Oct. 17, 2018: 'Sing, Unburied, Sing' author Jesmyn Ward speaks on storytelling

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2018

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Sing, Unburied, Sing author Jesmyn Ward speaks on storytelling

By KRISTEN BAYRAKDARIAN STAFF WRITER Last Thursday the College hosted Jesmyn Ward, author of this year’s Williams Reads book, Sing, Unburied, Sing.

Ward reflected on the events that have shaped her life and influenced her as a writer.

Marlene Sandstrom, dean of the College, opened the talk by reaffirming the mission of Williams Reads, stating that the program is a way to “see and feel and understand the world through people who experience and see the world differently than us.” Sandstrom was then followed by Professor of English Kimberly Love, whose courses focus on the intersection of literature and the black experience. Love introduced the author with a befitting forward on blackness and the American South, two themes that Ward’s characters grapple with in Sing, Unburied, Sing.

Just as the lives of the characters in her book are shaped by drugs, violence, teen pregnancy, poverty and racism, so too was Ward’s upbringing. “This is the modern South,” Ward said soberly. She spoke about her sister, who became pregnant at age 12. She also talked about a variety of family and community members who became high-school dropouts and addicted to the drugs they sold. She repeatedly mentioned her brother, who was killed in a car accident, while the man who hit him was merely convicted of “leaving the scene of the crime.” Through telling her own family and community’s experiences in southern Mississippi, Ward painted a clear picture of a country

SOPHIA SHIN/PHOTO EDITOR Ward's book, Sing, Unburied, Sing, was inspired by her experience growing up as a black woman in the South. It was this year's Williams Reads book. still plagued by the festering sores of racism.

As she discussed her upbringing as a poor and black child in the South, Ward recalled “trying to escape [her] world” through books, particularly ones about “stubborn, smart, underdog girls.” Ward listed books like The Secret Garden, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frank-

weiler and Little House on the Prairie. She particularly identified with Cassie Logan, from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, because just like her, Cassie was a “lonely, scrappy black girl.”

Her mother’s employer paid for Ward to go to a predominantly white, privileged high school. As one of the only people of color there,

A CLOSER LOOK THE SUMMER EARNINGS REQUIREMENT

By ROSE HOUGHLET STAFF WRITER

A recent op-ed by Konnor Herbst ’20 helped to amplify the conversation around the summer earnings requirement for students receiving financial aid (“On summer earnings: A case against an unequitable requirement,” Sept. 19, 2018). In this Closer Look, the Record examines the requirement in more detail.

Newly-appointed Director of Financial Aid Ashley Bianchi explained the requirement in its most basic form: “The summer earnings expectation is part of the student’s expected contribution,” she said. “The amount we assign to the summer requirement is based [on] what we know about student behavior over the summer and average earnings over the course of the 10 to 12 week summer break.”

Bianchi explained that the student contribution – their earnings, savings and borrowing – is considered first in terms of financial aid. Then their parents’ contribution is added as appropriate.

In his op-ed, Herbst explained the requirement. “The requirement is an extra $1950 added to their term bills that reduces to $1300 for those in extreme need, such as students on full financial aid,” he wrote. Bianchi explained that for incoming first-year students, who are considered to have less earning power, the requirement is reduced to $1500 and $1000 for those in extreme need. She added that these numbers place Williams “among the most generous schools in [the Consortium on Financing Higher Education (COFHE)].”

According to COFHE President Kristine E. Dillon, “[COFHE] is an unincorporated, voluntary, institutionallysupported organization of 35

highly selective, private liberal arts colleges and universities, all of which are committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of admitted students.” Other members of COFHE include fellow NESCAC institutions like Amherst, Bowdoin and Middlebury as well as schools like Yale, Harvard and Pomona.

Herbst recognized the widespread nature of the requirement. “I understand that the summer earnings requirement is not unique to Williams, but that does not mean it is reasonable – especially in its current form,” he said.

Bianchi noted that the requirement is flexible. “Students may request that their summer contribution be waived during one of their four summers at Williams. Last year, we received about 90 waivers, and more than 90 percent were approved,” she said.

However, Herbst questioned the purpose of the requirement to begin with.

“What’s 'meaningful' about forcing students to borrow money that they never thought they’d have to borrow or about taking most of a student’s summer earnings[?]” he asked.

Bianchi recognized the importance of students choosing what they do over the summer. “We believe that it is up to students to determine what type of job they pursue in the summer,” she said.

“That can run the gamut from returning home and working locally, to staying on campus to work alongside faculty, to exploring a job or internship opportunity in a new region or field. While we do not dictate what students do during the summer to earn money, we hope that whatever they choose will enrich their learning experiences here.”

Herbst suggested, however, that the requirement also re-

stricts these summer opportunities for students – limiting their options to jobs that will provide sufficient income to meet the requirement.

Bianchi recognized that the summer earnings requirement presents problems to students. “This is an important issue and one we’ll explore and analyze more fully in the months ahead,” she said. “Right now, students have the opportunity to request that their summer contribution be waived during one of their four summers at Williams. We also work with many students to figure out alternative options for financing their summer contributions, so I encourage anyone interested in learning more to reach out to your financial aid officer to navigate those choices.”

Instead of offering these temporary solutions, Herbst advocated for larger changes. “[The College] should strive to make [the requirement] more equitable by considering scaling the summer requirement with a student’s financial aid or getting rid of the requirement entirely,” he said.

However, eliminating the summer earnings contribution would come at a great cost to the College. “[It] would cost nearly $2 million annually. While Williams is fortunate to have generous resources to support students in so many ways, this amount of money is non-trivial and requires us to examine our budget carefully and consider tradeoffs and alternate plans over the next several years,” Bianchi said.

Still, Bianchi agreed that this issue is one worth exploring. “This is a really important issue and one we’ll absolutely explore more fully in the months ahead. Students will, of course, have an important voice in that discussion,” she said.

she was often subjected to racist remarks, which led to feelings of inadequacy. “They think we are less … and this is the voice I internalized … that you are worth less ... and this is what we are told today,” she said.

Ward spoke about the ways in which black people are depreciated by society, using the justice system as a key

example. She emphasized the failure of the system to protect many people of color, including her own brother.

Ward explained that one of the first times she felt empowered by her writing was when she wrote the college essay that would help her gain acceptance into Stanford. This was her first of many experiences harness-

ing the power of storytelling.

“I could speak, and people would listen to me,” she said.

“We are here, and this is what life is like.”

And yet, in her first novel, Ward described how she could not tell her characters’ stories honestly. She said that she “couldn’t let [her] characters fall” because she loved them too much. They reminded her too much of her family.

However, after experiencing the death and destruction of Hurricane Katrina, during which she was denied entry into a white household because there was “no room” and forced to take shelter in a field, Ward realized that if she wanted to honor her community with words, she needed to be honest. “I couldn’t spare my characters like some benevolent god. Life does not spare us,” she said.

Despite the difficult and raw topics in her books, Ward explained that running through her work are also themes of hope and redemption. After Katrina, Ward recalled losing her voice for a while. But after seeing images of the aftermath of Mississippi’s Hurricane Camille in 1969 and comparing them to Mississippi pre- and post-Katrina, Ward saw that everything could be salvaged.

She realized that just as life had recovered and continued after Camille, so too would it after Katrina.

At the end of her talk, Ward opened the floor for questions. “How do we navigate racism?” one student asked.

“We need to all acknowledge the way the past bears on the present,” Ward replied, invoking the haunting legacies of history that are core to her work, perhaps seen best in the tour de force that is Sing, Unburied, Sing.

Michael Wang ’17 takes part in anti-Asian discrimination lawsuit

By ARRINGTON LUCK STAFF WRITER

have the means to file a suit, but he filed a complaint with the Department of Education On Monday, a trial regard- (DOE) in June 2013, knowing anti-Asian discrimination ing that they possessed the at Harvard was brought to the investigative resources that United States District Court in he did not. Wang did interBoston. The plaintiffs, along views with the DOE, and they with the Department of Jus- agreed that something was tice (DOJ), allege that Har- wrong, but that there was no vard’s admissions practices smoking gun. Nothing furintentionally discriminate on ther happened as a result of the basis of race. Filed by the his complaint.

Wang's grievances about afanti-affirmative action group Students for Fair Admissions firmative action found them(SFFA), the lawsuit is expect- selves a champion in Edward ed to last approximately three Blum. Wang reached out to weeks and have consequen- Blum after seeing his work tial outcomes potentially on the Supreme Court case impacting affirmative action Fisher v. University of Texas. policies. Michael Wang ’17, a Blum runs a legal defense graduate of the College and fund called the Project for one of the spokespeople of Fair Representation, which the SFFA, alleges discrimina- is designed to help challenges to policies tion by numerof racial ous other coland ethnic leges to which “Affirmative action preference. he applied but a quote was rejected. is a Band-Aid to patch In he gave to Michael Wang The New ’17 was unsure up these issues. The root York Times, about what he could’ve done cause is simple: we don't Blum stated, “I find the better after replaintiff, jections from have a good public I find the Yale, Princeton education system.” lawyer and I and Stanford. put them toHis high school gether, and resume was Michael Wang ’17 then I worry stellar, boasting about it for a perfect ACT four years.” score, a 4.67 Wang got in touch with GPA, a founding role in his high school’s math club and Blum, who expressed his dea piano performance at Presi- sire to find Asian plaintiffs to dent Obama’s inauguration, bring a suit challenging the according to The New York- use of race in affirmative acer. Wang began to wonder if tion. Blum created the SFFA, his race was a factor in his re- “a nonprofit membership jections. He decided to email group of more than 20,000 the schools that rejected him, students, parents and others but he was not satisfied with who believe that racial classifications and preferences their responses.

“The answers they gave in college admissions are were vague,” Wang said. It ap- unfair, unnecessary and unpeared to him that the schools constitutional” according to were dodging the question of the group’s website. In 2014, how much his race factored the group filed a suit against into his admissions decision. Harvard, as well as The UniAt the time, Wang did not versity of North Carolina at

Chapel Hill. In the lawsuit against Harvard, which went to court on Monday, the SFFA alleges that Harvard is “engaging in racial balancing year after year.” The lawsuit also claims that Harvard fails to comply with the strict standards that were set in the 2013 Fisher decision, particularly with regards to the requirement that schools “implement race-neutral means to achieve student body diversity before turning to racial classifications and preferences.” Harvard denies SEE WANG, PAGE 4

WHAT’S INSIDE 3

OPINIONS On the myth of effortless perfection

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FEATURES College hosts four Fulbright language TAs

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Making summer accessible

THE WILLIAMS RECORD BOARD Recently, students have brought up concerns over the College’s summer earnings requirement – the part of a student’s expected family contribution each year to be paid from money earned over the summer. This contribution is $1950 for upperclass students, $1500 for first-years and $1300 for students with low parent contributions. Because this considerable financial expectation is a burden for many, especially first generation and low income students, the Record recommends that the College take steps to alleviate the strain it places on many students and potentially reconsider the requirement.

While it might be ideal to do away with the summer earnings requirement completely, we recognize that doing this is unlikely, costing the College nearly $2 million annually. Moreover, there are certain federal financial aid policies which the College must follow. Already, our requirement is less than those of many of our peer institutions, and students may request that their requirement be waived during one summer.

That being said, we at the Record believe that the College should re-

Evaluating the burden caused by the College’s summer earnings requirement consider the notion behind the summer earnings requirement – the idea that students make money over the summer, and they therefore have additional funds to contribute to their education. Although well-intentioned, this logic is unrealistic. Many summer internships are unpaid, and even those that are compensated rarely pay much higher than minimum wage. Often, the majority (if not all) of that salary goes towards housing, meals and transportation during the summer. For many students, especially those from lowincome households, there is also an expectation to help support their families financially over the summer. Thus, very few students actually have a surplus of money at the end of the summer to contribute to the College; the concept of “summer earnings” does not in fact exist for a large portion of students.

For students with financial stability or with parents willing and able to pay the summer earnings requirement, this is not a problem. Such students can pursue summer opportunities of their choice without worrying about making enough money to contribute to their term bills.

For others, however, the contribu-

Word on The Quad

By KATIE BRULE AND SOPHIA SHIN PHOTO EDITORS

At the entrance to the Sawyer reading room.

MAGGIE MEEHAN ’21

Underneath the observatory.

tion may result in the need to forgo formative summer experiences in favor of higher-paying jobs. This creates a socioeconomic discrepancy in the accessibility of summer experiences for students. This must be recognized and addressed in order for every aspect of the College experience to be accessible to low income students; what we do over the summer is part of our education, and that should not be compromised because of financial burdens.

Therefore, we at the Record recommend that the College take steps to ease the financial pressures placed on low income students over the summer. One such way could be to increase the amount of available funding for unpaid internships. The Alumni Sponsored Internship Program (ASIP) is an excellent resource, but the number of grants is limited.

Given that the College is always working to implement new grants and programs, it should look into creating an additional summer fund, perhaps targeted specifically or giving preference to students on financial aid, which would create grants large enough to enable more students to accept unpaid or low-paying internships without worrying that they

will be unable to meet their summer earnings requirement as a result.

In addition, the College should work to increase transparency and responsiveness regarding the details of the summer earnings requirement. Many students are confused about the exact nature of this expense. Communication with the student body can help those concerned about the requirement understand what it means and how best to set themselves up to meet it.

Although it might be unrealistic to eliminate the summer earnings requirement, we urge the College to consciously reevaluate what it means to assume every student has money to contribute at the end of each summer. As it stands, many students feel the need to pass up unpaid or underpaid summer experiences, in part because of the looming summer earnings requirement. Recognizing this reality and working to institute additional grants and policies could ensure that low income students have the same summer opportunities as those with more socioeconomic privilege. As long as the summer earnings requirement exists, the College has a responsibility to address this burden.

CONVENTIONAL WISDOM

If the entrance to the underworld was on campus, where would it be?

TRISTAN WHALEN ’22

October 17, 2018

CASALINA FRIDAYS

After a year of waiting, we finally have a College bar again!

PURPLE AIR DOWN

We actually managed to get reading done during reading period.

LAST HOME GAMES

Sports teams celebrate and honor their seniors' last games at the College. We'll miss you!

NO MORE MOUNTAIN DAY

Thursdays aren't as fun anymore now that we don't have an excuse to roulette.

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ON THE RECORD

EMMA EGAN ’20

Under the HaystackMonument

by Mission.

AHMED KHALAYLEH ’19

The steam tunnels under West.

“I very much enjoy working with students and helping them reach their goals in whatever area that may be.”

Kris Hoey on her new role as Assistant Director for Student Organizations and Club Sports in the Office of Student Life, page 5.

“Effortless perfection, as a role, has a mythical component shaped by my own imagination and students past and present.”

Peter Le ’21 in his op-ed on ther performance of perfection at the College, page 3.

“Whether you had a tough day, a long day or you’re just stressed out. If I can make you a sandwich or do something as simple as get you a banana and it makes you smile, I’ve done my job.”

Amy Clemo on her commitment to students, in her “Behind the Uniform” interview, page 6.

“Muparutsa was contantly surprising the audience, whether it be by switching from the guitar to percussion mid-song or jumping off the stage and drumming through the isles.”

Nandini Seetharaman ’22 on Tendai Muparutsa's faculty recital, page 9.

INTERESTED IN WRITING FOR THE RECORD? COME TO A WRITER'S MEETING TOMORROW AT 8:15 PM PARESKY 209

“Some of my best tennis moments in my life were from high school tennis for sure. I think it was what motivated me to play college tennis, honestly.”

Deepak Indrakanti ’19 reflects on his high school tennis career in his captains' corner interview page 10.

The opinions expressed in signed columns are not necessarily those of the Williams Record editorial board.

Op-Ed and Letter Submission The Record welcomes op-eds and letters from all members of the College community. The Opinions section is designed to reflect the varied views and ideas of the College community, and the publication of any letter or op-ed does not indicate an endorsement of the views contained therein.

Submissions should be sent to hy3@williams. edu by Sunday at 5 p.m. for inclusion in the next Wednesday issue. Op-eds range in length from 650-800 words, and letters are 500 words or fewer. The Record will not publish pieces that have appeared in other publications. Pieces submitted to the Record are not guaranteed a spot in the upcoming issue.

For Record policy information, please see our website, williamsrecord.com.

AMELIA CHEN ’22

The need for standardization Why we should give the SATs a chance

By MIKE RURY Once the hand cramps have faded, and the first-years have settled in, discussions of SAT scores at the College center primarily around the test’s problems.

There’s ample material to discuss - racial inequities, prohibitive tutoring costs and the obnoxious fact that the length of one’s essay is directly predictive of one’s writing score (“Forget brevity,” my high school English teacher advised).

For many students at the College, these issues have so tainted the SAT that they now view it as a vestigial organ at best, a perpetuator of institutional racism at worst. These arguments – despite their merits – focus on the SAT’s dubious claim of measuring “aptitude.” By doing so, however, students ignore the test’s true utility: standardization.

Consider the fact that the average grade at Harvard is an A-, whereas the average grade at Williams is around a B+. Both student bodies exhibit fairly similar levels of intelligence – yet one imagines that an “average” Harvard student would be more successful in the job market, ceteris paribus [all other things being equal]. The issue inherent in this example is magnified, at the high school level, to the nth degree.

High schools, unlike colleges, are even more disparate in their standards of grading.

I was reminded of this recently when one friend mentioned that they graduated with a GPA of 5.2 out of 4, and another friend responded that they had an equally exceptional 93/100 GPA – what?

But the issue doesn’t end there; even among high schools that use traditional grading standards, there are distorting factors. For instance, certain schools do not weigh Advanced Placement (AP) classes more than “normal” classes, thus precluding students from ever having GPAs above 4.0 (important, considering that Williams students have an average GPA of 4.03 coming into college). For these students, the SAT is not a matter of consternation or inequity, but rather a means through which they can properly demonstrate their ability.

OPINIONS 3

The Williams Record

October 17, 2018

While it would be easy to belabor this point, focusing on additional issues remedied by standardization (e.g., the inherent differences in schools’ difficulties, or the need for some metric of comparison for students who go to atypical or “gradeless” schools), I instead want to suggest another important implication of systematized evaluation – the temporal element.

As significant literature demonstrates, grade inflation is present at both the high school and college level. The extent of this inflation tends to increase over time. The SAT’s standardized nature means that students who scored a 2000 in 1995 have performed similarly, relative to their peers, as students who score a 2000 today (this technically converts to a 1410 based on the new SAT score chart). Without this temporally continuous standard, it becomes impossible to compare potential graduate students or job candidates who have graduated high school years (and sometimes decades) apart.

I predict that a majority of students reading this will at this point be rather annoyed. And, if this prediction applies to you, congratulations: you are right to be annoyed.

The fact that the SAT provides these invaluable measures of standardization – measures which, I contend, increase net equity across geography and time – makes the inequities displayed by SAT test results all the more frustrating.

But the SAT is not the cause of these disparities; rather, it is a symptom. And too often, it has been used as a scapegoat, whereas true progress in providing equal educational opportunity will be made possible only when it is ensured that student have fairer access to high quality instruction and academic curricula.

In real life, one’s arguments are evaluated not by length, but by content. To opine about the SAT without having first acknowledged these notable benefits profoundly weakens one’s case.

Performing perfection eco str cti

t e m t o e ortless er ectio o cam

By PETER LE Every morning I wake up groggy and dazed from the lack of sleep that has been accumulating from days before. Yet, by the time I walk out of the door, I put on a big smile.

My eyes open wide to complement it, making the whole set-up a bit more convincing. As I enter this role, I know I look like a different person. Heck, I am sometimes so convincing that I feel like a different person. I am performing effortless perfection, and the smile is its most important prop.

Being at the College is like engaging in a delicate balancing act for all four years. I am expected to exert an enormous amount of effort in academics, clubs, having-a-life, athletics and more. But that balance sits on one side of another bigger scale, with “effortlessness” on the other side. I am expected to exude sunniness at all times, to make the products of my effort seem as clear as possible without letting anyone see the background process. Then, I get immense satisfaction by appearing successful without an ounce of stress or complaint. The marvel of others (which I either receive or conjure up in my head) validates and sustains my act.

While the effortless perfection persona is not specific to the College, I have been aware of it ever since I came to Previews. I remember my first and strongest impression was of all the students here who seemed super energetic and motivated. Most importantly, they were wearing that tireless smile on their faces at all time. They exuded a kind of self-confidence that I dreamed of having. Of course, I

s

knew this impression was neither seem to curtail the myth’s influence, representative nor true, but none- at least for me. Every day, I continue theless, it became fossilized in my to put on that smile, despite feeling imagination as an ideal persona extremely conflicted on the inside. that I should be striving for in or- To me, the myth seems to have only der to fit in and become a “model” evolved ever since we acknowledged Williams student. it. The ideal of perfection now also Effortless perfection, as a role, requires the ability to be publicly has a mythical component shaped open and aware of stress while paraby my own imagination and stu- doxically following all the old rules. dents past and present. Calling ef- Now, I have to periodically disrupt fortless perfection a “myth” is ob- my performance so it can be even viously an effort to undermine the more convincing. These little moconcept, but it unintentionally un- ments of disruption convince othderscores how deeply rooted it is in ers I’m still somewhat grounded the collective Williams identity. I and aware — so I can get away with feel like a Williams much more. student when I, say, So, how can I rework on problem I am expected to make ally “call out” somesets while having thing that is pubthe products of my dinner while spinlicly acknowledged ning in the gym, becampus? effort seem as clear as around cause it makes me Well, it’s really hard feel connected to possible without letting to do, and that’s Williams students the problem. Our anyone see the backbefore and around conversations have me. I feel like I am stalled and turned ground process. living the mythical into jokes and cliconstruction of the chéd Williams “let’s “perfect” Williams catch up” conversastudent, keeping it alive and pass- tions. I recognize that my perspecing it on to new first-years. tive is pessimistic, and there are lots The myth of effortless perfec- of people in our community actively tion is nothing new. Most students involved in changing this culture. I at the College are not only acutely appreciate their efforts immensely, aware of it, but talk openly about and I do not mean to undercut their it. New students are warned about work. In writing this, I want to point its consequences that materialize out how deep-seeded the myth of efas internalized stress and depres- fortless perfection is from my experision during First Days. I was told of ence, and how it is not a static conthis myth from my Junior Advisors cept, but one that is very much alive during our first entry meeting, and and constantly adapting for survival. programs like “Voices” have older So, isn’t it time to update our apstudents openly talk about the im- proach to stress as well? mense stress and trauma they go through at the College. But awarePeter Le ’21 is from Ho Chi Minh ness and even active pushback don’t City, Vietnam. His major is undecided.

Mike Rury ’19 is from State College, Penn. He is an economics and English double major.

Valuing discomfort On creating space for controversy R W

experiences can’t inform, refine or completely invert them. Real Everyone deserves to have their empathy starts with a respect for voice heard. Too often unfavorable others’ lives as dynamic, mutable opinions go dismissed on college wholes. But that can only happen if campuses; worse yet, the people we want it to happen. harboring these opinions are not That’s why, third, we must be included in the discussion. We willing to engage in honest, vulmust not allow cancel culture, a nerable conversation. That means disease that suppresses minority opening up about micro-aggresopinions, to hamper a diversity of sions, how all of us – willingly or thought that could lead to rational, not – have subconscious prejuprogressive conversations on col- dices because our brains have been lege campuses. hardwired by evolution to simplify My friends’ conservative views people into stereotypes. should not be shunned at the ColWe are all human beings who lege simply because they are emo- happen to have superficial variationally distressing to others. As tions. But under the skin, we’re all a community, we the same. “Race should strive to science” which foster a culture suggests racial gewhere everyone netic differences All of us – willingly is both heard and in cognition has willing to hear or not – have subcon- been picked apart others, constantly by critics. No race scious prejudices bechecking ourselves is inherently better from leaning toanother; we cause our brains have than ward irrational all feel, dream, asextremities.

At pire and care. We been hardwired the College, where are all the same. by evolution liberal ideas ofOf course it is ten dictate discusin our nature to to simplify people sions, we shouldn’t bond with people forget that “liberal” like ourselves, but into stereotypes. also means “open that doesn’t mean and free.” A college we shouldn’t try community that to deeply connect brands itself as inwith those with clusive and diverse must not let the values different from our own. most controversial people be afraid The truth of the matter is that to speak. So how do we do that? identity politics must eventually go First, there must not be any away. While safe spaces are necespre-conceived judgment. When sary, uncomfortable spaces are too. meeting someone new, we should In fact, they shouldn’t even be denot let rumors or our prejudices scribed as uncomfortable because about them get in the way of form- we should become comfortable ing a connection. Stereotypes and amidst the discomfort. It is up to labels, to put it bluntly, are a lazy the administration to not only inway to get to know someone. Let’s stitutionalize, but help facilitate a not assume we know the conserva- balance of both. Further, it should tive’s life story before we actually not discourage or single-handedly do. “Assume good intentions,” as reject people who have radically the administration would say. opposing opinions from the norm.

Second, our views can and Only then can real personal should be open to change. We each growth happen. grew up in unique cultural contexts within which our opinions were Andrew Lee ’22 is from Maspeth, formed. But that doesn’t mean new NY. His major is undecided.

DARIN LI ’21

The dangers of relative success Fostering unconditional support for our peers There is a critical misunderstanding of success that exists in the common imagination, one that is especially prevalent and perpetrated in places like the College.

For many, success is a concept inherently linked with competition.

A student might brag, “I was successful at my cross country meet yesterday.” However, more often than not, what they really mean is, “I was more successful than the majority of others at my cross country meet yesterday.” This language also applies when someone makes a remark about their friend, “She is so good at math!” In reality, they mean, “She is better at math than most people!” It is impossible to be successful without being more successful than someone else, because relative success is the only true measurement worth having.

Of course, it is slightly ridiculous to think that these two ideas – success and competitive achievement – are mutually exclusive. Sometimes success is and should be measured from a relative standpoint, but in this day and age, it seems that it has become the only perspective that society values – at great cost to us all.

Especially at an institution like the College, where many individuals have spent most of their lives in a rat race to be “more successful than” or “better than” their peers, the line between being good and being the best has all but disappeared. For those single-minded people whose

only goals in life are to become unilaterally “better” than as many other people as possible, this is no issue; however, I would like to imagine that the rest of us are not so easily satisfied with being pigeonholed into a definition of success that is only defined in terms of others.

Instead, I propose that success does not have to, and indeed should not, be used as a metric for comparison. I would like to see more people being recognized for being good on an absolute scale, without having to consider the status of others. It seems nonsensical that there should be significantly more merit in being the best than merely very good, since from almost every standpoint the difference is negligible.

The notion that success is a zerosum game – that one’s success is another’s failure – is an unproductive, stressful and ultimately unnecessary perspective to maintain.

While striving for self-improvement is always admirable, the goal should not be to advance one’s standing in whatever invisible hierarchy exists. This especially means that one’s achievements should not come at the cost of others.

I came across a striking example recently which epitomized this ongoing conflict to me. On Sept. 25 of this year, a man named Hank Green released his first novel, titled An Absolutely Remarkable Thing. He is known as being, among other things, the founder of VidCon and the co-founder of Crash Course, but to most, he is notable because he is John Green’s brother. John

Green is a wildly popular author of young adult novels, including Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, and is one of the preeminent novelists in America.

During this momentous week for the Green brothers as they begin their book tour promoting Hank’s new release together, the elephant in the room is how to reconcile one brother being a debut author with the other being one of the most successful novelists in recent memory. However, in a video reflecting on this dichotomy, John commented, “I honestly feel that every time something good happens to you, it’s a good thing happening to me.”

Though this response may seem obvious, I think that it’s actually one that many have trouble grappling with, including myself. The idea of unconditional support at the detriment of so-called rankings and status is deeply uncomfortable to very many people.

I believe in the radical idea that to be ‘good,’ someone else does not need to be ‘bad.’ It’s difficult to leave behind the underlying current of pressure and competition, especially at the College, but if we all paused to deeply consider the effects of competition on our goals and hopes, I believe that we could make this community and the world much more conscientious, self-aware and productive. Which is a goal that, if we all achieved equally, would be An Absolutely Remarkable Thing.

Julia Chiang ’22 is from Lexington, Mass. Her major is undecided.

NEWS 4

October 17, 2018

The Williams Record

Lawsuit spurs debate on affirmative action and discrimination CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 the claims of discrimination, citing a 29 percent increase in annual admissions of Asian American applicants over the past decade.

On Aug. 13, 2018, the DOJ filed a statement of interest, proclaiming, “Harvard has failed to carry its demanding burden to show that its use of race does not inflict unlawful racial discrimination on Asian Americans. To the contrary, the record evidence demonstrates that Harvard’s race-based admissions process significantly disadvantages Asian American applicants compared to applicants of other racial groups— including both white applicants and applicants from other racial minority groups.”

This statement of interest against Harvard's motion for summary judgment serves as a break with the previous presidential administration, in which the DOJ and DOE issued a policy guidance stating that “racially diverse schools provide incalculable educational and civic benefits by promoting cross-racial understanding, breaking down racial and other stereotypes, and eliminating bias and prejudice.” The DOJ and DOE laid out ways in which schools, both elementary and secondary, could achieve diversity. If either side appeals the verdict of the suit, there is the potential that the case may reach the Supreme Court, setting a precedent for the use of race in college admissions.

Wang has spent several years challenging affirmative action for its discrimination against Asian applicants.

While Wang has become a de facto spokesperson for this movement, he doesn’t agree with every element of Blum’s goals, particularly Blum’s desire to eliminate race as a factor in college admissions. In a speech to the Houston Chinese Alliance, Blum stated, “That’s the goal of these lawsuits, to eliminate the consid-

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL WANG.

Wang (center) has argued that colleges and universities discriminate against Asian Americans during the application process, citing his personal experience applying to colleges. eration of race and ethnicity in applying.”

To Wang, affirmative action is necessary in principle, but can create many issues in practice.

“Someone has to give up spots for another; it’s a zero-sum [game],” Wang said. But when, in seeking to diversify a college class, another minority group is harmed, it is an indication

that the system is broken. “Affirmative action is a Band-Aid to patch up these issues,” Wang said. “The root cause is simple: we don’t have a good public education system.” Wang believes that affirmative action appears much too late, and by the time students apply to colleges, disparities have had years to solidify. “If you give everyone the

equal tools to start with, you will ensure diversity,” he said.

When asked to comment on its own affirmative action practices, the College's admission office emphasized the breadth of factors it takes into account.

“We have many, many more qualified applicants than we can possibly enroll, so we use a holistic admission process that takes

into account many factors, including a candidate’s transcript, high school coursework, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores, personal and family background, lived experiences and co-curricular interests and talents,” Stephanie Gonzalez, associate director for diversity recruitment, said on behalf of the admissions office.

“We aim to build a student community that is broadly diverse – socioeconomically, racially, ethnically, religiously, geographically, politically, academically and extracurricularly, to name a few –and work hard to ensure that students on campus reap the educational benefits that flow from living and learning in a diverse community.”

College undertakes several construction projects

By NICHOLAS GOLDROSEN EXECUTIVE EDITOR Monday 10-8-18 2:13 a.m., Dodd House: An officer responded to a noise complaint. Three students were listening to music. They were informed of the noise complaint and turned the music down.

Tuesday 10-9-18 1 p.m., Hollander Hall: Officers responded to a report of a woman who was screaming.

The Williamstown Police Department (WPD) was called to the scene.

2:54 p.m., Paresky Center: A student was evaluated because they sprained their ankle while they were walking down the small set of stairs leading to the dining area. The student was transported to the Health Center.

8:44 p.m., Mission Park: A student reported that their bike was stolen from the lobby.

The bike was not locked at the time. A statement and a stolen article report form were completed and faxed to the WPD. Wednesday 10-10-18 9:15 a.m., Science Quad: Officers responded to a report of a student who was not feeling well. Upon evaluation, officers activated 911. Northern Berkshire Emergency Service (EMS) then transported the student to Berkshire Medical Center (BMC) North.

9:58 a.m., Oakley Center: Officers responded to a report of a tractor trailer that struck a light pole and had subsequently become stuck.

who fell on the stairs. The student was transported to the Health Center.

12:49 p.m., The Log: A report was made that there was an odor that resembled marijuana on the porch. The substance that was being burned was not marijuana, however, but a similar-smelling herb.

The Safety and Environmental Compliance Department was contacted to document this burning incident.

Saturday 10-13-18 11:45 p.m., Hoxsey Street: A student requested medical assistance and transportation to a hospital.

1 a.m., Carter House: Officers responded to a very intoxicated student who was found in a bathroom. 911 was activated and the student was transported to BMC North by Northern Berkshire EMS.

North Science Center Demolition work on the foundation is slated to begin soon where the old Bronfman Science Center once stood. The North Science Center Building, which will house mathematics and statistics, psychology and geosciences, is slated to open in January 2021. The replacement building, according to the College’s project profile, will be “a similarly-sized building which will house more flexible space, including classrooms, a large auditorium, labs, offices and collaborative spaces.”

Weston Hall The College is currently undertaking repairs on the

Williams Inn Construction on the new Williams Inn continues at the base of Spring Street, next to Susie Hopkins House and the Williamstown municipal parking lot. The structure, which is currently wrapped in a blue exterior, is expected to be completed in late spring or early summer 2019. The 64-room hotel, which will include a restaurant, will be

significantly smaller than the current Williams Inn, which has 114 guest rooms.

Garfield House The College is rebuilding a new Garfield House to open for the next academic year, 20192020, replacing the structure that dated back to 1850. The new dorm will house 40 students in 10 doubles and 20 singles. The extra beds provided by the opening of Horn Hall in September 2016 allowed for the College to take the residence hall offline for the entire 2018-2019 academic year. The College wrote of Horn Hall in its building report, writing that “it gives us critical swing space that will allow us to temporarily shut a dorm every year and a half to two years while it undergoes renovation.”

Currier-Fitch Retaining Wall The College is rebuilding and replacing the brick re-

taining wall between Currier and Fitch Halls. While this project is not relatively prominent, it is near student residential spaces and, according to the project construction activity notice, might be noisy. “Demolition of the existing masonry will require the use of loud saws, jackhammers, excavators and a ram-hoe,” the notice said. “This initial task, lasting approximately one week, will be noisy at times.” The project will follow normal College guidelines for work hours, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. Particularly noisy work should not begin before 9 a.m., the construction activity notice states. Work on this project began in early October 2018 and will continue through November 2018. The project will go on hiatus during the winter months and will continue in the spring, with an expected completion date of April 30.

12:33 p.m., Cole Field: 911 was activated for an injured Wesleyan soccer player.

4:27 p.m., Mission Park: A fire alarm was set off by the use of a vape pen.

11:02 p.m., Griffin Hall: While locking the classrooms, an officer found two students who were listening to music and drinking alcohol. They claimed that they were unaware that they are not allowed to drink alcohol in an academic building.

11:54 p.m.: A student reported that his backpack and laptop were stolen.

Friday 10-12-18

Sunday 10-14-18

4:32 a.m., Parsons House: Officers responded to a noise complaint.

10:02 a.m., Mark Hopkins House: An officer responded to a report of a student who had injured their hand after breaking their window as a result of an accident.

10:16 a.m., Paresky Center: Officers responded to a student

Construction continues apace across the College’s campus.

Here’s a brief update on some of the projects you may see:

exterior patio of Weston Hall, which houses the offices of admission and financial aid.

Since the building opened in 2016, the outside patio stones have warped, risen and fallen due to weather and temperature changes, necessitating repairs to the patio and its foundation beneath the stones. The construction activity notice stated that “work is expected to be complete by the end of September 2018.”

However, work continues on the steps as of press time.

KATIE BRULE/PHOTO EDITOR AND NICHOLAS GOLDROSEN/NEWS EDITOR

Bronfman (top left), Weston Hall (top right), the Williams Inn (bottom right) and Garfield (bottom left) are all undergoing construction.

October 17, 2018

NEWS 5

The Williams Record

OSL hires new assistant director Trustees hold forum featuring Asian American studies debate

By KRISTEN ALTMAN STAFF WRITER

see our students organize some wonderful events,” she said. “After taking in ACE's very popular Fall Festival, Mike Bodnarik and I caught up with both Williams Men’s Ultimate Frisbee and Williams Women’s Ultimate Frisbee at their tournaments. We also made it down to check in with Men’s Rugby. It was great to see everyone in action doing what they love!”

Fiona Keller ’21, a student representative on the OSL search committee that selected Hoey, explained the committee’s hopes during the search process. “[We wanted] someone approachable, positive and transparent,” she said.

“We wanted someone with experience in student organizations and club sports who was excited to work closely with students. We also wanted someone who had strong time management, communication and organizational skills.”

Keller is confident that Hoey has those skills. “From the moment I met Kris, I was impressed by her genuine warmth,” she said. “She was a clear favorite from her in-person interview.

On Oct. 5, Kris Hoey started as the new Assistant Director for Student Organizations and Club Sports in the Office of Student Life (OSL). She will be working closely with all student groups and student events on campus.

Hoey, who has worked at OSL since last fall as the Interim Operations Coordinator and Interim Financial and Administrative Coordinator, has a history of guiding college students to academic and extracurricular success. Before her time at the College, Hoey was as an Associate Professor of Physical Education and the women's head crosscountry coach at Washington and Lee. She has also been an active member of the Williamstown community for the past six years through several different community service projects.

Within her expansive role at the College, Hoey is excited about the opportunity to impact campus life. “I was drawn to take this position within the Office of Student Life because it combines my passions and experiences,” she said. “I very much enjoy working with students and helping them reach their goals in whatever area that may be.”

Hoey’s official duties include guiding clubs and student activities, advising All Campus Entertainment (ACE) events, coordinating Williams Motorcoach and the yearbook, working with student businesses and collaborating with College Council and other offices across campus.

She is particularly interested in working with club athletics. “I look forward to meeting with all of our club sports and organizations to find out what their needs are, because we are here to help them be successful in all of their pursuits,” she said.

While Hoey’s office is on the second floor of Paresky, her role takes her to all parts of campus. To improve student activities, she actively seeks ways to witness student life firsthand. “[Last] Saturday was a great day, as I was able to get out and

She answered my questions about time management skills, transparency, student advising experience and communication with candor and eloquence. It is clear that her priority is working for the students,” she said.

Bodnarik, who chaired the search committee, also expressed excitement about working with her as she transitions into her new role. “I have found that her approach when working with others and especially with students to be amazing,” he said. “Kris approaches the work well by being patient, kind and listening to others. Kris is very invested as well in learning about others’ interests and supporting them in reaching their individual and organizational goals. Kris is very authentic in her approach, and the genuine level of care she has for this work truly shows when she is working with students.”

When asked to describe her most significant experience at the College, Hoey expressed a near-identical sentiment: “The most meaningful part of working in this office is working with students,” she said.

REBECCA TAUBER/NEWS EDITOR Kris Hoey began her new role on Oct. 5. She previously worked in OSL.

By NICHOLAS GOLDROSEN EXECUTIVE EDITOR On Saturday, the Board of Trustees held an open forum for students. Alongside issues including the endowment and mentorship, the chief topic of discussion was the push for an Asian American studies program at the College and the role the board ought to play in that process.

The forum, held in Griffin 3, was attended by about 35 students. It was moderated by trustee Kate Queeney ’92, chair of the board’s committee on student experience. It was also attended by President of the Society of Alumni Thomas Gardner ’79, Dean of the College Marlene Sandstrom and four other trustees: Greg Woods ’91, Tim Belk ’77, Cooper Jackson ’89 and Betsy Andersen ’87.

After an initial question from Kai Cash ’19 about opportunities for students to practice peer mentorship on campus, the discussion turned to Asian American studies. As one student, Kevin Yang ’22, rose to speak, roughly 30 other students wearing red ribbons in support of Asian American studies stood as well. Yang implored the trustees to focus on “completing the curriculum of a liberal arts institution with the creation of an Asian American studies program.”

Queeney responded by noting that the issue was of high importance to the board, but that the curriculum rested solely with the faculty. “The curriculum is very clearly something that the faculty is in charge of and we want it to be that way, you want it to be that way, and that’s great,” Queeney said. “The way that we have acted on that is to continue to ask questions ... [Asian American studies] was the first thing, the first day of our meeting this time, that President Mandel talked to us about.

We’re equally excited to see it moving through the process that something has to move through

to become a new academic initiative at the College.”

Students responded, however, that they were concerned that adhering to this faculty-led process has failed to create progress towards an Asian American studies program in the past. “We do have a history of going through this process...through the faculty, CEA [Committee on Educational Affairs], CAP [Committee on Appointments and Promotions] process,” Annalee Tai ’21 said. “The outlined way of going about this has proven to fail Asian American studies twice.

Twice the CAP has failed to make a decision that would meaningfully bring in more faculty in Asian American studies; in 2001 and 2013 we went through this process and the process failed... what else can we do? We’ve gone through this process for thirty years and it’s gotten us nothing – at this point it’s urgent.”

Queeney, who is a chemistry professor at Smith, expressed particular reservations about interfering in faculty decisionmaking as a trustee. “I had an experience at Smith where a trustee told us in a very public way how we should teach chemistry...that was not effective.”

Students also asked questions about whether or not the trustees might lend more pointed support to the hiring of Asian American studies faculty, as a distinct though connected issue from a curricular change, and how the current no-growth period for faculty hiring might affect this. Andersen expanded upon the role the trustees envisioned for themselves in the process. “It involves asking questions about the decisions that are being made,” she said. “We are also looking closely at the work of the curricular planning committee, which takes the long view and overarching view of the curriculum and advises both the CEA an CAP on which lines we should open for new positions.”

Several students highlighted that the establishment of an

Asian American studies program, beyond representing the experiences of Asian American students in the curriculum, would bring distinct educational benefits to all students. “I think that it’s relevant to say that in my experience at Williams, the most important part of my education at Williams are the classes I’ve taken in Africana studies,” Nick Gardner ’19 said. “The establishment of Asian American studies or any form of ethnic studies...is an important part of the education of all Williams students.”

The forum then turned to topics concerning the College’s fiscal stability and practices. First, Adam Jones ’21 asked how the new endowment tax and decreased deductions for charitable giving might affect the College’s endowment and alumni donations. The trustees noted that the College has planned for this and other scenarios that could alter donation patterns. “I wouldn’t say it’s threatening in any way to our way of life as a liberal arts college,” T. Gardner said.

Other questions focused on the College’s planning for climate change, environmental investments and the broader implications of student activism and change at the institution. Reflecting on this process of change, Queeney noted its difficulty. “This is an old and in many ways traditional and conservative institution by design,” she said. “You’re thinking in a very different way about change, and about your responsibility to those not here and those yet to come ... that’s a really important part of what you’re doing.”

She also noted that the trustees will be planning further public engagement events with students. While the form of these is still undecided, she noted that they will strive for a mix of public and targeted events with students. “We want to balance giving everyone access and doing it in ways that allow for students to interact with trustees in meaningful ways,” she said.

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FEATURES 6

The Williams Record

October 17, 2018

One in Two Thousand

By JANE PETERSEN EXECUTIVE EDITOR I first met Sarah at a crowded party at 71 Hoxsey, where we bonded after escaping through an open window. I caught up with her to discuss her success as a photographer, her Eloise at the Plaza childhood and her family of “witches” in this spooky edition of one in 2000.

You worked at the Williamstown Theatre Festival this summer – how was that experience?

The theatre festival was so interesting because there were only two Williams students working at the festival, while there were around 350 different people on campus working on it, and all of them were living in Greylock Quad. Most of them were ages, like, 22 to 40, and they were all trying to relive their college experience here but also create art.

It was really cool because during the year the theater is very empty with few people who are always involved in the department, but over the summer it was so full. I was a photo intern, so I went to all of the events and met the artistic directors. Taking pictures of the entire process just made me realize how much work and how many artistic minds are coming together.

Tell me about the picture you took that made it to The New York Times.

Yeah! My job was to photograph events and people and stuff, but I was not allowed to photograph the actual productions. They had two production photographers, and one day, one of them couldn’t make it, and so they just said, “Okay Sarah, we’re just going to have you there as a second person taking photos,” which I was super nervous and excited

about. I took pictures of Samira Wiley, mainly, as well as other actors who were in Dangerous House, which was one of the plays that was performed here.

I knew that the Times was going to write an article about the show and that they would use either my photos or the other production photographer’s. [The Times] wound up choosing two of my photos – that was fun.

SARAH SUTTON ’21

Tell me about your life in New York City.

My boss just bought a copy of The New York Times and put it on my desk, which was really cute!

You also do a lot of acting here. What’s been your favorite role so far?

How did you practice the Alexa voice?

I got my dad to send me his Alexa for a month, and I would just ask her questions. [Laughs.]

It was so funny.

So, you had a pretty interesting semester this spring.

Any comments?

Yeah, last semester was something! I had brain surgery – that was fun. I started getting headaches every time I tried to concentrate on my work. I thought that I was just being a lazy student. Then I went to the health center and after several months, they realized that there was something wrong. I also experienced blurry vision a few times, which was a sign that there was

SOPHIA SHIN/PHOTO EDITOR SARAH'S HOMETOWN NEW YORK, N.Y.

SARAH'S RESIDENCE GLADDEN

something going on with my head. I got surgery at the end of spring break and came back to campus two days later and I was like, “It’ll be fine!” [Laughs.] I was so out of it for three months.

I wasn’t allowed to laugh, sneeze, cough, blow my nose, stand upside down or exercise for two months. And they told me not to concentrate, which is a little tough here, but my professors were so understanding.

Okay, want to get into your family a little bit?

Yes, wait, want to hear a fun fact I shared at WOOLF? Yes! Okay, from kindergarten to first grade, I started losing my hearing, but I didn’t notice and

SARAH'S FAVORITE ACTING ROLE ALEXA THE AMAZON ECHO

no one else noticed because it was so gradual, and I became good at reading lips. One day, my parents were like, “Hold on, Sarah isn’t responding unless she’s, like, looking at us.”

[Laughs.] They took me to the doctor, who said that I couldn’t hear anything. It’s actually pretty common, but it just took longer to realize. So I had surgery, and they put tubes in my ears. What was funny is that because I was so little, the doctor explained my condition to me by saying, “There’s a bug that got into your system, into your body, and that bug is affecting your ears and makes it hard for you to hear.” So, my kindergarten mind was like, “Oh, I must have swallowed some kind of bug!” Like, an insect. [Laughs.]

I thought that until I was in like the sixth grade!

By SAM MERMIN STAFF WRITER

KRISTEN BAYRAKDARIAN/STAFF WRITER

At the Hancock Shaker Village, visitors can start the day off with an hour-long yoga session alongside goats.

SIX HOURS IN PITTSFIELD

By KRISTEN BAYRAKDARIAN STAFF WRITER It’s leaf peeping season! So this past Sunday, my friends and I drove through the multicolored, bucolic countryside of western Massachusetts to spend six hours in the largest city in Berkshire County – Pittsfield.

10:00 a.m. | Goat Yoga (1843 Housatonic St.) Goat yoga is exactly what one might imagine; that is, people on yoga mats pretending to do yoga while a bunch of goats wander about in an enclosed pasture. Our instructor was good, but most people were understandably too interested in the goats to pay much attention. The session was an hour long with “goat breaks” every 10 minutes so that we could play with the friendly goats.

11:00 a.m. | Seeds Market Café (1843 Housatonic St.) After yoga, we went for brunch at Seeds Market Café, the on-site farm-to-table cafe. Most of the produce and meat used in meals are locally sourced from the Shaker Village’s own pastures or surrounding farms (the price reflects this, though the food was not exorbitantly overpriced).

A favorite of mine was the $8 “Soup of the Shire,” a daily special made from in-season produce. That day, it was a bright yellow butternut squash soup that was both delightful to look at and eat.

12:00 p.m. | Hancock Shaker Village (1843 Housatonic St.) Hancock Shaker Village was founded in 1791 by a group of Shakers, and the property became a museum in 1960. We had the opportunity to learn about Shaker lifestyles. You can also join a free tour of medicinal, herbal and vegetable gardens to learn more about the various uses of plants and herbs in clothing production and coloration, as well as nutrition and health.

1:00 p.m. | Arrowhead, the Herman Melville House (780 Holmes Rd.) After leaving Hancock Shaker Village, we stopped by Herman Melville’s home, the Arrowhead, before heading into downtown Pittsfield. Melville lived there from 1850 to 1863, and it was in this building that he completed Moby Dick. Tours of the home are offered at $15, or $10 with a student ID. 2:00 p.m. | The Berkshire Museum (39 South St.) The Berkshire Museum gets mixed reviews due to its small size. While the exhibitions are randomly organized, I actually found it quite interesting and endearing. The museum included eclectic and interactive exhibitions, ranging in topics from innovation and entrepreneurship to virtual reality and local lore. My personal favorites were the visiting exhibitions

Hold on, so your family is known for being “witches” in the Dominican Republic?

No. It’s unfortunate.

How did you find out that they were going to use them?

So far, it has been playing Alexa, the Amazon Echo, which was in Chastens and Hastens written by Thomas Robertshaw ’19. I had a costume that was like a garbage can, but the top would light up, and I had to perfect the Alexa voice – it was so fun.

Are you still really good at reading lips?

“National Geographic Rarely Seen: Photographs of the Extraordinary” and “Galactic Landscapes,” which showcased planet and space designs made of glass. They were beautiful and informative, with factual tidbits such as how outer space is the color beige, or as scientists call it, a “cosmic latte.”

3:00 p.m. | Stroll and Frozen Yogurt at Ayelada (505 East St.) To end our day, we took a 15-minute stroll through the city center to Ayelada, the famed frozen yogurt spot.

Awarded the honor of “Best Ice Cream in the Berkshires” in 2018, Ayelada, meaning “cow” in Greek, handcrafts its ice cream from local milk. They only serve four flavors each week to ensure freshness and quality. This week, the flavors were pumpkin spice, cider donut and cappuccino. The vegan option was chocolate peanut butter. The cider donut flavor was made with real cider donuts from Hilltop Orchards in Richmond, Mass., so I had a medium cup of cider donut and chocolate peanut butter with sprinkles for $4.50. Let’s just say there is a reason this place is so beloved.

Thus concluded our enjoyable day in Pittsfield. We didn’t have the chance to visit all of the attractions in Pittsfield this time around, such as the Colonial Theater and the Barrington Stage Company, so we hope to be back soon!

Although Amy Clemo has been working the late-night shift in Whitmans’ Dining Hall for the past five years so that she can be at home during the day with her children, in that time, she says, she feels like she has gained thousands of new children.

During Clemo’s late-night shifts, the impact she has on students is remarkably similar to the one she has at home on her children. “I just think of [them] as my kids,” she said of the students she works with. “Whether you had a tough day, a long day or you’re just stressed out. If I can make you a sandwich or do something as simple as get you a banana and it makes you smile, I’ve done my job.”

Clemo has spent the majority of her life in the Berkshire area.

She grew up in Stephentown, N.Y., a small town in Rensselaer County. Right after high school, she moved to Pittsfield, Mass., where she lived for six years, working at Walmart. She thoroughly enjoyed her job there, and was quite good at it. Certain regular customers would come in and ask for her by name. She loved working at Walmart for the same reason she loves working at the College: she likes to help people.

Her time at Walmart ended when she had her first child.

When her maternity leave ended,

So I grew up in an apartment building, and there were six other families that lived on the floor with me, and a few of them had kids my age. So even though I was an only child, and I grew up with my mom, I’ve never felt lonely because I would go up and knock on all these other kids’ doors and we'd hang out all the time. It was very much like living in the Eloise at the Plaza hotel.

This one other kid and I would take drumsticks and knock on everyone’s doors. It was cool, because I think that in the city, you can also feel anonymous and very separated from your community, even though there are neighborhoods there aren’t, like, communities like that. Eventually, everyone on my floor became really good friends. We kept inviting them to our shows that we put on, and we started having weekly dinners, and our parents have happy hour every week, and now it’s this whole community of really crazy characters.

What’s your family like?

Just the women in my family. But in a really low-key way. Nobody knew about it until they came to the U.S. It comes from a really religious place. They were just so connected to the spiritual beings they believed in. Sometimes the women would start speaking in ancient tongues and wouldn’t be able to recall any of it. There’s a story of how my great aunt was praying in front of a statue and the statue started crying. They grew up in a really poor neighborhood, and it was around 10 kids to one tiny house, and it was this really small and religious community. There was this one woman who was really sick, and my great aunt went to the woman’s house with soup and was the last person to see her alive before she died. During the month after this, my great aunt was so sick and was saying things that an 80-year-old shouldn’t be saying, so they all thought she was possessed by the woman who passed away. So they kind of all gathered and, not exorcised, but prayed for her and then she just got better. [Laughs.] It’s so weird. And my grandmother breaks out into tongues all the time; it’s really funny. [Laughs.]

My family life is strange as a whole. My dad is Syrian and Jewish and my mom is Dominican and Catholic, and they broke up before I was born and decided to raise me as friends, so my experience with both of their cultures was separated. I didn’t pick one or the other – I would just sort of hop into both of them. I spent more time with my mom’s family, and my mom is a second-generation immigrant – her parents are immigrants. Back in the Dominican Republic we’re known for being “witches.” But they hid it.

You’ve had a strange life.

she realized she wanted to spend more time at home, and decided to stop working for the time being. Now, she and her husband have a total of six children, ranging in age from nine to 26. Spending time with them has become the most important thing in her life. “I always wanted a house full of rugrats,” Clemo said with a smile. “And I got my wish.”

Clemo moved to Williamstown when her husband started a new job here, and she found work in dining services through her mother-in-law, who also works at the College. She loves liv-ing in Williamstown because the College creates a unique environment for such a small town.

“Williamstown is small, like my hometown,” she explained. “But there’s more things to do.” There are always students around, and she loves running into them.

“I’ve had several students recognize me in Walmart,” she said, stressing that no place is too obscure for her to see students there. (Clemo no longer works at Walmart.) “It’s natural to me, it doesn’t seem out of place. I can have a conversation with you. I can introduce you to my kids.”

Both in her job and around town, Clemo does everything she can to make people happy, always making the extra effort to be friendly. My first interaction with her came just a few weeks ago, when she took my snack bar order on a Saturday night. I was only using about half of the

value of my meal swipe, and she insisted that I make the most of the swipe.

“You have three dollars left,” she said. “Do you want french fries? Mozzarella sticks?” I assured her that I was content with what I had ordered, but she was unfazed. “Onion rings?” she asked. “Sweet potato fries? Another milkshake?”

Eventually, her enthusiasm won me over, and I ordered a plate of french fries.

Jake Goldfarb ’22 remembers a similar experience ordering from Clemo. “Her energy is noticeable immediately when you order from her,” he said of the way Clemo engaged with him as he ordered, rather than just punching in his order and sending him on his way. “It creates a completely different experience.”

It is that sort of friendliness, enthusiasm and genuine desire to help people that makes Clemo special. In her mind, the work she does in the dining hall is more than just work. “There’s nothing I’ve done in my life that I haven’t taken to heart and that isn’t 100 percent my purpose,” she said. She is the type of person who goes the extra mile, whether that means being extra friendly to someone who looks stressed, or helping a student get the full value out of their snack bar swipe. Her value to the College – and to the greater Williamstown community – extends far beyond the food she serves.

I’m a fairly normal person, or I have had a fairly normal outcome at least.

Going forward, what do you think about your future? Do you see yourself pursuing acting long-term?

Not at all. I’m not sure what I want to do yet. I don’t even know what I want to study yet, but I know that whatever I do I just want to work with people, and I want to travel.

SOPHIA SHIN/PHOTO EDITOR

Amy Clemo, having worked at Whitmans’ for five years, has become a friendly face to snack bar-goers.

October 17, 2018

7 FEATURES

The Williams Record

Fulbright language teaching assistants reflect on experiences

By SHAHEEN CURRIMJEE EXECUTIVE EDITOR As I wandered into Hollander 229, three young women were whispering in Spanish and another was babbling away in French. The whitewashed walls are covered with photographs of family and friends alongside a world map with small red tacks pinned onto specific countries. For 11 teaching assistants (TAs), this room is a home away from home. Camille Cheze and Romain Bleunven from France, Noureddine Msylya from Morocco and Andrea Hernando from Argentina gathered around the table, ready to share their story of how they came to the Purple Valley.

These four internationals were awarded Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program grants to serve as TAs for the College’s Center for Foreign Languages, Literature and Cultures (CFFLC) for the 2018-19 academic year. Cheze learned about this opportunity when she noticed that her professor signs off his emails with “Former Fulbright Scholar.” Intrigued, she researched the program and found that there were many teaching positions available abroad. While the application process is demanding, involving multiple essays, interviews and a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOFEL), all four TAs believed it was worth it. “I was so happy with my placement,” Cheze said.

Some applicants are given a choice of six colleges or universities to rank in order of preference. For Cheze and Bleunven, however, the committee informed them they had already

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEJANDRO BEAS MURILLO.

This year, the College is hosting four Fulbright foreign language teaching assistants in the Arabic studies, French and Spanish departments. been chosen by the College.

Bluenven had never heard of the College, and upon receiving his acceptance letter he said, “Okay, let’s Google it.”

Msylya and Hernando heard about FLTA from former Fulbrighters in the U.S. and decided to fill out an application.

For Hernando, the College was her first choice. “Williams must have liked me because we matched – it’s like Tinder,” she said, laughing.

These four TAs provide a youthful, modern component to foreign language courses.

Cheze and Bluenven are the TAs for the French department, Msylya for the Arabic studies department and Her-

nando for the Spanish department. They provide extra guidance to students and share their countries’ cultures and traditions. “Our students are so smart [and] always want to go further. We learn as much as we teach, maybe more,” Cheze said.

“We’ve had a long term relationship with Fulbright for the Spanish and then Arabic TAs, and for the first time we participated in the Fulbright selection process for our French TAs,” Jane Canova, administrative director of CFFLC, said.

The College greatly benefits from the Fulbright Program, as its selection of TAs spans a wide range of countries that

Ephs explore alternative careers in tech

By NIGEL JAFFE CONTRIBUTING WRITER Apple, Google, Facebook – some of the most recognizable companies are also prime targets for graduating college students hoping to transition into a career in tech. Many publications offer accounts of the benefits of “working in tech,” promising potential employees that those big-name companies eliminate the mundanity of an ordinary office job. A position at these exclusive companies, hailed as the ultimate destination for savvy young innovators, might seem the only option for a career in tech.

However, according to Don Kjelleren, director of the ’68 Center for Career Exploration, the reality of a career in tech is quite different. Every large company, he highlighted, relies on technology for its day-to-day functions. “Technology can be a specific destination if tech is the company’s main product – take Apple, for instance – but technology also cuts across all destinations, in the form of IT [Information Technology], marketing and so forth,” Kjelleren said.

He dispelled the myth that working at a big-name tech corporations is essential for a successful career, suggesting that “an entry-level position selling ads at Google is no different from the same entry-level position at, say, NBC.” That’s not to say that all employers are equal, however. Gary Chen ’18, who is now a software engineer at Facebook, interned at the IT consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton. Looking back, he said that “the more ‘tradi-

tional’ work culture – suit and tie, etc. – just wasn’t the right fit for me. I prefer somewhere more laid back.” To many people like Chen, the unorthodox culture at many startups and tech companies is enticing.

Tonio Palmer, entrepreneur-in-residence at the Career Center, recommended that students “use caution around articles that frame jobs in tech as ‘better’ than more traditional ones,” pointing out that “a workplace that’s boring for one person could be a great fit for another.”

Another common myth surrounding careers in tech is that one needs to major in computer science to pursue one. For Kai Cash ’19, who interned at Google last summer, the door into the tech industry is less narrow than students believe.

“I don't think students really understand just how broad ‘tech’ is as an industry,” he said. “It's not just for people interested in computer science,” he said. “Google is actually the number one employer of Williams graduates, but what people don’t know is the majority of those hires are non-technical – think marketing, sales, operations, strategy.”

Kristen McCormack, assistant director in arts, communications and technology at the Career Center, also underlined the fact that having a technical background is not always necessary. “Liberal arts graduates bring in different mindsets than those of vocational schools; your problem-solving ability is more important than your technical know-how, especially if you are employed in a non-technical role,” she said.

Palmer added that many professionals pick up the necessary skills as they work. “There are many, many examples of people who learn to code on their own once it becomes useful to them,” he said. “You don’t need a degree in computer science to have a job that involves programming.”

Kjelleren agreed. “Networking, internships and exploration are what’s truly important.”

The living embodiment of this advice comes in the form of Claire Rudolph ’14, who was an art history major at the College but has held a variety of roles at several tech companies, including Dropbox, Bill.com and PeopleGrove, where she now works as director of product.

She spoke emphatically in advising students to “use your college years less to build skill sets and more to explore interests.” In fact, she found that she derived important skills from classes in the humanities, and she extolled the College’s tutorials in particular. “Those classes lead you to become a more critical reader, to enjoy engaging with material, to challenge preconceived notions,” she said. “These are tools that you can cultivate and will stay with you for the rest of your life.”

Rudolph’s main advice for current students hoping to carve out a similar career path is to make the most of their college experience. “It’s a myth that you have to study computer science to work in tech,” she said.

“You don’t even need to have a background in a technical role to work at a tech company; in my career, I’ve tried every role except engineering... The best thing you can do for yourself is to learn things that will benefit not your career, but you.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF PITTSBURGH MAGAZINE.

Google, ranked as one of the best places to work, is the number one employer of Williams graduates.

speak Spanish, Arabic and French. “We receive applicants from Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Egypt, Tunisia or Morocco and any of the Francophone countries. The applicants go through a rigorous application and screening, so we receive qualified teaching assistants,” she said. “It’s an honor for them to receive the Fulbright Teaching Assistantship as well as for us.”

But the TAs aren’t only here to teach. The scholarship requires that Fulbrighters enroll in four courses, two per semester. Cheze is enrolled in “Gender and Sexuality in Music,” which she loves, especially because the topic is

“not as popular in France as in the U.S.” Hernando and Bluenven are both in “Social Justice Traditions.” Hernando appreciates this course because in the U.S. these movements are studied and valued, while in Argentina they are mostly criticized.

“It's [also] not about lecturing as is done [in] France; it's more discussion based,” Bluenven said. Wanting to engage with a new discipline, Mysala enrolled in “Introduction to Political Theory.” By taking courses, TAs have the opportunity to enrich their postgraduate studies and enhance their professional development. Not to mention, they re-

turn home with a higher proficiency in English.

Outside of the classroom, the TAs share their cultures and values by joining clubs and becoming involved in the Berkshire community. Msylya takes advantage of the football field, horse-riding classes and the gym. Likewise, Cheze enjoys the sporting life, often going on trips with the Williams Outing Club. A few weeks ago, she signed up for canoeing and camping in the Adirondacks and greatly enjoyed the experience. “I have never seen something so beautiful; I cried,” she said.

Hernando and Bleunven spoke to the general atmosphere of the campus and the support of the languages department. “Everyone is very willing to teach and learn,” Bleunven said. Hernando agreed, adding that the College has a “big family of TAs” and that she is extremely grateful because many of her “friends are the only TAs in their [respective] college, which must be difficult.” In about a week’s time, all 11 TAs and two language fellows will be traveling to New York City for a short vacation and to celebrate Bleunven’s and Andreas Zierer’s, the German TA’s, birthdays.

As a Fulbrighter, one becomes part of an enormous international group of remarkable people and all of a sudden, the entire world is within one’s reach. The four TAs are thankful to the program and the College. “I’m already nostalgic for when we have to leave,” Bleunven said, looking at his fellow TAs. Cheze agreed. “It will be impossible to forget this experience,” she added.

Students discuss reasons for pursuing more than four courses a semester

By SOFIE JONES STAFF WRITER Fi van Wingerden ’20 has taken five or more classes each semester since her freshman spring. Her sophomore fall, she balanced six classes, including two with lab sessions and a daily language class.

While some students might be forced to take more than four courses a term to make up for a course deficiency, for others such as Wingerden, taking more than four courses is a conscious choice with a valuable outcome. According to Associate Registrar Mary Morrison, somewhere between 100 and 150 students take more than four full-credit courses a semester, on average. Of those, she estimates two or three students take six classes. Though students’ reasons for doing so differ, the decision structures their time and allows them to immerse in the College’s academic offerings.

Wingerden, a chemistry and comparative literature double major who is also on the premedicine track, decided to take a fifth class after having what she called a “difficult” first semester. For Wingerden, taking extra classes allowed her to explore more subjects outside her requirements.

As a pre-medicine student, Wingerden said that she has found that science requirements take up a large portion of her typical 32 total classes that must be completed by graduation. By taking an extra class or two each semester, she has had the opportunity to try out a variety of different disciplines that the College has to offer. “When am I going to have that chance again?” Wingerden said.

When deciding to take on extra classes, Wingerden has turned to friend Giovanni DiRusso ’19 who enjoys taking more than four classes. DiRusso, a religion and classics double major, said that the ability to take additional classes was something he intended to do even before arriving on campus. “Overloading was a big part of my decision to come to Williams and of my enjoyment of the school,” he said.

Jay Schroeter ’22 is also taking an extra course this semester, but, unlike most five-course students, he is doing so during

his first semester at the College. manageable thus far, it is not Schroeter said that after partic- without its challenges. He acipating in the Summer Science knowledged that he has surrenProgram, taking a fifth course dered free time to the increased felt like a way to explore a range workload, but he said that it of interests. “I wanted to branch still feels like an academically out as much as possible as soon worthwhile choice. “It has both as possible,” he said. aspects of being a positive and a There are other reasons negative thing,” he said. aside from pure academic cuWingerden, DiRusso and riosity that propel students to Postec all noted that, in taking take additional courses, ac- five or six courses, it is imporcording to Director Accessible tant to consider extracurricular Education G.L. Wallace. “The time commitment. DiRusso, choice to take five courses is who first took six courses after either a structural choice or an injury made him unable to a cultural choice to some de- continue on the crew team, said gree,” he said. that taking additional classes It is fairly common for stu- has taught him time managedents needing to complete ment skills that will last long major requirements or prereq- after graduation. uisites that they cannot fit into The students all agreed, howa standard ever, that four course taking a fifth load to end course just to up adding do so is not a class, he the right apsaid. Many proach. One students also thing that diftake a fifth ferentiates the course to College’s fifth make up a course policy deficiency infrom that of curred from a many other failing grade schools, WalG.L. Wallace in or withlace said, is drawal from Director of Accessible Education that credits a course in from extra an earlier seclasses canmester. Mornot be used rison said that approximately to graduate early here. Wal20 to 50 students a semester lace said that this preserves the take extra courses to make up eight-semester traditional expesuch a deficiency. rience at the College and allows Others, like Patrick Postec students to delve deeply into ’21, take a fifth course to fulfill their courses rather than trying major requirements. Postec, to “bank” credits to redeem later who is currently planning on in their academic careers. double majoring in physics Wingerden learned to only and religion, added to his four- take extra classes because she course load this fall after decid- genuinely is interested in the ing that this was the best way to subject itself, as there are many ensure he could take classes in other things on campus to get all of his areas of interest. “I was involved in. A professor, she pretty confident about handling said, once gave her the advice to it,” he said. “make sure that you’re not takWhatever the reason for doing ing learning in the classroom so, managing a larger course load more seriously than all you can can also be a hard balancing act. learn here outside of it.”

Wallace, who often works with Now a JA, she has taken this students to find manageable to heart and is working to balways to pursue all of their aca- ance the time she spends in her demic interests, has found that classes or the library and the a regular four-course load tends time she spends with friends to be the best path for most of or hanging out around the enthe College’s students. “For most try. “If I found that I just didn’t students, a four-course load is have time to spend on other plenty,” Wallace said. “Five can forms of learning and other oftentimes be a tipping point.” things I enjoy, I would defiSchroeter said that, while nitely feel like this is not worth his five course load has been taking another class,” she said.

“For most students, a four-course load is plenty.

Five can oftentimes be a tipping point.”

8 ARTS

The Williams Record

October 17, 2018

BROCKHAMPTON heals, finds comfort in iridescence

By PHILLIP PYLE STAFF WRITER My first experience involving BROCKHAMPTON came with the solo works of Kevin Abstract, a rapper from Texas. In January of last year, I stumbled upon the song “Empty” from his sophomore album American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story.

I was immediately hooked by the smooth instrumentals and catchy chorus. After a two-week period of listening to Abstract’s solo albums, I came across his boy band, BROCKHAMPTON. At first listen, BROCKHAMPTON is the exact opposite of a picturesque boy band. While it is composed of 14 boys, their music doesn’t align with the stereotypical boy band-type (i.e.

The Beatles or One Direction).

Saturation I, the second album from BROCKHAMPTON, came out early in the sumer of 2017.

The electric energy that came from members Abstract, Matt Champion, Ameer Vann, Dom McLennon, Merlyn Wood, Joba and Bearface was contagious.

Following this release, the rap ensemble released two more Saturation albums, completing the Saturation trilogy.

Since its inception in San Marcos, Texas, the boy band has promoted itself as an allinclusive group, with openly gay member Abstract at the front of the pack. In their music, there’s political dialogue and social commentary on equal representation and the current social environment.

In early May, however, the integrity of the group was questioned when multiple women came forward and accused

PHOTO COURTESY OF CONSEQUENCEOFSOUND.NET.

BROCKHAMPTON’s latest album, iridescence, features seven soloists and serves as an opportunity for healing and self-reflection.

Vann of sexual misconduct.

Soon after these allegations, BROCKHAMPTON kicked out Vann and posted on social media about the accusations: “We want to sincerely apologize to the victims affected by Ameer’s actions. We were lied to, and we’re sorry for not speaking up sooner. We do not tolerate abuse of any kind.”

Since then, the group has cancelled a tour, traveled to Hawaii, signed a $15 million record deal with RCA Records and released their latest album, iridescence.

In the five-month period between Vann’s scandal and the release of their first studio album, the members of BROCK-

HAMPTON underwent many moments of self-reflection, as evident in their latest album.

Iridescence opens with the wildly fun and loud “New Orleans.” The intro track features all seven vocalists of the group - Matt Champion, Dom McLennon, Kevin Abstract, Bearface, Joba, Jaden Smith and Merlyn Wood. The song has a similar sound to Lil Wayne’s The Carter II and draws on the growth and recent successes of the group. In the chorus, Abstract raps: “Tell ‘em boys, don’t run from us. I been down too long, cousin. I been down too long, brother. Tell the world, I ain’t scared of nothin’. Tell the world, I ain’t scared

of jumpin.’” In these verses, Abstract is speaking to his increased confidence in both himself and the group, which is born out of their recent wealth acquisitions.

The album continues with a wide variety of sounds and musical styles. “Thug Life” and “Something About Him” are accompanied with soft instrumentals and indie rock vocals. Alternatively, “District,” “J’Ouvert” and “Tape” are louder tracks but the lyrics are equally as emotional as “Thug Life” and “Something About Him.” The variance in genres and production in iridescence is quite the accomplishment considering the context in which the album

was recorded: the group had 10 days to record the album in London’s Abbey Road Studios. The diversity in production can also be attributed to the multitude of producers working on this album. While I enjoyed the variety in sound in the Saturation Trilogy, I found it less satisfactory in iridescence. Throughout the albums, there are moments that feel disconnected and haphazardly created. At times, iridescence feels like a step backward, in both production and lyricism, from Saturation III. Despite this downfall, there are still breakout songs in iridescence that show the evolution of the group’s skills. “Weight”, the

sixth song on the album, is about as good as BROCKHAMPTON gets. This track is both beautiful and practical. Abstract sings about his concern for his fellow bandmates’ mental health and places that above all his other worries. There is a genuine nature to Abstract’s words and it serves as a form of healing from the Vann scandal. In this somber, yet catchy, song, we see that no matter the amount of fame or wealth a person might gain, mental health issues can still persist. Joba pinpoints the insecurities and pain he feels from success as he sings: “Pressure makes me lash back, I wish I could get past that. I can’t take a step back, makes me wish you’d pass that.”

In this song, BROCKHAMPTON opens up and shows us the raw nature of the group.

BROCKHAMPTON reaches their fullest potential in the track “Tonya”, which is the second-tolast song on iridescence. “Tonya” is based on the movie “I, Tonya,” as the band has felt similar consequences to fame as Tonya Harding did. Abstract sings: “I’ve been in my feelings on an island in the dirt. I feel like brothers lie just so my feelings don’t get hurt.

I said, I’ll try vacation, I’ll try to run away.” Abstract collaborates with R&B artist Serpentwithfeet in this track to deliver a smooth and somber chorus that makes us, as listeners, understand the group’s pain.

Although I don’t think it is as strong in production or as exciting as the Saturation trilogy, iridescence serves its purpose well: an album that is a beacon of healing and hope for what many consider to be the greatest boy band in the world.

Tendai Muparutsa performs original music at faculty recital

By NANDINI SEETHARAMAN STAFF WRITER

PHOTO COURTESY OF WCMA.

Franks, previously the senior director of the Yale University Art Gallery, joined WCMA mid-September.

Pamela Franks joins WCMA as new director

By JULIA CHANG STAFF WRITER Along with MASS MoCA and the Clark, the Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA) completes the trifecta of renowned art museums in the Berkshires, each existing to serve a slightly different mission. As a college museum, WCMA is committed to engaging students in its exhibitions, as well as focusing on them as subject matter. Pamela Franks, the new Director of WCMA, comes to the College with a dedication to continuing WCMA’s mission of student engagement with the arts.

Franks first fell in love with art museums as a college student when she visited one for an assignment for a class. She was on the premedicine track and pursuing an English major, so her exposure to art museums was purely accidental. Once she had the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the exhibitions, however, she immediately fell in love with art history. “It was astonishing — at a real museum you can see on the surface traces of how art is made, you can immerse yourself for hours on how it’s made, the message, the subject matter, the scale,” Franks said.

After earning a master’s degree and Ph.D. in art history, Franks realized that her dream was to work in a college museum because of its ability to involve and collab-

orate with students of different disciplines; she wanted to introduce students to art in the same way that she had been. “I love the way museums transformed me as a student, and I love working with both students and faculty,” she said.

Franks was previously the senior director of the Yale University Art Gallery (YUAG) as well as its curator of modern and contemporary art since 2004. She is excited to continue her career at the College because of its commitment to the visual arts. One of the two only graduate programs at the College – the Williams Graduate Program in the History of Art – is centered around art history. Even just around campus, the commitment the College has made to visual art is evident. Coincidentally, Diana Al-Hadid’s installation, Delirious Matter, began construction on the day that Franks arrived on campus.

WCMA has a strong tradition of collaborating with students, as demonstrated in exhibitions currently on show such as Anicka Yi’s Our Love is Bigger Than an AIDS Quilt and the Object Lab. A multisensory installation that builds off of the deep maroon color of the walls, a repeating soundtrack and even a meticulously engineered menthol smell, Our Love is Bigger Than an AIDS Quilt is the result of a course at the College focused on acquiring art.

At the end of the course, the students submitted a proposal to buy a work for WCMA’s collection, leading to the purchase of Yi’s work.

Franks seems like an obvious choice to take the reins at WCMA. In addition to having extensive experience as a curator and a director of a college museum, she is invested in bringing together various student groups in the context of art. As director of YUAG, she collaborated with photographer Carrie Mae Weems to debut a performance involving Yale’s step team which included elements of visual art and music. “She pulled together different tenets of music, poetry and dance,” Alex Jen ’19, a student representative on the search committee, said.

“We were really invested in that, especially since at [the College] all the arts departments emphasize existing in less narrow capacities.”

Looking forward, Franks is excited to uphold the legacy of art at the College. She strongly believes that a liberal arts context is the richest possible place for a college museum; the potential for interconnections across campus lend themselves to an incredibly vibrant range of ways to engage with the museum. “The museum is a hub for all kinds of creative endeavors and communities,” Franks said. “It’s both a place for study and community and enjoyment, inspiration and life.”

On Friday night, Tendai Muparutsa held his faculty recital as a part of the ongoing series of performances by the music department. Muparutsa is an artist-in-residence at the College, specializing in African music performance and ethnomusicology. In addition to teaching classes on traditional African dance and performance, he is also the director of the Zambezi Marimba Band and a co-director of Kusika, the traditional African dance group on campus.

Muparutsa is a passionate and humorous performer, and his high energy was immediately palpable. The Brooks-Rogers stage was completely covered with instruments, from the nyunga nyunga (an African instrument that sounds by plucking fifteen keys) to the guitar and the bass. It was a night packed with music from different African and Western cultures that blended together into a synergetic whole.

The recital was split into two sets: traditional and contemporary Afro-pop. Muparutsa played four traditional songs, using various African instruments like the nhare, nyunga nyunga and marimba. He was also joined by Jacqueline Fallon on the nyunga nyunga for two of the songs.

This recital was a showcase of his extensive musical talents, but it also highlighted

his teaching spirit. Before each piece, he took the time to explain the instrument he was using and the meaning of the song. It made the recital feel friendly, like he was chatting with friends.

He explained the subtle differences between the nhare and the nyunga nyunga – two plucked idiophone African instruments – sharing stories and the inspiration behind each song.

“Baya wabaya,” meaning “step step,” evoked a repetitive feeling of walking in its rhythm. “Unga” was a lullaby, soft and peaceful. Each song had its own place in the narrative of the night.

For the second part of the show, Muparutsa performed in a group to bring on the pop spirit. Jason Ennis was on the guitar, Tendekai Mano on the bass and Tom Major on the drums. The four of them came together to showcase nine spectacular contemporary Afro-pop songs, all composed by Muparutsa himself. Each song brought something new to the show. “Hupenyu,” the opener to the second half, was about the zest of life.

“Big City” was an ode to the wonders of the urban lifestyle, while “She is There” was a tribute to female beauty. “It’s a Party” was a highenergy dance track, while “Sisi” had more of a swing to the rhythm. Each song was extremely unique, and a testament to Muparutsa’s musical genius.

There was fantastic synergy between the four performers, as they would often trade off to give each other time to shine.

Ennis would move through nimble riffs on the guitar, Mano would provide backup vocals and Major would keep the song moving forward, or in some cases, would change the pace entirely. Muparutsa was constantly surprising the audience, whether it be by switching from the guitar to percussion mid-song or jumping off the stage and drumming through the aisles. His rich voice seamlessly floated through the music, just as he drifted from instrument to instrument, stage to audience and back.

Muparutsa told the audience that traditional African music is communal music.

There is no one nameable composer for any song; melodies are crafted and developed over centuries by every individual playing them. In that vein, the audience is an integral part of the musical experience. For almost every song, whether it was traditional or contemporary, Muparutsa kept us involved. We were clapping at different rhythms for each song, and at times we were even on our feet, swaying along to the catchy beats of Afro-pop; Muparutsa was able to evoke that same communal spirit of traditional African music in his performance.

It was a remarkable recital where the audience and the performer came together to make the music.

PHOTO COURTESY OF YOUTUBE.

Muparutsa is a world-renowned performer, music educator, ethnomusicologist and bandleader.

ARTS 9

The Williams Record

October 17, 2018

New WCMA exhibit interrogates ties between Hawai’i and the College

By WENDY HERNANDEZ STAFF WRITER “On display” seems almost too passive of a phrase for the interactive exhibit The Field is the World: Williams, Hawai'i and Material Histories in the Making, a collaboration between the Williamstown Historical Museum, Special Collections and the Biology Department at the Wil-liams College Museum of Art (WCMA). The exhibit will be open through Jan. 2, 2019.

To tune into the audio streaming overhead, visitors can check out headphones, follow along on a printed version of the script or simply walk through the exhibit. The multitude of options makes the exhibit accessible, immersive and interactive for everyone; visitors are encouraged to “continue the conversation” by emailing their reactions to WCMA. This provides a concrete way for people to continue engaging with the art outside of the space to which it is confined.

Upon entering the exhibit, visitors encounter a blow-up poster of the Haystack Monument, itself an attempt to mark “the beginning of the American Protestant missionary movement” (according to Material Histories researchers and affiliates). By placing the poster here as a direct reference to the monument located near Mission Hall, where the entries are named after four missionaries, the exhibit is once more able to escape the confines of the museum. Specifically, the exhibit draws heavily on the personal

PHOTO COURTESY OF WCMA

Material Histories, curated around a box of 64 artifacts found in 1986, analyzes the collecting practices of past and present campus institutions. collection of one of these four, Samuel Chapman Armstrong, 1862, for the photographs, letters and other items on display.

Seeing these places around campus – namely Mission Park and the Haystack Monument – will hopefully re-mind students, staff and visitors alike about the exhibit space. The exhibit also hopes to spur conversations about the College’s ties to Hawai’i, because the bulk of the artifacts on display are of Hawaiian origin and come from the 1986 discovery of a box that belonged to the College’s student-run Lyceum of Natu-

ral History club. The Lyceum, spearheaded by taxidermy and kupe’e niho ilio (dog teeth ankle adornments for hula) enthusiasts, ran from 1835 to 1908.

Their collection of 19th-century Hawaiian artifacts is troubling because it captures the mindset of classical ethnographers who were on quests to “liberate and enlighten the island savages.”

Generally speaking, collecting the artifacts of another culture means depriving those it represents of their own history. Thus, not only were the 19th-century Hawaiians relegated to specimens or objects of study as a

consequence, but they were also not given the chance to better understand themselves since colonizing presences assumed that they could do a better job of understanding Hawaiian culture than native Hawaiians.

Yet, it is difficult to pinpoint how the Lyceum members would have viewed the project.

We cannot erase the College’s history, which involves being complicit in this ethnographer mindset. But we can still do our part by hearing out what displays like this have to say. Not pictured in the exhibit are the hours spent on our end preserv-

ing the artifacts and opening the discussion to people beyond the College. It would be so easy to keep controversial parts of our history locked away in special collections, but displaying them forces us to continuously grapple with what went into shaping this historical record.

On the right wall of the exhibit room are two 19thcentury timelines that escape the frame – wrapping around corners and luring the eye with its vibrant heliotrope and vermillion. The timeline above chronicles events at the College while the one below details Ha-

waii’s history. In the middle is a subtle nod to color theory: a text-free streak of navy which invites visitors to fill in the space or the blanks. Stacking both timelines in this manner lets visitors map out the influence and exchange between the College and Hawai’i. This design choice reflects the same way that red and blue mix to make purple. The present-day designer doesn’t really view the missionary movement or our interactions with Hawai’i as a one-sided “save the third world” dynamic. We typically think of centers, like this blue band, to be where things coincide, or where there’d be overlap in the events at each location. Instead, it becomes space for processing the influence across both sides (notable exception being Sanford B. Dole, class of 1867, becoming President of the Republic of Hawai’i) in terms of political and personal paradigm shifts.

It’s also a sly nod and thankyou to these Hawaiian artifacts and the Hawaiian histories that reside in them for shaping the College – essentially, you cannot arrive at purple without the red.

Making Material Histories is also at the forefront of many of WCMA’s open lectures.

Those interested are invited to attend the program at 7 p.m. today titled “Making Material Histories: Curating the Kalākaua Era in the 21st Century,” presented by Healoha Johnston, a curator from the Honolulu Museum of Art.

WRITE FOR THE RECORD!

Come to weekly writers' meetings on Wednesdays at 8:15 p.m. in Paresky 209 OR Email tz4@williams.edu

LIVE MUSIC

SHAREEF KEYES & THE GROOVE Saturday, October 20, 8pm

CLUB B10 | $16 STUDENTS + ADVANCE | $26 DAY OF

TICKETS: massmoca.org or 413.622.2111 | North Adams, Mass.

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNDERTHERADAR.COM

Soaked Oats, an indie pop band based in Dunedin, New Zealand, are embarking on their debut U.S. tour.

Soaked Oats bring kiwis (and other fruits) to new concert venue

By MANO SUNDARESAN STAFF WRITER If you happened to be walking down Hoxsey Street a couple Saturdays ago, you probably saw a rickety RV on the brink of collapsing in on itself parked outside of 70 Hoxsey. Drift Wood is her name, and she’s a home-away-from-home for Kiwi rock band Soaked Oats.

Popular in New Zealand for their brand of enveloping, fruit-referencing jam music, Soaked Oats is on their first U.S. tour. This tour is partly made possible by Danny Donahue ’19 and myself. On Sept. 29, Soaked Oats and campus band Homebrew anointed 70 Hoxsey’s newlyconstructed basement stage with intimate performances.

While studying away in Dunedin, New Zealand, last spring, Donahue met Max Holmes – the band’s bassist – at the musician’s workplace Meenan’s Beer and Wine.

Holmes’ store had a policy where customers could pay for beer by the liter, which Donahue took advantage of, frequenting the store often.

A natural enquirer and selfproclaimed “Big Project Guy,” Donahue soon learned of Holmes’ band and immediately asked if Soaked Oats would be interested in performing at not only the College, but also other colleges in the U.S. The band was interested in touring the U.S. but was having trouble securing college venues. Donahue booked shows for them at Bates and Stanford and, determined to keep the show as independent as possible from institutions

at the College like Campus Safety and Security (CSS), spent early September building a stage with lights and sound in 70 Hoxsey’s basement for their show. The event was kept private with limited tickets to maintain a comfortable environment in the venue, relying primarily on emails and word of mouth to promote it.

After a last-minute cancellation from the planned opener, we decided to call upon the student band Homebrew, which I am a part of, to open. The band performed renditions of Kanye West and Thundercat to roars from the crowd. As always, the set was carried by virtuosic improvisation and interplay. One standout was “Them Changes,” as Adriiian's (Adrian Oxley ’20) Joycean freestyles bled into blares from trumpet player Jared Berger ’21. The rhythm section’s patterned hits provided structure for Nick “The Chunnel” Patino (Nicholas Patino ’21)’s expansive drum solo on “Touch the Sky.” Guitarist Jeff Pearson ’20 took Homebrew original “Jack’s Jam” to unforeseen territory with riffs that meandered in and out of the chord tones.

Soaked Oats picked up where Homebrew left off, playing through songs off their 2017 release Stone Fruit Melodies. They initially stuck to slow, sway-inducing grooves, creating an intimate, opiated world with swaths of purple and blue. The drops were precipitous and brilliantly timed. On “Avocado Aficionado,” vocalist Oscar Mein’s strung-out crooning

over reverby guitar built up latent energy that burst into every crevice of the basement the moment Conor Feehly flew in on the drums.

The highlight of the night was the band’s cover of “Dance Yrself Clean” by LCD Soundsystem. While the original has abrasive synths and distant vocals, Soaked Oats opted for warmer tones. Henry Francis’s chords crept out and suspended themselves in mid-air before dissipating, and Max Holmes’ bass occupied a more natural space than the sharp, cutting bass in the original. Nearly every voice in the packed crowd joined in unison for the instantly recognizable “Ahhhahhh” bridge, an obvious sign that this song belongs in the liberal arts canon.

It was a Saturday night unlike any other Saturday night at the College. The space was welcoming, the focus was on the music and the after-party was full of conversation and good company. People justifiably think of Hoxsey student houses as being degenerate and fratty on weekends, but this flipped that conception on its head. For once, students had a Saturday night that was liberating without being defined by drinking and jovial without turning aggressive. There was no CSS, no discomfort, no snack-bar-run-turnedexistential-crisis. It felt surreal – dream-like, even – and Donahue and other students hope to recapture this experience in the future through organizing more shows in the College’s newest, most exciting concert venue.

10 SPORTS

The Williams Record

October 17, 2018

Women’s soccer defeats Bowdoin, Wesleyan over weekend

PHOTO COURTESY OF SPORTS INFORMATION.

Olivia Barnhill ’19 recorded five saves this weekend, helping the Ephs hold the lead against the Cardinals and the Polar Bears.

By ALEXANDER CHRIST STAFF WRITER Women’s soccer (11-0-2, 7-0-1 in the NESCAC) swept a doubleheader this weekend, defeating Bowdoin 2-1 on Sunday and Wesleyan 2-1 on Saturday.

Against Bowdoin, forward Sarah Scire ’20 scored a goal in each half to lead the women to their 11th victory of the season.

Head coach Michelyne Pinard commented on Scire’s

scoring performance. “She’s just playing with great intensity and fire. It’s almost like the karma police were saying sorry [for Saturday's game.]

She’s certainly creating a lot for us.”

The Ephs scored first in the eighth minute. Williams pressed forward along the left side, where Ilana Albert ’21 sent a sharp pass to Liz Girvan ’22, who cut behind her defender near the backline.

She struck a cross left to right

across the penalty box into the path of Scire, who came crashing in from the left side to slot the ball into the left corner.

With only seconds left in the first half, Bowdoin converted off a Williams foul. Sophia Lemmer sent the ball into the goal box, which initially deflected off a Williams defender. However, Bowdoin’s Beth Brown got a nice touch on the ball, sending it across to Aine Lawlor, who snuck the ball into the left corner past a

diving Olivia Barnhill ’19. It was only Barnhill’s fifth goal allowed in 13 matches.

Coming out of halftime, in the 47th minute, Scire dribbled through defenders from the midfield and saw an opportunity to score. With parabolic precision, she blistered a shot from outside the penalty area which flew cleanly into the left corner of the net to make it 2-1.

Bowdoin had a chance to equalize in the 68th minute.

Beth Brown got a pass around her defender to connect with forward Julia Adelmann who got a shot off near the goal box. Her shot was blocked and flew into the air, but Barnhill jumped and nudged the ball to the left so that it went just wide.

Barnhill played 90 minutes, had four saves and allowed one goal.

Despite the Polar Bears putting more shots on frame in the contest, it was the clinical finishing of the Ephs which ruled the day.

On Saturday, the women edged Wesleyan 2-1 with the help of a go-ahead goal

by Georgia Lord ’21. Lord slammed the ball into the net in the 48th minute to lift the Ephs past the Cardinals.

In the ninth minute Wesleyan scored to grab an early lead.

Liz Young broke away from her defender and scored after a one-on-one confrontation with Barnhill. The Eph netminder was forced to rush off her line to try and block the shot, but Young skillfully slipped the ball by her into the net.

Down early, Williams failed to convert numerous early scoring opportunities. Twice, Scire crashed through Wesleyan’s backline, drawing out Wesleyan netminder Sarah Hammond.

One of her shots struck the crossbar, rebounding to Aspen Pierson ’21 who headed it just above the cross bar.

At 42:44, Sydney Jones ’21 and Rain Condie ’22 delivered redemption. Jones was dribbling near the left corner of the goal box when she found a window. She rifled a shot towards the net, which was blocked by Hammond.

Hammond’s block ricocheted back to Jones who unselfishly passed it to Condie for the easy tap-in score.

Wesleyan had a serious scoring opportunity in the 18th minute. After bringing the ball deep into Eph territory, Cardinal forwards found space near the goal box, firing off three shots in quick succession. Kayla O’Brien’s first shot was blocked by a defender but rebounded to her teammate, Liz Young. Her second shot went off the left post, but again the ball found Andy Wiley, and her attempt went wide left.

After Condie’s goal, Williams appeared to gain momentum and dominated possession throughout the second half.

“No doubt that goal helped our momentum,” Pinard remarked. “Soccer can be a cruel game. I think that goal helped us get through a tough first half. Certainly I was pleased with the adjustments we made.”

With more scoring opportunities, the Ephs took the advantage. In the 47th minute, a blocked corner kick found the foot of Lauren Brown ’19, who sent a cross into the goal box.

The ball pin-balled in the goal box for a few seconds, eventually finding Lord who buried the game winner in the middle of the net.

With their sharp passing and tenacious defensive effort, Williams prevented Wesleyan from tying the game, winning 2-1.

On Saturday, the women will play against Tufts at 12:30 p.m. in Medford, Mass.

Men’s crew opens fall season, captures silver at Head of the Snake regatta

By CHARLES IDE TEAM CORRESPONDENT On Saturday, men’s crew placed second in its first meet of the fall at the Head of the Snake regatta in Shrewsbury, Mass.

The men traveled to Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester County to open up fall racing against several New England crews at the Head of the Snake.

Williams brought three eights to the event.

It was Williams’ first year competing in the regatta, a primer for next weekend’s Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston.

Hosted at the main spring racing venue, it was a novelty for the crews to get the chance to see the other end of the lake and row the course in reverse direction.

Up first, the Ephs ‘A’ boat started at the back of the 1V pack, as Williams was not seeded due to their status as first-time racers at the regatta. The crew set a strong tone before officially getting onto the course, passing Johnson and

Wales during their build into the starting line. This momentum set the Ephs in their rhythm, and gave them the confidence to attack the crews further ahead.

By the midpoint of the race, the men reeled in NESCAC rival Middlebury with a strong move.

Coming through the bridge at the end of the 2K course, the Ephs found new energy and launched a ferocious drive to the finish. The men drove through UNH on the 2K course and finished strong in a time of 13:36, good enough for silver behind Holy Cross.

Coxswain Piper Higgins ’21 was pleased with her crew’s composure and aggression during the race. “The race went well. Our plan was to stay composed and aggressive and we did just that. We are pleased with the result but hungry to race at the Charles next weekend,” Higgins said.

The 2V followed the strong example set down by the 1V to turn in a solid place, lay-

PHOTO COURTESY OF SPORTS INFORMATION.

Men’s crew placed second at its first meet of the fall season, with the 1V boat taking silver at the Head of the Snake Regatta. ing a strong foundation for the weeks and months ahead.

Rowing with similar aggression at the start, Williams was able to pass UMass Lowell ‘B’ in the top half of the lake, before slipping past Johnson and Wales on the 2K course.

Williams finished in a time of 14:07, placing ninth overall and fourth among 2V crews.

Coxswain Alison Robey ’20 called the race, “A promising start to the season.”

Closing out the day, many rowers made their fall varsity

debut in the 3V. The young crew had one of their most composed and unified pieces of the fall, capping off a solid week of practice. The crew maintained a consistent smooth rhythm through the race and were able to walk away from Colby ‘C’ and

up on Trinity ‘C’ over the race course. Williams finished in a time of 15:10, placing 17th overall and 3rd among 3V crews.

Williams will be back in action next week in Boston for the 54th annual Head of the Charles Regatta.

CAPTAINS’ CORNER: DEEPAK INDRAKANTI ’19 When did you first begin playing tennis?

PHOTO COURTESY OF SPORTS INFORMATION.

By REED JENKINS MANAGING EDITOR

Team: Men’s Tennis Hometown: Cinncinati, Ohio Residence: Wood House Major: Economics Snack bar order: Pasta Bowl

I moved from India when I was about five and near the house we had, there was a tennis court and a park right next to it. My dad wanted me to start playing tennis, so my sister, my dad and I would often just go out there and play and just hit around, even when I was just a toddler and a young kid. And then I eventually just started playing more seriously.

So you’re from Cincinnati. I know there’s a big tournament there — the Cincinnati Masters. Were you involved in that at all, growing up and in high school?

Yeah, I actually grew up going to tournaments. A big reason as to why I started playing tennis more seriously was that I became a huge Roger Federer fan as a kid. I used to watch all the tournaments he played and woke up at like 3 a.m. to watch the Australian Open.

And then in high school, I volunteered at the event a couple of times. One year, I was a locker room guy, so I would help in the locker room with the players and give them towels and direct them to where

they needed to go if they needed help figuring things out. And then, my senior year, I was actually a hitting partner for the tournament. So, if players needed practice partners, I would volunteer to hit with them and warm them up for their matches. I hit with a bunch of different players including [Gaël] Monfils and [Roberto] Bautista Agut.

Luckily, before the finals that year in 2015, Federer needed a hitting partner, so I got really lucky and got to play with my idol and warm him up before he played Novak Djokovic.

state tournament in Div. I. And then in my junior and senior year, we were lucky enough to win the state title. Some of my best tennis moments in my life were from high school tennis for sure. I think it was what motivated me to play college tennis, honestly. You grow up playing tennis and it’s a very individual sport. You play a bunch of tournaments where you are only playing for yourself and once I played on a high school team, I realized that I like playing for a team so much more than playing individually for U.S. Tennis events.

That’s incredible. Can you talk to me about your high school tennis experience? I know you had a great team.

What made you want to come to Williams?

Yeah, I played for Sycamore High School in Cincinnati. I was lucky to always have a really great team and a coach that was really dedicated to making the experience really worth it for all the team members. I came in as a freshman and I immediately played No. 1 on my high school team, but there were also a bunch of players who were just as good as me.

I just got lucky and played No. 1. My freshman and sophomore year, we made runs — we made it to the final four of the

There were a bunch of different things I was considering as I was looking at colleges. I was looking for good academic schools and places where I could commit to a good team and contribute to the tennis there. So I looked at a couple of different Div. III schools [and] some Ivy league schools to see if I could get on the team and maybe play later on. But I predominantly was choosing between Washington University of St. Louis and Williams because I thought both had really good teams and were great schools. But I ended up

choosing Williams because I really clicked with the team right away and another huge deciding factor was how close I was to [head coach] Dan [Greenberg ’08] right away. I knew he was a really genuine guy and I thought he was awesome and I wanted to play under him.

Really cool. Can you describe your relationship with Greenberg over your four years?

Dan and I are really close. Now, I’m a senior and a captain, but he’s always been someone who has been willing to mentor me as I’ve gotten through Williams.

I’ve honestly been able to share with him a lot about my experience at Williams, whether it’s good or bad. I feel like I’m very privileged to have that type of relationship with a tennis coach. I feel like he’s been one of the most important people I’ve grown close to here at Williams, just because I’m with him so much, playing tennis and trying to figure out how to make the team as good as it can be and make the team as close as it can be. But I just feel very lucky and I think all my other teammates would attest to this as well — Dan is more than just a tennis coach. He’s a mentor for all of us.

I know the team has two seasons, in the fall and the spring. Can you talk about being captain this year?

What are some of the challenges and rewards?

Some of the challenges are that you come in as a senior and you immediately want to integrate the new members of the team into a group of people who have already been with each other for [years].

That’s been one of the challenges, but luckily, everyone gets along really well. The freshman have assimilated into our team incredibly well. Another challenge is to ensure that we are bringing everything we can into practice every day. The fall season is long and we also have a really long spring season, so we’ve been trying to work on getting better everyday.

Knowing that it’s such a long season and we don’t have our big matches until the spring, it’s just making sure that we can hold ourselves to a high standard every time we step on the court.

What’s your signature shot?

That’s a good question. I like my forehand the most. I like to play hitting a big forehand.

October 17, 2018

SPORTS 11

The Williams Record

STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION EXTENDED DEADLINE: OCTOBER 22!!!!

Calling all EPHS! WCMA is seeking submissions for a design to emblazon a tote bag. We're looking for an image that you think embodies the spirit of WCMA. The winning design will be reproduced in white ink on a black canvas bag, with the artist's signature on the inside label.

The bags will be printed and sold at WCMA Shop.

DESIGN GUIDELINES: •Printable area of the bag is 11" wide x 12.5" high. Design can fill all or some of area.

•Two colors only: black on white or white on black.

•You may submit multiple designs.

For more information email Anne at amk7@williams.edu Submit to the attention of Anne Kennedy, Museum Shop Manager Electronic submissions (300 dpi) may be sent to amk7@willliams.edu Hard Copy submissions may be left at the register in the Museum Shop or the Security Desk.

Greg Crowther ’95 excels in post-collegiate running career

By JOHN LAUTENBACH CONTRIBUTING WRITER Greg Crowther ’95, a former member of the cross-country team, exemplifies resilience and dedication. After a storied running career at the College, he went on to pursue greater distances, eventually becoming the USA National 50k Champion and recordholder as well as the USA 100k Road Champion. In 2007, Crowther was crowned 2007 USA Track & Field Ultrarunner of the Year.

But it wasn't always so easy for him. Upon arriving to campus, he was a self-described “slow-boy” with a 3,000m personal best time of 9:35. Even though he wasn’t near the top of the pack in the beginning, he still really enjoyed being a member of the team. “I loved the fact that the team was a meritocracy where people took competition seriously but also inclusive, where you were welcome even if you weren’t that fast,” Crowther said. This openness proved especially beneficial for Crowther. “I was a shy and socially-awkward kid, and I felt completely out of place in my

hard-partying freshman entry... the team helped me stave off the loneliness,” Crowther said.

In addition to running, Crowther became involved in a few other clubs that also supplied him with a strong sense of community. He was a features writer and editor for the Record, as well as the chair of the Biology Majors Advisory Committee. Later on, he would go on to earn a Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics from the University of Washington.

As time went on, Crowther found himself feeling more comfortable opening up to others, including those on the cross-country team. “In my first two years, I wrote poems about and for the cross-country team, like ‘The Night Before NESCACs’ and 'The Charge of the Purple Pack,’” Crowther said. He also performed a song parody during the annual crosscountry talent show.

While Crowther was developing more as a person and becoming involved in more extracurriculars, he was also making vast improvements on the race course for a number of reasons, one of them due

PHOTO COURTESY OF GREGCROWTHER.COM

Greg Crowther ’95 participated in the World Cup 100k three times. to his coach Pete Farwell ’73.

“Pete’s knowledge of running physiology and biomechanics was excellent, and he always could tell us why we were doing a particular workout,” Crowther said. “But in terms of the bigger picture, one of

his big themes was variety and balance. We did a lot of things that weren’t running. I think this variety helped keep us engaged and refreshed both mentally and physically.”

In tandem with Farwell’s effective training regimen,

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK “[Chris] continues to be one of our hardest workers and best possession players. He’s become one of our most dynamic attacking players, setting up teammates and converting chances to ignite our offense. It’s always exciting to see players like Chris maturing into complete two-way players right before our eyes.”

– Head coach Erin Sullivan ’96

“We have known from before Joanna even arrived on campus that she's a talented golfer, and it can take some time to adjust to life in college. Jo has made a steady progression since the start of the semester as a person and a golfer, and this weekend her discipline and good decision-making showed in her scores.”

– Head coach Tomas Adalsteinsson

CHRIS FLEISCHER ’20

JOANNA KIM ’22

MEN'S SOCCER BETHESDA, MD.

WOMEN'S GOLF EDINA, MINN.

On Sunday, in a pivotal conference match against Bowdoin, Fleischer scored a goal to even the game 1-1.

Kim captured her first collegiate win by shooting a two-over 74 on the second day of the NYU Fall Invitational.

slower runners in the pack, and left as a champion. In fact, Crowther developed such a deep love for running during his college years that he decided to continue running professionally after graduation. “I trained for 5k and 10k races for three years, and then moved up to the half-marathon, marathon and eventually ultra-marathons,” he said.

“I got my marathon PR down to 2:22 and found some success in ultras too.” In addition to all of this, Crowther represented the U.S. a total of three times in the World Cup 100k.

Unfortunately in August 2010, Crowther tore his Achilles tendon and hasn’t gotten back to the same amount of running as before.

“If you train hard and train smart for a long time, you will usually be rewarded, whether in athletics or another arena,” Crowther said. “In other words, hard work works! One does not have to be an athlete to experience this, of course, but somehow the experience of slowly molding your body into a more efficient machine is an especially profound one for many of us.”

Crowther noticed some attributes of Div. III athletics that made him a better runner. “I didn’t have the challenges that Div. I scholarship athletes often have – I didn’t have to make an all-consuming commitment to the team, I wasn’t pushed to do too much too soon, and I wasn’t subjected to really high pressure that might have led to burnout,” Crowther said.

On top of this, Crowther underwent a physical change that helped out his running game.

“The fact that I was still growing certainly helped,” he said. “I think I gained three inches and 35 pounds while at Williams.”

All of these factors, along with Crowther’s intense dedication, came together to bring him into the top seven runners in his junior year at the College.

In his senior year, Crowther was named team captain and led the team to its first NCAA title. Not to mention, Crowther shaved his 3,000-meter time to 8:43, a huge improvement.

It is hard to imagine a better end to a student-athlete’s collegiate career. Crowther came into college as one of the

The Office of Communications recommends ...

Susan Jacoby The independent scholar, speaker, and author will present “Living Reason: A Citizen’s Duty in America’s New Age of Unreason”

Wednesday, October 17 7:30 p.m. ’62 Center, MainStage

For more events, visit: events.williams.edu

12 SPORTS

The Williams Record

October 17, 2018

Field hockey wins penalty shootout, sweeps weekend

By CAMERON BROWN and KIRSTEN MAPES STAFF WRITERS Field hockey (8-3, 6-2 in the NESCAC) defeated Bowdoin and Wesleyan at home over the weekend.

On Sunday, the women pushed through double overtime and a penalty shootout to edge Bowdoin. Kate Gregory ’22 slotted a goal in the last penalty shot for the Ephs to win 2-1.

The Polar Bears gained momentum at the start, with Elizabeth Growney knocking a hard shot at the goal which tri-captain keeper Emma Santucci ’19 blocked off her thigh.

The Ephs then took the ball down the field for their first shot of the game off the stick of Claire Fitzpatrick ’21 at 13:17 that was saved by goalie Maddie Ferrucci.

After a scramble the Ephs took the ball for five penalty corners in a row. Receiving the ball from Emma Ticknor ’20, Fitzpatrick crossed the ball to Libby Dolan ’19 where she fired it in for the first goal of the game at 16:53.

As the Eph offense pushed for more, Bowdoin’s Manveer Sandhu broke off with the ball past the Eph defense to score and tie the game. Bowdoin pushed to get the lead, notching two late penalty corners and two more shots, but was fended off by the stout Eph defense and Santucci.

At the half Abby Lloyd ’20 would take over for Santucci and would remain in for the rest of play.

The second half proved to be a stalemate in both score and opportunity as both teams pushed on penalty corners but were unable to convert.

The game moved into overtime, where Williams quickly pushed three penalty corners, with tri-captain Meredith Wright ’19 striking one toward the goal but Ferrucci kicked it out at 72:05. The Polar Bears threatened with less than a minute left with a shot by Abby Bashaw at 79:07 but Lloyd made a save to keep the game tied.

After a scoreless second overtime period which featured chances on both sides, the game moved into a penalty shootout. Four players on each team shot, and the score was tied 1-1. With the final shot, Gregory came off the bench to take the shot for the Ephs and muscled her way past Ferrucci to knock the ball in. The Polar Bears could not answer back as Elizabeth Growney's only shot was kicked away by Lloyd.

It was a day ruled by substitutes – Lloyd had six saves on the day, all outside of regulation time while Gregory scored the game-winning penalty goal.

Head coach Alix Barrale ’93 could not put into words how

excellent the bench play was.

“Lloyd being a wall in the goal and stopping that penalty stroke was huge,” she said. “And Gregory coming in off the bench to score the winning goal was unbelievable. As a coach I can't be more proud of the team effort put into this game.”

On Saturday, the women beat Wesleyan 5-1 to bounce back from back-to-back double overtime losses in their previous two games.

The Ephs and Cardinals started off threatening with shots on both sides while the Ephs notched three penalty corners in the first 10 minutes. Fitzpatrick moved quickly with a hard shot at 9:06 but was turned away by goalkeeper Delaney Wood.

Nikki Gerjarusak broke through the Eph defense at 12:11 to go one on one with Santucci, but Santucci made a save to keep the Cardinals empty-handed.

Gerjarusak came back at the 20 minute mark to line a shot to the left corner of the goal, putting Wesleyan up 1-0. The Ephs answered back quickly with Dolan taking a cross pass from Perry to hit the back of the net at 23:33.

The Ephs kept the pressure on by notching another penalty corner at 28:08 and after a large scramble in the circle, Allie Weiner ’21 was awarded a penalty stroke, sinking the ball past the stick of Wood to put the

PHOTO COURTESY OF SPORTS INFORMATION.

Isabel Perry ’20 had two assists in the match against Wesleyan on Saturday en route to a 2-1 win.

Ephs up 2-1. But the Eph offense was far from done. On another penalty corner at 32:24, Perry lined the ball to Weiner for a straight shot to the net, making it a 3-1 game at the half.

Lloyd would go in for Santucci at the half for the Ephs.

Santucci had two saves and allowed one.

The Ephs broke through again as Dolan sent a cross to Fitzpatrick, allowing her to sneak the ball past the pad of

Wood for a 4th goal at 45:03.

The fifth penalty corner of the half came off Gregory's stick who sent the ball to Wright.

Wright found Gregory at the corner of the goalbox and Gregory sunk the ball into the opposite corner for her first collegiate goal.

Barrale commented on the emphatic victory. “We dominated early with six penalty corners, but Wesleyan scored early, which normally puts

teams up on their toes,” she said. “We did a great job of coming together after that goal, making great passes and converting on our penalty corners. And we were able to carry that fire into the second half and not let up offensively.”

The women played Mount Holyoke on Tuesday, but the results came in too late to report.

The Ephs’ next match up will be home game against Keene State at 6:00 p.m.

Women’s golf concludes season with NYU Fall Invitational victory

By CORDELIA CHAN STAFF WRITER Last weekend, women’s golf were champions at the NYU Fall Invitational. The team scored a total of 619 to lead the field and Joanna Kim ’22 topped the field as individual medalist.

The team travelled to the Forest Hill Field Club. At the end of play on the first day, the host team, NYU, was in the lead with a team total of 305.

Williams was in second with 313 and Amherst was in third with 330. Cordelia Chan ’19 and Olivia White ’22 paced the way with matching 76s.

“I was hitting fairways today which definitely made

things easier. Hopefully I can do the same tomorrow, so that I can put myself in good positions to score,” White said after the first day. White sported two back to back birdies on her way to her second lowest collegiate score.

Next up was Kim with an 80, Stella Woo ’21 with an 81 and Holly Davenport ’21 with an 82.

The team also brought Isabella Wang ’19 as an individual, and she shot an 82.

“I was pleased to see how calm and collected the team was on the course and we are getting closer to playing our best game,” head coach Tomas Adalsteinsson remarked on Saturday’s performance.

On Sunday, a solid showing from NYU put them in the lead by eight strokes after the first day of play. The Ephs, however, were not going to go down without a fight.

The Ephs put together their lowest one-day score of the fall with a 306. NYU posted a second day total of 325, which meant that Williams had overcome the eight shot deficit and beat the home team by 11 strokes overall.

Williams came in first with a 619, NYU second with 630 and Amherst third with 648.

Kim had to fight for her spot in the Eph top five, missing out on one tournament early on. Kim was adamant to make it back on

Games this week Sunday

Wednesday Oct. 17 Men's soccer vs. Hamilton Away, 3 p.m.

Thursday Oct. 18

Volleyball vs.

MIT Away, 11 a.m.

Women's soccer vs. Tufts

Field hockey vs. Tufts

Farley-Lamb Field, 6 p.m.

Away, 1 p.m.

Oct. 19

Football vs. Trinity

Volleyball vs.

MIT

Saturday

Away, all day

Women's crew at Head of the Charles Away, all day

Oct. 23 Men's soccer vs. Middlebury

Men's soccer vs. Tufts

Cole Field, 3 p.m.

Away, 2:30 p.m.

Women's soccer vs. Middlebury

Oct. 20 Men's golf, NEIGA Tournament (Oct. 20-22)

Away, all day

Tuesday

Away , 1:30 p.m.

Away, 7 p.m.

Men's crew at Head of the Charles

Away, 12:30 p.m.

Field hockey vs. Keene St.

Friday

Oct. 21

Cole Field, 3 p.m.

Volleyball vs.

Babson Away, 3:30 p.m.

Field hockey vs. Middlebury Away, 6:30 p.m.

the lineup and has never wavered from the number one or two spot since. She capped off her first collegiate season with her first collegiate win.

Kim shot a two-over 74 on Sunday to improve on her Saturday score of 80, which was the lowest score of the field on the second day.

“I think this course really emphasizes good short game and putting. This week I was able to line up the ball with confidence and make a smooth stroke," Kim said.

“My long game wasn't where I hoped it could be but I was able to work around the deficit with a strong short game.”

Chan was next up in the lineup. Her 78 on the second

day put her tied with Kim for first place. After a scorecard playoff, Kim was awarded medalist honors.

The scoring continued with Davenport and Woo matching with a pair of 77s.

Davenport and Woo placed T10 and T8. White finished out the top five with an 81.

White, similar to Kim, has had an impressive fall season as a first-year. She played in every event in the Eph top five and carded top scores of 74 and a 76 this season. Her consistency every time she stepped on the course was key to the Ephs' success this season.

Wang played her last fall season tournament this week-

end, shooting an 88 on the second day of play to place for 22nd.

"It was great to end the fall season with such a strong team performance,” Adalsteinsson said. “This performance will carry well into the off season, and the players needed to see their games come together to see what we are truly capable of. We have a fairly young team that's learned a lot during this fall season, and we will benefit from it come spring time. It's also fun to see a first-year earn medalist honors in her rookie collegiate season."

The Ephs conclude their fall slate and will return to action in the spring.

Football suffers first loss of season against Middlebury

By JOE LaROCCA STAFF WRITER Despite holding the Middlebury offense scoreless in the second half on Saturday, football (4-1, 4-1 in the NESCAC) was unable to come back from a significant early deficit as they fell short to Middlebury 21-10.

The Panthers controlled the line of scrimmage from start to finish, racking up 278 rushing yards and holding the Ephs to their lowest point total of the season in a convincing win. In the first half, quarterback Will Jernigan scored three touchdowns as Middlebury dominated possession time and led long, methodical drives.

The Panthers only ran two plays that gained more than 20 yards, but a combined 56 rushing attempts from Jernigan and running back Peter Scibilia kept the defensive line honest. The Ephs’ defense didn't allow a single point in the second half, but it wasn't enough to come back from the largest deficit Williams has faced this season.

The Ephs’ defense started off strong, as a Middlebury drive deep into Williams territory ended abruptly when safety Luke Apuzzi ’20 deflected a Jernigan pass, which was then intercepted by defensive back Jake Kastenhuber ’21. The men then gave the ball right back, as a miscommunication between quarterback Bobby Maimaron ’21 and wide receiver Frank Stola ’21 resulted in an easy interception for the Middlebury defense.

The Panthers capitalized on the turnover, scoring touchdowns on three straight drives, the last being an im-

pressive nine-play, 96-yard march down the field to make it 21-3.

Late in the second quarter, Williams had an opportunity to cut into Middlebury’s 18-point lead, but a botched snap led to a fumble on the exchange, which the Panthers pounced on immediately to end the scoring chance with less than a minute to go in the first half.

The Ephs had many opportunities to get back into the game late. After scoring a touchdown on their opening drive of the second half, cutting the deficit to 21-10, Williams had five different chances to cut into the lead further. But three of those drives resulted in punts, one in a turnover on downs and the fifth on a game-sealing interception with under four minutes to play.

Williams was unable to get into an offensive rhythm for the whole game as Maimaron was constantly under duress, while the running backs were unable to find many lanes, and the receivers were uable to break away from tight press-man coverage.

Middlebury outperformed Williams in three key areas during the game. First, the Panthers won the turnover battle, 2-1, forcing a secondquarter fumble. This loomed large for the rest of the game and shifted the momentum.

Second, Middlebury converted 12 of 23 (52.2%) third- and fourth-down attempts, compared to just 5 of 16 for Williams (31.3%). But most importantly, the Panthers more than tripled the Ephs' rushing total, rumbling for 278 yards compared to just 92 for Williams.

“It is what it is. They outplayed us and outcoached

us today, and they deserved a victory,” head coach Mark Raymond said after the loss.

But Raymond is confident that his team will bounce back from the setback. “I expect them, as I always do, to work hard, prepare hard and play hard.”

Maimaron finished the day 20-for-38 with 239 passing yards, with a rushing touchdown, but also a lost fumble and threw his first two interceptions of the season.

While Maimaron led the rushing attack with 55 yards, running back Carter Begel ’22 played well in place of injured starting running back TJ Dozier ’21, rushing nine times for 40 yards and catching two passes for 21 receiving yards. Stola once again had a standout game, catching nine passes for 88 yards. Apuzzi led the defense with 11 tackles (9 solo), a tackle for loss and an interception.

For the Panthers, Jernigan went 18-for-31 with 162 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Scabilia was impressive all game, picking up 178 yards from scrimmage. No Middlebury receiver caught more than 4 passes or amassed more than 39 yards, but given Middlebury's strong running game, it was enough.

Injuries have become a concern for the Ephs, as Dozier and linebacker TJ Rothmann ’21 – two of the team’s most impactful players – both left the game with injuries and did not return.

Next week, the Ephs hope to rebound on the road against Tufts (4-1) at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, who also suffered their first loss of the season this week against Trinity.