Carleton Today: April 2, 2026

Thursday, April 2, 2026

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

We often say that a liberal arts education promotes lifelong learning. There is no better proof of that than the enthusiasm that Carleton alumni have for continuing to hear from favorite Carleton faculty. The Carleton Alumni Adventures program offers multiple travel opportunities each year, and they are enormously popular among alumni, parents, and friends of the College. Trips this year include Cruising the Mekong River, with political science professor Tun Myint; Total Solar Eclipse of 2026 in Spain, with astronomy professor emeritus Joel Weisberg; Japan by Sea, with art history professor Katie Ryor; and Darwin’s Galapagos, with biology professor Matt Rand.

I got a chance to experience this special learning environment myself over spring break, when I led a small group on a literary tour of London and Oxford. Having optimistically assigned some recommended reading in advance, I took the group to sites in London related to works by Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Virginia Woolf, including the Inns of Court, the Docklands Museum, Highgate Cemetery, and, of course, 221B Baker Street. We walked around Bloomsbury and talked about scenes from Mrs. Dalloway. In Oxford, where I lived with my family as a visiting scholar many years ago, we revelled in the scholarly atmosphere of the Bodleian Library and Christchurch, as well as visiting sites beloved of writers like Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Dorothy Sayers. And, of course, we found time to visit some favorite bookshops, tea rooms, and pubs! It was a pleasure to enjoy good literary conversation with alumni and parents who, not surprisingly, brought typical Carl characteristics of curiosity, collegiality, and humor to the “classroom.”

Reminder: building access changes begin Friday

As announced over spring break, in order to maintain a balance between providing a secure environment and a collaborative, open campus, the College is moving forward with a plan to reopen buildings in a gradual, phased approach. Tomorrow, public access will be restored to Scoville, Gould Library, Sayles, and the Weitz Center during regular hours. On Monday, April 13, regular campus access for all remaining buildings will be restored; hours can be found on the Building Hours website. READ MORE>>

—Vice President and Treasurer Eric Runestad and Director of Security and Emergency Management Blake Held

Upcoming digital accessibility deadline

As shared in the January 29 issue of Carleton Today, the deadline to comply with the updated Department of Justice regulations (WCAG 2.1 AA), which set a firm legal benchmark for digital accessibility, is this month. As we work to ensure Carleton’s digital presence reflects our mission of inclusion, we are shifting how we manage documents on carleton.edu. Most content currently hosted as a PDF (newsletters, flyers, forms, minutes, reports) should be transitioned to standard webpages (HTML). Webpages are more accessible, mobile-friendly, and better for SEO (search engine optimization). Site maintainers should plan to complete their website audit for PDF usage by April 15, with a clear plan established for pivoting to accessible content using provided recommendations.  

—Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Carolyn H. Livingston, on behalf of the Digital Accessibility Working Group

Summer break housing form is now live

To ensure comprehensive planning for College break periods, all campus departments coordinating student employment, student research, or other engagement opportunities must now submit a Break Housing Planning Form to be considered for on-campus housing. Faculty must submit the form for any summer research students seeking on-campus housing. Submitting the Break Housing Planning Form does not automatically reserve housing for your student(s). The form supports proactive planning for student housing during breaks that is consistent for students, departments, and programs. The form should be submitted by the fourth Friday of the term preceding the requested break period. For Summer 2026, the deadline is April 24. READ MORE>>

Nominations sought for Critical AI Literacy Employee Certificate

The College is excited to offer all full- and part-time Carleton employees a structured opportunity to explore ways AI can align with their routine job responsibilities: the Employee Certificate for Critical AI Literacy. Nominate a colleague or yourself by April 8 to participate in the first offering, which will take place this summer, June 23–24. This eight-hour program will be grounded in Carleton’s Critical AI Literacy Framework, and participants will earn a certificate that recognizes successful completion. No prior experience with AI is necessary (a pre-workshop will be offered as an elective to introduce people to generative AI); all levels of expertise are welcome. Nominations will be reviewed quickly and more summer sessions could be added based on demand.

Get involved in spring sustainability opportunities

Help shape a sustainable future! The Sustainability Office is looking for motivated students to join the team as Sustainability Assistants. These roles are part of the campus-wide peer leader program, focusing on building community, agency, and environmental justice solutions. The office is also seeking Stewsie Award nominations; these awards recognize individuals across the Carleton community who demonstrate a deep commitment to environmental sustainability through their work, study, and daily actions. 

SCENE AT CARLETON

The sun was shining for the first day of classes, and will be back again!

Photo by Zachary Spindler-Krage, digital content producer

Submit a photo

HAPPENING AROUND CAMPUS

Tomorrow | Convocation with Andrew Little ’06 

Little is an associate professor of political science at UC Berkeley. Most of his current research asks how people form beliefs about the political world, when these beliefs have systematic biases, and how this affects the functioning of democracy. His work has been published in leading political science and economics journals and covered by major news outlets worldwide. He teaches courses on democracy, game theory, and empirical research methods, and serves as an editor for the American Journal of Political Science. His presentation is titled, “The Case Against Pessimism About Democracy.”

Thanks to a collaboration with the Division of Inclusion, Equity, and Community; pastries, hot cocoa, and coffee are now available before convocation. Grab a snack before the talk! RSVP for the Convocation Luncheon to enjoy conversation and free lunch afterwards.

CAMPUS COMMUNITY

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• Today | Student Progress and Retention Open Meeting
  Weitz 236, noon–1 p.m.
  Please join this open meeting on student progress and retention to learn more about and discuss the College’s retention, graduation rates, and underlying student experiences. Participants will have the opportunity to share their perspectives through small group conversations. Lunch will be available for the first 40 attendees.
• Today | Becky Zrimsek’s retirement and farewell celebration
  Anderson Hall Atrium, 3–5 p.m.
  Celebrate Becky Zrimsek ’89, associate vice president for Development and Alumni Relations, and her retirement after 34 years of dedicated service. Please join in honoring Becky and her many contributions to her alma mater!
• Today | Bad Seeds — Lineage, Land, and Ethnic Propaganda in Euripides’ Suppliants
  LDC 104, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
  Join the classics department to hear a visiting assistant professor candidate talk titled, “Bad Seeds: Lineage, Land, and Ethnic Propaganda in Euripides’ Suppliants.”
• 4/2–3 |Maundy Thursday and Good Friday
  Chapel, see calendar for times
  Maundy Thursday is the celebration of the last supper and first eucharist in the style of Taize Evensong. Good Friday’s service honors Jesus’ death on the cross and will be led by Pastor Abe Johnson of Emmaus Church. There will also be Gethsemane Vigil in the Christian Chapel beginning at 9 p.m. today continuing until 10:30 a.m. tomorrow.
• Tuesday 4/7 | Sounds Like A Cult — How Cultish Language Shapes Hearts, Minds, and Behavior with Amanda Montell
  Weitz 236, 5–7:15 p.m.
  New York Times-bestselling author Amanda Montell explains the social science of cult influence and how “cultish” groups, from Scientologists to sororities, use language as the ultimate form of power. The event will include a lecture, Q&A session, and book signing.
• Tuesday 4/14 | Beyond the Letters — Lunch and Learn with Broderick Dressen ’09
  Weitz 236, noon–1 p.m.
  What does it mean to carry an identity that spans cultures, histories, and politics? Dressen will lead an honest, open discussion on the 2SLGBTQIA+ experience through an Indigenous lens. He’ll be breaking down the history and importance of cultural monikers with a focus on the real human stories behind them.
• This term | Spring Into Wellness at the Rec
  This term’s Rec Center programs have something for everyone. Check out the activities by visiting the Mind/Body/Spirit Programs page. Try a class and encourage others to join in the fun, fitness, and fellowship!

STUDENTS

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• Monday 4/6 | Student Financial Literacy Series — Investing 101
  Olin 141, 5:45–7 p.m.
  Led by the investment team that manages Carleton’s endowment, participants will learn about financial risk and return, compounding capital, asset allocation, and security (e.g. stocks, bonds) selection. 
• Tuesday 4/7 | How to Find an Internship, Research, or Other Summer Opportunity
  Anderson 121, 5–6 p.m.
  Join the Career Center to explore how to find a summer internship, research experience, or other opportunity to gain experience. Learn how to effectively identify your career goals and skills, leverage your personal and professional networks, and utilize online platforms to discover and apply for opportunities.

FACULTY & STAFF

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• Tuesday 4/7 | Ed Tech Tea — Google Meet: Features, Tips, Tricks
  Laird 007, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
  Ed Tech Teas are back! The first one will focus on Google Meet. Everyone has become very familiar with Zoom and its different features. How does Google Meet allow for similar functionality? Explore Google Meet settings, permissions, scheduling, storage, and accessibility. Bring your laptop.

More Events Worth Your Time

Welcome to Carleton

• Aaron Aldrich, custodian
• Curtis Bultman, grounds maintenance
• Joseph Lompart, assistant to the arboretum manager
• Elliot Steiner, administrative assistant in psychology and neuroscience

Carleton also welcomes several visiting professors and instructors, including Soren Hope ’15, Andrew Knoll ’05, Christopher Tradowsky, Arwen Wilder, Bret Vukoder, and Paul Zorn.

Office Transitions

• Terra Krebsbach, assistant for Development and Alumni Relations → Alumni Relations assistant director
• Whitney Gunter, assistant to the Office of Development and Alumni Relations → assistant to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations

Departures

• Dakota Grant, employment coordinator 
• Kelsey West, human resources generalist — leaves and benefits

Nina Schwab ’28 wins 1-meter diving title at NCAA Division III Championships

Schwab made history on Thursday, March 19, becoming the first Carleton diver to ever be crowned a national champion after winning the 1-meter competition at the 2026 NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships. 

Tanya Bush ’19 interviewed on NPR about new cookbook Will This Make You Happy

Bush talks about her cookbookinspired by her viral Instagram account. In it she writes about a year in her life filled with challenges and self discovery — through baking. She was also profiled in the New York Times ahead of the book’s release.

More Carleton News

Ken Abrams, professor of psychology, published an article in the journal Memory & Cognition with Yichen Zhang ’24, Emerald Wang ’25, Isabel Folger ’24, Ben Chamberlain Zivsak ’24, Nancy Cullen ’24, Ike Smalley ’25, Catie Marvin ’24, Ashley Ye ’26, and Harrison James ’26, titled, “The impact of virtual reality analog-trauma films and Tetris gameplay duration on intrusive memories.” The study aimed to better understand factors that may help prevent the development of PTSD in individuals recently exposed to traumatic events. 

Becky Boling, Stephen R. Lewis, Jr. Professor of Spanish and the Liberal Arts, emerita, participated in a poetry reading at Content Bookstore on March 12. She also participated in a poetry reading in Bemidji at the Four Pines Bookstore as one of four poets for the Agates IndyBookStoreTour on March 21. 

Jorge Brioso, professor of Spanish, published an article in Rialta Magazine titled, “The Birth of Fiction, or the Three Forms of Return.” The article is part of a project on the origin of narrative fiction in the most canonical epic texts — The Iliad, The Odyssey, and The Aeneid — and some of their contemporary echoes, both philosophical and literary: Joyce, Simone Weil, Hermann Broch, Adorno and Horkheimer, Derek Walcott, and Haroldo de Campos.

Chielo Eze, professor and director of Africana studies, has published a new book with Bloomsbury Publishing titled, Zora Neale Hurston and the Legacy of Black Feminism: Desire as Power. Centering desire as a liberatory idiom and the highest expression of self-consciousness and personhood, the book explores the ethical and social foundations of Hurston’s aesthetics and feminist vision, tracing their influence in the works of Black women writers who followed her. 

Carolyn H. Livingston, vice president for student life and dean of students, received the 2025 NASPA Small Colleges and Universities SCU Professional Award at this year’s annual conference. This honor recognizes a student affairs professional who demonstrates leadership and commitment to NASPA and to small colleges and universities. Livingston’s active professional involvement, focus on student learning and development, and innovative approaches to addressing the varied and emerging needs of students, are just a few of the reasons she received this honor.

Seth Peabody, assistant professor of German, was a co-presenter at the Newberry Library German Studies Seminar on Friday, January 13, together with Jennifer Hosek, professor at Queen’s University in Canada. They gave an online talk titled, “Urban Bicycling in Germany: Towards Sustainability and Solidarity?”

Zoe Roettger ’27 presented a paper on Sulpicia at this year’s meeting of the Classical Association of the Midwest and South in Mobile, Alabama, and was awarded the Presidential Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Paper. The paper is part of her research program as a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow.

Give Yourself or a Fellow Carl a Shout-Out!