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Although hundreds of students enroll in science courses every semester, doing summer research is “so much different than any lab class,” says Hannah Ferris ’16. Ferris, who is conducting organic synthesis methodology research under the auspices of Assistant Professor of Chemistry Max Majireck, is so fascinated by the project that she will be continuing her research with an independent study in the fall.

In a world riddled with social injustice, it’s important to discover the tools that can enlighten a population. Caleb Williamson ’17, a philosophy major and government minor, is working with Professor of Philosophy Todd Franklin to determine just that. His Emerson project, “The 21st Century New Negro,” was inspired by Franklin’s course, “The Black Self.”

Although many people might not find archaeology as exciting as it’s portrayed in the Indiana Jones franchise, Morgan Biggs ’16 does. Biggs, an archaeology major, is working with Assistant Professor of Archaeology Nathan Goodale to analyze artifacts from the Slocan Narrows Archaeological Project (SNAP). Last summer, Biggs attended Hamilton’s field school, led by Goodale, and excavated artifacts from the Slocan Narrows Pithouse Village in southeastern British Columbia, Canada.

Although the “Midwest” is a generally understood term, a definitive list of Midwestern states does not exist, which calls into question exactly where this region lies. Kevin Welsh ’15, who’s pursuing an Emerson Project with the supervision of Professor Peter Rabinowitz, was faced with this dilemma when he started his research. His project, “Uncovering the 'Quality of Distortion': Investigating the Cultural Divide Between the Midwest and the East Using Midwestern Literature from the 1920’s and 30’s,” requires an understanding of what “the Midwest” means.

Blasé, concierge, and faux pas, among many other words, have become so integrated into the English lexicon that we often forget their French origin. The process of adopting words from other languages has been common practice for centuries, and, in fact, English has more borrowed words than any other language. This stands in stark contrast with French, which prides itself on being a “pure” language. Brendon Kaufman ‘15 was awarded an Emerson Grant to research the use of Anglicisms in everyday French in Paris this summer.

Although the school year has ended, the campus is still bustling with activity. In particular, it’s hard to miss the some 120 people working on the new Kevin and Karen Kennedy Center for Theatre and the Studio Arts, which will be opening its doors this fall. The building is in its final stages of construction, representing over 13 years of planning and millions of dollars in donations and serving as a beacon for the arts on the Hill. The Kennedy Center, positioned directly  across College Hill Road from the Wellin Art Museum, will offer students and faculty incredible spaces in which to create, teach and  perform.

More than 220 years ago, the founder of the Hamilton-Oneida Academy, Samuel Kirkland, joined forces with Chief John Skenandoah to accomplish a noble goal. They were to found an institution of higher education, where the native population and the European colonizers could learn with, and from, one another. Seven generations later, his descendant, Joanne Shenandoah, is carrying on his dream of cultural harmony.

The Hamilton College Voices of Color Lecture Series welcomed renowned dance icon Judith Jamison for an intimate talk in the Chapel on April 18. The Series honors C. Christine Johnson, former director of the Hamilton College Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP. In the context of being an empowered role model, eager to give back, Jamison reflected on her career in the performing arts, most significantly her involvement in classical ballet.

To many, Buddhist monks are revered mystics who reside in secluded monasteries and mountaintop temples. Perhaps it came as a surprise then, when Dr. Justin McDaniel, published author and associate professor of Buddhism and Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, revealed that he himself was ordained during his three and a half year sojourn in Thailand. McDaniel presented his lecture about Thai Buddhism in the Wellin Museum Overlook on April 10.

Hamilton alumnus and music major Jeff Dyer ’04 returned to Hamilton on April 3 for a discussion and performance with famed flute player, Arn Chorn Pond. Pond is a Cambodian-American who experienced the horrors of genocide when the Khmer Rouge took control of his native country and forced Pond into a child work camp.