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Local Students Earn Williams College Degrees

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williams College President Maud S. Mandel today conferred bachelor of arts degrees to local graduates at the college's 230th commencement. Mary-Claire King, an award-winning geneticist at the University of Washington who first discovered the breast and ovarian cancer gene, was the principal speaker.

Adams

Jonathan R. Hall, son of Mrs. Allison Hall and Mr. Brian Hall of Rockville Centre, N.Y., majored in chemistry and mathematics. Hall was the president of the Williams Outing Club and a Junior Advisor. He graduated with honors in chemistry, was a Fulbright Scholar, a Class of 1960s Scholar in Chemistry, Roche Fellowship recipient, Class of 1945 World Fellowship recipient, and a member of Sigma Xi.

Dalton

Jeffrey A. Pullano, son of Mark and Michelle Pullano, majored in chemistry. Pullano was a member of the Williams College Jazz Ensemble and the Williams Oral Health Society. He was a student assistant to the athletic trainer, a chemistry lab teaching assistant (TA), grading TA, peer tutor, and a tutor at the Math and Science Resource Center.

Pittsfield

Anna Black, daughter of Valerie Anderson and David Black, majored in physics and statistics. Black was a board member of the Green Revolving Fund. She was a TA for the departments of computer science, economics, statistics, and the Center for Environmental Studies. She graduated with honors in physics and was elected to Sigma Xi and the national statistics honor society Mu Sigma Rho.

Anna Leonard, daughter of Sandra Keen and Richard Leonard, majored in psychology. Leonard participated on the Neighborhood Leadership Team and was a research assistant in the psychology department. She received the Patricia Goldman-Rakic Prize in Neuroscience, graduated cum laude with honors in physics, and was elected to Sigma Xi.

Merudjina Normil, daughter of Ms. Roselie Honlah, majored in comparative literature. Normil was a member of Kusika, Ritmo Latino, Black Student Union, Students of Caribbean Ancestry, and Cap and Bells. She is also a recipient of the Ernest Brown Africana Arts Prize and the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.

Williamstown

Jake B. Foehl, son of Mr. and Mrs. Foehl, majored in statistics and was a member of the men's golf team.

Rachel Burr Gerrard, daughter of Jenny and Steve Gerrard, majored in psychology. Gerrard graduated magna cum laude, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and made dean's list. She participated in the Williamstown Elementary School Big Sibling Program and was a host for Williams Trivia Night.

Eric Daniel Hirsch, son of Alan and Marjorie Hirsch, majored in history. Hirsch was on the men's soccer team and worked for the Office of Sports Information.

Matthew John Hogan, son of Sue and John Hogan, majored in economics and was on the men's lacrosse team.

Nyein Chan T. Soe, son of Thet and Marlar Soe, majored in physics. Soe was captain of club tennis and made dean's list.

 


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WCMA: 'Cracking the Code on Numerology'

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA) opens a new exhibition, "Cracking the Cosmic Code: Numerology in Medieval Art."
 
The exhibit opened on March 22.
 
According to a press release: 
 
The idea that numbers emanate sacred significance, and connect the past with the future, is prehistoric and global. Rooted in the Babylonian science of astrology, medieval Christian numerology taught that God created a well-ordered universe. Deciphering the universe's numerical patterns would reveal the Creator's grand plan for humanity, including individual fates. 
 
This unquestioned concept deeply pervaded European cultures through centuries. Theologians and lay people alike fervently interpreted the Bible literally and figuratively via number theory, because as King Solomon told God, "Thou hast ordered all things in measure, and number, and weight" (Wisdom 11:22). 
 
"Cracking the Cosmic Code" explores medieval relationships among numbers, events, and works of art. The medieval and Renaissance art on display in this exhibition from the 5th to 17th centuries—including a 15th-century birth platter by Lippo d'Andrea from Florence; a 14th-century panel fragment with courtly scenes from Palace Curiel de los Ajos, Valladolid, Spain; and a 12th-century wall capital from the Monastery at Moutiers-Saint-Jean—reveal numerical patterns as they relate to architecture, literature, gender, and timekeeping. 
 
"There was no realm of thought that was not influenced by the all-consuming belief that all things were celestially ordered, from human life to stones, herbs, and metals," said WCMA Assistant Curator Elizabeth Sandoval, who curated the exhibition. "As Vincent Foster Hopper expounds, numbers were 'fundamental realities, alive with memories and eloquent with meaning.' These artworks tease out numerical patterns and their multiple possible meanings, in relation to gender, literature, and the celestial sphere. 
 
"The exhibition looks back while moving forward: It relies on the collection's strengths in Western medieval Christianity, but points to the future with goals of acquiring works from the global Middle Ages. It also nods to the history of the gallery as a medieval period room at this pivotal time in WCMA's history before the momentous move to a new building," Sandoval said.
 
Cracking the Cosmic Code runs through Dec. 22.
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