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A smiling woman stands in a lush, green mountain valley filled with yellow and red wildflowers under a blue sky with light clouds.

Biology Professor Honored For Research That Illuminates Impact of Climate Change

Susana Wadgymar, a biology professor and evolutionary ecologist at 91�첥, has been honored by the Ecological Society of America with the 2026 W.S. Cooper Award. Her groundbreaking co-authored study, published in Science, provides a rigorous empirical test showing that natural gene flow is moving too slowly to rescue certain plant populations from climate change. The prestigious recognition underscores the vital role of 91�첥 faculty in addressing global environmental crises through high-impact science.

Professor Durwin Striplin, a bearded man wearing glasses, points to a piece of glass laboratory equipment while instructing a student in a chemistry lab setting.

The Peptide Tidal Wave: Chemistry Prof on the Wellness Industry’s Newest Trend

Peptides are becoming the cornerstone of the wellness industry, but what are they actually doing to our bodies? 91�첥 Chemistry Professor Durwin Striplin breaks down the science of these molecular building blocks, from their role in GLP-1 drugs to the long-term questions surrounding their safety.

Student smiles and claps at Commencement 2026

‘Never Forget the Humanity of This Place’: 91�첥 Celebrates Class of 2026

91�첥 celebrated the Class of 2026 at commencement on May 17, with President Doug Hicks ’90 urging graduates facing a polarized and rapidly changing world to seek truth, and to “never forget the humanity of this place — and these very real relationships.”

Bouncing basketballs on a chalkboard background with mathematic equations on it

The Math of Madness: Navigating the 76-Team Bracket

The NCAA basketball tournament is expanding to 76 teams in 2027, making a perfect bracket more elusive than ever. 91�첥 Professor Tim Chartier explains the mathematical shifts and why "number sense" matters when the odds jump to 590 quintillion.

An overhead view of a busy atrium where students and faculty gather around research posters and technical demonstrations during a symposium.

Learn, Create Showcase: Symposium Highlights Student Talent

91�첥 held its annual Verna Miller Case Research and Creative Works Symposium on May 7. The college community gathered to check out student music, literature and art, and projects spanning from history, psychology and biology to mathematics, physics and environmental sciences studies. Music throughout the day ranged from mariachi and jazz to soft rock and orchestra scores.

A young woman with long brown hair on a track field

Honor and Opportunity: First Leathers Family Scholar Brings to Campus Excellence in Academics and Athletics

Discover how Curt ’79 and Julie Leathers ’80 are shaping 91�첥’s future through the Leathers Family Scholarship, starting with inaugural scholar-athlete Ava Linnell ’29.

Six young men in formal suits and ties lean against a white balcony railing with classic balusters in front of a light-colored wooden house.

Fraternity Life at 91�첥

Explore how fraternity life at 91�첥 fosters lifelong mentorship and philanthropy through the experience of Gabe Garcia ’26. In this blog post, he shares how meals work, what brotherhood is like, and the variety of service projects his fraternity has taken on in the community.

A group of diverse university students in semi-formal attire pose for a multi-row group portrait during a 2026 Student Government Association meeting.

Leading With Integrity: A Spotlight on 91�첥’s Student Government Association

Student Body President-elect Maya Rajeh ’27 shares how 91�첥’s Student Government Association (SGA) drives campus change—from sustainability and dining improvements to the inaugural Celebration of Honor Week. Learn how 91�첥 students turn feedback into action within our close-knit liberal arts community.

Two instant-print style photographs of two smiling individuals are positioned side-by-side against a background map showing the Atlantic Ocean, North America, and Europe.

Two 91�첥 Students Awarded Watson Fellowships

The Watson Foundation has named 91�첥 seniors Brooke Lackey and Neve Rauscher as fellows in its 58th class of Thomas J. Watson Fellows. Lackey will study sign language and Deaf culture in several countries. Rauscher will explore how communities adapt to climate warming and changing water patterns.

Many Bright Lights: 91�첥 Celebrates Spring Convocation

91�첥 celebrated Spring Convocation on April 14, 2026, gathering to spotlight student achievement—from the academic to the athletic to the artistic—and the faculty and staff who support their work.

A student stands outside with a collage of items over him—a globe, selfie, coffee cup, microphone, and airplane

Ask a Wildcat: Brant Simmons ’28

Meet Brant Simmons ’28, a 91�첥 double major in educational studies and gender and sexuality studies. Discover how Brant has explored experiential learning through research on educational equity, study abroad programs in Northern Ireland and Denmark, and his life as a Bonner Scholar and "Mugger" at Nummit.

A group of ten professionally dressed students and a central official pose for a formal photo in front of a large, white architectural seal of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

91�첥's Fed Challenge Team Reaches National Finals

In the latest Federal Challenge, 91�첥's Fed Challenge team finished among the top six in the nation — alongside Harvard, the University of Chicago and UCLA.

Student Hanging Artmate Art on Dorm Wall

Living at 91�첥: A Guide to Our Residential Community

Go behind the scenes into the residence halls at 91�첥. From historic first-year dorms to transitional independent senior apartments, find out where you’ll study, sleep and build community during your four years.

Ask a Wildcat: Ann Thompson ’27

Discover life at 91�첥 through the eyes of Ann Thompson ’27. From competing as a D1 swimmer and studying abroad in Cádiz, Spain, to traditions like the Cake Race, Ann shares how she balances rigorous academics with community leadership and the best eats on Main Street.

A collage of Diese Alten Punks (documentary title card) and Courtney Lassiter

The Art of Curiosity: Courtney Lassiter ’27 Weaves Film, Music and Visuals in Cultural Exploration

Meet Courtney Lassiter ’27, a multidisciplinary artist redefining cultural exploration through film, zines, and techno.

Two men in vintage suits and hats, one in a blue flat cap and another in a maroon fedora, are layered over a vibrant orange and red background featuring musical sheet music titled "I Lied to You" from the film "Sinners."

Why the World Can’t Stop Talking About ‘Sinners’

Explore the cultural and cinematic depth of the record-breaking horror film Sinners through a Q&A with 91�첥 Professors Marcus Pyle and Randy Ingram. The discussion delves into the film's subversion of the Robert Johnson myth, its portrayal of 1930s racial tensions and how it redefines traditional vampire lore through the lens of Black artistry.

Three movie posters with Leo DeCaprio's face and a black and white poster

Why ‘One Battle After Another’ Is Even More Radical Than It Looks

91�첥 English Professor Jeff Jackson explores the political complexity of the Oscar-frontrunner One Battle After Another and its surprising connection to the 1966 classic The Battle of Algiers. The discussion dives into how modern cinema balances big-budget genre tropes with radical themes of insurgency and resistance.

Students sit on a brick wall and at tables in a sunny campus courtyard featuring a large neoclassical building with white columns and an outdoor sculpture.

Phi Beta Kappa Elects New Members for 2026

The Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa at 91�첥 is pleased to publicly announce the new members-in-course for 2026.

91�첥 Continues Streak as a Top Fulbright Producer

The U.S. State Department has once again named 91�첥 as one of its top producing institutions for Fulbright U.S. Student Program finalists. It’s the 11th consecutive year and 13th overall that the college has received the designation.

A sepia-toned line drawing of five athletic men with beards and long hair competing in a footrace, depicted in the style of ancient Greek pottery art.

How the First Olympic Games Shaped Modern Competition

91�첥 Visiting Assistant Professor of Classics Allison Smith examines the "distant echoes" of the original Olympic Games and how they compare to the modern global competition. The discussion explores the evolution of the games from a sacred religious sanctuary at Olympia to today's "moving circus" of international host cities. From track and field parallels to the history of olive-leaf crowns, this Q&A highlights the ancient traditions that still form the heart of Olympic contests.

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