News

Doctoral oral exams for April 22-26

The graduate dean invites all graduate faculty to attend the final oral examinations for the doctoral candidates scheduled as follows:

Katharine Kirakosian, Ph.D., Anthropology. Wednesday, April 24, 1 p.m., 903 Campus Center. Dissertation: “Curious Monuments of the Simplest Kind: Shell Midden Archaeology in Massachusetts (1868-2008).” Elizabeth Chilton, chr.

Alumni share fashion industry insights with students

Students interested in careers in the fashion industry can hear from eight alumni who are now executives in clothing and footwear companies during a Dining With the Stars program on Thursday, April 25 at 5:30 p.m. in the Amherst Room, 10th floor of the Campus Center.
 
“Success Stories from Top Fashion Executives” will provide “real world” answers and advice on a professional career. The evening format includes a formal dinner with one executive per table of eight attendees. After dinner, there will be time for two rotations to new tables to hear from other alumni presenters.
 
Participating

Visiting Writers Series reading features 3 alumni poets

The Visiting Writers Series hosts three alumni poets, Matthew Zapruder ’99, Dan Chelotti ’01 and Lisa Olstein ’02, on Thursday, April 25 at 8 p.m. in the University Museum of Contemporary Art.
 
Zapruder is the author of three collections of poetry, most recently “Come On All You Ghosts,” a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. His poems, essays and translations have appeared in Tin House, Paris Review, The New Yorker and The Believer.

UWN offers ‘Speed Networking’ luncheon on April 17

The University Women’s Network (UWN) is holding a “Speed Networking” luncheon Wednesday, April 17 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Cape Cod Lounge in the Student Union.

Speed Networking is a quick, easy and low-pressure way for introverts, extroverts, new UWN members or more experienced to meet people. UWN members and guests are invited to spend an hour sipping mocktails, munching on appetizers and taking time to learn about other attendees.

The menu will be turkey, ham, roast beef and vegetarian mini-wraps, mini-fruit kabobs, antipasto skewers, eclairs, cannoli, tea cookies, fruit tartlets and

UMass Amherst license plates are a go

Production of the long-awaited UMass Amherst license plate is about to go forward after the needed 1,500th order was received by the Alumni Association.
 
“The Alumni Association has worked diligently over the past year to achieve this milestone on behalf of the university,” said JC Schnabl, assistant vice chancellor for Alumni Relations and executive director of the Alumni Association.

American Express CEO Kenneth Chenault named Commencement speaker

Kenneth I. Chenault, chairman and CEO of American Express Company, will address the 5,500 graduates and their families and friends at Undergraduate Commencement on Friday, May 10 at 5 p.m. in McGuirk Alumni Stadium.

Chenault will also receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at the ceremony. Chenault joined American Express in 1981 and became president and chief operating officer in 1997. He assumed his current responsibilities as CEO in 2001, and later that year became chairman.

Chenault serves on the board of corporate and nonprofit organizations including IBM, Procter & Gamble,

Police chief urges attention to pedestrian safety as spring arrives

With the onset of spring and anticipation of warmer temperatures, UMass Police Chief John Horvath and the Pedestrian Safety Committee would like to remind all members of the campus community to be safe when moving about on campus. Drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and skateboarders should be mindful of traffic lights, crosswalks and pedestrian-only zones to prevent pedestrian accidents.

The Pedestrian Safety Committee is reiterating the importance of their “R U Ready 2 Stop?” campaign, created in an effort to educate drivers and pedestrians of the dangers of texting while driving and crossing

University leaders welcome House panel’s budget proposal

The House Ways and Means Committee voted unanimously April 10 to approve a $33.8 billion fiscal 2014 state budget plan that includes about $39 million in additional funding for the UMass system, a move that places the university on a path to a 50-50 funding formula and a freeze on tuition and fees.
 
The proposed spending plan, which increases UMass funding from $439.5 million to $478.7 million next year, drew praise from Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy and President Robert Caret.
 
“Investing in public higher education brings extraordinary returns in an increasingly competitive, international

Memorial service for Jacqueline Mellen

A memorial service for alumna and former staff member Jacqueline Mellen is being held Sunday, April 14 from 3-6 p.m. in the Amherst Room on the 10th floor of the Campus Center.
 
Mellen. who died Jan. 1, was a convention aide in the Student Union, a Continuing Education instructor and also worked in Asian Studies and International Programs.
 
All are welcome to share memories of her at 4 p.m.
 

CPPA plans launch party for new book by Gubrium and Harper

To celebrate the publication of “Participatory Visual and Digital Methods” by Aline Gubrium, assistant professor of Public Health, and Krista Harper, associate professor of Anthropology and Public Policy, the Center for Public Policy and Administration (CPPA) is hosting a book launch party on Wednesday, April 17 at 5 p.m. in the Gordon Hall Atrium. There will be free refreshments and books for purchase.
 
In “Participatory Visual and Digital Methods” (Left Coast Press), Gubrium and Harper describe how to conduct an ethnographic study that engages subjects by using visual and digital methods.

Pages