New Dean!

The college will have a new dean, and I, for one, couldn't be happier about their choice. I know Karen a little and I think she will be very interested in making changes to the college that reflect the needs of a warming world and a more aware student body.

To the Williams Community,

I am delighted to report that, after consulting with the Faculty Steering Committee, I have offered the position of Dean of the College to Karen Merrill of the History Department and she has accepted.

Karen will take on primary responsibility for all aspects of student life on July 1 after Nancy Roseman's seven years of remarkable service as Dean. Nancy had announced earlier her intent to return to fulltime teaching and research.

In addition to Karen's distinguished work as a teacher and award-winning scholar she has administrative experience as Director of the Center for Environmental Studies. She also has served on the College's Committee on Academic Standing, the Committee on Pedagogy and Evaluation, and the Stetson-Sawyer Planning Committee.

Williams is fortunate to have someone of her ability to carry on the College's long tradition of calling on members of the faculty to fill senior administrative positions.

I hope you will join me in thanking Nancy and Karen for the important work done, and yet to come, on behalf of all Williams students.

Best regards,
M. Schapiro

In other news, Sweden, led by industrial giants such as Volvo, pledges to eliminate using fossil fuels by 2020. link