So I thought I would complete my "What's New" series with a top 10 list. Throughout the Fall semester, there have been so many newsworthy stories that I wanted to mention in the Hopkins Insider blog. But due to how busy my schedule has been and other important blog content that I thought was more of a priority, I really haven't had a chance to share "what's new" at Johns Hopkins and the Homewood campus. So enjoy my selection of the top "what's new" items of the last few months.
If you enjoy these stories, then you should really bookmark our Blue Jay Buffet blog and specifically the monthly "This Month at Hopkins" entries. We just posted the December at Hopkins entry.
(1) NEW PRESIDENT - RONALD J. DANIELS ELECTED
In November, Ronald J. Daniels was elected as the 14th president of Johns Hopkins University. Daniels has done fantastic work at several universities and, since 2005, has been the provost of a very well-known university in Philadelphia, PA -- I forgot the name againthough, ooops (I forget a lot of names). He will begin his service to Hopkins in March. To learn more about him, visit the official New President's website.

(2) NEW IMPROVEMENT TO OLD BUILDING - GILMAN RENOVATION
Gilman Hall is undergoing some major renovations that commenced earlier this year ... $73 million's worth, actually. The plans include a new 3-story, glass-topped central atrium, a new second floor courtyard to connect the Hutzler Reading Room and Memorial Hall, a new home to the archaeological collection on the first floor, a new 140-person film screening room, and more. The 92-year-old building will be the first completely green building on campus and is expected to re-open in the late summer of 2010. Read more about the plans and progress at the renovation's website.

(3) NEW ATHLETIC SUCCESS - BEST FALL SPORTS SEASON EVER
Hopkins sports teams won big this fall! Men's soccer advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for their 7th time and women's soccer reached the NCAA Round 3 tournament for their 1st time. Women's cross country participated in the NCAA championship. Football finished second in the Centennial Conference and hosted the ECAC Southwest Bowl at home. To catch up on all sports news and for updates on winter sports, check out Hopkins' Athletics site.

(4) NEW VOICES ON CAMPUS - AMAZING SPEAKERS
The Milton S. Eisenhower Symposium 2008brought Tucker Carlson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Valerie Plame Wilson, David Alan Grier, and President Brody to the stage at Shriver Hall. But Will Ferrell, another guest to the Symposium this year, made the biggest commotion by far. Tickets were free and limited only to the Hopkins community ... and sold out in a matter of hours. Students started to line up hours in advance to get the best seats to hear him discuss the new presidency, his work, and to answer audience questions.

(5) NEW STUDIES - ARCHAEOLOGY MAJOR COMING
This year is the first when an Archaeology major will be offered at Hopkins. According to the department, "Archaeology studies human societies through examination of their material culture, considering such issues as human subsistence, interaction with climate and physical environment, patterns of settlement, political and economic organization, and religious activity and thought." It will be an interdepartmental program that will provide research opportunities to its majors through the Johns Hopkins Archaeological Collection and the Walters Art Museum. Check out this site for further details.

(6) NEW STUDIES CONTINUED - THREE MINORS ADDED
In addition to the Archeology major, there are new minors being introduced too. The Financial Economics minor "is founded on the principle that knowledge of neither finance nor economics by itself is sufficient to understand financial markets and to operate within them." The Museums and Society minor "examines traditional museums as well as exploring the roles of historic sites and monuments ... through lectures by Hopkins faculty and local museum professionals, field trips, and hands-on museum opportunities." Finally, the Theatre Arts and Studies minor(not really "new" ... one of our more recent additions, though) "offers a comprehensive approach to the arts of acting, directing and playwriting along with the fundamentals of technical direction, play production, play analysis, theatre management and theatre history."

(7) NEW COMMITMENT - GOING GREEN
The Johns Hopkins Sustainability Initiative is working in full-force this year. The wide range of projects they are working on include everything from building only green buildings on campus to serving organic coffee in the cafes around campus. The Initiative even held a utility contest to see which dorm could cut its usage the most. The project "grew out of the concept that being smart and innovative are the strongest tools for overcoming difficult environmental challenges." Hopkins is not just going green, we already are! (Even the Admissions Office joined in ... read this previous blog for details.)

(8) NEW EXPANSION - LIBRARY PLANS ANNOUNCED
A new library expansion was announced for the Homewood campus. This six story "learning commons" will bring more study space to campus. Its design will be tradition but also incorporate futuristic elements designed to enhance learning. Though the building won't open until 2012 student are already excited about the prospect of a new study space. The building is to be named after retiring President Brody and his wife Wendy.

(9) NEW RECOGNITIONS - MARSHALLS AND GENIUSES
This fall has brought Hopkins students and professors recognition and awards for their academic efforts. Two students, Kurt Herzer and Rishi Mediratta, won the prestigious Marshall scholarship. The scholarship, funded by the British government, will allow both students to pursue their respective interests in public health.
We've also got some geniuses at Hopkins. Professors Peter Provonost and Adam Riess were recently named winners of MacArthur Fellowship for 2008. This fellowship is also known as a genius grant. Read the Baltimore Sun article here.

(10) NEW STUDENTS - CLASS OF 2013 IS COMING
I thought I would end with actually something that is not yet new, but will be in just a couple of days. On Monday, December 15 the Admissions Office will release our Early Decision notifications and welcome the first members of the Johns Hopkins Class of 2013. Check back on Monday for a daily report on the release of ED notifications.

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