Features
Valedictorian Sinha finds inspiration in questions of balance
By John Sullivan, Office of Engineering Communications · Posted May 23, 2013; 12:00 p.m.
Programming a robot to perform like a plate spinner at a circus, making all the tiny adjustments needed to balance a thin stick perfectly upright, is associated with what engineers call the inverted pendulum problem. For most students, the tricky balancing act can be quite a challenge. For Princeton senior and valedictorian of the Class of 2013 Aman Sinha, it was an inspiration.
Studying the unseen activity in bacteria chatter and a nation's bereavement
By Morgan Kelly, Office of Communications · Posted May 20, 2013; 12:00 p.m.
Princeton University senior Sofia Quinodoz took on two theses that pertain to an unseen and not fully understood action that is nonetheless felt by those it afflicts, be it in the form of an infection or the void of a loved one suddenly erased.
Video feature: Exploring the art of songwriting, one emotion at a time
By Jamie Saxon, Office of Communications · Posted May 17, 2013; 12:00 p.m.
This spring, 23 Princeton students mined their own experiences with joy, fear, loneliness and a host of other emotions to write original songs. Using the workshopping style of the performing arts, they met in the Whitman College Class of 1970 Theater each week for the course "How to Write a Song."
Freshmen dig into challenges facing urban education
By Michael Hotchkiss, Office of Communications · Posted May 15, 2013; 12:00 p.m.
The freshman seminar "The Dreamkeepers: Education Reform and the Urban Teaching Experience" is designed to help students develop an understanding of the social and political context of urban education and examine trends in urban education reform — all while focusing on the experience of the urban teacher.
Thesis on Spain pushes senior to look within
By Michael Hotchkiss, Office of Communications · Posted May 13, 2013; 01:00 p.m.
A journey to explore the complex identity of southern Spain gave Princeton senior Rund Abdelfatah new insights into an overwhelmingly Catholic region that has an uneasy relationship with its Muslim past.
Video feature: 'Playboy Architecture'
By Danielle Alio, Office of Communications · Posted May 10, 2013; 12:00 p.m.
A group of Princeton University Ph.D. students have been involved in a research project led by Professor of Architecture Beatriz Colomina that looks at the influence of architecture on Playboy Magazine from 1953 to 1979, and the magazine's impact on architecture and design culture in the United States through its vision of a desirable contemporary lifestyle.
Improvisation course takes students out of their musical 'comfort zone'
By Jamie Saxon, Office of Communications · Posted May 8, 2013; 12:00 p.m.
Through improvisational techniques influenced by sound, gestures, rhythm, poetry/spoken word and visual arts, 20 Princeton students in the new course "The Improvising Ensemble" are pushing the boundaries of their own concepts of what music is and can be.
Finding 'promising' approaches to mass incarceration reform
By Jamie Saxon, Office of Communications · Posted May 6, 2013; 12:00 p.m.
Princeton senior Danielle Pingue's thesis "Partners in Crime: Nonprofits' Promising Approach to Mass Incarceration Reform" shows how nonprofits are contributing to policy reform in the criminal justice system.
Video feature: Architecture and independent work
By Danielle Alio, Office of Communications · Posted May 2, 2013; 12:00 p.m.
A central feature of Princeton University's undergraduate education is the independent research requirement for juniors and seniors. In the School of Architecture, juniors take a design studio course each semester to meet the requirement.
Weekend celebrates President Tilghman's passion for the arts
By Jamie Saxon, Office of Communications · Posted April 29, 2013; 04:00 p.m.
The first Princeton Arts Weekend, April 25-28, showcased the talents of hundreds of students with nearly 70 events. The last day of the festival coincided with Communiversity, an annual event that brings together thousands of members of the town of Princeton and the University community. Also on Sunday, a student tribute to President Shirley M. Tilghman honored her commitment to the arts.