Busy in Boston--Since Kenneth Williamson, Mary E. Woolley Professor of Chemistry, teaches at MHC only during the fall semester, he's had plenty of time to pursue projects the rest of the year. For the past two spring semesters he has taught organic chemistry at MIT, a course he describes as "very similar to my MHC Chem 302, but with a difference: I teach in the institute's biggest lecture hall, I use a microphone, and have nine motorized blackboards. The course has 200 students. Twelve graduate teaching assistants give the recitations; I give half the lectures as one of the two faculty teaching the course." This year he also cotaught a graduate course on nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Williamson reports that he has "a wonderful eighth-floor MIT apartment right on Memorial Drive, overlooking all of downtown Boston and the Charles River basin and just 500 yards from the chemistry building." In February his newest book, Microscale Experiments for General Chemistry, was published by Houghton Mifflin, and he has been busy revising his book Organic Experiments for its eighth edition.

In addition to his work, Williamson says he "performed two ice dances at the annual MIT figure skating show and we joined the MIT sailing club and have been swimming in the Charles (our dinghy capsized). And I have been taking full advantage of the many nearby libraries to research the history of the South Hadley Canal. Now we return to the peace and quiet of South Hadley."

Bringing good things to students' lives--The College has received a three-year, $75,000 grant from the General Electric Fund Faculty for the Future Program. The award represents the third time MHC has received funding from the GE Fund for an innovative program that concentrates on giving minority students encouragement and opportunities to conduct research with chemistry, physics, and engineering faculty to enhance their interest in graduate work and teaching in those fields.

Under the program, which is headed by chemistry professor Sheila Browne, minority students are recruited from science courses and offered opportunities to do research with faculty members, attend conferences, and find graduate programs and external internships. Participating faculty are also trained in mentoring minority students. Since the program began here in 1992, twenty-three MHC students have participated in research projects, and many others have taken part in training workshops, seminars, and conferences. All reported that the program deepened their interest in pursuing further study in science. Also, the College's Sistahs in Science, a network for minority students in the sciences, has developed through the experiences provided through the GE Fund.

Microsoft to the rescue--Professor Claude Fennema wanted to make the high-performance Microsoft operating system Windows NT a significant part of his Operating Systems, Artificial Intelligence, and Computer Networks courses, but was short of suitable computers. Enrollment will be at a record high for the course this fall, so for him, and many other computer science professors and students, Microsoft Corporation's recent $35,000 grant couldn't have come at a better time. It will provide a lab full of Windows NT-based computers, at least fifteen machines, for classwork and research. A separate Microsoft grant, written by Fennema and visiting instructor in computer science Debbi Strahman, saves the College nearly $45,000 in licensing fees for software on computers already at MHC.

She's on the CASE--Director of Communications Cheri Cross has been named to a three-year term on the international board of trustees of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). It is the leading education association offering training, information, and services in the fields of alumni/ae relations, communications, and philanthropy. Cross previously served CASE as a member of the National Commission on Communications, as a district-level trustee, and as a faculty member at numerous CASE workshops and institutes.

The unsinkable Caitlin Clarke--When Broadway calls, actors answer. Caitlin Clarke '74, a Summer Theatre at Mount Holyoke regular, was set to play the flamboyant title role in Auntie Mame on campus, but abandoned ship when offered a part in the acclaimed Broadway musical Titanic. Even her longstanding dedication to the College couldn't keep her back from the Tony Award-winning show. In true "the show must go on" fashion, Amelia White (who stars as Shirley Valentine later in the season) played Mame in the campus production.

Resident ensembles chosen--The HARID String Quartet of Florida and the New England Conservatory Honors Trio were selected as this summer's resident ensembles at Musicorda. Each features musicians on violin, viola, and cello. Groups are chosen through competitive auditions, and winners spend the summer studying, rehearsing, and performing in the area. Artistic director Leopold Teraspulsky says, "The residencies provide an outstanding opportunity for these young musicians to devote themselves to their craft. They also bring tremendous energy and enthusiasm to the Pioneer Valley, allowing Musicorda to expand its outreach programs, making chamber music accessible to more and more audiences."

Little-known facts department--Ferdie Adoboe, former MHC soccer coach and camp director of this month's on-campus Academy of Soccer Magic, is a world-record holder. The Guinness Book of World Records credits him with achieving the fastest 100-yard dash and 100-meter-dash times--backwards!

Giddyup onto the Orient Express--For the second time in as many years, dressage instructor and dressage team coach Rick Albertson will teach at Thailand's Royal Bangkok Sports Club and Polo Club this summer. Flying out to the Far East on July 22, Albertson plans to spend six weeks abroad, with two and a half weeks dedicated to riding the famed luxury train, the Orient Express. After battling back from third-stage cancer this past spring, Albertson plans to enjoy the train ride and the donated penthouse he stays in while in Bangkok. In response to his students' requests, he is also ferrying admissions material to Thailand's riding elite. Albertson will also travel to Singapore and Hong Kong to cultivate further teaching opportunities.

The buzz on Beehive--Staff accompanist for the music department of Hampshire College Mark Gionfriddo, who has also served as director of the MHC Abbey Singers, was the assistant musical director of and played keyboard for the Stage West production of Beehive, The '60s Musical in Springfield. He also directs a Pioneer Valley cabaret troupe called Puttin' on the Ritz. This fall, Gionfriddo will guest conduct the Hampshire Choral Society, a one-hundred-person, mixed-voice chorus.

Fundraising called "exemplary"--MHC's development office has been chosen as one of forty-six colleges and independent schools named winners of the Circle of Excellence in Educational Fund Raising Awards sponsored by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). MHC's program was cited for "exemplary performance" by the judges. Director of development MaryAnne Young and Susan Iverson, a 1968 alumna who sits on the Alumnae Development Committee and is a reunion gift chair, collected the award certificate in Washington on July 14.

In Memoriam--Dorothy Snow died July 4 at the age of eighty-five. She started working at the College in 1940 as a secretary in the department of academic administration. From 1944 to 1954, she was secretary to the academic dean, and from 1955 until her retirement in 1977, she was the executive secretary to the academic dean. Contributions in her memory may be made to any charity.

In Memoriam--Maribeth Cameron, academic dean emeritus and professor emeritus of history, died July 12, 1997 at the age of ninety-two. She came to Mount Holyoke in 1948 and retired in 1970, and was widely known as a specialist in Far Eastern history. Cameron served as acting MHC president during the spring semester of 1953-54, spring semester of 1965-66, and the 1968-69 academic year. She was the author of The Reform Movement in China, 1898-1912, once described as "basic to the study of modern Chinese history," and was coauthor of China, Japan, and the Powers.

We want your news - Send items of interest to Emily Weir, Office of Communications, or email eweir@mtholyoke.edu.