People in the news - January 23, 2014

Publication Date

President Stephen C. Ainlay recently attended a day-long Academic Summit hosted by Skidmore College. Joined by Skidmore President Philip A. Glotzbach, Ainlay spoke to more than 130 faculty and administrators about a number of top issues facing liberal arts colleges today.

Bonnie Cramer, Jewish chaplain and Hillel director, has been accepted into the Aleph Jewish Renewal three-year training program to become ordained as a Mashpia'ah, or Jewish spiritual director. The non-denominational program offers structured guidance and mentorship in pursuing the rigorous studies and practica. Cramer began classes in Broomfield, Colo. earlier this month.

Kristin Fox, associate professor of chemistry, led a workshop, “Designing Scientific Teaching Tools for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education,” at Simmons College. More than 50 faculty members from colleges and universities in the Northeast worked to develop materials for teaching to undergraduates. The workshop was part of a larger project sponsored by the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and supported by the National Science Foundation to develop a concept inventory and assessment tools specific to the field. Fox is a member of the project’s steering committee.

Martin Benjamin, the William D. Williams Professor of Visual Arts, had two photographs included in the exhibition “Multiple Focus: Contemporary Photography from the Albany Institute’s Collection” at the Albany Institute of History and Art. He also participated in a gallery talk about his work. Benjamin also has a photograph of musician G. Love published in the new book, “Caffe Lena,” which chronicles the 53-year history of the famous musical venue in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. In addition, Benjamin was recently cited on “aPhoto Editor.” The photography blog interviewed Timothy Archibald, who discussed his early photo influences, including time spent with Benjamin in photography classes at the College. Read the blog entry here.

Megan Ferry, associate professor of Chinese and Asian Studies, presented a webinar, “Chinese Characters and the Stories They Tell,” for the Five Colleges Center for East Asian Studies. Viewed by educators and scholars across the U.S., the webinar is available for free online by clicking here.

A special issue of Radical History Review on “Water: History, Power, Crisis,” edited by Teresa Meade, the Florence B. Sherwood Professor of History and Culture, was named the co-winner of the Best Single Issue Prize by the Council of Editors of Learned Journals. At the awards ceremony at the Modern Languages Association meeting, the presenter said the issue addressed “a crucial topic and was especially gifted in its interdisciplinary abilities.” The issues cover was a photo by Nancy Borowick ’07.