A memorial service for Cody Lavender '10 was held in Rollins Chapel Wednesday evening. Lavender's family, along with friends and members of the Dartmouth community, shared memories of his life and called for those in attendance to continue his tradition of activism. Valerie Lavender, Cody Lavender's mother, read from a collection of condolence letters sent to the family by Lavender's friends. One letter described him as someone who "lived honestly, passionately and generously." The memorial also featured the Occom Pond Singers, who performed a Native American honor song as a celebration of Lavender's Navajo heritage, and a reading from Lavender's 2008 open letter to campus calling for unity within the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. "Cody was deeply loved by the [Women's and Gender Studies] department," said Michael Bronski, a senior lecturer in the department who worked closely with Lavender. "He cared passionately about people, all people." Lavender died in December while studying at the University of Edinburgh on the religion department's Foreign Study Program.
Stanford University has raised $100 million to establish a new institute dedicated to research on energy efficiency, renewable energy and global warming, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported Tuesday. Funding for the planned Precourt Institute for Energy Efficiency comes primarily from alumni donations rather than from federal or industry support, according to The Chronicle. Energy research has increasingly become relevant in light of energy costs and climate change, Franklin Orr, the institute's new director, told The Chronicle. The institute aims to help "make renewable energy cheaper than fossil fuel," John Hennessy, Stanford University president, said.
The physics department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has reported increased attendance and lower rates of failure in introductory courses after changing the classes from large lectures to a smaller, hands-on format, The New York Times reported Monday. The new approach, which was made permanent last fall, reflects research on new teaching methods that emphasize interactive and collaborative learning, according to The Times. Now, students in introductory physics classes can use personal response clickers to engage with teachers and each other in small groups to work out concepts.