Archive – October, 2006
Pioneering anthropologist Clifford Geertz dies
Posted October 31, 2006; 04:42 p.m.
Clifford Geertz, an eminent cultural anthropologist at the Institute for Advanced Study who had a long association with Princeton University, died Monday, Oct. 30, following heart surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He was 80.
Krueger to receive IZA Prize in Labor Economics
Posted October 31, 2006; 03:00 p.m.
Princeton economist Alan Krueger has been named a winner of the IZA Prize in Labor Economics in recognition of his influential research on education and labor-market issues.
Rowley receives Air Force grant for young investigators
Posted October 31, 2006; 12:34 p.m.
Clarence Rowley, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, is a recipient of funding from the U.S. Air Force’s Young Investigators Research Program.
Wood to receive Dalton medal for hydrology work
Posted October 31, 2006; 12:28 p.m.
The European Geosciences Union has chosen Princeton engineer Eric Wood to receive the 2007 John Dalton Medal.
A revolutionary celebration marks 250 years of Princeton in Princeton
Posted October 30, 2006; 10:41 a.m.
The Rev. John Witherspoon, president of the College of New Jersey, held court in the President's House, while a fife and drum corps played a rousing tune outside. Visitors to Princeton University on Oct. 27 were transported back to the 1700s during Revolutionary Princeton Day. The event was part of a celebration that began Oct. 21 marking the 250th anniversary of the University moving to Princeton.
Graduate/professional school fair set, Nov. 10
Posted October 27, 2006; 06:17 p.m.
The Office of Career Services is hosting a graduate and professional school fair from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, in Dillon Gymnasium.
New Millennium Ensemble to perform, Nov. 7
Posted October 27, 2006; 06:05 p.m.
The New Millennium Ensemble, renowned for its contemporary and experimental music, will present a free concert at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, in Taplin Auditorium, Fine Hall.
Panel discusses midterm elections, Nov. 6
Posted October 27, 2006; 05:27 p.m.
A panel discussion examining the key issues and likely outcomes of the Nov. 7 midterm elections is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, in 219 Burr Hall.
Dixit to head American Economic Association
Posted October 27, 2006; 04:33 p.m.
Avinash Dixit, the John J.F. Sherrerd '52 University Professor of Economics, has been elected president-elect of the American Economic Association.
MacMillan wins awards for organic chemistry
Posted October 27, 2006; 04:27 p.m.
David MacMillan, the A. Barton Hepburn Professor of Organic Chemistry, has been named a recipient two awards for his work.
Smith earns award for second book of poetry
Posted October 27, 2006; 04:20 p.m.
Tracy K. Smith, an assistant professor of creative writing at Princeton, has been named the winner of the 2006 James Laughlin Award by the Academy of American Poets.
Public trust served by higher education, according to new booklet
Posted October 26, 2006; 05:08 p.m.
Princeton University has joined the national Consortium on Financing Higher Education (COFHE) in publishing a collection of success stories representative of college graduates who have been inspired by their education to make the world a better place through their choices of careers and avocations.
Family of cartoonist Darrow donates collection
Posted October 26, 2006; 04:38 p.m.
The family of Whitney Darrow Jr., a 1931 Princeton alumnus and longtime cartoonist for The New Yorker magazine, has donated a collection of more than 1,000 of Darrow’s original drawings to the Princeton University Library.
Like father, like daughter: Family ties bind philosophers
Posted October 26, 2006; 10:31 a.m.
As a child, Elizabeth Harman played in the hallways of 1879 Hall, home of the philosophy department, and wandered through the crowds gathered for receptions in the hall’s fabled Tower Room. These days when she strides through the building, it is as one of the department’s newest faculty members.
University launches fully functional TV studio
Posted October 25, 2006; 05:28 p.m.
A fully functional broadcast-quality television studio is now operational on Princeton's campus, allowing major television networks, local TV stations and Web broadcasters to conduct remote live or pre-recorded interviews with academic experts and others at the University.
Food choices explored at conference, Nov. 16-17
Posted October 25, 2006; 03:55 p.m.
Some of the nation's leading thinkers on issues surrounding food will convene at Princeton University next month to explore how eating choices affect not only people's health, but also the world's climate, animal welfare and the survival of the family farm.
Princeton Prize expands to 19 locations
Posted October 25, 2006; 12:19 p.m.
The Princeton Prize in Race Relations, an awards program for high school students who are doing exceptional work in their schools or communities to advance the cause of race relations, has expanded to include 19 locations.
Letter to the editor of the Daily Princetonian
Posted October 24, 2006; 03:00 p.m.
This letter to the editor was published in the Oct. 24, 2006, Daily Princetonian:
Contrary to what you reported in your article about Dean Slaughter’s meeting with graduate students in the Woodrow Wilson School, my July letter to the Wall Street Journal did not say that William Robertson and other family members are attempting to seize control of the Robertson Foundation for their “personal benefit.” But my letter did try to make it clear that what the family’s lawsuit against the University fundamentally comes down to is an attempt by these family members to seize control of funds that their parents chose not to bequeath to them.
Research Notes - Fall 2006
Posted October 24, 2006; 02:41 p.m.
Welcome to Research Notes, an online publication highlighting recent Princeton University research in the physical and social sciences, engineering, and the humanities. Research summarized here for which full online articles are available is listed ...
Massey’s mentorship creates network of mathematicians
Posted October 23, 2006; 10:11 a.m.
In decades of mentoring minority and women mathematicians, engineering professor William Massey has done more than foster a new, more diverse generation of mathematical scholars. He has created a community of colleagues who support and inspire each other’s research, including Massey’s own.
Two miles underground, strange bacteria are found thriving
Posted October 20, 2006; 03:35 p.m.
A Princeton-led research group has discovered an isolated community of bacteria nearly two miles underground that derives all of its energy from the decay of radioactive rocks rather than from sunlight. According to members of the team, the finding ...
Researchers seek to incorporate street psychology into economics
Posted October 19, 2006; 11:05 a.m.
Adjusting his laptop, Eldar Shafir punches up a table of figures that represents the financial decisions of lower-income families in Trenton — a dozen miles down the road from his Princeton psychology lab, but a world apart in economic terms. Shafir and his fellow behavioral scientists are trying to stage a quiet revolution that could change the field of economics from within.
French theater workshop to perform, Oct. 25-26
Posted October 18, 2006; 08:31 p.m.
L'Atelier, Princeton's French theater workshop, will present the play "Le Jeu de L'Amour et du Hasard" at 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 25-26, in the Matthews Acting Studio, 185 Nassau St.
Hands-on chemistry night set, Oct. 27
Posted October 18, 2006; 05:53 p.m.
Princeton's chemistry department will sponsor an evening of demonstrations and hands-on activities that highlight chemistry around the house from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, in Frick Laboratory.
Journalist offers view of Cold War, Oct. 25
Posted October 18, 2006; 05:50 p.m.
Don Oberdorfer, a 1952 Princeton alumnus and former diplomatic correspondent for The Washington Post, will deliver a lecture titled "From the Rear of the Secretary's Plane: A Journalist's-Eye View of the Cold War" at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, in 16 Robertson Hall.
Entrepreneurship panel focuses on India, Oct. 25
Posted October 18, 2006; 05:48 p.m.
Three Princeton alumni will participate in a panel discussion on entrepreneurship in India at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, in the Friend Center auditorium.
Music ensemble to perform, Oct. 24
Posted October 18, 2006; 05:44 p.m.
The Manhattan School of Music Contemporary Ensemble TACTUS will perform at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, in Taplin Auditorium, Fine Hall.
Talk focuses on war on terror, elections, Oct. 24
Posted October 18, 2006; 05:41 p.m.
Suzanne Goldenberg, U.S. correspondent for The Guardian newspaper, will present a talk on "The War on Terror and the Mid-term Elections" at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, in 16 Robertson Hall.
Experimental filmmaker to discuss work, Oct. 24
Posted October 18, 2006; 05:39 p.m.
Yann Beauvais, considered one of France's foremost experimental film and video artists, will speak about his work at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, in the Stewart Film Theater, 185 Nassau St.
Former German foreign minister Fischer to speak, Oct. 23
Posted October 18, 2006; 05:36 p.m.
Joschka Fischer, former German minister of foreign affairs and currently a visiting faculty member at Princeton, will speak at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, in Dodds Auditorium, Robertson Hall.
Tangled fibers prove inspiring for Princeton chemists
Posted October 18, 2006; 03:49 p.m.
Sometimes what appears to be a problem at first glance could lead to a solution if a scientist knows how to look at it in the right way. That’s what happened to Michael Hecht and his team of Princeton researchers while attempting to put together a set of novel proteins.
Students launch English immersion program in China
Posted October 16, 2006; 10:58 a.m.
By the end of summer his freshman year, Rory Truex started dreaming in Chinese. By the end of summer his junior year, he had made it possible for students in China to start dreaming in English. This past summer, Truex and 10 other Princeton undergraduates spent nine weeks running an English immersion course for 150 college students in Jishou, China. The program, called Summer of Service, was founded by Truex and now will be offered annually through Princeton in Asia.
Project aims to ‘kindle debate’ on U.S. national security
Posted October 16, 2006; 10:25 a.m.
Inspired by the legacy of Cold War foreign policy giant George Kennan, Princeton scholars have undertaken an ambitious effort to set a new course for America’s national security in a time of diverse, mounting threats. The Princeton Project on National Security — a sweeping, bipartisan initiative led by the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs — has crafted a long-term strategy for dealing with critical issues facing the United States.
Nominations due for Journey Award Nov. 15
Posted October 16, 2006; 08:00 a.m.
Nominations for the MLK Day Journey Award will be accepted until Wednesday, Nov. 15. The award recognizes a member of the Princeton faculty, staff or student body who best represents the continued journey of Martin Luther King Jr.
Research symposium set for Oct. 21
Posted October 14, 2006; 12:22 p.m.
The Princeton Research Symposium, designed to showcase work by graduate students and other researchers from multiple disciplines, is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, in the Friend Center Convocation Room.
Library offers research help via online chat
Posted October 13, 2006; 06:39 p.m.
The University Library is continuing its instant messaging service for Princeton students, faculty and staff with reference questions.
Project directors discuss U.S. security, Oct. 18
Posted October 13, 2006; 11:01 a.m.
The directors of the Princeton Project on National Security, an effort led by the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs to craft a long-term strategy for U.S. national security, will discuss the project at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, in 16 Robertson Hall.
LGBT Center ceremony marks a campus 'milestone'
Posted October 13, 2006; 10:46 a.m.
The "grand opening" of Princeton's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Center on Oct. 12 marked a significant step in the University's efforts to foster a welcoming, supportive climate for all campus community members. Some 150 students, faculty, staff and alumni joined in celebrating the LGBT Center, which was established in summer 2005 and earlier this year moved into its new home at 246 Frist Campus Center.
Study Abroad Fair set, Oct. 20
Posted October 12, 2006; 03:48 p.m.
Princeton students will be able to learn about opportunities to study in other countries at a Study Abroad Fair from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, in the Frist Campus Center Multipurpose Rooms.
Hit the classroom before the stadium, Oct. 21-Nov. 18
Posted October 12, 2006; 01:55 p.m.
The Alumni Association is once again offering Tiger football fans a chance to hit the classroom before they hit the stadium.
West to give first Morrison Lectures, Oct. 20-21
Posted October 12, 2006; 01:49 p.m.
Princeton scholar Cornel West will deliver the inaugural Toni Morrison Lectures, established in honor of the Nobel laureate and Princeton professor emerita, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20-21, in McCosh 50.
Symposium explores neuroscience and religion, Oct. 20
Posted October 12, 2006; 01:42 p.m.
Scholars from neuroscience and religion will gather on campus Friday, Oct. 20, to discuss the implications of recent brain imaging techniques for understanding the cognitive processes involved in moral reasoning, meditation, prayer, healing, spiritual experience and other aspects of religion.
Orchestra to open season, Oct. 19 and 21
Posted October 12, 2006; 01:38 p.m.
The Princeton University Orchestra will open its 2006-07 concert season at 8 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, Oct. 19 and 21, in Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall.
President of pro-choice group to speak, Oct. 19
Posted October 12, 2006; 01:35 p.m.
Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, will discuss "Putting Values Into Action: Mobilizing the Pro-Choice Majority" at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, in Dodds Auditorium, Robertson Hall.
Yü returns to deliver Mote lecture, Oct. 18
Posted October 12, 2006; 01:32 p.m.
Ying-shih Yü, the Gordon Wu '58 Professor Emeritus of Chinese Studies, will deliver the inaugural address of the Frederick W. Mote Memorial Lecture Series at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, in 202 Jones Hall. He will speak on "Zhu Xi (1130-1200) and Song Political Culture."
Poets to read from work, Oct. 18
Posted October 12, 2006; 01:25 p.m.
Poets Chris Abani and Linton Kwesi Johnson will read from their work at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, in the Stewart Film Theater, 185 Nassau St.
Remnick to speak on investigative reporting, Oct. 18
Posted October 12, 2006; 01:24 p.m.
David Remnick, editor-in-chief of The New Yorker and a 1981 Princeton alumnus, will speak at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, in 101 McCormick.
Series to explore religion and politics, Oct. 17-19
Posted October 12, 2006; 01:21 p.m.
A series of three lectures on "Race, Religion and American Politics From Nat Turner to George W. Bush" is slated for 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Oct. 17-19, in McCosh 50.
Talk looks at impact of Wilson adviser, Oct. 17
Posted October 12, 2006; 01:18 p.m.
The biographer of Woodrow Wilson's chief political adviser will discuss the influence of the Wilson administration on 20th-century foreign policy in a lecture set for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, in 16 Robertson Hall.
New York artist to discuss her work, Oct. 17
Posted October 12, 2006; 01:07 p.m.
New York artist Dannielle Tegeder will discuss her work at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, in Room 219 of 185 Nassau St.
Evangelicals and politics is talk topic, Oct. 16
Posted October 12, 2006; 01:01 p.m.
Laurie Goodstein, national religion correspondent for The New York Times, will present a lecture titled "Backlash: Are Evangelicals Disillusioned With Politics?" at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, in 16 Robertson Hall.
Two weeks of festivities celebrate 250th anniversary of 'Princeton in Princeton'
Posted October 12, 2006; 08:00 a.m.
Two decades before America began its fledgling democracy, a school in its own infancy took up residence on a small parcel in Princeton, N.J. The land became the home of Princeton University's Nassau Hall and Maclean House, which remain today as symbols of the region's past and its progress. Celebrating this heritage and the enduring relationship with its Princeton neighbors, the University will join with community groups to host the 250th anniversary celebration of "Princeton in Princeton" Oct. 21 to Nov. 4.
Jazz ensemble to present music of Basie, Oct. 14
Posted October 10, 2006; 10:43 p.m.
The Princeton University Concert Jazz Ensemble, directed by Anthony D.J. Branker, will kick off its 2006-07 concert season with a program titled "Basie, Straight Ahead: The Music of the Count Basie Orchestra" at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, in Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall.
Grant supports expansion of community-based research
Posted October 9, 2006; 04:04 p.m.
For nearly a decade, Princeton’s Community-Based Learning Initiative (CBLI) has brought together students and community organizations for research projects on pressing issues such as poverty, criminal justice and environmental preservation. Now the University is embarking on an endeavor to expand its community-based research efforts and to support the development of similar initiatives on campuses nationwide.
Frassica wins Val Comino Prize for literary work
Posted October 9, 2006; 04:00 p.m.
Princeton's Pietro Frassica has been awarded the Val Comino Prize for his 2004 book, "Variants and Invariants in Evoked Themes," which analyzes the works of several 20th-century Italian authors.
Princeton will compete to keep management of PPPL
Posted October 9, 2006; 12:00 p.m.
Citing 55 years of success in making the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) a world leader in magnetic fusion energy research, Princeton University has announced that it will seek to continue managing the lab after the University's current management and operations contract expires.
Dudley Saville, renowned teacher and researcher in chemical engineering, dies
Posted October 6, 2006; 11:15 a.m.
Dudley Saville, a chemical engineer whose research and teaching transcended his specialty and inspired advances and leaders in many fields, died Wednesday, Oct. 4, at age 73. The cause was cancer.
Exhibition examines Japanese views of other cultures
Posted October 5, 2006; 03:36 p.m.
The University Art Museum exhibition "Japanese Views of East and West: Imprinting the Other in Meiji Eyes" features color woodblock prints focusing on the country's perceptions of other cultures from the 1860s to the beginning of the 20th century. A...
Exhibition examines Japanese views of other cultures
Posted October 5, 2006; 03:31 p.m.
"Japanese Views of East and West: Imprinting the Other in Meiji Eyes," an exhibition of color woodblock prints focusing on the country's perceptions of other cultures, will be on view at the University Art Museum through Jan. 7.
Talk focuses on welfare reform, Oct. 11
Posted October 5, 2006; 01:00 p.m.
A lecture on welfare reform titled "Getting Dads to Pay and Work: A New Father's Agenda" is set for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, in 16 Robertson Hall.
Native American writers to read from work, Oct. 11
Posted October 5, 2006; 12:56 p.m.
Native American writers David Treuer and Luci Tapahonso will read from their work at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, in the Stewart Film Theater, 185 Nassau St.
Galbraith to speak on errors in Iraq war, Oct. 10
Posted October 5, 2006; 12:51 p.m.
Peter Galbraith, who served as ambassador to Croatia under President Clinton, will discuss his new book, "The End of Iraq: How American Incompetence Created a War Without End," at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, in 16 Robertson Hall.
Performance features Chinese troupe, Oct. 10
Posted October 5, 2006; 12:46 p.m.
Students from Princeton and Zhejiang University in China will perform together in a celebration of the Chinese Moon Festival at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, in Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall.
Artist Washburn to discuss her work, Oct. 10
Posted October 5, 2006; 12:42 p.m.
Phoebe Washburn, a New York-based sculptor and installation artist known for her unusual use of recycled materials, will speak about her work at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, in Room 219 of 185 Nassau St.
Oran speaks on pioneering work in reactive flow physics, Oct. 10
Posted October 5, 2006; 12:38 p.m.
Elaine Oran, a pioneering researcher in reactive flow physics, will deliver a lecture on advances in her field at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, in McCosh 50.
Asia-Pacific development is topic, Oct. 9
Posted October 5, 2006; 12:35 p.m.
"The East-West Pendulum," a lecture that will examine the development of capital markets in the Asia-Pacific region, is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, in 16 Robertson Hall.
Rangel to keynote conference on welfare reform, Oct. 6
Posted October 4, 2006; 05:54 p.m.
U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel of New York will deliver the keynote address at a Princeton University conference on welfare reform at 12:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, in Dodds Auditorium, Robertson Hall.
Five Princetonians win ACLS fellowships
Posted October 4, 2006; 02:28 p.m.
The American Council of Learned Societies has awarded fellowships to four Princeton faculty members and one graduate student to support their research in the humanities and humanities-related social sciences.
CANCELLED-Menendez to speak on Iraq War, Oct. 6
Posted October 4, 2006; 11:29 a.m.
CANCELLED - U.S. Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez will give a policy speech on the Iraq War Friday, Oct. 6, at an event sponsored by the Princeton College Democrats. The lecture will be at 5 p.m. in McCormick 101, with doors opening at 4:15 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. (UPDATE - The College Democrats have cancelled this event because of scheduling conflicts.)
Nobel awarded to leaders of the COBE science team
Posted October 3, 2006; 05:16 p.m.
This year's Nobel Prize in physics was awarded today to John Mather and George Smoot, two leaders of the Cosmic Microwave Background Explorer (COBE) satellite science team. David Wilkinson of Princeton's physics department, who died in 2002, was one of COBE's originators and one of the key scientists who guided the project through several scientific discoveries that are now cornerstones of physical cosmology.
Science takes a walk in the park
Posted October 2, 2006; 04:25 p.m.
Nearly a dozen local artists have collaborated with 10 Princeton University scientists to create an enchanting sculpture garden called Quark Park that brings to life complex scientific concepts.
Princeton establishes leading research computing facility
Posted October 2, 2006; 10:15 a.m.
Maintaining its place at the forefront of scientific research, Princeton has brought together three high-performance supercomputers to establish one of the nation’s leading university-based research computing facilities.