MiddNews - October 2007
A monthly update of news & events from Middlebury College
Language Lessons
Language immersion: It's not just for adults anymore.
A few weeks ago, Middlebury announced that it was collaborating with the Monterey Institute of International Studies, the College's affiliate on the West Coast, in launching a language academy for pre college students.
The Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy (MMLA) will open next summer and will run for four weeks at three residential sites (two in New England; one in California).
For more, please see: http://go.middlebury.edu/mmla
Islam and Politics
The global role of Islam in politics will be the focus of the 2007 Nicholas R. Clifford Symposium, which will be held at Middlebury from October 4 through 6.
The symposium will bring to campus scholars of Islam and politics and will feature lectures, panels, discussions, a dance performance, and a film.
For more, see: http://go.middlebury.edu/middnews?200709clifford
New Blogs in Town
Old Chapel has entered the blogosphere.
This fall, Middlebury President Ron Liebowitz and Dean of the College Tim Spears launched blogs and will use the forums to keep in regular contact with students, alumni, parents, faculty, and staff.
Ron Liebowitz's blog can be found here: http://rononmiddlebury.wordpress.com/
Tim Spears' blog can be found here: http://deanofthecollege.wordpress.com/
For Middlebury Campus coverage, see:
http://media.www.middleburycampus.com/media/storage/paper446/news/2007/09/19/News/Old-Chapel.Enters.Blogosphere-2975926.shtml
Treescape
If you happen to be in town and are driving out Route 30 toward Cornwall, don't be distracted by the sight of a forest of two-story-tall lean-tos that have sprung up outside the Mahaney Center for the Arts.
The work of artist Patrick Dougherty in collaboration with the Middlebury community, the grand structures‹constructed entirely from locally harvested saplings‹were built during a three-week period this September and will be on display until December.
For more, see: http://community.middlebury.edu/~sticks/
Commons Changes?
Middlebury is considering a proposal to amend the Commons residential system.
Under discussion is a recommendation to move to a "4/2" system that would involve a four-year association in one Commons, with a two-year residency requirement in housing associated with that Commons.
If you're interested in reading a draft outline of the proposal, see: http://rononmiddlebury.wordpress.com/the-42-commons-outline-draft/
For the Campus's take on the idea, see: http://media.www.middleburycampus.com/media/storage/paper446/news/2007/09/26/News/College.Unveils.New.Vision.For.Commons-2990932.shtml
Zip Zip
Zipcars have come to campus.
This fall, Middlebury entered into an agreement with the world's largest care-sharing service to offer a transportation alternative to students, faculty, and staff.
A pair of Toyota Priuses are available for use 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
To learn more, see: http://go.middlebury.edu/middnews?200709zip
Papa Comes to Midd
In a literary coup, the College's Julian W. Abernethy Collection of American Literature has acquired a treasure trove of material once owned by Ernest Hemingway and his family.
Fore more, see: http://go.middlebury.edu/middnews?200709hemingway
Officer Clemmons' Neighborhood
For a generation of Americans who grew up following the happenings in Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, he's known as Officer Clemmons.
For another generation of Middlebury students and young alums, he's simply Francois.
To listen in to a recent radio interview with Middlebury artist in residence Francois Clemmons, see: http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/77498/
Picking Up Butch
A few weeks ago, the College launched an initiative to raise money for Butch Varno, the Middlebury resident with cerebral palsy who is a fixture at Panther football and basketball games.
Butch and his mother were flooded out of their apartment last spring and are living in temporary housing until a long-term solution can be attained.
The Butch Varno Initiative received a major boost this week with Sports Illustrated's decision to rerun Rick Reilly's 2003 column that brought Varno national attention.
To learn more, please see: http://go.middlebury.edu/middnews?200709butch
Game Time
The men's soccer team has christened a new field and is off to a blazing start; the women's squad has found early success, as well. So has the field hockey team. And the football team kicked off the season with a big win over Wesleyan.
For all your Panther news, visit: http://www.gomidd.com