Regarding ‘Esteemed physicist John Wheeler dies at 96,' (Tuesday, April 15, 2008):
I first encountered John Wheeler as a freshman engineering student in 1954 when he was lecturer in PHY 103. It was a huge class, and the subject was bound to be a complex one. Wheeler addressed us clearly and with a measured manner. I assume most of us had not heard of his fame to that time. We knew of Einstein, and perhaps Bohr, Fermi and Oppenheimer, but Wheeler was someone whose fame would be evidenced later. He never mentioned black holes. Thankfully they were beyond the scope of freshman physics.
He made one of the most memorable and unique requests ever heard from a college professor. He asked us to be patient with him, as he was accustomed to teaching much higher-level courses. To be in front of freshmen was new to him. This moment has stayed with me ever since. I did not get off to a good start in the course but was able to get a 40 on one hour exam and finished with a good grade.
Later I took a course in atomic physics taught by Val Fitch, who was to win a Nobel Prize in physics. As many of us look back, we can appreciate the opportunities that Princeton gave us to study with such famous scientists.
Bob Givey '58
Don't forget about the Program in Dance
Regarding ‘New ballet company to fill artistic void,' (Friday, April 11, 2008):
As active certificate students in the Program in Dance, we would like to correct some of the assumptions about this "artistic void" on campus. While we feel that the formation of a new dance company deserves recognition and publicity, we are concerned that the article in last Friday's paper did not recognize all existing organizations. The Program in Dance, a certificate program run by professor of theater and dance Ze'eva Cohen, provides an absolute outlet for the experienced and well-trained ballet dancer and was not mentioned once in the article.
No, the Program in Dance does not produce performances that are fully ballet-based. But daily ballet class is offered through the program and the annual Spring Dance Festival in the Berlind Theatre brings in ballet choreographers from the tri-state area and beyond. Mark Morris, Jim Martin, Vaslav Nijinsky and Jessica Lang are renowned ballet choreographers whose work has been performed by advanced Princeton students in the last five years. Additionally, all the dance faculty are trained in ballet and recognize its importance in dance education.
We agree that ballet is a vital art form that should have its place on campus. It is the classical dance form of the European Diaspora, deriving from social dances in the court of King Louis XIV, and deserves the same recognition as all the other varied ethnic dance forms on campus. It is also one of the main bases for American and European modern dance.
But the suggestion that an "artistic void" exists as a result of the lack of support by the University is blatantly false. The student-run dance groups provide one source of artistic stimulus on campus, but the Program in Dance intentionally maintains its distance from those organizations to ensure each group's autonomy. In the meantime, it strives to serve the needs of serious, trained dancers, who wish to apply their training to mastering classical, modern, and post-modern forms of movement.
We fully respect and support Virgina Byron '10 and Liz Rosen '10 and their desire to create a venue to practice and perform classical ballet. We hope, however, that The Daily Princetonian will recognize University programs and departments as well as student groups when it reports on the arts in the future.
Jennie Scholick '09
Sarah Outhwaite '09
Forget eco-friendly, how about clean?
Princeton University is proud of its beautiful campus and its policies favoring an ecologically sound environment. As I walk around campus, however, I am surprised by how much litter I see.
Two recommendations: Everyone should place litter in proper trash receptacles. Second, Buildings and Grounds should place more trash receptacles at high traffic locations around campus.
Let's make Princeton University as beautiful as possible!
Robert Kuser '64
Read More
Why can’t lecturers win the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching?
Jerry ZhuLet’s acknowledge those who make “boutique teaching” possible, those who work tirelessly to make our rigorous curricula more accessible, and those who dedicate their time to advising and guiding us through all the challenges we face at this University. Lecturers should be eligible for the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching.
Let’s acknowledge those who make “boutique teaching” possible, those who work tirelessly to make our rigorous curricula more accessible, and those who dedicate their time to advising and guiding us through all the challenges we face at this University. Lecturers should be eligible for the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching.
Princeton’s administration of justice is Trumpian
Frances BroganThe disparity between the University’s approach to Giberson and its approach to pro-Palestinian protestors reflects a concerning trend of appeasing an increasingly emboldened right rather than resisting the threat it poses to academic freedom and the wellbeing of Princeton students.
Secular Opening Exercises? Don’t throw out the baby with the bath water
Frank StrasburgerThe secular makes no room for the spiritual. What Opening Exercises are meant to convey is the spirit of the institution so that it may be kept alive from generation to generation.
The secular makes no room for the spiritual. What Opening Exercises are meant to convey is the spirit of the institution so that it may be kept alive from generation to generation.
