Student reports racial slur shouted on Route 2

Hannah Marx • April 29, 2026

A racial slur was yelled out of a gray minivan driven by what appeared to be a white male wearing sunglasses on Route 2 at 11:00 a.m. last Wednesday.

In Other Ivory Towers: Former first-year charged with voyeurism at Wesleyan, hidden camera found in Amherst bathroom

Hannah Marx • April 22, 2026

A former Wesleyan first-year, Samuel Vuvu Schumann, was arrested on April 6 with 31 counts of voyeurism for allegedly secretly recording 19 female students in dormitory bathrooms over a two-month period. In a separate incident, the Amherst College Police Department (ACPD) announced last Tuesday that a camera was found in a Science Center bathroom.

‘A great time to be on campus’: How Ramadan builds community at the College

Hannah Marx and Yejun Park • March 11, 2026

The College’s rural setting is certainly a far cry from the robust Muslim communities found in bigger cities, but that doesn’t stop Muslim students from keeping their observance of Ramadan a vibrant and meaningful tradition.

Retiring faculty members share advice with the College community

Hannah Marx and Dalia Levanon • May 14, 2025

This academic year, nine faculty members are retiring from the College. The Record invited each of them to share a photo, their favorite class they have taught at the College, and any wisdom or advice for the community.

‘I was stunned’: U.S. Naval Academy bans books by Williams professors

Hannah Marx • May 7, 2025

In an executive order from the Secretary of Defense, books written by Williams professors were banned from the US Naval Academy Academy library. Read about the books, the authors' reflections, and their surprising takeaways from this incident.

Reports show substantial growth in College administrative staff

Ellie Davis and Hannah Marx • April 30, 2025

The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) exempt staff positions had increased from 290 to 443 since 2009, outpacing growth in faculty positions by 40 percentage points. A Record investigation found student support, increased resources for faculty, and government requirements as primary drivers of the trend.

A glimpse down Spring Street through the years

Hannah Marx • April 30, 2025

From horseless carriages to red SUVs, Spring Street has long served as the commercial center of Town. Students, faculty, and community members can often be found waiting in long lines on Friday for Log Lunch or eating ice cream from Lickety on a warm September day. But how has this illustrious street evolved over the course of the Town’s history? 

This Week in Williams History: Student apathy and the origins of Factrak

Aiden Clarke and Hannah Marx • April 23, 2025

“This Week in Williams History” is a column that looks back at memorable moments in the College’s past through articles in the Record. This week in history, the Record covered the College’s absence from a national anti-war strike, its exchange program with women’s colleges, the Record’s 100-year anniversary, and the beginnings of Factrak. 

From pig heads to warm breads: Student chefs share campus cooking stories

Henry Hilton, Satya Kluth, and Hannah Marx • April 16, 2025

Dining halls aren't the only places to find cuisine on campus. Meet the student chefs who whip up baguettes, ice cream, and even roasted pig heads.

How Osama bin Laden’s personal cassette collection ended up in a Williams basement

Hugh Kane and Hannah Marx • March 19, 2025

Deep in the College's archives, thousands of hours of footage and other artifacts immortalize the sermons and declarations of Osama bin Laden, as well as records of Afghanistan in the 1980s and '90s. Professor of Anthropology David Edwards, along with four Afghan journalists from Pakistan, worked tirelessly to archive these vestiges of the past.

From North Adams TV to MSNBC: Mika Brzezinski ’89 reflects on her career, journalism today

Hannah Marx • February 19, 2025

Mika Brzezinski ’89, now a co-host of the MSNBC television show Morning Joe along with her husband Joe Scarborough, sat down with the Record to discuss her favorite memories from the College, highlights from her career as a TV journalist, and her approach to reporting — along with how she views the media’s role during the Trump administration. 

Looking back at the Crown Prince of Iran’s time at the College

Ellie Davis, Hannah Marx, and Tess Halpern • February 19, 2025

In the 1979-80 academic year, Reza Pahlavi, son of the Shah of Iran, attended the College. Despite the heightened security and international attention surrounding his home country, he blended in as another student, marking a unique chapter to the College's history.

Two in Two Thousand: Claudia Russell ’25 and Jesse Shapiro ’25

Hannah Marx • February 12, 2025

In honor of Valentine’s Day, the Record brings you its annual profile of a campus couple. This year, Claudia Russell ’25 and Jesse Shapiro ’25 discussed their first date, adventures abroad, and bucket list for their final semester at the College.

Trekking through Tbilisi: Looking back on 37 years of ‘Williams in Georgia’

Satya Kluth and Hannah Marx • January 29, 2025

A dive into the past and present of "Williams in Georgia," a Winter Study course led by Professor of Russian Darra Goldstein.

Follow the money: Demystifying athletic donations at the College

Satya Kluth and Hannah Marx • December 4, 2024

Athletic donations fall under a policy that the College introduced in 2012, which allows donors to designate their gifts to specific sectors: financial aid, “equity and inclusion,” faculty support, athletic teams, and a variety of academic programs. Donors can also donate to the College’s “highest priorities,” essentially leaving their gifts undesignated. 

Prof. Bernhardsson presents findings on refugees in Iceland

Hannah Marx • November 20, 2024

Magnús Bernhardsson, professor of history and chair of global studies, presented the initial findings of his three-year research project at a presentation in Schapiro Hall on Nov. 14. The project — a study of refugee families from Syria and Iraq who resettled in Iceland between 2016 and 2021 — is a collaboration between Bernhardsson and Hanna Ragnarsdóttir, a professor of multicultural studies at the University of Iceland’s School of Education.

College to charge Williams tuition for study away programs beginning in 2027

Hannah Marx • November 13, 2024

Students will be required to pay tuition to the College for semesters spent studying away beginning in the 2027–28 academic year. Once the new policy is implemented, the College will pay a study away program’s tuition — which is often significantly less than the College’s comprehensive fee — and collect the rest as an effort to contend with recent financial pressures, Provost Eiko Siniawer and Vice President for Finance and Operations Mike Wagner said at the Nov. 6 faculty meeting. 

Gramercy Bistro closes its doors after 23 years

Hannah Marx • November 13, 2024

Gramercy Bistro, a farm-to-table restaurant on Water Street, permanently closed on Oct. 6 after 23 years in business. According to Alexander “Sandy” Smith, the chef and owner of the restaurant, the property’s landlord declined to renew his lease, forcing him out of the space. 

One in Two Thousand: Valentina Cohen ’26

Hannah Marx • October 30, 2024

This week, Valentina Cohen ’26 discussed her plans to study abroad in Paris, her passion for learning languages, and how she adjusted moving from Miami to Williamstown.

In Other Ivory Towers: First-year enrollment declines nationwide for first time since 2020

Hannah Marx • October 30, 2024

First-year enrollment dropped by over 5 percent across American colleges and universities this academic year, according to data released by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NSCRC) on Oct. 23.

Williamstown Apothecary to close, College plans new prescription delivery service

Haley Zimmerman and Hannah Marx • October 23, 2024

The Williamstown Apothecary — the only pharmacy within a mile of campus — will close on Nov. 14 due to major financial challenges. Its closure will pose accessibility challenges for students seeking over-the-counter medications, prescriptions, and toiletries. In response, the College is working to provide new services that will replace gaps created by the Apothecary’s closure.

College employees gave thousands of dollars to political campaigns this election cycle. Here’s where they donated.

Lena Kerest, Hannah Marx, and Phoebe Pallesen • October 23, 2024

Employees of the College donated at least $81,488.45 to political organizations this past year, according to public data from the Federal Election Committee (FEC). Of the reported data, 99.5 percent,...

Nate Karren ’23.5 jumpstarts professional basketball career in Ireland

Satya Kluth and Hannah Marx • October 9, 2024

After wrapping the 2023–24 season as co-captain of men’s basketball, Nate Karren ’23.5 signed a one-year contract with the Ulster University Basketball club to play professional basketball in Belfast, Ireland.

From the Purple Valley to purple states: Ephs organize for the Harris-Walz campaign

Maya Prakash and Hannah Marx • October 9, 2024

With the presidential election rapidly approaching, Ephs discuss their experiences working for the Harris-Walz campaign.

WCMA event celebrates Latinx, queer art communities

Hannah Marx • October 2, 2024

The Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA) hosted a daylong event, “Play and Inquiry: Celebrating Latinx and Queer Art Communities,” on Saturday to celebrate its latest exhibition, “Teddy Sandoval and the Butch Gardens School of Art."

STATE Food + Drink replaces The Break Room at Greylock WORKS

Hannah Marx • September 25, 2024

STATE Food + Drink opened on Sept. 20, replacing The Break Room at Greylock WORKS, which was last open to the public on Sept. 1. The restaurant will serve breakfast and lunch, six days a week, as well with a full dinner menu beginning on Oct. 10. 

Andy Hogeland reflects on departure from Williamstown Select Board

Hannah Marx • September 25, 2024

Andy Hogeland ’76 stepped down from his position on the Williamstown Select Board after nearly two decades in the role. He announced his decision on Facebook on Aug. 8, writing that he is planning to move to Connecticut to be closer to his family.

Spring approval ratings survey shows increased approval of Record, decreased approval of Dean’s Office

Hannah Marx and Lena Kerest • May 8, 2024

Last week, the Record sent its biannual approval ratings survey to 500 randomly selected students using a script in R. The survey asked students to indicate their approval, disapproval, or neutrality on many campus institutions, including the Junior Advisor (JA) system, the Davis Center, and President of the College Maud S. Mandel.

Thesis by Josh Picoult ’24 preserves institutional memory of WCFM

Hannah Marx • May 8, 2024

Senior Josh Picoult wrote his honors history thesis about the storied history of WCFM.

bbno$, student bands perform at Spring Fling

Hannah Marx • May 1, 2024

It would be hard for anyone at the College to miss the excitement of giant inflatables, food trucks, and loud music that radiated from Science Quad last Saturday. Rapper bbno$ headlined the event — All Campus Entertainment (ACE)’s Spring Fling concert — which also featured performances by several student bands.

College to break ground on Multipurpose Recreation Center, conduct year-long study on wellness

Hannah Marx • May 1, 2024

The College will begin the construction process for the Multipurpose Recreation Center (MRC) on May 8, when the contractor for the project, Suffolk Construction, is scheduled to arrive at the site. The College plans to break ground in late spring with an anticipated opening in winter 2025, the Office of Communications announced on April 8.

One in Two Thousand: Anika Kakarla ’27

Hannah Marx • April 17, 2024

Each week, the Record (using a script in R) randomly selects a student at the College for our One in Two Thousand feature, excluding current Record board members. This week, Anika Kakarla ’27 discussed playing on the squash team, being pre-med, and learning Indian classical dance.

College unveils $4.7 million permanent boathouse for crew program

Hannah Marx • April 10, 2024

Men’s and women’s crew moved into their newly constructed boathouse, located on the Lake Onota waterfront, on March 28. The new boathouse has twice the boat storage of the previous boathouse and features a team room equipped with a television, a room to gather in before and after practice, heated spaces for boat storage, and bathrooms with showers.

Community remembers Professor Stephen Sheppard

Hannah Marx • March 13, 2024

Professor of Economics Stephen Sheppard died on March 2 at the age of 69. He taught at the College from 2000 until the 2023 fall semester. Students and faculty remember Sheppard as a deeply curious and passionate man and an integral part of both the economics department and the larger College community.

Actresses Laura Linney, Jessica Hecht discuss arts careers, education at student film screening

Hannah Marx and Emily Zas • February 21, 2024

On Sunday, Feb. 18, actresses Laura Linney and Jessica Hecht spoke to a packed Paresky Auditorium about their careers, the importance of the arts to a liberal arts education, and the changing landscape of creative fields. The event culminated Hecht’s Winter Study filmmaking course, featuring a screening of six student-produced short films

Keli Gail to retire as Secretary of the College in July

Hannah Marx • February 14, 2024

After 30 years at the College, Assistant to the President and Secretary of the College Keli Gail will retire this July, President Maud S. Mandel announced in an all-campus email on Feb. 6. A search committee, led by Mandel, will hire Gail’s successor. 

New tea and boba café to open as Spring Street businesses shuffle

Elizabeth Cheng and Hannah Marx • January 24, 2024

Following the long-awaited opening of Crust pizzeria, Spring Street will see a shuffle of its businesses. A new café, Tea and Boba Lounge, will open at 76 Spring St. on Feb. 2. The A Better Community Clothing Sale (ABC), the previous occupant of the space, moved to 30 Spring St.

Smoothie Spot to close on Oct. 29

Hannah Marx • October 25, 2023

The Smoothie Spot, a Spring Street establishment that sells smoothies, smoothie bowls, and toasts, will close on Oct. 29. The café is part of Nature’s Closet, an outdoor specialty retailer, and has...

College partners with student-run consulting group to electrify vehicle fleet

Hannah Marx and Becky Walker • October 4, 2023

The College will transition its rideshare fleet to electric vehicles in partnership with the student-run Alhambra Consulting Group.

WSU announces fall election results, voter turnout decreases

Inés Garcia and Hannah Marx • September 27, 2023

Students elected 11 candidates to the Williams Student Union (WSU) this semester, seven of which are returning representatives. Only the Class of 2027 had enough candidates for a contested election, and only two students from the Class of 2025 ran, leaving one of the governing body’s 12 spots unfilled.