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Sinha addresses conference on Underground Railroad

Manisha Sinha, associate professor of Afro-American Studies, gave the opening address at the Underground Railroad Public History Conference held April 13-15 at Russell Sage College in Troy, N.Y.

Sinha’s presentation was titled “Fleeing for Freedom: Fugitive Slaves and the Making of American Abolition.”

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Goldman appointed Distinguished Professor

The Board of Trustees voted June 6 to appoint Sheldon Goldman of the Political Science Department as a Distinguished Professor.

The appointment recognizes Goldman's outstanding research, service and teaching over the course of his nearly 47 years on the faculty. During that time, Goldman has become one of the nation's top experts on the politics of judicial selection and confirmation.

Outstanding staff honored with Chancellor's Citations

Ten staff members were honored May 2 for outstanding contributions to the university at a reception hosted by Chancellor Robert Holub at the Marriott Center of the Lincoln Campus Center.

Chancellor's Citations were awarded to Claudia Brown, Dining Services; Kathryn A. DiSanto, External Relations and University Events; Linda Downs-Bembury, Dean's Office, School of Public Health and Health Sciences; Diane M. Fedorchak, Health Education; Peter C. Ferguson, Technology Services; James M. Field, Environmental Health and Safety; Christopher A.

McClure elected secretary-treasurer of UCPEA

William S. McClure, executive director of Continuing and Professional Education (CPE), has been elected by University Professional & Continuing Education Association to serve as its secretary-treasurer for 2012-14.

The election comes at the conclusion of a 15-month process of planning, transition and revitalization for UPCEA culminating in a new strategic plan, bylaws and membership structure that were unveiled at the association's annual conference in late March.

"I am honored to accept this appointment and look forward to working with the UPCEA leadership team to advance our profession,"

Obituary: John W. Wideman, professor emeritus of Education

John "Jack" W. Wideman, 83, of Amherst, professor emeritus of Education, died May 10 at The Atrium at Cardinal Drive in Agawam.

Born in West Palm Beach, Fla., his childhood years were spent in Florida, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. He graduated from the Hill School for Boys in Pottstown, Pa., in 1946 and Williams College in 1950.

He went on to earn a doctorate in education from Harvard University.

In 1969, he joined the faculty of the School of Education, where he taught counseling psychology. He retired in 1996.

He leaves his daughter, Victoria Wideman and his son, Thomas Wideman and

Obituary: Amy P. Cotter, worked in Payroll Office

Amy P. Cotter, 75, of Northampton, a retired typist II in the Payroll section of Human Resources, died May 21 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

Born in Lawrence, she was educated in Turners Falls schools and had resided in Northampton since the 1950s.

She worked on campus from 1979 until her retirement in 1997.

She leaves her son, William T. Arnold of Northampton; her daughter, Kathleen M. Arnold of Newmarket, N.H.; two brothers and a sister, a grandson and several nieces and nephews.

Donations in her memory may be made to the American Lung Association.

May 29, 2012.

Randhir keynotes climate change conference in Colombia

Environmental Conservation professor Timothy Randhir gave a keynote address in a climate change and sustainability conference held May 23-24 at the National University of Colombia in Bogota in preparation for the Rio + 20 Earth Summit in June.

Rio + 20, the short name for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, is a much anticipated meeting in Rio de Janeiro of world leaders and parties to shape future efforts in sustainable development.

At the Colombian conference, "Toward a new climate agreement 2012-2020 or death of the Kyoto protocol," Randhir spoke on facilitating

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