Archive – January, 2011
Famed composer, music scholar Milton Babbitt dies
Posted January 31, 2011; 08:00 p.m.
Milton Babbitt, a famed composer and Princeton University music professor whose mathematical expertise guided his creation of complex, modernist soundscapes that influenced generations of artists and scholars, died Jan. 29 of natural causes at the University Medical Center at Princeton. He was 94.
Kurtzer to speak on 'Egypt in Turmoil'
Posted January 31, 2011; 03:59 p.m.
Daniel Kurtzer, former U.S. ambassador to Egypt and Israel, and the S. Daniel Abraham Professor in Middle Eastern Policy Studies at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, will lead a discussion titled "Egypt in Turmoil," at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, in Dodds Auditorium, Robertson Hall. The discussion is part of the Woodrow Wilson School's "Up to the Minute" series that focuses on world events as they occur. The event is free and open to the public.
'Air laser' may sniff bombs, pollutants from a distance
Posted January 31, 2011; 02:15 p.m.
Princeton University engineers have developed a new laser-sensing technology that may allow soldiers to detect hidden bombs from a distance and scientists to better measure airborne environmental pollutants and greenhouse gases.
Video feature: 'Flock Logic' collaboration unites science and dance
Posted January 31, 2011; 12:00 p.m.
Professors Naomi Leonard of mechanical and aerospace engineering and Susan Marshall, director of the Program in Dance in the Lewis Center for the Arts, created a class combining the science of motion and the art of movement. The Princeton Atelier project, called "Flock Logic," resulted in two performances that engaged a wide range of participants including students and volunteers.
Video: 'Flock Logic' unites science and dance
Posted January 31, 2011; 12:00 p.m.
Princeton professors Naomi Leonard and Susan Marshall combine the science of motion and the art of movement in a special course and two performances.
Video feature: 'Conversation With...' Professor Edward Felten
Posted January 27, 2011; 12:00 p.m.
In a video posted Jan. 26, Edward Felten, a Princeton professor of computer science and public affairs, took part in the second edition of the University's interactive "Conversation With…" series. In the first part of this two-part conversation, Felten answers questions posted online through Facebook and discusses a variety of topics, including how Princeton students can combine academic interests.
Filmmaker Kobina Aidoo will screen and discuss his work
Posted January 27, 2011; 11:08 a.m.
Filmmaker Kobina Aidoo will screen and discuss his documentary, "The Neo-African Americans," at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, at the University's Fields Center located at 58 Prospect Ave. The event is free and open to the public.
University closed for non-essential staff; normal operations resume at 3 p.m.
Posted January 27, 2011; 05:29 a.m.
Due to the snow storm, Princeton University is closed for non-essential staff Thursday, Jan. 27. Normal operations will resume at 3 p.m., which means that employees whose shift begins at 3 p.m. or later should report to work at their normal duty times. Critical and essential employees should report at their normal duty times throughout the day.
Non-essential staff dismissed early due to snow, Jan. 26
Posted January 26, 2011; 12:15 p.m.
Due to the continued snowfall, all non-essential staff will be dismissed at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26. All critical and essential employees should follow their normal duty times.
Video: 'Conversation With... Edward Felten'
Posted January 25, 2011; 07:07 p.m.
Princeton Professor Edward Felten discusses the many ways technology and society intersect, as well as how students can combine academic interests.
Thesis production of 'The Skriker' to be performed
Posted January 25, 2011; 11:03 a.m.
A collaborative thesis production of the play "The Skriker" by British playwright Caryl Churchill will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 11-12, and Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 17-19, at the Matthews Acting Studio at the Lewis Center for the Arts at 185 Nassau St.
FACULTY AWARD: Bassler and Reider win NAS awards for 2011
Posted January 25, 2011; 09:00 a.m.
The National Academy of Sciences has honored Bonnie Bassler, Princeton's Squibb Professor of Molecular Biology, and Paul Reider, lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, with awards for extraordinary scientific achievements.
Anthropologist Mann builds body of evidence with evolution studies
Posted January 24, 2011; 12:00 p.m.
Alan Mann's sense of wonder about human origins and his bond with all animal species -- living and extinct -- have endeared him to students and colleagues for more than 40 years. Mann, a physical anthropologist, has focused his research on fossil remains -- mainly teeth -- of australopithecines and Neandertals to understand human growth and development. Mann also teaches a signature summer course in Bordeaux, France, "Modern Human Origins," which culminates in two weeks of excavation at a site once frequented by Neandertals.
Cyril Black International Book Forum to focus on the future of the dollar
Posted January 24, 2011; 10:09 a.m.
The role of the dollar and the future of global currency is the subject of the Cyril Black International Book Forum to be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 7, 2011, in Robertson Hall, Room 16, at Princeton University. This year’s event features Barry Eichengreen, whose latest book, "Exorbitant Privilege: The Rise and Fall of the Dollar and the Future of the International Monetary System," was released in December.
Princeton trustees approve lowest fee package increase in 45 years
Posted January 24, 2011; 10:00 a.m.
Princeton University trustees Jan. 22 approved the lowest increase in undergraduate tuition and fees in 45 years -- 1 percent -- in recognition of the challenging economic environment that continues to affect students and their families.
Book forum to focus on global currency
Posted January 24, 2011; 09:57 a.m.
The role of the dollar and the future of global currency is the subject of the Cyril Black International Book Forum to be held at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7, in Robertson Hall, Room 16. This year’s event features Barry Eichengreen, whose latest book, "Exorbitant Privilege: The Rise and Fall of the Dollar and the Future of the International Monetary System," was released in December.
University operating on normal business hours, Jan. 21
Posted January 21, 2011; 05:20 a.m.
Princeton University will operate on normal business hours Friday, Jan. 21. Employees should report to work at their normal duty times and academic business will proceed as scheduled.
Milberg donates leading collection of Irish prose; symposium planned
Posted January 20, 2011; 12:00 p.m.
The handwritten correspondence of the early 19th-century writer Maria Edgeworth, often considered the "the Irish Jane Austen," is among the many extraordinary literary treasures in a collection of prose by Irish writers recently donated to Princeton University by 1953 alumnus Leonard Milberg.
Princeton sets applications record for seventh year in a row
Posted January 19, 2011; 09:00 a.m.
Princeton University for the seventh consecutive year has set a record for students applying for admission, receiving 27,115 applications for the class of 2015. Over the past seven years, the University's applicant pool has increased 98 percent.
Honoring King, Jones stresses 'hope is a renewable resource'
Posted January 17, 2011; 07:50 p.m.
Today's young Americans must combine their technological savvy with a commitment to environmental sustainability to help achieve Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream of a just society, keynote speaker Van Jones told the audience at Princeton University's annual King Day ceremony today.
Parker, Lajeunesse receive MLK Day Journey Awards
Posted January 17, 2011; 04:00 p.m.
Two members of the Princeton University community were honored Jan. 17 with MLK Day Journey Awards, which recognize efforts to continue the journey to achieve Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision. Thomas Parker, a mail carrier who has worked at the University since 1979, received the Journey Award for Lifetime Service for his role as an advocate and adviser to co-workers and for his dedication to community service. Josue Lajeunesse, a janitor who has been at Princeton since 1995, received the Journey Award for Special Achievement for his work to bring clean drinking water to his family's village in Haiti.
Funeral planned for student Khristin Kyllo
Posted January 17, 2011; 11:54 a.m.
A funeral for Princeton freshman Khristin Kyllo will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, in her hometown of Vienna, Va. Kyllo died Jan. 13 in her Forbes College dorm room of natural causes.
Changes affect Nassau Street vehicle entrance
Posted January 17, 2011; 12:00 a.m.
Princeton University's Nassau Street entrance to campus has reopened to vehicle traffic following the completion of safety enhancements to the gate.
Bill T. Jones's 'Continuous Creation'
Posted January 14, 2011; 03:17 p.m.
Director and choreographer Bill T. Jones will discuss his seminal dance work and lead an open rehearsal with Princeton students Jan. 18 in the Stewart Theater.
Bloomberg selected as Princeton's Baccalaureate speaker
Posted January 14, 2011; 02:45 p.m.
Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York City and a renowned businessman and philanthropist, has been selected as the speaker for Princeton University's 2011 Baccalaureate ceremony. Baccalaureate, an end-of-year interfaith service that is one of Princeton's oldest traditions, is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, May 29, in the University Chapel.
Acclaimed choreographer Bill T. Jones to lecture, lead rehearsal
Posted January 13, 2011; 05:56 p.m.
Internationally acclaimed director and choreographer Bill T. Jones, a 2010 Kennedy Center Honors recipient, will discuss the origin and evolution of his seminal dance work "Continuous Replay" at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18, in the Stewart Theater at the Lewis Center for the Arts, 185 Nassau St. Following his lecture, Jones will lead an open rehearsal of "Continuous Replay" with Princeton students at 4:45 p.m. in the Hagan 48 Dance Studio, 185 Nassau St., as part of the Lewis Center's "Masters of Dance" series.
Princeton student Khristin Kyllo dies of apparent natural causes
Posted January 13, 2011; 01:06 p.m.
Freshman Khristin Kyllo of Vienna, Va., died Jan 13 in her Forbes College dorm room apparently of natural causes. She was 18.
State-of-the-art Frick Chemistry Lab, now open, advances new frontier of research
Posted January 13, 2011; 12:00 p.m.
There is a fresh buzz of excitement surrounding the new Frick Chemistry Laboratory, and it isn't just the building's striking facade that has people talking. Princeton researchers say the new home of the University's Department of Chemistry presents the perfect staging area to break scientific ground, to engage students by actively involving them in cutting-edge work, and -- according to the department's leader -- to provide "the best education in undergraduate chemistry in the world."
Robert Judson Clark, father of Arts and Crafts revival, dies
Posted January 12, 2011; 06:16 p.m.
Robert Judson Clark, a Princeton professor emeritus of art and archaeology who was considered the father of the Arts and Crafts revival, died Tuesday, Jan. 4, at home in Lafayette, Calif., after a lengthy illness. He was 73.
Snow delays opening for non-critical staff until 10 a.m.; exam schedule is unchanged
Posted January 12, 2011; 05:47 a.m.
Due to snowfall, Princeton University has delayed its opening until 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, for non-essential staff. All critical and essential employees should report to work at their normal duty times. The delayed opening will not affect academic business of the campus. All exams will occur on time for undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduate exams will proceed this afternoon as scheduled.
New eating club selection process deferred a year
Posted January 11, 2011; 10:00 a.m.
Representatives of the 10 eating clubs that attract more than two-thirds of Princeton's juniors and seniors have agreed to defer for a year the implementation of a new selection process patterned after a proposal made last spring by the Task Force on Relationships between the University and the Clubs. Under the new process, every student who is interested in joining a club would be guaranteed placement in one of the clubs.
FACULTY AWARD: Three professors named 2010 AAAS fellows
Posted January 11, 2011; 09:00 a.m.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science has named David MacMillan, A. Barton Hepburn Professor of Organic Chemistry; N. Phuan Ong, Eugene Higgins Professor of Physics; and Michael Oppenheimer, Albert G. Milbank Professor of Geosciences and International Affairs, as fellows for 2011.
University to celebrate King's legacy
Posted January 10, 2011; 01:35 p.m.
Princeton University will commemorate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with its annual King Day celebration Monday, Jan. 17, in Richardson Auditorium of Alexander Hall. Doors open at 1 p.m. The keynote address will be delivered by Van Jones, an environmental activist, social entrepreneur and former White House adviser who is a visiting fellow at Princeton.
Video: 'Student focus: Celebrating Dean's Date'
Posted January 10, 2011; 12:00 p.m.
Twice a year, undergraduates pack McCosh Courtyard to cheer on fellow students running to meet the deadline for written coursework.
Video feature: 'Student focus: Celebrating Dean's Date'
Posted January 10, 2011; 12:00 p.m.
John Monagle, a Princeton junior, and Zach Zimmerman, a 2010 Princeton graduate, host this video profile of Dean's Date, which takes place at the end of each semester. This year's events happen Tuesday, Jan. 11, and Tuesday, May 11.
FACULTY AWARD: Daubechies receives Steele Prize for mathematical achievements
Posted January 7, 2011; 05:00 p.m.
Ingrid Daubechies, the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Mathematics and Applied and Computational Mathematics, has received the 2011 Leroy P. Steele Prize for a Seminal Contribution to Research. The award, which cited her pioneering data compression techniques, is presented annually by the American Mathematical Society. It is given for work that has proved to be of fundamental or lasting importance in its field. The prize was awarded to Daubechies Friday, Jan. 7, at the society's Joint Mathematics Meetings in New Orleans.
Video: Student work: 'TapCats present "Tapparation"'
Posted January 6, 2011; 12:38 p.m.
Princeton's student tap dancing company will perform to current and classic hits in their 2011 show, Jan. 6-8 in the Frist Campus Center theater.
Exploring perspectives on love through photos
Posted January 6, 2011; 12:00 p.m.
Featuring international settings ranging from domestic to natural to spiritual, a series of photographs exploring the question "What Is Love?" is on view in the Murray-Dodge Hall lobby on the Princeton campus. The exhibition includes 31 images selected from almost 150 submissions by University students, faculty and staff members in a contest seeking photographic perspectives on the theme of love.
Memorial service planned for graduate student Bill Zeller, Jan. 15
Posted January 6, 2011; 11:47 a.m.
A memorial service is being planned for Princeton graduate student William "Bill" Zeller, who died Jan. 5, 2011, at a local hospital as a result of injuries sustained in a suicide attempt at his home near campus. He was 27. A University service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, in the Garden Room of Prospect House with a reception immediately afterward.
Princeton scientists construct synthetic proteins that sustain life
Posted January 6, 2011; 11:45 a.m.
In a groundbreaking achievement that could help scientists "build" new biological systems, Princeton University scientists have constructed for the first time artificial proteins that enable the growth of living cells.
FACULTY AWARD: MacMillan receives Mitsui catalysis award
Posted January 6, 2011; 09:00 a.m.
David MacMillan, the A. Barton Hepburn Professor of Organic Chemistry, has been named the winner of the 2011 Mitsui Chemicals Catalysis Award. The award was established in 2004 with the aim of recognizing researchers who have made outstanding achievements in catalysis science.
Mark Zondlo is up in the clouds
Posted January 5, 2011; 12:08 a.m.
Taofik Kolade '08 reinterprets video shot by engineering professor Mark Zondlo and his team as they traveled in a superfast research aircraft mapping Earth's atmosphere.
Video: Student work: 'BodyHype presents "Body Body!"'
Posted January 4, 2011; 10:48 p.m.
The BodyHype student dance troupe presents its 20th anniversary show Jan. 6, 7 and 8 in the Hamilton Murray Theater in Murray-Dodge Hall.
Senior thesis production 'A Broad Abroad' to be presented
Posted January 4, 2011; 02:20 p.m.
"A Broad Abroad," a senior thesis production written and featuring student Olivia Stoker and directed by R.N. Sandberg, will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, and Sunday, Jan. 9, and at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, in the Class of 1970 Theater in Whitman College.
'Wakefield Mystery Plays' thesis production set
Posted January 4, 2011; 02:09 p.m.
The "Wakefield Mystery Plays," a senior thesis production directed by student Phoenix Gonzalez, will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, and 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, at the University Chapel.
New songs and music theater scenes to be performed
Posted January 4, 2011; 02:01 p.m.
An evening of new songs and music theater scenes featuring students in the course "Words For Music Perhaps?" -- taught by professor Paul Muldoon and Irish composer Bill Whelan -- will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Jan. 6-7, at the Matthews Acting Studio at the Lewis Center for the Arts at 185 Nassau St.
Princeton University Opera Theater presents Mozart
Posted January 3, 2011; 04:31 p.m.
The Princeton University Opera Theater will present scenes from three operas by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on Saturday, Jan. 8, at 8 p.m. in Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall.
FACULTY AWARD: John Groves wins Remsen Award
Posted January 3, 2011; 12:16 p.m.
John Groves, Princeton's Hugh Stott Taylor Chair of Chemistry, has been selected to receive the 2010 Remsen Award, given by the Maryland section of the American Chemical Society. He was cited for his wide-ranging contributions to bioinorganic chemistry, catalysis, enzymology and understanding of molecular mechanisms. The award is named in honor of Ira Remsen, the second president of Johns Hopkins University. Groves received the award in June at the section's annual meeting in Baltimore.
Bermann named new master of Princeton's Whitman College
Posted January 3, 2011; 12:00 p.m.
Sandra Bermann, the Cotsen Professor of the Humanities and professor of comparative literature, has been named master of Whitman College and will begin her four-year term on July 1, 2011.
Perspective on: The real and imaginary life of Mumbai
Posted January 3, 2011; 12:00 p.m.
In his 2010 book "Mumbai Fables," Gyan Prakash, the Dayton-Stockton Professor of History at Princeton, studies Mumbai from a range of viewpoints to explore the multifaceted world of this Indian metropolis.