Exchange From the editor, to the editor.

Around the Pond A great day in Harlem makes for a grand night at UMass; the generosity of a gentleman and a (dirt) farmer; and other recent highlights.

Branches of Learning Renaissance prof on skis: Forestry's Bill MacConnell is first in a new series on campaign heroes in the schools and colleges. Plus Dean Helgesen's summary, and the "Deans' List" of faculty honors.

Long on helping Coming back, teaming up, helping out: alumna/engineering professor Sharon Long `84 on teaching, research, and environmental cleanup.

A hands-on kind of guy America's favorite carpenter, Norm Abram `72, in his PBS domain.

Agent O'Neil A philosophizing Agent Mulder on the trail of "the learned maids."

Boundless Vision We're talking satellites, we're talking cable, we're talking industrial entrepreneur Sidney Topol `47.

A Great Experiment Our cover story on a creative academic response to a complex story of heroism.

Maestro-onics UMass shares a hotshot conductor with the Springfield Symphony.

Performing Arts Top of the fame chain: music major Tsidii Le Loka as Rafiki in The Lion King on Broadway.

Books A "surprisingly cheerful" chronicler of dismemberment: poet and professor Agha Shahid Ali and The Country Without a Post Office .

Extended Family State House taken by ceremonial storm, in "UMass Gatherings;" and other family business.

Great Sport Hardball softball a la Sortino et al.

North 40 Florida potatoes, or How to Succeed in Farming by Never Really Stopping.