This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
The following is a selection of recent media coverage of Lafayette:
National/Regional Media
The Chronicle of Higher Education, July 2:
Diane Cole Ahl, Rothkopf Professor of Art History, and Lew Minter, media lab director at the Williams Visual Arts Building, have collaborated to digitally reconstruct some altarpieces by renowned early-Renaissance painter Fra Angelico. “The technology may be simple, but it could have a considerable effect on art-history scholarship,” states the article, titled “Technology and Research Are Combined to Digitally Reassemble Lost Works of Art.” “Ms. Ahl is putting the digital images in a forthcoming book about Fra Angelico. And she plans to use them in her classes, to show students how an altarpiece might look to a kneeling worshiper, or to someone viewing it by candlelight.” Students also engage in digital reconstruction of Renaissance and medieval art works in an interim session course taught by Minter, Visual Communication through Technology. “‘The response has been enormous,’ he says.”
Harrisburg Patriot-News, June 17:
Lafayette President Arthur J. Rothkopf ’55 has been elected vice president of The Pennsylvania Society, a group founded in 1899 to recognize the accomplishments of those who have made significant contributions to the welfare and reputation of the state.
Spotlight on Students in their Hometown Newspapers
The Express-Times, June 28:
Chemistry major Caitlin Sullivan ’05 (Bethlehem, Pa.) has had her EXCEL Scholars research with Joseph Sherma, Larkin Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, published in two issues of a prestigious scientific journal and another paper is scheduled for publication in a second journal this year. “‘There are a lot of schools that claim they do undergraduate research, but our program here leads to publication in peer-reviewed journals. This is very good for students because it helps them end up in graduate school or get a better job,’ [Sherma] said.” She will share her research at the American Chemical Society National Meeting in August. This summer, she is conducting research with the Center for Emeritus Scientists in Academic Research, a program affiliated with the Merck & Co. pharmaceutical company.
Hopewell Valley News, June 10:
International affairs major Raisa Sheynberg ’04 (Pennington, N.J.) presented senior honors research on the failure of the Camp David 2000 summit at the 18th annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in April. She also presented original research at the conference last year and had her abstract chosen for inclusion in the conference proceedings. She spent last summer working with The Population Resource Center, a nonprofit organization that aims to further the development of public policy by bringing the latest demographic data to policymakers through large symposia, policy briefings, and small-group discussions.
Wayne Independent, June 9
Rory Hart ’04 (Equinunk, Pa.) received honors in history for a yearlong research project on the changing interpretations of France’s government during the Vichy era. Guided by Robert Weiner, Jones Professor of History, Hart presented his findings at the 18th annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research. He was a double major in history and government & law.
Williamsport Sun-Gazette, June 7:
Civil engineering major Susan Bowers ’05(Williamsport, Pa.) is among a dozen students from Princeton University, University of Massachusetts, Smith College, and other institutions who are participating in the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduates program hosted by the University of Delaware. She also received the Jack W. Weber Scholarship from the CIB Foundation, awarded to outstanding undergraduate students demonstrating a career goal in becoming practicing engineers, architects, inspectors, technicians, and constructors for the “built environment.” Last fall, she received a competitive award from the Central Pennsylvania Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Clifton Journal, June 4:
Christopher Turano ’04 (Clifton, N.J.) earned honors in economics and business after conducting a yearlong independent research project on the economics of Major League Baseball under the guidance of Thomas Bruggink, professor of economics and business. Turano also completed an internship at ONYX Environmental Services in Ledgewood, N.J., the second largest hazardous waste service company in North America
Daily Times, June 1:
Mechanical engineering major Adam Simpson ’04 (Aston, Pa.) studied the effect that certain fuels have on elements of internal combustion in senior honors research guided by Richard Merz, associate professor of mechanical engineering, and Ira Katz, director of mechanical engineering laboratories and chemical hygiene coordinator. Simpson used the department’s equipment to the full advantage, setting up a “lab” for his yearlong project. Last summer, Simpson held a position in computation flow research at the University of Michigan, which helped him to become familiar with automotive research.
Lehigh Valley Media
The Express-Times and The Morning Call, June 23:
Charles L. Best, professor emeritus of engineering, whose distinguished career as teacher, mentor, and scholar spanned four decades, died Monday, June 21. Plans are being made for a campus memorial service during the fall semester
The Express-Times, June 10:
James W. Dicker ’85, vice president for development and college relations, was named vice chairman of Two Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Morning Call, June 6:
The 1882 transit of Venus was observed at Lafayette’s Traill Green Observatory, which stood from 1864-1929 and now is the site of Colton Chapel. The museum’s telescope, a 9.5-inch reflector, was the largest in America at the time of its manufacture in 1837. Observations from the transit were sent to the Naval Observatory.
The Express-Times, June 6:
Donald L. Miller, John Henry MacCracken Professor of History, shared his expertise in an article about the D-Day invasion, discussing the risk of attacking Hitler’s “Atlantic wall” and its importance in World War II. Miller, who led a two-day seminar on the National Mall to kick off the Smithsonian Institution’s national World War II reunion, planned on attending the observance of the 60th anniversary of D-Day in France, the article noted.