February 9, 1998 | Volume 87, Number 16 | Prev | Next | Index
Princeton University Office of Communications, Stanhope Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544
Tel 609/258-3601, Fax 609/258-1301

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet teaches in Creative Writing program

How many bricks
By JoAnn Gutin
Photo by Denise Applewhite

In 1984, Yusef Komunyakaa found himself at a crossroads in life. Since the early '70s he had been knocking around the academic world, collecting one undergraduate and a couple of graduate degrees, assorted honors and the occasional fellowship. From 1980 on he had been teaching, but under fairly grueling and not especially fulfilling conditions: English Composition at a big commuter college; visiting artist in the public schools. But in 1984 Komunyakaa was offered a one-year position in the creative writing program at Indiana University.
    Most people would have jumped at the chance, but not Komunyakaa. Now, sitting behind his desk in his immaculate, sunny office in 185 Nassau St., he recalls the dilemma. ...

Psychology major named Sachs Scholar

Shalani Alisharan '98, a psychology major, has been named this year's winner of the Daniel M. Sachs Class of 1960 Scholarship.
    She plans to earn a master's degree in neuroscience or some other branch of psychology at Worcester College, Oxford University, with an eye toward an eventual career in academic psychology. Her senior thesis examines neuronal characteristics of the ventral premotor cortex in monkeys.
    At Princeton, Alisharan has been active in the Black Arts Company, both as a dancer and as the group's business manager. A tutor and project manager at Community House, she works with Hamilton Township youngsters aged six to 13. She is also a board member of Stevenson Hall. ...

History graduate student wins International Center service award

Helping area immigrants
By Caroline Moseley

Paul Kramer, graduate student in history, received the International Center's first International Service Award for his work on behalf of Princeton's Latino immigrants.
    Kramer is founder of the campus-based Princeton Immigrant Rights League, known as Apoyo, and cochair of the town-gown Latin American Task Force.

Trustees salute Shapiro on 10th anniversary

On January 8, 1988 Harold Shapiro was installed as the 18th President of Princeton University. Shortly after President Shapiro's inauguration, he presided over the first meeting of this Board of Trustees.
    In his inaugural address, he expressed his desire to "enter into a sustained conversation with the Princeton community" that would result in "increased fellowship, enduring friendship, and continued leadership."
    To mark the occasion we Trustees appropriately reflect on these past 10 years and offer the following resolution...
 

Three hundred and thirty staff members were honored at the annual Service Recognition Luncheon in Rockefeller-Mathey Dining Hall on January 28, with Robert Durkee, vice president for public affairs, as master of ceremonies.

Five professors accept
    endowed chairs
Three assistant professors
    join faculty

Editor: Sally Freedman
Associate editor:
    Caroline Moseley
Calendar and production editor:
    Carolyn Geller
Photographers:
    Denise Applewhite,
    Robert P. Matthews
Web edition: Mahlon Lovett