Featured Stories Archive – April, 2009
Tracking political impact of racial disparity in schools
By Eric Quiñones · Posted April 30, 2009; 09:54 a.m.
As a high school student, Amira Karriem was keenly aware that she was the only African American student in her advanced classes. Now, as a Princeton senior, she is investigating the effects of the racial disparity at her own school and around the country.
Peering into the cosmic web for answers to the riddle of dark energy
By Kitta MacPherson · Posted April 27, 2009; 11:53 a.m.
Since she was a child, senior Ragnhild Lunnan has been interested in astronomy -- scouring the crystalline heavens over her hometown in Norway to study stars that shine like diamonds in the clear alpine nights. Now, through her senior thesis, Lunnan is delving into one of the biggest mysteries of the universe.
Following his muse to create an unconventional clown
By Jennifer Greenstein Altmann · Posted April 22, 2009; 06:23 p.m.
Senior Sam Zetumer likes to work in opposing realms. He is a math major who is earning a certificate in theater and dance. He scribbles math equations on the chalkboard while waiting for rehearsals to begin. He currently is completing two senior theses: one on set theory, and one on clowning.
Internationally renowned poets to read in inaugural Princeton Poetry Festival
By Marguerite d'Aprile-Smith · Posted April 20, 2009; 10:10 a.m.
Poets from around the world will read and share their work during the inaugural Princeton Poetry Festival Monday and Tuesday, April 27-28, in Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall.
UN secretary-general urges support of global action to preserve world order
By Kitta MacPherson · Posted April 17, 2009; 02:44 p.m.
The secretary-general of the United Nations issued an urgent plea Friday (April 17) to a Princeton University audience for support of his policy of a "new multilateralism," a program with an ambitious agenda to unite nations in tackling a host of destabilizing threats that endanger world order.
Students are transformed by -- and transform -- Princeton
By Ruth Stevens · Posted April 13, 2009; 10:32 a.m.
Thinking back over their time at Princeton, eight undergraduates recently interviewed said they had some idea of what they wanted to do when they got their letters of acceptance. But once they set foot on campus, that idea evolved through a process of discovery. At the same time, these students have transformed the University through their presence by enriching academic discourse, mentoring other students and organizing new activities.
Crossing engineering and policy by examining clean energy options
By Hilary Parker · Posted April 8, 2009; 12:57 p.m.
Knowing he will spend the next two years working in the U.S. State Department, mechanical and aerospace engineering major Michael Konialian wanted to prepare himself by working on a senior thesis project at the intersection of engineering and policy. He focused on one of today's most demanding problems: climate change.
Navigating educational 'Journeys'
By Ushma Patel · Posted April 6, 2009; 09:00 a.m.
Princeton professors often make minor adjustments to courses' reading lists or lectures mid-semester, but those who bring their lessons on the road through the Princeton Journeys alumni education program learn to make contingencies for bigger hurdles -- from severe weather to government roadblocks.
Working with words -- teaching poetry takes different approaches
By Jennifer Greenstein Altmann · Posted April 1, 2009; 11:42 a.m.
In recognition of National Poetry Month, the University home page features stories from the April 6 Princeton Weekly Bulletin on two faculty members who represent some of the many creative approaches to the study of poetry at Princeton: Brenda Shaughnessy, an award-winning poet who asks young writers to tap into their strongest convictions; and Susan Wolfson, a scholar of British literature who urges students to closely read every word when studying poetry.