MiddNews - May/June 2007
A monthly update of news and events from Middlebury College
Graduation Day
A record crowd of nearly 8,000 people, including the 42nd president of the United States, gathered on the quad behind Voter Hall on May 27 as members of the Class of 2007 accepted their degrees during the College's annual commencement ceremony.
William Jefferson Clinton, one of seven dignitaries to receive an honorary degree, delivered the commencement address, in which he reminded the graduates of the importance of community.
For more on the occasion, including video of Clinton's address, see: http://go.middlebury.edu/middnews?200706grad
The day before, Middlebury President Ron Liebowitz touched on a similar theme in his baccalaureate address, discussing the challenges that arise in a diverse community.
His address can be read here: http://go.middlebury.edu/middnews?200706bacc
The Model Speech
Speaking of commencement, Jay Parini, the D.E. Axinn Professor of English and Creative Writing, recently appeared on National Public Radio to talk about memorable graduation speeches.
To listen, visit: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10513687
Net Zero
At its May meeting, the board of trustees approved a student-driven proposal to make the College a carbon neutral institution by 2016.
To learn more, see: http://go.middlebury.edu/middnews?200706carbon
Tenure Granted
Two faculty members were granted tenure this spring.
To learn more about Frank Swenton (mathematics) and Wei He Xu (Chinese), See: http://go.middlebury.edu/middnews?200706tenure
Break a Leg
The Potomac Theatre Project, which is directed by theatre faculty members Cheryl Faraone and Richard Romagnoli, will raise the curtain on its 21st season in a new locale this summer: New York City.
Nearly 30 students, alumni, and faculty will be in the company for productions of "Politics of Passion: the Plays of Anthony Minghella" and "No End of Blame: Scenes of Overcoming," which will be performed at The Atlantic Stage 2 theatre in Manhattan.
For more on PTP, see: http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=18791
Bonjour!
The Middlebury College Language Schools will open their doors on June 15 for their 93rd summer of intensive language study.
For more, see: http://go.middlebury.edu/middnews?200706ls
Game Time
Middlebury's rugby club captured its first national title in May, defeating Arkansas State, 38-22, at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California.
For a box score of the match, see: http://www.mobilescore.net/custom/Match?id=295332&uid=usarugby
For coverage on the team's blog, see: http://viewfromthepitch.blogspot.com/
In other sports news, a bevy of teams advanced to NCAA play this spring. For all the coverage, see: http://www.gomidd.com
Say What!?!
Midd alum Jay Heinrichs '77 has been in an argumentative mood lately, and he wishes more people would join in.
Listen to Jay on NPR, here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10557470
Or read what he has to say, here: http://go.middlebury.edu/middnews?200706jay
In Memoriam
A pair of beloved emeritus faculty members passed away in May. Pardon Tillinghast, a professor emeritus of history, died on May 13. Hiroshi Miyaji, the C.V. Starr professor emeritus of linguistics and languages, died on May 24. Obituaries for both professors will appear in the summer issue of Middlebury Magazine.