Archive – June, 2006
Link between income and happiness is mainly an illusion
Posted June 29, 2006; 02:00 p.m.
While most people believe that having more income would make them happier, Princeton University researchers have found that the link is greatly exaggerated and mostly an illusion.
Summer theater season runs through Aug. 13
Posted June 29, 2006; 11:28 a.m.
The Princeton Summer Theater is presenting several plays this summer, including two shows for children, Thursdays through Sundays until Aug. 13 in the Hamilton-Murray Theater. The season began earlier this month with a production of Frederick Knott's "Wait Until Dark" and continues June 29-July 2 and July 6-9 with Peter Shaffer's "Black Comedy."
Princeton scientists explore the next frontier of stem cell research
Posted June 26, 2006; 02:48 p.m.
Long before “superman” Christopher Reeve’s spinal cord injury and actor Michael J. Fox’s Parkinson’s disease fueled the public fervor over regenerative therapies, Princeton scientists were making breakthroughs in stem cell research.
Cabañas wins Dedalus Fellowship
Posted June 23, 2006; 10:23 a.m.
Kaira Cabañas, a graduate student in Princeton's Department of Art and Archaeology, has been awarded the 2006 Dedalus Foundation Dissertation Fellowship.
Global atmospheric carbon level may depend primarily on Southern Ocean
Posted June 22, 2006; 04:20 p.m.
Circulation in the waters near the Antarctic coast may be one of the planet's critical means of regulating levels of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere, according to Princeton researchers.Though climate scientists have long debated the reasons...
Program offers grad students a world of opportunities
Posted June 22, 2006; 03:38 p.m.
Junior year abroad is almost a rite of passage for undergraduates these days. Graduate students in the social sciences at Princeton now have a similar opportunity to expand their educational horizons.
Class of 2010 welcome site available
Posted June 21, 2006; 02:37 p.m.
Incoming students and their parents can find useful and important information about Princeton on the Class of 2010 Web site that was launched June 21.
Reference desk extends summer hours through instant messaging
Posted June 21, 2006; 11:40 a.m.
The reference desk at Firestone Library is extending its summer hours through instant messaging.
Two graduate students named Newcombe Fellows
Posted June 21, 2006; 10:37 a.m.
Princeton graduate students Hussein Fancy and Philippa Townsend are among 30 students nationwide to be named 2006 Charlotte Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellows.
Outreach programs support summer of learning on campus
Posted June 20, 2006; 12:07 p.m.
From children's workshops to advanced scientific research, numerous outreach programs are supporting a summer of learning on the Princeton campus. Princeton students, faculty and staff are leading a range of programs this summer for elementary, high school and college students, as well as teachers from around New Jersey and beyond.
Mehilli receives St. Gallen Wings award
Posted June 19, 2006; 04:47 p.m.
Elidor Mehilli, a graduate student in history at Princeton, has received a St. Gallen Wings of Excellence Award, which recognizes the top entries in an international essay competition on global issues.
Carter shapes future breakthroughs, one atom at a time, one student at a time
Posted June 19, 2006; 12:37 p.m.
Emily Carter wrestles with a world so tiny that if you were to hold it in your hand you could not feel it or see it. Yet the type of work she does, as a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, has the potential for large-scale transformations. “In contrast to traditional mechanical engineering, which tends to focus on the macroscopic world, Emily’s interest is more in the microscopic world, which is a new trend that will influence the future of engineering in a big way,” said Weinan E, professor of mathematics at Princeton and a collaborator of Carter’s.
Wilson School names Germany's Joschka Fischer visiting lecturer
Posted June 17, 2006; 02:33 p.m.
The Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs has announced that Joschka Fischer, Germany's minister of foreign affairs from 1998 to 2005 and a member of the German national parliament, will join the school's faculty for a one-year appointment beginning in September 2006 as the Frederick H. Schultz Class of 1951 Professor of International Economic Policy, with the rank of lecturer of public and international affairs.
Two earn award for language work
Posted June 16, 2006; 11:35 a.m.
The European Language Resources Association has awarded Princeton psychologists George Miller and Christiane Fellbaum this year's Antonio Zampolli Prize. The biannual award, named for the first president of the association, honors outstanding contri...
Rothman helps reveal intricacies of ancient math phenomenon
Posted June 15, 2006; 05:00 p.m.
Perhaps it’s not surprising that sudoku — the number puzzles that everyone seems to be working on these days — first became popular in Japan before spreading across the ocean. The fad is reminiscent of a math craze that swept the islands centuries ago, when ardent enthusiasts went so far as to turn the most beautiful geometrical solutions into finely illustrated wooden tablets, called sangaku, that adorned the walls of local temples and shrines.
Legal Defense Fund official to discuss 'Katrina Vote,' June 20
Posted June 15, 2006; 04:29 p.m.
Theodore Shaw, director-counsel and president of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, is slated to speak at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, in 16 Robertson Hall.
University steps up sustainability efforts
Posted June 15, 2006; 12:24 p.m.
Behind the blueprints for the myriad construction projects under way on Princeton’s campus is a new set of stipulations regarding their environmental impact. The guidelines, which advocate for both sustainable building and site design, are part of the University’s continuing effort to consider the ecocultural wake it’s leaving on the area.
Eight named to Board of Trustees
Posted June 14, 2006; 02:31 p.m.
The University has named eight new members of its Board of Trustees.
Carillon concerts planned through Sept. 3
Posted June 13, 2006; 07:37 p.m.
The University's 14th annual Summer Carillon Series -- featuring Princeton carillonneurs and guest performers from across the nation and Europe -- will be held at 1 p.m. each Sunday from June 25 through Sept. 3 at Cleveland Tower on the Graduate College campus.
Summer performances offered at Richardson
Posted June 13, 2006; 07:18 p.m.
Princeton University Summer Concerts will present four performances this summer starting at 8 p.m. in Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall.
Frist hosts concert series through July 19
Posted June 13, 2006; 07:09 p.m.
The Frist Campus Center will present six concerts this summer at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, June 14-July 19, on its south lawn.
Students in 10 cities win Princeton Prize in Race Relations
Posted June 12, 2006; 04:17 p.m.
The Princeton Prize in Race Relations awards program has recognized 55 high school students in 10 cities across the country for outstanding work to advance the cause of race relations.
Fisher family funds dormitory for Princeton's Whitman College
Posted June 12, 2006; 03:37 p.m.
The Fisher family of San Francisco has made a generous gift to fund a new collegiate Gothic dormitory within Whitman College, a residential college designed by distinguished architect and graduate alumnus Demetri T. Porphyrios that is currently under construction on the Princeton University campus.
Strong investment returns provide additional funds for operating budget
Posted June 8, 2006; 10:51 a.m.
Strong returns on Princeton's endowment will allow the University to allocate additional funds toward critical needs in its operating budget.
Computing upgrade to affect some Web pages, June 9-12
Posted June 7, 2006; 06:20 p.m.
The Office of Information Technology will conduct a planned computing power system upgrade from 7 p.m. Friday, June 9, through 6 a.m. Monday, June 12.
Tilghman to graduates: Carry the spirit of Princeton
Posted June 6, 2006; 05:24 p.m.
Princeton University President Shirley M. Tilghman drew upon the wisdom of one of her predecessors for advice for today's graduates.Referring to the legacy of Princeton's 13th president, Woodrow Wilson, she exhorted students during her June 6 Commen...
Princeton University holds 259th Commencement
Posted June 6, 2006; 02:07 p.m.
Princeton University awarded degrees to 1,108 undergraduates and 661 graduate students at its 259th Commencement Tuesday, June 6.
Princeton awards six honorary degrees
Posted June 6, 2006; 01:58 p.m.
Princeton University awarded honorary degrees during Commencement exercises June 6 to six distinguished individuals for their contributions to science, health care, athletics, literature, education and civil rights. Princeton President Shirley M. Tilghman awarded degrees to John Bonner, Princeton's George Moffett Professor of Biology Emeritus; Paul Farmer, medical anthropologist, physician and founding director of the international organization Partners In Health; Mia Hamm, U.S. women's soccer legend; Seamus Heaney, Nobel laureate poet, translator and essayist; Freeman Hrabowski III, president of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County; and Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America.
Four faculty members recognized for outstanding teaching
Posted June 6, 2006; 01:49 p.m.
Four Princeton faculty members received President's Awards for Distinguished Teaching at Commencement ceremonies June 6. They are: William Bialek, the John Archibald Wheeler/Battelle Professor in Physics; Joel Cooper, professor of psychology; William Gleason, associate professor of English; and Sankaran (Sundar) Sundaresan, professor of chemical engineering.
2006 President's Commencement Remarks
Posted June 6, 2006; 01:39 p.m.
2006 Commencement Remarks delivered by President Shirley M. Tilghman
2006 Valedictory Oration
Posted June 6, 2006; 01:33 p.m.
2006 Valedictory Oration by Chris Douthitt
2006 Latin Salutatory Oration
Posted June 6, 2006; 01:29 p.m.
2006 Latin Salutatory Oration by Dan-el Padilla Peralta
Chemists look through glass to find secrets that are less clear
Posted June 6, 2006; 12:15 a.m.
A new understanding of how glass is formed may assist with our understanding of everything from the design of golf club heads to the structure of the early universe. Princeton chemists have found that the formation of glass -- a familiar substance t...
Princeton to disassociate from Darfur investments
Posted June 5, 2006; 06:56 p.m.
Princeton University has acted to prevent future investment in companies complicit in genocide in the Darfur region of western Sudan. While the University currently has no direct holdings in companies operating in the Sudan, the finance committee of the University's Board of Trustees voted today (June 5) to adopt a policy of disassociating from companies that directly or indirectly conduct operations in Darfur that support acts of genocide, and to prevent future investment in such companies.
Clinton urges seniors to use 'personal power' for global good
Posted June 5, 2006; 03:15 p.m.
Former President Bill Clinton, addressing Princeton's graduating seniors at Class Day on Monday, June 5, challenged them to apply the "unprecedented personal power" they have gained through education to serve an increasingly interdependent world. Clinton described global opportunities and vulnerabilities in the 21st century -- from economic, technological and cultural advances to the dangers of terrorism, poverty, disease and climate change -- in urging members of the class of 2006 to make a positive difference.
Students honored for achievement and service at Class Day
Posted June 5, 2006; 01:12 p.m.
Members of Princeton's class of 2006 gathered on Cannon Green Monday, June 5, to celebrate the conclusion of their undergraduate careers in a Class Day ceremony honoring their service and accomplishments.
Media advisory: Princeton researcher available to discuss new study on students who hurt themselves through self-injurious behaviors
Posted June 5, 2006; 12:15 a.m.
A ground-breaking new study on self-injurious behavior conducted by Princeton and Cornell University researchers has revealed that cutting, biting and other behaviors are prevalent among college students, particularly those who have been emotionally abused.
Sedaris entertains seniors with fanciful tales of Princeton's past
Posted June 4, 2006; 05:11 p.m.
Humorist David Sedaris delighted members of the class of 2006 at Princeton University's Baccalaureate service on Sunday, June 4, with a fanciful tale describing what Princeton was like when he was a student.
Graduate students honored for excellence in teaching
Posted June 2, 2006; 07:00 p.m.
The Princeton Graduate School has given awards to five graduate students in recognition of their dedication and effectiveness in teaching.
Princeton honors outstanding secondary school teachers
Posted June 2, 2006; 11:22 a.m.
Princeton University will honor four outstanding New Jersey secondary school teachers at its 2006 Commencement on Tuesday, June 6. This year's honorees are: Timothy Cullen of Leonia High School, Leonia; Kathleen Mueller of Central Regional High School, Bayville; Katherine Princiotta of West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South, Princeton Junction; and Ann Ryan of Lindenwold High School, Lindenwold.
Wray named one of 15 Hertz Fellows
Posted June 1, 2006; 07:13 p.m.
The Fannie and John Hertz Foundation has named Princeton senior James Wray one of 15 winners of this year's Hertz Fellowship.
Generations of alumni return for Reunions
Posted June 1, 2006; 05:46 p.m.
Some 20,000 people -- alumni and their families -- are expected on campus Thursday through Sunday, June 1-4, for Reunions activities. Highlights of the weekend will include: the annual P-rade throughout campus beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday; alumni-faculty forums and department open houses during the day on Friday and Saturday; and performances by groups including Quipfire!, Theatre Intime and the Triangle Club, receptions and student/alumni arch sings on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Tilghman names committee to guide health and well-being efforts
Posted June 1, 2006; 10:54 a.m.
President Shirley M. Tilghman has appointed a committee to carry forward the work of the Task Force on Health and Well-Being.
CEO of J. Crew to speak, June 2
Posted June 1, 2006; 10:17 a.m.
Mickey Drexler, chief executive officer of J. Crew, will give the keynote address at a conference on entrepreneurship on Friday, June 2, at the Friend Center for Engineering Education.
Princeton awarded $2.2 million for biology education
Posted June 1, 2006; 01:00 a.m.
Princeton has been awarded $2.2 million from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) to support the University's efforts to improve education in the biological sciences. The Undergraduate Science Education Initiative grants are awarded competitiv...