Connections

I was pleased to read yesterday that Annette Gordon-Reed, Dartmouth Class of 1981, has been awarded a $500,000 MacArthur "Genius" grant. As I've mentioned before, I had the privilege of working on her seminal book, the National Book Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning The Hemingses of Monticello, during my time at W.W. Norton. And since I was the one who sent out the advanced reader copies to the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize judges, I have long (facetiously) claimed credit for her success, which has now been increased by this most coveted of awards. But in all seriousness, a hearty congratulations to Professor Gordon-Reed!

October will see the launching of The Waterman Institute, a new center for faith and learning at Dartmouth. Named for early twentieth century minister Rev. Lucius Waterman, the center is not officially affiliated with the College, though it caters heavily to the Dartmouth and Hanover populations. A number of my former colleagues at The Dartmouth Apologia, now graduated, have administrative and other roles at the Institute. The first official event is a three-week series entitled "What's the Point of Education?" I'm excited to see the Institute get off the ground and look forward to its continued growth in the Dartmouth and surrounding communities.

Out in Siberia, the chess Olympiad is starting to come down to the wire. With two rounds to go, the U.S. men's team is in a three-way tie for fourth place, two points behind leader Ukraine. On the women's side, the U.S. team is in a ten-way tie for eleventh place and is in all likelihood out of medal contention. Go USA!

In other news, science has once again spent countless quantities of time and money proving what grandmothers the world over already knew: Gargling salt water can help alleviate cold symptoms.