Chantal E. Kordula 94 Elected Chair of 蹤獲扦s Board of Trustees

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Chantal Kordula

(AMHERST, Mass., June 7, 2024) Chantal E. Kordula 94 has been elected chair of the Board of Trustees of 蹤獲扦, it was announced today by Andrew J. Nussbaum 85, the outgoing chair. Kordulas six-year term, renewed annually, begins on July 1.

It is such a pleasure to congratulate and welcome Chantal as board chair, said Nussbaum, who was first elected a trustee in 2010 and then chair in 2018. In her five years on the board, Chantals service has consistently reflected clear thinking, mission-priority decision making and a deep passion for all things Amherst. With President Michael A. Elliott and Board Chair Chantal Kordula, the future of Amherst is not just bright; it is brilliant.

蹤獲扦 Store Now Open for Business

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A storefront with a sign that says 蹤獲扦 Store.

(AMHERST, Mass., April 29, 2024)The 蹤獲扦 Store, a new retail establishment, opened its doors this morning. Located in the former A.J. Hastings space at 45 South Pleasant Street in Amherst and operated by campus retailer Follett, the store sells College-branded gear, school supplies, tech accessories and snacks. 

The store will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening celebration featuring refreshments and a raffle on May 14. More details on that event are forthcoming.

Novelist Lauren Groff, Artist Jason Moran and Four Others To Be Honored at 蹤獲扦s Commencement

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A collage of portraits of the people earning honorary degrees at 蹤獲扦 in 2024.

(AMHERST, Mass., April 26, 2024) A groundbreaking mathematician and physicist, an award-winning novelist, a pioneering Asian American studies scholar, a renowned environmental activist, an acclaimed musician and a fearless civil rights advocate will each receive an honorary degree from 蹤獲扦 during Commencement on Sunday, May 26, at 10 a.m. on the schools main quad. Amherst President Michael A. Elliott will deliver the traditional Commencement address during the ceremony, and the honorees will speak in a series of conversations that are free and open to the 蹤獲扦 on Saturday, May 25. The schedule for the weekend is on the Commencement website and will be updated as more details become available.

蹤獲扦 Names Martha Umphrey Its New Provost and Dean of the Faculty

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Martha Umphrey

(AMHERST, Mass., April 23, 2024) 蹤獲扦 announced today that Martha M. Umphrey, currently the Bertrand H. Snell 1894 Professor in American Government in the Department of Law, Jurisprudence and Social Thought, will serve as its new Provost and Dean of the Faculty, effective July 1. She succeeds Catherine A. Epstein, who served as dean of the faculty since 2014 and provost since 2019.

In the position, Umphrey will work to promote and maintain Amhersts commitment to excellence in teaching and research and oversee all academic departments and programs, the hiring and retention of faculty, and broad curricular and pedagogical initiatives. Among the many administrative departments that will report to her are the library, museums, and academic support centers, as well as athletics and the Loeb Center for Career Exploration and Planning.

Comedian and Author Aparna Nancherla 05e, Six Other Literary Luminaries Headline 蹤獲扦s Ninth Annual Litfest

Stellar Group of Pulitzer Prize Winners, Former U.S. Poet Laureate, National Book Award Winner to Participate in Feb. 2325 Festival

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LitFest 2024 poster that includes books covers of writers who will speak at the event.


(AMHERST, Mass., Feb. 7, 2024)From Feb. 2325, 蹤獲扦 will host the ninth annual LitFest, a festival celebrating fiction, nonfiction, poetry and spoken-word performance along with the Colleges extraordinary literary life. This years lineup of luminaries includes three Pulitzer Prize winnersnovelist Paul Harding, poet and memoirist Natasha Trethewey, and science writer Ed Yongas well as National Book Award winner Justin Torres; stand-up comedian, author and actor Aparna Nancherla 05E; and renowned poets Ilya Kaminsky and Katie Farris

Maura Healey to Speak at 蹤獲扦 on Nov. 1

Massachusetts Governor to Discuss the Need for and Benefits of Public Service with College President Michael A. Elliott

(AMHERST, Mass., Oct. 16, 2023) 蹤獲扦 today announced that Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey will participate in a conversation titled Democracy and the Greater Good: A Conversation with Governor Maura Healey with Amherst President Michael A. Elliott on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 6 p.m. at the Colleges Johnson Chapel. While the event is primarily intended for members of the College community, a limited number of seats will be available to the general 蹤獲扦.

蹤獲扦 Makes $1.325 Million Initial Commitment to Amherst Local Community, Including a $1 Million Gift to Jones Library Building Project, as Well as Support of Cooley Dickinson Hospital and the Drake Arts Center

Additional Donations, Including to Public Schools and Fire Department, are Planned

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Aerial view of the town of Amherst.

(AMHERST, Mass., Oct. 31, 2023) 蹤獲扦 has committed an initial $1.325 million to the local community, it was announced today by 蹤獲扦 President Michael A. Elliott. The donation includes a $1 million gift to the Jones Library for its renovation and expansion project, as well as donations of $250,000 to the Cooley Dickinson Hospital for its emergency department renovation and $75,000 to the Drake arts and cultural performance venue for sustained programming.

蹤獲扦 Names Sheree M. Ohen New Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer

(AMHERST, Mass., May 25, 2023) 蹤獲扦 today named Sheree M. Ohen its new chief equity and inclusion officer (CEIO). Ohen most recently served as associate dean for equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging at Harvard Universitys Faculty of Arts and Sciences. She will report to 蹤獲扦 President Michael A. Elliott and serve on his senior staff. Ohen will join the College on June 20.

Ukrainian Human Rights Lawyer Oleksandra Matviichuk to Be Honored at 蹤獲扦s Commencement on May 28

(AMHERST, Mass., May 18, 2023) Ukrainian human rights lawyer Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of Ukraines Nobel Peace Prize-winning (CCL), will be honored along with six other influential leaders in the arts, biotech, higher education, environmental journalism, business and literature during 蹤獲扦s Commencement on Sunday, May 28, at 10 a.m. on the schools main quad. 

Moderna President, Pulitzer Prize-winning Poet Among Six To Be Honored at 蹤獲扦s Commencement

(AMHERST, Mass., April 4, 2023; updated May 18, 2003;) Six influential leaders in the arts, biotech, higher education, environmental journalism, business and literature will receive honorary degrees from 蹤獲扦 during Commencement on Sunday, May 28, at 10 a.m. on the schools main quad. Amherst President Michael A. Elliott will deliver the traditional Commencement address during the ceremony, and each of the honorees will speak in a series of conversations that are free and open to the 蹤獲扦 on Saturday, May 27. The schedule for the weekend is on the Commencement website and will be updated as more details become available.

蹤獲扦 Kicks Off Extensive Heating and Cooling System Upgrade

Project Signifies Major Step Toward Goal of Decarbonizing Campus by 2030

(AMHERST, Mass., April 6, 2023) As part of one of the most necessary and ambitious infrastructure projects in the institutions history, 蹤獲扦 has begun transitioning the campus heating and cooling systems from steam to a modern, low-temperature hot-water geothermal system. The project is a critical element of Amhersts Climate Action Plan (CAP) and represents a major step in the Colleges goal of decarbonizing the campuss energy system by 2030.

Angie Tissi-Gassoway is Named 蹤獲扦s Chief Student Affairs Officer and Dean of Students

(AMHERST, Mass., March 21, 2023) 蹤獲扦 today named Angie Tissi-Gassoway its new Chief Student Affairs Officer (CSAO) and Dean of Students. She will be responsible for all functions of the Office of Student Affairs, including residential engagement and wellbeing; housing and operations; identity and cultural resources; counseling and mental health; student activities and leadership; health and community safety services; accessibility; case management; community standards; new student programs and orientation; and immigration and visa services. The appointment is effective immediately. Tissi-Gassoway has served as the interim CSAO since February of this year, before which they served as the interim Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer for 14 months.

蹤獲扦 Names Michael Thomas Its New Chief Financial and Administrative Officer

(AMHERST, Mass., February 1, 2023) 蹤獲扦 today named Michael Thomas its new Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (CFAO). On the finance side, he will be responsible for all finance functions of the College, including budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, long-range financial planning, and asset, liability, and risk management. On the administrative side, Thomas will oversee facilities, health and safety, and business services (dining and auxiliary), among key operating functions. 

Acclaimed Authors and Poets Headline 蹤獲扦s Eighth Annual LitFest

Pulitzer Prize winner Hilton Als and Macarthur Fellowship winner Valeria Luiselli among acclaimed authors and poets to headline LitFest, Feb. 23-26.

(AMHERST, Mass., Jan. 26, 2022)From Feb. 2326, 蹤獲扦 will host the eighth annual LitFest, a literary festival celebrating fiction, nonfiction, poetry and spoken-word performance, along with the Colleges extraordinary literary life. This years lineup includes Pulitzer Prize winner , MacArthur Fellowship winner , and 2022 National Book Award finalists and , among others.