Featured Stories Archive – January, 2008
Understanding America's racial divide drives Pager's work
By Eileen Glanton Loftus · Posted January 31, 2008; 12:45 p.m.
As a young girl growing up in Hawaii, Devah Pager was accustomed to a diverse society, where people of different ethnic groups blended easily and many of her peers claimed "mixed" racial identities. After her move to Los Angeles for college, however, she was struck by the degree to which the rest of American society, particularly in big cities, was divided by race. This contrast sparked a curiosity in Pager -- who is now an associate professor of sociology at Princeton -- that has guided much of her career.
For geoscientist Simons, Earth's deepest secrets may come from the sea
By Chad Boutin · Posted January 28, 2008; 12:37 p.m.
Princeton Earth scientist Frederik Simons believes the answers to questions about such unpredictable and destructive acts of nature as earthquakes and volcanoes might best be found floating in the ocean. Despite hundreds of seismometers and geological studies, scientists still have an imperfect understanding of what happens deep within the planet where these phenomena begin. Simons has developed a custom-made, free-floating sensor that could provide a clearer picture of the Earth's interior by using the additional perspective only the oceans can provide.
On the campaign trail: Students get firsthand look at presidential politics
By Emily Aronson · Posted January 23, 2008; 03:34 p.m.
When asked what they learned through the Pace Center's 2008 New Hampshire Primary Action Program, students offered insights into the American electoral process that can best be gained by experiencing the intensity of a presidential campaign firsthand. Nineteen students traveled to New Hampshire with the Pace Center over winter break for the state's first-in-the-nation primary. The nonpartisan program was conceived as an educational mission to help students develop a deeper understanding of campaign politics, the presidential nomination process and the special role New Hampshire plays.
Event honors King's vision for equality
By Eric Quiñones · Posted January 21, 2008; 05:29 p.m.
Campus and local community members honored Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision for America as a land of equal opportunity -- and imagined his response to today's heated debates on immigration -- at Princeton's annual King Day ceremony Jan. 21.
Pettit applies philosophy to politics in Spain
By Karin Dienst · Posted January 17, 2008; 11:15 a.m.
In keeping a long-held promise to a man who would become the head of Spain's government, the Princeton political philosopher Philip Pettit has found the rare opportunity to examine how well his theories can be put into practice. This past summer, Pettit delivered on his pledge to come back to Spain at least six months before its next general election to give an assessment directly to the Spanish prime minister, José Luis Zapatero, of how well his government was doing.
Renowned Princeton writers join together to teach one class
By Jennifer Greenstein Altmann · Posted January 14, 2008; 01:06 p.m.
In her first semester at Princeton, freshman Megan Leahy had some of the biggest names in literature on the Princeton faculty as her instructors — acclaimed novelists Jeffrey Eugenides, Toni Morrison, Joyce Carol Oates and Edmund White, not to mention world-renowned poets Paul Muldoon and C.K. Williams. And that was just in one class. Leahy is taking "Princeton University Reads," a new course in the English department that offers students the one-of-a-kind experience to hear some of the University's best-known poets and novelists talk about their work.
Students fully engaged in presenting Mozart opera
By Staff · Posted January 11, 2008; 11:46 a.m.
The Princeton University Department of Music will present a production of Mozart's renowned opera, "The Marriage of Figaro," at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, in Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall. The cast includes some of the University's most talented singers in the principal roles, along with members of the Glee Club as the chorus and a portion of the Princeton University Orchestra.
Science Olympians leverage their knowledge
By Teresa Riordan · Posted January 8, 2008; 05:49 p.m.
Andy Le and Richard Chu steadied their wooden craft and carefully loaded its prow with precious cargo -- a raw egg. After some careful adjustments (in which duct tape figured prominently), Le and Chu launched the vehicle -- and held their breath. The craft sailed forward regally, but stopped about 40 centimeters shy of the target (the egg safely intact). Le and Chu, sixth-graders at Hammarskjold Middle School in East Brunswick, were among more than 600 middle school and high school students swarming McDonnell and Guyot halls, Schultz Laboratory and Jadwin Gymnasium Tuesday, Jan. 8, demonstrating their scientific chops and honing their engineering know-how.
Exhibit presents variety of views on family
By Eric Quiñones · Posted January 3, 2008; 11:28 a.m.
"What Is Family? Princeton Views," an exhibition of photographs depicting the powerful connective force of family, is on view through Dec. 1 in the Murray-Dodge Hall lobby. The exhibition includes 31 images taken by members of the University community expressing views on family through various configurations and emotions -- including trust, joy, sorrow, silliness, chaos, respect and love. They were selected from among some 140 photographs submitted by Princeton students, faculty and staff.