Local Lookout: The Humble Peach

Nestled in the heart of Amherst, the Humble Peach is a vegan bakery-cafe that opened last spring. The Student traces its origins, culinary philosophy, and secret ingredients, which culminate not only in a delicious, plant-based menu but action toward more sustainable food systems.

A Squirrely Alliance for Campus Sustainability

Staff Writer Pho Vu ’23 highlights the potential sustainability benefits of a symbiotic relationship with the squirrels on campus.

Local Lookout: Coronation Café

Staff Writer Pho Vu ’23 interviews Joe Kurtz, owner of the local Coronation Cafe. Vu reflects on the café’s comfortable vibe, local eats, and connections to the Mennonite community.

Korea Kaja: Things To Know Before Your Trip to Korea

From its beauty industry to acclaimed films, South Korea has been attracting tourists and international students alike. Citing her experience, Staff Writer Pho Vu ’23 gives several suggestions for those considering studying abroad in South Korea in the first issue of her new column.

Local Lookout: Ricelicious

Ricelicious is an Asian fusion restaurant tucked away in the heart of Amherst town. Pote, the restaurant’s co-owner, helps curate a menu inspired by his Thai roots and the two years he spent in Japan.

On Becoming a Badminton Badass: Insider Tips from a Former Player

Staff Writer Pho Vu ’23 reflects on her journey with badminton, from Vietnam to Amherst, and encourages other players to cultivate an appreciation for the game’s fundamentals.

Turtles, Eggs, and Rocks: Vietnamese Superstitions in Practice

Staff Writer Pho Vu ’23 proffers twelve bits of Vietnamese wisdom that might help you avoid bad luck (and, maybe the hiccups).

Chromatic Chaos: Like a Rainbow, Noises Can Be Colorful

Find white noise more irritating than soothing? Staff Writer Pho Vu ’23 breaks down the ambient noise spectrum and each hue’s benefits for sleep, wellness, and productivity.

Celebrating International Writers’ Day: Editors Deserve A Day for Themselves

Looking forward to International Writers’ Day on March 3, Staff Writer Pho Vu ’23 urges us to not forget about the editors in our lives, who bring out the expressive potential of our writing.

Certificates Consulting 101: Which One to Have?

Staff writer Pho Vu ’23 provides a helpful guide to certification programs available to Amherst students.

Val for Pal: How To Maintain Your Long-distance Friendship

This Valentine’s Day, Staff Writer Pho Vu ’23 offers advice on cultivating worldwide friendships based on her experience as an international student.

Photo Series: Fall and Foliage at Amherst

Pho Vu ’23 captures autumn at Amherst in 10 photos, highlighting idyllic foliage, architecture, and quintessentially New England landscapes.

Mammoth Mind-Pho-ness: Giving Thanks Away From Amherst

Staff writer Pho Vu ’23 recounts her Thanksgiving trip to St. Paul, Minnesota, and Chicago, a trip that allowed her to learn the joys and challenges of navigating unfamiliar places alone.

Mammoth Mind-Pho-ness: Languages as a Catalyst for Growth

Staff writer Pho Vu ’23 untangles how learning different languages has shaped her life experiences.

Bunnies on Town Green Hop Onto the Scene

Each weekend, bunnies on Amherst’s town common draw a crowd of admiring students. The Student spoke with the bunnies’ owners to learn more about their story.

Staff Spotlight: Jane Kungu

Jane Kungu is the new assistant director of the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC). In this interview, Kungu reflects on the strengths of the MRC, her plans to deepen its community presence, and her own educational journey.

Mammoth Mind-Pho-ness: Adulting at and After Amherst

Pho Vu ’23 offers up her weekly dose of wisdom this week with advice about how to tackle that most difficult task left to Amherst students once they graduate: being a real adult.

Fresh Faculty: Lillian Pentecost

Lillian C. Pentecost is an assistant professor of computer science. She received a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University. She then attended Harvard University, where she received a master’s degree and doctorate degree.

AAS Revises Club Funding Policies Amid Budget Crisis

The AAS Budgetary Committee on Oct. 23 announced stricter funding policies around food for events, club travel, and emergency funding. The policies are in response to budget constraints the AAS is facing due to a reduced student activities fee relative to before Covid.

Public Art Installations Electrify Amherst

Between 2018 and 2020, Electrify Amherst! The Electrical Box Makeover Project painted many of the town’s electrical boxes with vivid and memorable designs to brighten town life. The Student spoke to several of the project’s organizers about its past and future.

Reflecting on the Itaewon-ro Stampede

On Saturday, Oct. 29, a stampede in the Itaewon district of Seoul, South Korea, claimed over 150 lives. Pho Vu ’23 reflects on the tragedy in Itaewon, a place that she herself has frequented.

Researching Inequities in Education — Alumni Profile, Erica Lee ’03

Moved by the systemic disparities she observed throughout her education, Erica Lee ’03 dedicates herself to research on issues of educational equity.

Photo Series: Community Enjoys Seasonal Favorites at Fall Fest

Pho Vu ’23 captures in photos the myriad of fun activities the campus community enjoyed at this year’s Fall Festival, which took place on Sunday, Oct. 16.

Mammoth Mind-Pho-ness: Clean Up Your Drive Storage!

In the debut article of Mammoth Mind-Pho-ness, columnist Pho Vu ’23 uses the occasion of a policy change in Google’s Drive plans for higher education to remind students of the value of minimizing their storage use.

College Opts Not To Approve J-Term for January 2023

No for-credit classes will be offered in January 2023, Provost and Dean of the Faculty Catherine Epstein told The Student. The decision follows the recommendation made by the Ad Hoc Committee to Evaluate the January Term, which identified a number of logistical and staffing issues with J-Term.

Local Lookout: Miss Saigon

Miss Saigon is a Vietnamese restaurant located on North Pleasant Street. The Student sat down with its owner, Nhu Nguyen, to hear about her experience running the restaurant.

Toward a Cuisine of Cultural Representation

Contributing writer Pho Vu ’23 recounts her experience tasting Val’s take on the Vietnamese pho dish, asserting that accurate representation of ethnic cuisines is a crucial step toward cultural inclusivity in the dining hall.

K’s Nutrition Is the Freshest Face (and Smoothie) in Town

K’s Nutrition is Amherst’s newest health bar. Pho Vu ’23 sat down with owner Bryant Keeney to discuss the menu and exciting upcoming plans and additions.

Thoughts on Theses: Renee Rosenkilde

Renee Rosenkilde is a biology major whose prospective thesis title is “Character Displacement in Vegetative Traits of Impatiens capensis and Impatiens pallida.” Her thesis advisor is Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies Ethan Temeles, and her research partner is Ella Rose ’23.

Loeb Center Hosts Head of Adobe Policy Development Julie Babayan ’03

On Tuesday, Sept. 20, Julie Babayan ’03 — the head of policy development for Adobe’s policy, government, and ethical innovation team in Washington, D.C. — shared her vision on worldwide technology policy as part of the Loeb Center’s Alumni-in-Residence series.

I Delete Emails Every Day

Contributing writer Pho Vu ’23 reflects on the necessary inconvenience of deleting your emails.

Val Hacks: Pho’s Frappe

In this edition of Val Hacks, Pho Vu ’23 whips up a frappe in an effort to emulate Starbucks’ classic and delectable drinks.

Fresh Faculty: Rose Lenehan

Rose Lenehan ’11 is a visiting lecturer in philosophy and a Center for Humanistic Inquiry postdoctoral fellow. She received her Bachelors of Arts in philosophy at Amherst College and Ph.D. in philosophy from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Acclimating to Academics Abroad: Exchange Students Explain

This semester, Amherst College hosted nine exchange students from around the world. Pho Vu ’23, an exchange student herself, delves into the challenges of making Amherst home.

Student Letter Calls for Transparency in Hiring Practices

On April 22, students delivered a letter to the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion calling for transparency in the college’s faculty hiring process. The letter, which describes current hiring practices as “performative,” garnered 117 signatures from students and alumni.

Thoughts on Theses: Sophie Ewing

Sophie Ewing is a double major in English and Asian Languages and Civilizations. Her thesis is about minor literature and counter-discourse in Park Chan-Wook’s The Handmaiden. Her thesis advisor is Emily C. Jordan Folger Professor of Black Studies and English C. Rhonda Cobham-Sander.

College Observes Sexual Assault Awareness Month

All April, the Peer Advocates for Sexual Respect have held a series of events to promote prevention and awareness of sexual assault. They aim to actively address root causes of sexual violence’s harm, build skills around sexual violence prevention, and provide solidarity and support to survivors.

Lily Fang ’18 Discusses Fast Fashion, Sustainable Alternatives

On Friday, April 8, Lily Fang ’18 spoke to Amherst students about fast fashion and sustainable alternatives. The event was hosted by the Class and Access Resource Center (CARC).

Jeremy Koo ’12 Discusses his Path from Amherst to Sustainability Consulting

On Thursday, March 31, Jeremy Koo ’12 spoke with energy-interested students about his unique career pathway to technical consultancy. The talk, which took place in the Science Center, was part of the Loeb Center for Career Exploration and Development’s 2022 Alumni-in-Residence Program.