Year: 2013

  • Arts & Culture

    Resonant connection

    The Harvard Glee Club and a Dorchester boys choir have joined forces over the past two years, performing together in concerts and at services, and establishing a fellowship.

  • Campus & Community

    Finalists in health, science challenge

    Harvard University announced the selection of eight finalist teams in the inaugural Deans’ Health and Life Sciences Challenge on April 4.

  • Nation & World

    Something in a name

    Author James Carroll and Harvard Divinity School professor Francis Clooney explored the significance of the Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio’s selection as pope, the potential challenges he faces as the leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics, and the direction for the church in the years and decades to come.

  • Campus & Community

    The bridge to citizenship

    Two dozen participants in the Harvard Bridge Program who recently became U.S. citizens were lauded by Harvard President Drew Faust at the annual celebratory dinner.

  • Science & Tech

    Online learning: It’s different

    By interspersing online lectures with short tests, student mind-wandering decreased by half, note-taking tripled, and overall retention of the material improved, said Daniel Schacter, the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Psychology, and Karl Szpunar, a postdoctoral fellow in psychology.

  • Campus & Community

    Provost’s other hat: Teacher

    As provost, Alan Garber spends his days tackling Harvard’s administrative concerns. This semester, he has stepped back into his old role as a teacher, leading a freshman seminar on health care policy that has given him a fresh take on the University he helps lead.

  • Arts & Culture

    Humanities in the digital age

    A panel of experts discussed the study of humanities in the digital age, and how humanists’ skill set is well-suited for careers in this advancing world of technology. The discussion was part of a series supported by the FAS Office of Career Services.

  • Nation & World

    A case for yawn-free civics

    A group of experts dedicated to grappling with the themes outlined in the Constitution gathered for an afternoon panel discussion at Harvard Law School to explore the importance of civics education.

  • Arts & Culture

    In search of sacred spaces

    Installation artist Helen Marriage, a Loeb Fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, conversed with Professor Rahul Mehrotra about a modern conundrum: In an increasingly secular age, can public space be spiritual? “Streets of Gold” continues the series on April 5.

  • Health

    Eating fish gives older adults an edge

    Older adults who have high blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids — found almost exclusively in fatty seafood — may be able to lower their overall mortality risk by as much as 27 percent and their mortality risk from heart disease by about 35 percent, according to a new study.

  • Health

    Progress, puzzles in halting malaria

    Among the many challenges facing scientists and public health officials seeking to erase malaria from the globe are the reservoirs of parasites hidden in asymptomatic carriers or dormant in patients’ livers, said analysts at the Harvard School of Public Health.

  • Campus & Community

    Cultural Entrepreneurship finalists named

    Harvard University today announced the selection of 10 teams of finalists in the inaugural Deans’ Cultural Entrepreneurship Challenge.

  • Campus & Community

    Conservation’s siren song

    The Harvard University Police Department rolled out six new patrol cars last month. But it wasn’t the flashing lights or fresh paint jobs that were turning heads. It was the 47 mpg, gas-electric hybrid motor under the hoods.

  • Science & Tech

    Evolutionary oomph

    Scientists may soon be able to turn to one of the most powerful forces in biology — evolution — to help in their quest to develop new synthetic polymers.

  • Arts & Culture

    Jason Alexander, front and center

    Actor Jason Alexander, best known for playing the neurotic George Costanza on the television comedy “Seinfeld,” visited Cabot House for a cozy conversation with 60 students.

  • Nation & World

    Where corporations, public meet

    After six years of work, Harvard Kennedy School Professor John Ruggie has developed United Nations-approved guidelines to ensure businesses respect the human rights of those they interact with around the world.

  • Nation & World

    From Hong Kong to South Korea

    During a historic visit to Hong Kong and South Korea, Harvard President Drew Faust presided over an array of academic activities and alumni events.

  • Nation & World

    A taste of Harvard in Shanghai

    Harvard Center Shanghai provides programming support, local expertise, and meeting space for Harvard researchers, students, and alumni in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

  • Campus & Community

    College admits 2,029

    Letters and email notifications of admission were sent today to 2,029 students, 5.8 percent of the record applicant pool of 35,023.

  • Nation & World

    Reading the president’s mind

    Jon Favreau, who recently stepped down after several years as President Obama’s head speechwriter, took a Harvard Kennedy School audience on a behind-the-scenes tour of the president’s best-known addresses.

  • Campus & Community

    Faculty Council meeting held March 27

    On March 27, the Faculty Council met with the president to ask and answer questions as representatives of the faculty, discussed draft principles on outside activities, and heard a proposal about reading and examination periods.

  • Campus & Community

    Calvert Watkins dies at 80

    Calvert Watkins, the Victor S. Thomas Professor of Linguistics and the Classics, emeritus, died March 20 at the age of 80.

  • Campus & Community

    Statement by President Drew Faust on Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino

    Statement by President Drew Faust on Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino.

  • Campus & Community

    Earth Month at Harvard

    On Earth Day, April 22, the world celebrates the birth of the modern environmental movement. Harvard takes that commemoration to the next level, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability and a healthier planet with a monthlong series of events and activities.

  • Campus & Community

    A look inside the lab

    The Faculty of Arts and Sciences’ Division of Science recently relaunched its “Science Research Lecture Series,” aimed at introducing the broader local community to research conducted by Harvard faculty members. The talks will be held once a month in the Science Center, and will be open to the public.

  • Nation & World

    The human toll of war

    Members of human rights organizations gathered at Harvard Law School to reflect on the lasting impact of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

  • Arts & Culture

    A tuned-in savior

    Harvard music professor Anne Shreffler and a trio of graduate students have developed an exhibit based on the extensive material related to contemporary music patron Paul Fromm. “Composing the Future: The Fromm Foundation and the Music of Our Time” is on view at the Eda Kuhn Loeb Music Library through May 2.

  • Health

    Major weight loss tied to microbes

    In a study conducted by Harvard and MGH researchers, gut microbes of mice underwent drastic changes following gastric bypass surgery, and transfer of the microbes into sterile mice resulted in rapid weight loss.

  • Science & Tech

    Tweaking the universe

    In a question-and-answer session, Harvard astronomy chair Avi Loeb explains the new data from the European Space Agency’s Planck satellite.

  • Campus & Community

    Financial aid increases by $10M

    Harvard College will increase its financial aid budget for the 2013–14 academic year by $10 million, or 5.8 percent, bringing the total to a record $182 million. Since 2007, Harvard’s investment in financial aid for undergraduates at the College has increased by 88 percent.