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Kyle Hur '25

Staff Writer

The image depicts Karen Lee in front of an intent audience, speaking on the stage at Johnson Chapel.

Students Contemplate Progress at Annual Speaking Competition

Eleven students delivered persuasive speeches on the theme of progress in this year’s annual student speaking competition. They contemplated progress from the Amherst campus to the world as a whole, citing the importance of collective activism, storytelling, and risk taking, among many other topics.

From the Red Room: Feb. 7 AAS Meeting Updates

The AAS held its first meeting of the spring semester on Monday, Feb. 7. Senators discussed the current Covid-19 protocols at the college, the logistics of commencement, and the student activities fee.

Denial of Remote Learning Prompts Accessibility Concerns

Although many students have welcomed the college’s return to fully in-person learning, some students have requested to learn remotely due to personal circumstances. The college has denied all such requests, however, citing the importance of residential experiences to an Amherst education.

Thoughts on Theses: Max Hoffman

Max Hoffman is a chemistry major. His thesis looks at the computational modeling of excited nanocrystals. His thesis advisor is Professor of Chemistry Jacob Olshansky.

From the Red Room: Oct. 25 AAS Meeting Updates

The AAS discussed Committee on Priorities and Resources (CPR) allocations, nominated representatives for the upcoming Judiciary Council (JC) hearing, and went over on-campus issues and projects.

Staff Spotlight: Reneé Alvarez

Reneé Alvarez is a Meal Checker at Valentine Dining Hall. She is beloved on campus for her warm and enthusiastic greetings. Alvarez previously worked as a business manager at the University of Missouri, but moved to Amherst with her husband, Professor of Mathematics Ryan Alvarado.

Fresh Faculty: Lee Spector

Lee Spector is a professor of computer science. He received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Oberlin College and attended the University of Maryland, College Park, where he earned a Ph.D. in computer science.