Doran, Doran
Those interested in reading more about Marissa Doran ‘05, the latest Eph Rhodes Scholar, can check the College’s news release (also published in the Transcript), an article in the Record and this Q&A with Doran (the daughter of Francis ‘74 and the sister of Elizabeth ‘06).
Although it is always hard to tell from a distance, Doran seems like a good kid and her winning seems well-deserved. But, as with last year’s Eph winners, I think that some College officials have gone a bit overboard.
“This young woman is a leader, plain and simple, and she’ll demonstrate that leadership in major institutional arenas in our society within the next two decades,” Jackall said. “She’s already shown great leadership abilities in myriad ways at Williams in her quiet but forceful advocacy for careful environmental planning in the college’s extensive building efforts; for her encouragement of milieux that will further strengthen already strong intellectual ties between students and faculty at Williams; and, before and during her college career, in her work for the American Field Service.”
Ah, yes, AFS. I remember it well.
Box Checking
The Record has an interesting article on early decision applications.
This year’s Early Decision class is comprised of 258 women and 232 men. It includes 34 Asian-Americans, 13 Hispanics, 10 African-Americans and two Native Americans. Nesbitt said the numbers for African-Americans and Hispanics decreased by one or two applicants, and the number for Asian-Americans applicants was “healthy.” The pool of 490 also includes 50 international students.
These statistics come, presumably, from the Common Application that Williams is now using. But there is a much richer set of information available therein. The Common App provides sub-categories like “Puerto Rican” as well as allowing applicants to choose “Other”. It also encourages students to check all the boxes that apply.
So, speaking as a reader of and contributor to the Record, I’d like to see a lot more detail here. How many applicants picked “Other”? How many checked more than one box? What is the ethnic breakdown of the international applicants (or are they included in the numbers above)?
Eph Marriage
Eric Smith ‘99, EphBlog’s genius site maintainer and creator of the indispensible EphPlanet, was married last month. Our young Eph readers are always curious about what married life is really like.
Hmm. Since getting married, Eric has spent a lot of time working on programming up all the possible board configurations for a game of Scrabble.
If fact, he is still working on it.
Ah, yes. The first year of Eph marriage. I remember it well.
Thankfulness
Dan Drezner ‘90 has much to be thankful for.
Eph PRIDE
A cheerleading article on CNN highlights the orientation program for minority students at Trinity. The article notes that:
Two years ago, Williams College in Massachusetts stopped bringing minorities and athletes to campus early. There are still some orientation events for minorities, but all students go through much the same program, designed to introduce them to neighbors and to the broader class.
It seems that there has always been a First/Freshmen Days program at Williams, but, back in the day, it was a much simpler affair. I have yet to see commentary arguing that the old program was better than the current extensive one.
Of course, not everyone will be in favor of such a radical change. Presumably there are some First Years who might have made the varsity soccer team if they had more time at varsity practice. But the most interesting category of (potential) complainers is the diversity lobby.
At 2,188-student Trinity, Spurlock-Evans [dean of multicultural affairs] says a program like PRIDE does not prevent that kind of campus-wide bonding later in the week. But she says it is essential to show minorities the support they have.
“If you don’t grab them in the first five weeks, they’re gone,” she says. “There would be no one to integrate if we didn’t support them.”
Mega creepy! In other words, if we diversity pimps don’t radicalize incoming minorities first, we lose them. Of course, Spurlock-Evans and her ilk across the country don’t read this sentence the way that I do.
The new First Year program, either by accident or design, makes the point that we are all purple first. Kudos again to Morty, either for originating this idea himself and/or for overseeing such a great change to life at Williams.
Thanksgiving at Morty’s
Kudos to President Schapiro for hosting more than 50 Williams students at his home for Thanksgiving dinner.
In addition to a piece of pumpkin pie, international students at Williams College will be treated to a slice of Americana as they celebrate Thanksgiving today at President Morton O. Schapiro’s house.
It’s the second year Schapiro and his family have opened their home to students who, for whatever reason, do not travel home for Thanksgiving. For some two dozen international students, it likely will be their first experience with the holiday.
“I want them to see what it’s like, and I want them to see it’s a great family event,” said Schapiro. “I want them to see it’s a wonderful celebration and giving thanks, and I take that seriously. … I want to expose people to the best of Williams and the best of the country, too.”
In this, as in so many other ways, Morty represents the very best that Williams has to offer.
The rest of the article is below. It makes for nice holiday reading. Were any EphBlog readers present for the festivities? If so, we would love to hear how things went.
Missed Homecoming?
Pictures are available (via the cool WSO PhotoShare).
Letter from Iraq Part XII
Happy Thanksgiving from Mosul!
Friday, 26 November 2004
Subject: Thanks
A little late, but I wanted to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving.
The Army managed to sneak some turkey, sweet potatoes, and cornbread into Mosul, and I spent a safe and happy holiday here, surrounded by respected colleagues and trusted friends, and thankful beyond words for the love and support of family, friends, and the woman I love, Erica.
Happy Holidays. I’ll write more soon.
With Love and Thanks-
Felipe
Hoops Mafia (Jones Edition)
Although there are four Chris Jones’s listed in the alumni directory (including my roommate ‘88), I am pretty sure that this article is about Chris Jones ‘94.
Following a self-proclaimed disappointing season for the Columbus Academy boys basketball team, coach Chris Jones talked to his college coach.
“I asked my college coach at Williams College (Williamstown, Mass.), and he said it takes about three to four years to have your philosophy firmly entrenched,” said Jones, whose team opens Friday at Marion River Valley. “But after two years, these kids here at Academy are smart enough and are picking up on stuff. The older kids are self-policing allowing the coaches to do more coaching.”
Harry Sheahy ‘75 (almost certainly the unnamed coach above) knows that he is doing a good job since his students still reach out to him for advice a decade after leaving Williams. How many members of the “academic” faculty can make the same claim?
Perrin ‘49, RIP
Ned Perrin, ‘49 passed away last Sunday. The New York Times reports:
Well known as a book critic and as a contributor to The New Yorker, Mr. Perrin wrote more than a dozen books. He was best known for his collections of autobiographical essays about the pleasures and occasional perils of life on a Vermont farm, beginning, in 1978, with “First Person Rural.” As the series progressed, his work became the benchmark against which other aspirants to the rural-writing genre were measured.
Perrin was an Army veteran (winner of the Bronze Star in the Korean War) and was married 4 times (but divorced only twice). He taught at Dartmouth for more than 40 years. Highlights from the obituary included:
Eph Webring
This site seems completely defunct. Fortunately, we have EphPlanet.
Thanks for the Math
Another reason to be thankful for the Math/Statistics Department at Williams, as if more were needed, is the emphasis that it places on excellence in teaching.
We are seeking a highly qualified candidate who has demonstrated excellence in teaching and research, and who will have a Ph.D. by the time of appointment.
Perhaps I am reading too much into word order here, but placing “teaching” ahead of “research” is a nice signal about the priorities of Williams in general and the Math Department in particular.
To be fair, the Economics Department is also “interested in talented teachers and researchers,” so perhaps we need give thanks all around. Virtually every elite college outside of the circle of small liberal arts schools like Williams would place much more emphasis on research and often none at all on teaching.
Author Amanda Ward ‘94
In our continuing series on Eph authors, here is the home page for Amanda Ward-Meckel ‘94. Ward’s new book, Sleep Toward Heaven, was just published last month. The film rights for her previous book, How To Be Lost, have been puchased by Sandra Bullock and Warner Brothers.
Ward may be coming to a book store new you. If so, you might want to drop by for a reading. I would hope that the English Department at Williams is planning to invite her up for a visit as well.
Noirish
Who knew that famous Hollywood director John Sayles ‘72 (and his companion Maggie Renzi ‘73) are Ephs? Not me.
The Orlando Sentinel reports:
“It’s gonna be a tough four years for a lot of people,” predicts filmmaker John Sayles, who is not happy about the re-election of George W. Bush.
His latest effort, Silver City, was specifically intended to help defeat the president.
The film, which opened in other places last month and finally arrived here Friday, is crafted in the noirish spirit of Chinatown. It tells the story of a private eye who uncovers political chicanery and media malfeasance. A major character, played by Oscar-winner Chris Cooper, is modeled on Bush.
Readers are invited to submit their comments on the movie.
Sayles attended Williams College in Williamstown, Mass., where he majored in psychology and, during his last couple of years, took a swing at acting and directing plays. He appeared in one with Maggie Renzi, Silver City’s producer and Sayles’ partner in film and life for 31 years, although they didn’t officially connect until after he graduated.
If I had a dime for every Eph couple I know who didn’t “officially connect” until after graduation, I would be much higher on Morty’s speed dialer . . .
Sayles and Renzi are a couple but have no plans to marry.
Sayles is also a MacArthur “genius” award winner. Even more impressive is the number of movie scripts he has written. The Howling certainly scared the bejesus out of me 20 years ago.
Although it might be more appropriate to wait for a reunion year, I would argue that either Sayles or Renzi (or both together) would make excellent Commencement speakers.
How is Ari Doing?
Alas, I missed the first installment of the Jeopardy finals tonight. How is Ari doing? The Jeopardy web page has a weath of information on the tournament (including Ari on video), but nothing on tonight’s results.
Charming
Eric hinted at this tale a few months ago, but I can’t resist reprinting this e-mail that we received (edited for anonymity):
While I respect the rights for Ephblog to post comments on whatever you choose, this blog and its content is absolutely unacceptable. The fact that my name and legal troubles is included in your publication is illegal for a number of reasons.
I am asking you to remove this blog from your website immediately. I graduated from Williams in June and I am currently seeking employment; if any potential employers searches my name they will find this blog and it will drastically hurt my chances of gaining employment. I cannot allow this to happen. I am asking you to remove this blog in a timely manner, within the next week. If I find that this blog is still up after September 17, 2004, I will not hesitate in taking legal action. Thank you for its prompt removal.
Comments:
1) Despite the rudeness and stupidity of this request, we did remove the offending post. Our standard policy is to remove most any post that the subject of said post objects to. In fact, we have removed everything that anyone has ever asked us to, and a few things that no one even complained about. That said, it is easy to imagine complaints that we won’t act on. Although EphBlog is all about inclusiveness, it is also about hard questions and painful truths. We’ll continue to strive for balance between these competing goals as best we can.
2) We’re not sure how things turned out for our wayward Eph, but here’s some advice for other readers: Don’t take illegal drugs. Or at least don’t deal illegal drugs. Or, if you can’t resist the temptation and/or want to make a political statement, don’t get caught doing either. Once your name has entered the world of official judicial proceedings, mentions on EphBlog are the least of your worries.
Eph Confidential
Resources like this can’t help but to affect the college admissions game.
Special points for anyone who can point out Dick Nesbitt’s postings . . .
;-)
Another Eph Rhodes
Congrats to Williams Senior Marissa Doran, who becomes the third Eph Rhodes scholar in the last two years, further solifidying Williams’ substantial lead in terms of liberal arts colleges with the most scholarship winners. Does anyone have the total figure? If I recall, even before the last two years, Williams was first, Reed second, and the rest pretty far behind, but I haven’t seen the actual numbers in some time.
More on Marissa:
Marissa C. M. Doran, Duxbury, is a senior at Williams College and a history major. Marissa is a Truman Scholar, won an award for community service, is active in theater, music, and politics, and was the first U.S. citizen to participate in a government-sponsored program in the Belgian Parliament. She is also the first Williams undergraduate to co-develop a Williams course. Marissa will do the B.A. in Modern History at Oxford
Want To Be Famous?
Those interested in fame in the Eph political scene could do worse than posting on EphBlog. Note how regular posters Ronit Bhattacharyya ‘07 and Kevin Koernig ‘06 have made the jump to broadcasting.
I’m hosting my weekly political talk show on WCFM with guests Ronit Bhattacharyya ‘07, Roy Garcia ‘07, and Kevin Koernig ‘06 from 9-10 PM on Sunday (11/21). Listen in over the internet through wcfm.williams.edu or the WCFM ticker on WSO. Call-ins appreciated (X2197)! We’ll cover this week’s top stories, Democratic Party strategy, and the blogging mayhem on WSO.
Matt Piven’s ‘07 show looks interesting although, as always, our advice is to focus as much as possible on Williams-specific issues. Isn’t there enough to talk about? I would be especially curious about what the panelists think about Morty and Roseman’s double-dipping . . .
I am not sure what “blogging mayhem on WSO” refers to.
Skin Game
Laura McMillian’s ‘02 permalinks don’t work that well for me, but her post from October 4th quotes this paragraph from the book Skin Game.
The liason with the best friend from home unfolded in the dead heart of January. It was our Winter Study term, one month dedicated to focused study of a single, nontraditional course. Leaving large swathes of unoccupied time for remaining holed up in your dormitory, out of the cold, dispirited weather, drinking Bloody Marys with your suitemates while the dirty sky surrendered to darkness at four o’clock.
The First Years — oblivious amidst the nicest fall weather in 15 years — don’t know it yet, but they will see that “dirty sky” soon enough. Indeed, this weekend has not been a bad introduction. Laura points out that, as you might have guessed, author Caroline Kettlewell is an Eph, class of
1984.
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