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Staying Demented

How Barry Hansen ’63, a.k.a. Dr. Demento, built a legacy of lyrical laughter.

By Bennett Campbell Ferguson

Never Better?

Arianna Rebolini ’12 on surviving suicidality.

By Robin Tovey ’97

A Kinesthetic Force

For Tango Berretín owner Alex Krebs ’99, the beauty of tango lies not in how it looks, but how it feels.

By Bennett Campbell Ferguson

The Sound of History

How Anesu Ndoro ’21 is amplifying the music of the Ndau people.

By Bennett Campbell Ferguson

March 23, 2026

A Musical Rescue Mission

All around the world, heritage music is endangered. Zack Youcha ’21 is helping communities save theirs.

March 20, 2026

In Barnard Country

A thesis topic discovery and a life’s work in the poetry of Mary Barnard ’32.

November 24, 2025

Into the Infinite

How Bill Witherspoon ’65 immortalized his desert journeys.

December 1, 2025

How to Thrive in Wild Times

According to cooperation theorist Athena Aktipis ’02, the one thing we really need? Each other.

July 25, 2025

Form and Function

How Lydia Mead ’22 and Professor Barbara Tetenbaum built a book from a “long poem in prose.”

July 25, 2025

Professor Mónica López Lerma Calls “Action!” for ��AV’s New Film & Media Studies Major

As the committee chair of the program, López Lerma is building a curriculum that is as interdisciplinary as it is international.

July 25, 2025

Auteure d’une Inversion Politique

Inside LIT 302 with Professor Catherine Witt.

July 25, 2025

Desert Dreams

Professor Juniper Harrower and her students want to save Joshua trees from extinction. Will the world join them?

July 21, 2025

Feeding Ghosts

Tessa Hulls ’07 explores love, grief, and exile in her genre-bending graphic memoir.

March 6, 2025

The Library Is the Beating Heart of ��AV

President Bilger and ��AV library leaders discuss the impact of the campus hub.

March 10, 2025

Life by 1,000 Tiny Pencil Strokes

Amy Reading ’98 highlights the remarkable life of The New Yorker's Katharine S. White in her book, The World She Edited.

March 6, 2025

A Repository of Human History

The D.C. alumni chapter recently visited head curator Leslie Overstreet ’71 at the Smithsonian’s Cullman rare book library to learn what clues lie within the materiality of books.

September 2, 2024

Season to Taste with Queer Forms

Elizabeth Blake ’04 explores desire, gratification, and embodiment in her first book.

December 2, 2024

Professor-Student Team Translate The Inheritor

Prof. Kate Bredeson and Thalia Wolff ’22 collaborated on the first English-language translation of the play about class inequality and access to higher education.

October 11, 2024

Eating a Moment

We visit a Bay Area Japanese izakaya, owned and operated by chef and author of the new Rintaro cookbook Sylvan Mishima Brackett ’98.

July 22, 2024

Behind the Curtain

Catching up with a former student and star of HBO's The Gilded Age, Morgan Spector ’02

June 3, 2024

��AV Faculty Reflect on Recent Publications

Six professors discuss their recent works spanning the storied life of Buddha, the Soviet Jewish bookshelf, essays on the Qur'an and Islam, and more.

March 13, 2024

We Can’t Go Home Again

Biting and relatable, Kate Christensen’s latest novel grapples with midlife, trauma, and climate change.

March 8, 2024

Big Topics for Young Readers

The stories of British colonialism come to life in Prof. Natarajan’s Hear Our Voices.

January 2, 2024

An Anthology of Disruptions, Large and Small

Library of America honors poet Gary Snyder ’51 with volume of his collected poems.

July 28, 2023

Time and Place

Prof. David Schiff’s musical journey winds through the vineyard with Susan Sokol-Blosser ’67 and around the track with Steve Prefontaine.

June 14, 2023

In New Essay, President Bilger Makes the Case for Public Writing

The piece appears in ‘Public Feminisms,’ an open-access book published in April by Lever Press.

April 21, 2023

In ‘Toad,’ Katherine Dunn ’69 Draws on Her Time at ��AV

The posthumously published novel is wry and penetrating.

April 19, 2023

A Cross-Country Cornhole Trip Digs into American Identity

Anthropology major Emilie Kelly ’25 used a classic lawn game to break the ice before entering into deeper conversation.

April 14, 2023

Through the Portal

Josh Riedel ’07 was Instagram’s first employee. His debut novel plunges readers into startup life.

January 6, 2023

Changing the Lens

Nili Yosha ’07 empowers houseless youth through filmmaking.

November 7, 2022

The Western

English 261 investigates a history of US film culture through the lens of the cinematic Western.

October 20, 2022

The Quiet Before: On the Unexpected Origins of Radical Ideas

A new book by Gal Beckerman '98 explores the conditions required for revolutionary ideas to foment—or fester.

September 2, 2022

Marginal Powers and Messages from the Divine

Stephanie Guyer-Stevens ’86 documents the unique power of female shamans in Bhutan.

March 25, 2022

Eid al-Fitr Makes Its Animated Debut

After growing up watching reactionary stereotypes, a screenwriter creates space for nuanced Muslim characters.

March 22, 2022

Happy Birthday Scriptorium!

The Calligraphy Initiative celebrates 10 years of serifs and glyphs, metal nibs and oak gall ink, and the generous support of a small group of alumni and friends who made it possible.

December 10, 2021

Guardians of the Trees

The fate of the planet is inextricably linked to human health, writes Kinari Webb ’95.

October 18, 2021

Beloved Beasts

Science writer Michelle Nijhuis ’96 explores the fascinating history of the conservation movement.

May 25, 2021

Truth and Justice in Tulsa

The Ground Breaking unearths the sinister history of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921.

April 26, 2021

Well Versed

For National Poetry Month, we present some ��AV poets who explore identity and social justice.

April 13, 2021

Let’s Fix This

Our planet’s in trouble. Here are some ideas on confronting the climate crisis, brought to you by ��AV and ��AVies.

January 12, 2021

“Howl” Unleashed

Rare audio of Allen Ginsberg’s historic 1956 reading at ��AV to be released by Omnivore Recordings.

December 15, 2020

Alaska Calling

Folk singer Mossy Kilcher ’66 has her regrets. Her life-changing time at ��AV is not among them.

December 4, 2020

Professor Hailed for Book On Dance and Politics

Prof. Victoria Fortuna wins award for “exceptionally deep” study of dance and political violence.

December 1, 2020

Fear and Freedom in the Land of AIDS

Target of censors, Robert Chesley ’65 celebrated sexuality amid a landscape of repression.

November 19, 2020

Prof. Burford Wins Awards For Book on Mahalia Jackson

“Magisterial” study of gospel icon earns critical acclaim.

September 23, 2020

Trouble in the Mines of Titan

A graphic novel by François Vigneault ’13 imagines a future beset with new forms of oppression on the moons of Saturn.

September 15, 2020

MAITA’s New Album Rocks the Critics

In her debut album Best Wishes, Maria Maita-Keppeler ’14 is intimate but never fragile.

May 6, 2020

Bullets, Ice, and Snow

How a ragtag bunch of skiers became the U.S. Army’s first alpine soldiers.

April 9, 2020

Music Prof Wins Award For Opera Based on WWI

Project gives voice to women affected by the Great War.

March 2, 2020

Going Stoic

Can an ancient philosophy help you cope with your life right now?

December 12, 2019

A History of Humanity

In the latest book by Tamim Ansary ’70, he focuses on the narratives that unite civilizations.

December 4, 2019

What the Sentence Can Do

With razor wit and trademark brio, Prof. Jan Mieszkowski takes on literature, philosophy, and the twitterverse.

December 3, 2019

How They Kept the Faith

Duncan Ryūken Williams ʾ91 uncovers the story of how Japanese-American Buddhist families survived imprisonment and fought for their freedom.

November 26, 2019

Bitter Harvest

Explosive analysis of the 1967 race riots by Robert Shellow ’51 was suppressed by the White House and forgotten for 50 years. How does it look today?

November 29, 2019

How Should Religion Be Taught?

A recent book celebrates the ideas and career of Prof. Steve Wasserstrom.

November 22, 2019

Mothers, Fathers, And Writers

Acclaimed author Lise Funderburg ’82 spent years trying to make sense of her dad. In her new anthology she asks other writers to do the same.

September 30, 2019

Rethinking The Canon

Lauri Ramey ’73 offers a new history of African American poetry with far-reaching implications for the study of Anglophone literature

September 24, 2019

Follow the Script

A pioneering chapter book takes center stage in Art 368

August 27, 2019

Summer REEDing

A round-up of hot-weather reads written by our alumni and professors

March 19, 2019

Las Chuntá by Genevieve Roudané ’08

A documentary about tradition, community, and queer identity in Chiapa de Corzo, Mexico

July 19, 2019

Chimes of a Lost Cathedral

In a sweeping fiction by Janet Fitch ’78, a young woman comes of age amidst the tumult of the Russian Revolution.

June 23, 2019

Lucinda Parker: Force Fields

A 50-year retrospective and new book about painter Lucinda Parker ’66.

June 24, 2019

How To Be a Patient

Sana Goldberg ’12 writes a guide to navigating the world of modern medicine

June 23, 2019

The Night Swimmers

A new novel by Prof. Peter Rock is a mysterious mix of memoir and fiction.

May 24, 2019

Why America Should Stay Open

New book by Prof. Kim Clausing lays out the case for free trade.

March 22, 2019

Performing Arts Profs on Paper

Six performing arts faculty publish books.

March 15, 2019

Invasion of the Zines

Hauser Library launches “Zine Library” to incorporate new voices into its special collections.

March 7, 2019

What’s Wrong With Bike Lanes?

Riding the streets of Southern California, urban anthropologist Adonia Lugo ’05 realized that bicycle advocacy has an equity problem.

March 1, 2019

David Schiff, Composer

��AV celebrates the musical legacy of Prof. David Schiff with three concerts.

December 18, 2018

The Last Cruise

Mishaps on the high seas and more in a new novel by Kate Christensen ’86.

December 18, 2018

Get Your Money Together

Lillian Karabaic ’13 wants readers to regain control of their expenses and enjoy life.

December 6, 2018

The Power of the Spirit

Prof. Mark Burford examines the tension between devotion and emotion in a new book on gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.

November 30, 2018

Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore

Coastlines are drowning. Elizabeth Rush ’06 investigates the devastating impact of climate change on coastal communities in a stunning new book of literary reportage.

October 4, 2018

Listening to Aretha Franklin

The standard narrative of her career overlooks an important dimension of her artistic accomplishment.

September 6, 2018

Sage Grouse: Icon of the West

Kathy Such Love ’72's intimate portrait of a fascinating bird.

September 6, 2018

��AViana September 2018

A fresh batch of new works, from books to music to film, by ��AVies.

September 6, 2018

The Battle for Fortune

Prof. Charlene Makley's new anthropology of Tibetans in developing China.

June 6, 2018

��AViana

June 2018.

June 8, 2018

Spirit in the Rock: The Fierce Battle for Modoc Homelands

Jim Compton ’64's posthumously published Native American history is a nuanced portrait of a Modoc chief.

June 7, 2018

Ghazal Cosmopolitan: The Culture and Craft of the Ghazal

A mix of essays, memoir, and original poems by Shadab Zeest Hashmi ’95.

May 24, 2018

Revolutionary Spirit

Author Janet Fitch ’78 storms the barricades with new novel on the Russian Revolution.

May 23, 2018

Novel Sensation

Movie adaptation of Prof. Pete Rock's book hits theatres this summer.

February 28, 2018

Disconnected Together

Prof. Kris Cohen tackles group identity in new book, "Never Alone, Except for Now."

July 12, 2019

Natural History of the Pacific Northwest Mountains

A classic guide by Daniel Mathews ’70 is an essential hiker's companion.

November 14, 2017

Pure at Heart

Indie rocker Kip Berman ’02 releases fourth album with the Pains of Being Pure at Heart.

December 1, 2017

Beyond Surgery

Injury, healing, and religion at an Ethiopian hospital.

December 1, 2017

A Good Country

August 14, 2017

Tyler Nordgren ’91 Sees the Solar Eclipse in its Totality

Professor at the University of Redlands creates a series of posters about the total solar eclipse.

August 14, 2017

“You Can Do Anything,”

A business writer’s ode to the liberal arts.

June 1, 2017

Song of the Nightingale

Psychiatric nurse rewires Portland’s approach to mental health.

July 13, 2017

Bashir and Rock Get Creative with Their Latest Projects

Two creative writing professors talk craft and colleagueship.

December 1, 2016

Life Beyond ��AV

Emily Corso '10 & Gina Collecchia ’09.

March 1, 2016

Borderline Geography

Chris Roth ’90 surveys the surreal territory of imaginary nations, microstates, and separatist movements.

June 1, 2016

The Age of Gunpowder

Why did China’s military technology fall behind the West?

June 1, 2016

Showrunner

How playwright Eric Overmyer '73 mastered the small screen.

March 1, 2015

Exposed Science

Sara Shostak ’92 digs into the politics of public health.

June 1, 2015

Portland on the Take

Benji Fisher ’94 probes Stumptown’s seedy past.

June 1, 2015

Woman for All Seasons

Playwright Caroline Miller ’59, MAT ’65, dusts off script after a dramatic pause lasting four decades.

June 1, 2015

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Uncovering the origins of science fiction in the ancient classics.

December 1, 2015

The Selling of Modernism

How the CIA turned the work of subversive intellectuals into a weapon of the Cold War.

December 1, 2015

Muckraking through the Ages

An anthology of investigative reporting shows the power of journalism to expose injustice.

September 1, 2014

Marshmallow Noir

Jen Graham ’01 pens the further adventures of Veronica Mars

June 1, 2014

Behind the Curve

Prof. Josh Howe explores the paradoxical history of global warming.

June 1, 2014

Stroke of Genius

Producer Farley Ziegler ’84 makes a documentary about one man’s quest to unlock the artistic secrets of Johannes Vermeer.

June 1, 2014

Poet || Artist

Jim Haba ’62 is equally at home on the blank page and the blank canvas.

March 1, 2014

The Engineered Crisis

Demographer Michael Teitelbaum ’66 challenges the conventional wisdom about America’s shortage of engineers.

December 1, 2014

Crisis in Arnhem Land

Joshua Bell ’99 turns his lens on Aboriginal Australians fighting to save their culture.

September 1, 2013

Music to My Ears

September 1, 2013

Master of Deception

Wordsmith Roger Hobbs ’11 on the art of addictive fiction.

September 1, 2013

Between Two Worlds

Shadab Zeest Hashmi ’95 navigates the journey from Pakistan to California.

September 1, 2013

Games Without Rules

Tamim Ansary ’70 traces the history of the two Afghanistans.

May 13, 2015

Bart Simpson and the Apocalypse

December 1, 2013

The Electric Mr. Burns

Playwright Anne Washburn ’91 wows Broadway with a drama that fuses Euripides with The Simpsons.

December 1, 2013

Cosmic Comic

Funnyman James Ashby ’04 brings down the house on Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal Theater.

December 1, 2013

Songs for Kukua

Ghanaian musician finds his voice at ��AV.

December 1, 2013

Total Immersion

��AV band Hausu makes national debut.

June 1, 2012

Becoming Who We Are

Temperament and Personality in Development

March 1, 2012

“An Inefficient Truth”

March 1, 2012

Road Warrior

Runaway. Street musician. Cab driver. Author. Vanessa Veselka ’10 built a career—and wrote a novel—that defies convention.

September 1, 2012

Coming of Age on Zoloft

December 1, 2012

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Peter Zuckerman ’03 and the sherpas who survived K2

December 1, 2012

The Uncharted Geography of Lena

Chekhov. Odysseus. Frankenstein. Swimsuits. You just never know where Professor Lena Lenček will turn up next.

December 1, 2012

How the Dutch Lost Taiwan

Tonio Andrade ’92 examines China’s first great military victory over the West.

December 1, 2012

Hoodwinked

Historian Amy Reading ’98 recounts a provocative tale of chicanery and vengeance.

December 1, 2012

The Disappearing Trick

Anthropologist Graham Jones ’97 reveals how magicians guard their craft in the internet age.

September 1, 2012

How Far Can You Trust Your Memory?

Prof. Daniel Reisberg’s expertise on perception and memory has impact far beyond the classroom.

September 1, 2011

Star Struck

A random accident transported Morgan Spector ’02 from bartending obscurity to Broadway sensation.

September 1, 2009

Channeling Sappho

How Mary Barnard ’32 liberated the ancient Greek poet from a prison of Victorian rhymes.

June 19, 2006

Life Imitating Art Imitating Life

Alafair Burke ’91 has created a series of popular mystery novels replete with tough women lawyers, corrupt cops, sociopathic socialites, plus plenty of gunfire to go around.

December 1, 2008

When The Beats Came Back

How a 1956 road trip by Allen Ginsberg and Gary Snyder ’51 shaped “Howl,” and left ��AV with the earliest-known recording of the epic.

August 2, 1999

Afternoons with the Muse

How poet Mary Barnard ’32 inspired me to find my voice.

August 2, 1999

The Words She Commands

Translating Sappho From the Heart