The Death of Jay M. Pasachoff

Williams faculty, staff and students, I write, as promised, with a tribute to the late Jay M. Pasachoff, Field Memorial Professor and Chair of Astronomy and Director of the Hopkins Observatory, who died from lung cancer on Sunday. In an obituary earlier this week, The New York Times paid… Continue reading »

Toward a more inclusive community

Dear Williams community, In the last few days, I have been troubled by things I have seen and read on our campus. Earlier this week, a member of staff found a college space defaced with an anti-Black racial slur. It’s unacceptable that twice in… Continue reading »

The Death of John Chandler

To the Williams community, Williams College has lost a giant of our history. It is with a heavy heart that I write to say that John Wesley Chandler, our 12th president, who served from 1973 to 1985, passed away peacefully early this morning, just a few weeks shy of his… Continue reading »

Williams joins amicus brief defending race-conscious college admissions

President Mandel has contributed Williams’ support to an amici curiae brief, submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court by thirty-three private, highly selective residential colleges. The brief argues that narrowly tailored race-conscious admissions practices remain essential to the educational benefits that result from diversity in higher education. The signers submitted… Continue reading »

The Passing of C. Ballard Pierce

Dear Williams faculty and emeriti, staff and staff retirees, I write to briefly share sad news about the death of Professor of Physics Emeritus C. Ballard Pierce, who passed away in Gainesville, Fla., on June 18, 2022. The college learned of his passing earlier this week. Ballard Pierce joined the… Continue reading »

The Passing of Ransom H. Jenks Jr.

With sadness, Williams notes the passing of retired Director of Campus Security Ransom Jenks, who passed away in Wilmington, Delaware, on June 24, 2022. In addition to his career at the college, Ransom was a U.S. Air Force veteran and served as a Williamstown Selectman. For a full tribute to… Continue reading »

The Passing of Andrea Danyluk

Williams faculty and staff, I write, with sadness, to honor the memory of Andrea Pohoreckyj Danyluk, Mary A. and William Wirt Warren Professor of Computer Science, Emerita, who passed away yesterday at the age of 59, after a long struggle with pancreatic cancer. Andrea, who only retired from active teaching… Continue reading »

The Passing of Bill Lewis

Williams mourns the loss of retired staff member Bill Lewis, who passed away at age 83 at his Williamstown home on Monday, February 14, 2022. Bill joined Williams in 1991, as a custodian in what was then known as the Building and Grounds Department. This followed… Continue reading »