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“In the early ‘70s, we had a deal where you could leave for January, as long as you convinced Dean Winton Tolles that it had some academic value,” explained Josh Simpson, a 1972 Hamilton graduate, to the audience at the Science Center Kennedy Auditorium. And so Simpson managed to do just that – and Tolles allowed him, as Simpson had requested, to practice glass blowing in Vermont for the duration of that month. Simpson, who is now a professional glass blower, remarked “It was the best thing that had ever happened to me.”

LOOK UP, four concurrent exhibitions featuring works by Hamilton College alumni, faculty and students will open in the Emerson Gallery at Hamilton on Monday, Jan. 18.

David Nathans '72 has been named the executive director of the Martha's Vineyard Museum. Nathans who was interm director of Hamiton's Emerson Gallery and has for many years served on Hamilton's Committee on the Visual Arts, was interviewed by the Martha's Vineyard Times. In the interview he said at the Martha's Vineyard Museum he will "challenge the curators to think about the collections in terms of themes that will reach out to broad groups of people. More people will be surprised and excited about what we have. Broader exhibitions will create awareness and greater credibility."

G. Jeremiah Ryan ’72, president of Bergen Community College, Paramus, N.J., has been elected to the executive board of the New Jersey Presidents' Council (NJPC). NJPC is a quorum of 50 college and university presidents, representing both public and private institutions, whose mission it is to make recommendations to state officials regarding nascent state programs, budgetary and student-aid matters, and New Jersey’s master plan for higher education. NJPC reviews state policies and promotes public awareness of various initiatives and issues relevant to higher education. The council convenes throughout the year.

Licensing consultant Michael Stone ’72 recently gave an interview to Newsweek online about the commercial legacy of Michael Jackson. Stone drew upon his experience as steward of the Andy Warhol trademark (he guided the Pope of Pop's eponymous Foundation for the Visual Arts to its now $240 million endowment) as he considered the fate of the Jackson imprint.

The Hamilton College Alumni Association in conjunction with U.S. Rep. (R-Delaware) Mike Castle '61 hosted a Washington Welcoming Celebration for Tom '72 and Christie K'72 Vilsack on Capitol Hill, on May 21. Tom Vilsack was appointed Secretary of Agriculture by President Obama earlier this year.

Hamilton students Katerina Adair '10, Katie Anderson '11, and Kenley Stark '11 visited glass artist Josh Simpson '72 at his studio in Shelburne Falls, Ma., this week. The students are working with Susanna White, the Emerson Gallery's associate director and curator, to organize an exhibition of Simpson's work.

Jennifer Morris K'72, the founder of LocalWatt and an experienced entrepreneur and organization leader, willl be recognized with a Hamilton Ventures Leadership Award at the United Nations on February 7. The award ceremony will take place during the first  Venture Symposium and Conference. 

Barbara Stein, K'72, received a Frank Withrow Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Coalition for Technology in Education and Training (NCTET) at NCTET's 2009 Bytes & Books Inaugural Ball on January 20, 2009 at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C.  The award was in honor of Barbara's exemplary effort in advancing education and technology for almost 30 years.

Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, a 1972 graduate of Hamilton College, announced on November 9 his intention to seek the Democratic party nomination for president in 2008. Vilsack is the first Democrat to formally announce his candidacy.