now has read hundreds of pages in the language as research for his senior thesis. And that’s not the end of it — he plans to move to Berlin after he graduates to delve even further into his thesis topic.
Douthitt wins Beinecke Scholarship to study music
Posted May 18, 2005; 11:08 a.m.
Princeton junior Christopher Douthitt has won the Beinecke Scholarship, which gives highly motivated students of exceptional promise the opportunity to pursue graduate studies in the arts, humanities and social sciences.
Media advisory: Princeton Commencement to be held May 31
Posted May 17, 2005; 03:41 p.m.
Media representatives who wish to register for credentials for Princeton University's 2005 Commencement exercises on Tuesday, May 31, must call the University's Office of Communications no later than noon Wednesday, May 25, to request credentials.
Musica Alta to perform 'Dido and Aeneas,' May 21
Posted May 17, 2005; 03:38 p.m.
Musica Alta, a student early-music ensemble, will present a concert on Saturday, May 21, in Fine Hall's Taplin Auditorium. At 7:15 p.m. music professor Wendy Heller will deliver a talk. A concert version of Henry Purcell's baroque semi-opera "Dido and Aeneas" will follow at 8 p.m.
Social science group elects three Princeton faculty
Posted May 17, 2005; 02:57 p.m.
Three Princeton faculty members have been elected to positions in the American Academy of Political and Social Science.
Commencement events scheduled, May 29-31
Posted May 17, 2005; 02:51 p.m.
Several activities for undergraduate and graduate degree candidates are planned for Sunday through Tuesday, May 29-31.
Seawright helps students shape experiences into artwork
Posted May 16, 2005; 05:29 p.m.
At a table covered with sculpture of various shapes, colors and materials, four undergraduate students made final modifications to their artistic creations. The class is “Introduction to Sculpture,” and with the warm spring air entering the art studio at 185 Nassau St. came the first stirrings of ideas for the next and final assignment: how to create a piece that exhibits temporality.
Senger named Gilder Lehrman History Scholar
Posted May 16, 2005; 11:53 a.m.
Princeton junior Molly Senger is one of 15 students nationwide chosen to participate in an intensive summer research program sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
Horton Davies, scholar of religious history, dies at age 89
Posted May 16, 2005; 09:42 a.m.
Horton Marlais Davies, a distinguished authority on the history of Christianity, died May 11 at his home in Princeton. He was 89.
Garon awarded NEH fellowship for work on new book
Posted May 15, 2005; 06:42 p.m.
Sheldon Garon, professor of history and East Asian studies, has been awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship for 2005-06 to support his work on a new book.
Princeton students stoke young imaginations with 'Lego engineering'
Posted May 12, 2005; 03:40 p.m.
A group of Princeton University students is using Lego toys as teaching tools to take children beyond textbook math and science and stoke their imaginations with hands-on engineering.
Two receive Gates Cambridge Scholarships
Posted May 12, 2005; 01:19 p.m.
Princeton senior Rebecca Jones and recent graduate Amanda Dennis have been awarded Gates Cambridge Scholarships, which give outstanding students from outside the United Kingdom an opportunity to pursue postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge.
Wilson School students develop health care plan for Philadelphia
Posted May 12, 2005; 10:48 a.m.
Graduate students in Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs have developed a plan to provide universal health care for Philadelphia's residents. The efforts of students in the Wilson School's graduate policy workshop -- commissioned by Philadelphia's Department of Public Health to develop the plan -- are expected to influence issues related to access to health care on local, state and national levels.
Danspeckgruber involves students in global problem-solving
Posted May 12, 2005; 10:41 a.m.
Wolfgang Danspeckgruber, director of Princeton's Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination, has provided numerous opportunities for his students to engage in genuine diplomatic dialogue about critical issues, bringing to life the theories discussed in their lectures and research.
Filmmaker to discuss his work, May 19
Posted May 10, 2005; 06:10 p.m.
Independent film producer and director Lisandro Perez-Rey will show and talk about his work at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 19, in the Friend Center Auditorium.
Debate focuses on future of online file-sharing
Posted May 9, 2005; 05:06 p.m.
Amid a growing number of copyright-infringement lawsuits filed by music and film producers against college students, attorneys from both sides of the issue debated the future of online sharing of songs, movies and other files at an event organized by Princeton students.
Tiger teams shine in spring
Posted May 9, 2005; 04:33 p.m.
Princeton's varsity teams have continued to rack up Ivy League titles this spring and will be competing for national honors in the coming weeks. ...
Gager and Lansky receive Behrman Award
Posted May 8, 2005; 04:47 p.m.
John Gager, the William H. Danforth Professor of Religion, and Paul Lansky, the William Shubael Conant Professor of Music, have received Princeton's Behrman Award for distinguished achievement in the humanities. They were honored at a May 7 dinner.
Davidson recognized for contributions to beam physics
Posted May 8, 2005; 04:38 p.m.
Ronald Davidson, a researcher at the U.S. Department of Energy's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, has been selected to receive the Particle Accelerator Science and Technology Award for 2005. He will be honored on May 18 during the biennial Particle Accelerator Conference in Knoxville, Tenn.
Hathiramani named Goldman Sachs Global Leader
Posted May 8, 2005; 04:34 p.m.
Sophomore Raj Hathiramani has been named a Goldman Sachs Global Leader, which honors the academic and leadership achievement of 100 second-year students around the world. Each winner receives $3,000.
Ensemble SurPlus to perform, May 13
Posted May 6, 2005; 07:44 p.m.
A Composers' Ensemble concert is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday, May 13, in Fine Hall's Taplin Auditorium. The Ensemble SurPlus, a chamber music group based in Freiburg, Germany, will perform music by Princeton composers Daniel Biro, Lisa Coons, Tae-Hong Park, Scott Smallwood, John Supko and Alan Tormey.
Composers' Ensemble celebrates Perle's birthday, May 10
Posted May 5, 2005; 05:26 p.m.
The Composers' Ensemble will give a birthday concert for composer and music theorist George Perle at 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, in Fine Hall's Taplin Auditorium.
Seven Princeton faculty elected to National Academy of Sciences
Posted May 5, 2005; 05:12 p.m.
Seven Princeton faculty have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences. They are among 72 new members inducted in recognition of distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.
Eight named American Academy of Arts and Sciences fellows
Posted May 5, 2005; 05:09 p.m.
Eight Princeton faculty members have been named fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. They are among 213 leaders in scholarship, business, the arts and public affairs elected in recognition of contributions to their respective fields.
Gikandi uses detective powers to track down hidden literary links
Posted May 5, 2005; 04:22 p.m.
Professor of English Simon Gikandi is a literary sleuth. His favorite academic pursuit is uncovering connections in literature between topics that appear to have nothing in common.
Seniors earn ReachOut 56 grants for service projects
Posted May 5, 2005; 04:19 p.m.
Princeton seniors Mallika Ahluwalia and Rebeca Gamez have been awarded 2005 ReachOut 56 Fellowships, which provide the winners with a $25,000 grant to undertake a yearlong public service project after graduation.
Bradford memorial service set for May 20
Posted May 5, 2005; 03:49 p.m.
A memorial service for David Bradford, a Princeton professor of economics and public affairs who died in February, is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, May 20, in Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall.
Belafonte, West discuss Africa and Americas, May 12
Posted May 5, 2005; 01:22 p.m.
Entertainer and activist Harry Belafonte and Princeton professor Cornel West will discuss "Bridging Africa and the Americas through Art and Activism" at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 12, in McCarter Theatre.
Debate set on campus file-sharing, May 6
Posted May 5, 2005; 12:09 a.m.
Two attorneys who specialize in the copyright of electronic information will debate the online trading of music and video on college campuses at 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 6, in 101 Friend Center.
Chevy Chase to be Class Day speaker
Posted May 3, 2005; 05:37 p.m.
Comedian Chevy Chase has been selected to deliver the keynote address at Princeton's Class Day ceremony on Monday, May 30.
'Art of Science' exhibition begins May 3
Posted May 3, 2005; 05:24 p.m.
An exhibition of images that bridge the sciences and the arts will be on view at the Friend Center for Engineering Education beginning Tuesday, May 3.
BodyHype Dance Company to perform, May 5-7
Posted May 3, 2005; 04:18 p.m.
BodyHype Dance Company will perform its spring show Thursday through Saturday, May 5-7, in the Murray-Dodge Theater. Performances are 8 p.m. Thursday and 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Composers' Ensemble presents concert, May 9
Posted May 3, 2005; 04:08 p.m.
A Composers' Ensemble concert is scheduled for 8 p.m. Monday, May 9, in Fine Hall's Taplin Auditorium. The music group eighth blackbird will perform works by professional composer Jennifer Higdon and Princeton graduate students Randy Bauer, Judd Greenstein, David Little, Gregory Spears and John Supko.
Taking a ‘restorative’ approach to justice
Posted May 2, 2005; 02:14 p.m.
Working last summer in the public defender’s office in her hometown of Charleston, S.C., Spencer Compton was disturbed by the treadmill of drug-related cases she witnessed in the criminal justice system. That motivated Compton to pursue a unique senior thesis project incorporating her passion for justice with her work as a religion major.
Symposium celebrates Griffin's career, May 14
Posted May 2, 2005; 12:50 p.m.
A symposium celebrating the remarkable career of collector, curator and scholar Gillett Griffin is scheduled for Saturday, May 14, in the Frist Campus Center Multipurpose Room.
Triangle Club’s 'Rude Olympics VII' set for May 5-7
Posted May 2, 2005; 12:46 p.m.
The Triangle Club, a student musical-comedy troupe, will present "Rude Olympics VII: Fondling Neverland" Thursday through Saturday, May 5-7, in the Frist Campus Center theater. Performances are 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday.
Jazz program to celebrate 30th anniversary, May 7
Posted May 2, 2005; 12:22 p.m.
The University's Concert Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble II and Wayne Shorter Ensemble will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the jazz ensemble program at Princeton at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 7, in Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall.
Chilean ambassador to honor Sigmund, May 6
Posted May 2, 2005; 11:45 a.m.
Andrés Bianchi, the Chilean ambassador to the United States, will be among the speakers at a Friday, May 6, colloquium in honor of Paul Sigmund, co-founder of the Program in Latin American Studies and professor of politics.
Sociologist discusses religion and sexuality, May 5
Posted May 2, 2005; 11:21 a.m.
Sociologist Dawne Moon of the University of California-Berkeley will deliver a lecture on "Religion and Sexuality: Truth and Power in Everyday Life" at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5, in 302 Frist Campus Center.
Performances marry science, dance, May 5-7
Posted May 2, 2005; 11:17 a.m.
"Evolves," a collection of innovative modern dance works choreographed by senior Laura Chiang, will be performed at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, May 5-6, and at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 7, in the Hagan Dance Studio, 185 Nassau St.