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Williamstown's Kuster Makes USA Swimming's List of Notable 18U Men

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Three of Harvard's freshman men's swimmers Noah Brune, Will Grant, and Williamstown resident Cole Kuster were named to the USA Swimming's "18 & Under World 100" list released this week.
 
The 18 & Under World 100 is a ranking of best 18 & Under swimmers in the United States, according to USA Swimming's 18 & Under, age-defined world ranking. The goal of the program is the acknowledge the excellence achieved by the best athletes, their coaches and club programs who supported. To qualify the athlete must be a registered USA Swimming member at the time of qualifying, eligible to represent the U.S. in international competition as of Sept. 1, 2018, and be under 18 on Sept. 2, 2019 (born on or after Sept. 3, 2000).
 
Harvard's three swimmers have already made an impact for the Crimson midway through their first season in Cambridge. Brune posted a season-best time in the 500 freestyle at the Minnesota Invitational on Dec. 5, 2019 with a time of 4:26.80. It surpassed the Crimson's previous season-best, held by fellow top-100 honoree, Kuster, who clocked in with a time of 4:28.53 against Duke and No. 7 Texas A&M to open the season. Additionally, Kuster has his name sprinkled three times across the team's top-six spots in the 500, while also winning the 500 and 1,000 freestyle events outright in every Ivy League dual this season. 
 
Rounding out the Crimson on the top-100 list, Grant currently holds the Crimson's best times this season in the 100 back and 200 back registering NCAA B-cut times of 47.59 and 1:42.47, respectively, at the Minnesota Invitational. He also registered two other B-cut times in Minnesota in the 200 IM (1:46.71) and 400 IM (3:50.28).
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Williams College Receives Anonymous $25M Gift to Support Projects

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williams College has received a $25 million gift commitment in support of three major initiatives currently underway on campus: constructing a new museum building, developing a comprehensive plan for athletics and wellbeing facilities, and endowing the All-Grant financial aid program. 
 
The donors, who wish to remain anonymous, say the gift reflects their desire to not only support Williams but also President Maud S. Mandel's strategic vision and plan for the college. 
 
"This remarkably generous commitment sustains our momentum for WCMA, will be a catalyst for financial aid, and is foundational for athletics and wellness. It will allow us to build upon areas of excellence that have long defined the college," Mandel said. "I could not be more appreciative of this extraordinary investment in Williams."
 
Of the donors' total gift, $10 million will help fund the first freestanding, purpose-built home for the Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA), a primary teaching resource for the college across all disciplines and home to more than 15,000 works. 
 
Each year, roughly 30 academic departments teach with WCMA's collection in as many as 130 different courses. 
 
The new building, designed by the internationally recognized firm SO-IL and slated to open in 2027, will provide dedicated areas for teaching and learning, greater access to the collection and space for everything from formal programs to impromptu gatherings. The college plans to fund at least $100 million of the total project cost with gifts.
 
Another $10 million will support planning for and early investments in a comprehensive approach to renewing the college's athletics and wellbeing facilities. 
 
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