Garikai “Kai” Campbell ’90, associate professor of mathematics and former acting dean of students, joined the President’s Office as special assistant to the president and associate vice president for planning on July 1. “In his new role, Campbell serves as a liaison between the President’s Office and the community,” says President Rebecca Chopp, “helping to [...]

Edmund Allen Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Robert “Bob” Pasternack arrived for his final interview at Swarthmore in a snowstorm in 1982. With planes grounded due to the weather in Ithaca, where he was the Charles A. Dana Professor of Chemistry at Ithaca College, N.Y., he traveled to Philadelphia by Greyhound bus. Peter Thompson—now Professor [...]

Surrounded by cherished travel mementos and photos of his sons, Joshua and Tobin ’92, and three grandchildren, Professor of Anthropology Steven Piker thoughtfully recalls a 44-year career at Swarthmore and responds without hesitation when asked about the best part of teaching at the College. “It’s the people,” he says. “We have the best of the [...]

The College was deeply saddened to learn of the April 10 death—due to heart failure— of Martin Ostwald, William R. Kenan Jr. Professor Emeritus of Classics. He was 88.
“Swarthmore has lost a towering intellect and a renowned teacher and scholar of the ancient Greek world,” wrote President Rebecca Chopp in a message to the campus [...]

Just as we were completing production of this issue, we were saddened to learn of the sudden death of Lecturer in Spanish Joan Friedman on June 14, due to a cerebral aneurysm. She was 67. The following is an excerpt from the message the President’s Office sent to the community. The complete text is available [...]

From Oct. 22 to 24, the entire Swarthmore community—alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and students—will have the opportunity to celebrate the College together at the first Garnet Homecoming and Family Weekend. Combining both traditional fall Homecoming athletic competitions and events typical of Family Weekend, such as the popular Crum Regatta, the weekend program will also [...]

In late April, Governor Edward G. Rendell’s office—with bi-partisan backing—awarded the Borough of Swarthmore a $2 million grant through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). The funds will enable the borough and the College to pursue their plan—known as the Swarthmore Town Center West project—to create an inn, with the potential for [...]

One of the most highly anticipated spring events on campus is without a doubt the Student Dance Concert.
This year’s concert opened with the work Solas an Lae (which means “daylight” in Gaelic), choreographed by Sharon Friedler, Stephen Lang Professor of Dance and director of the Dance Program. Friedler says she was inspired by personal impressions [...]

President Rebecca Chopp recently became a signatory of the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), joining leaders of nearly 700 institutions across the country in accelerating the research and educational efforts towards carbon neutrality in order to re-stabilize the earth’s climate. ACUPCC institutions have agreed to:
•    Complete an emissions inventory.
•    Within two years, [...]

In April, Swarthmore’s Amos J. Peaslee Debate Society took on the mammoth task of hosting the American Parliamentary Debate Association (APDA) National Championships. Forty college and university debate teams, comprising more than 300 debaters, descended on the campus for the three-day event.
Although small in numbers, dedicated Peaslee Society members organized a tournament that attendees described [...]