Shreya Joshi: Open-Minded Approaches to Learning

No matter what she does — or where she goes — Shreya Joshi navigates new experiences with empathy and a drive for learning.

Staff Spotlight: Iris Afantchao

In this edition of Staff Spotlight, Editor-in-Chief June Dorsch ’27 sat down with Iris Afantchao, Frost Library’s Acquisitions Specialist, to learn more about a career in the archives, surprising book requests, and faculty-staff field trips.

Elliott Addresses Fears Surrounding Academic Freedom

Amid ongoing fears surrounding federal intervention in higher education, Editor-in-Chief June Dorsch ’27 spoke with President Michael Elliott about the roots of these attacks and how Amherst will be affected by the current administration’s agenda.

Faculty Vote to Separate the Mathematics and Statistics Department

On Friday, the faculty voted unanimously to separate the math and statistics department into two. The two departments are currently housed in the same department but have separate majors and faculty meetings.

Town Members Protest Proposed Amherst Public School Budget Cuts

Support Our Schools (SOS) Amherst, a group of parents and volunteers, protested in town on Saturday over $3 million in proposed budget cuts to Amherst public schools.

“We Bleed in Public”: Teju Cole on Novel Writing, Poetry, and Political Discourse

In his LitFest talk, Presidential Scholar Teju Cole discussed his approach to novel writing, blending prose with photography, and his admiration for Emily Dickinson.

Faculty Votes to Alter Course Schedule

On Friday, Amherst faculty approved a new course schedule that will include shorter courses and more available class times throughout the day. The changes aim to make better use of available classrooms while making certain courses more accessible to students.

President Elliott Looks Ahead to the College in the Trump Era

The results of the 2024 election are predicted to have a substantial impact on college campuses. The Student spoke with President Michael Elliott about the possible consequences of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term and how the college is preparing to respond.

NBA Preview: Joey and June’s Predictions for the 2024-2025 Season

Senior Managing Editor June Dorsch ’27 and Staff Writer Joey Supik ’27 make their bets on which players will take home this season’s awards.

“Don’t Give Up on Anthropology” — Alumni Profile, Chuck Smythe ’70

Throughout his career, Chuck Smythe ’70 has worked with Native tribes to preserve their cultural knowledge and objects, often resisting institutional pressures.

Taking a Stroll Through The Amherst Farmers’ Market

Senior Managing Editor June Dorsch ’27 takes a trip to Amherst’s Farmers’ Market to learn more about its vendors, customers, and the community they have created.

Board of Trustees Unanimously Votes Not to Divest

The Amherst College Board of Trustees has voted unanimously against divesting from companies that supply military equipment to the Israeli government.

Diego Duckenfield Lopez: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Identity and Academics

Film and media studies and Black studies major Diego Duckenfield-López ’24 used an interdisciplinary approach to shape how they think about their identity and develop their thesis.

Epstein Exits: A Conversation on Her Tenure as Provost and Dean of Faculty

In July, Catherine Epstein will step down from her position as Provost and Dean of the Faculty and return to teaching in the history department. In this exit interview with The Student, Epstein reflects on her tenure and legacy.

Amherst Survivor: Cross-Campus Competition

Something new is sweeping campus: Amherst Survivor! Managing Features Editor June Dorsch ’27 explores how the game has been unfolding.

Celiac-Safe: Gluten-Free Dining Challenges at Val

Eating at Amherst with celiac disease has proven to be challenging for many students. Managing Features Editor June Dorsch ’27 investigates patterns of cross-contamination and mislabelling that increase the risk of eating at Val with gluten-free dietary restrictions.

The Roommate Report: The Greenways Suite

In this edition of “The Roommate Report,” Assistant Features Editor June Dorsch ’27 interviews Managing Features Editor Emma Burd ’26, Ava Kennon ’26, Abby Moravek ’26, and Iris Susen ’26 in their Greenways suite.

Anonymous at Amherst: Uncovering the Contra

The Amherst Contra is an anonymous student publication on campus. Assistant Features Editor June Dorsch ’27 investigates its origins, controversies, and relevancy.

The Roommate Report: AnneKatherine Johnson ’27, Mabel Linck ’27, Maddy Walsh ’27

In the debut of her new column, “The Roommate Report,” Assistant Features Editor June Dorsch ’27 interviews three freshman roommates about their experience living together in Charles Pratt.

Quick Questions: Where Did the Val Smoothies Go?

In the fall of last year, the beloved breakfast smoothies in Val mysteriously disappeared. Features editors Humphrey Chen ’26 and June Dorsch ’27 investigate where they went and if they’re coming back.

Unequal Introductions: Inconsistencies in First-Year Seminars

First-year seminars vary significantly in the types of work assigned and the amount of support available to students. Assistant Features Editor June Dorsch ’27 investigates what works, what doesn’t, and how students and professors think about their first-year seminars.

Thoughts on Theses: Diego Duckenfield-Lopez

Diego Duckenfield-Lopez ’24 is a senior double majoring in Black studies and film and media studies. Their thesis explores how seventies media, such as Blaxploitation films, influenced later constructions of Black identity.

A Gift to the Graduates: The Revival of Conway Canes

Conway Canes, gifted to all graduates at Commencement, are one of the few traditions that encompass all students. It took collective effort from students, alumni, advancement officers, and manufacturing companies to ensure that the canes became a lasting part of Amherst history.

Healing Communities: Pursuing Social Justice Through Public Health — Alumni Profile, Indu Ahluwalia ’84

As a CDC epidemiologist, Indu Ahluwalia ’84 has worked to monitor populations’ health issues with an emphasis on community empowerment.

Beyond the Songs: A Cappella Traditions

Amherst earned its nickname as the "singing college" for good reason. Staff writer June Dorsch '27 examines the legacies, lore, and hidden secrets of Amherst's six a capella groups.