A childhood filled with explosions and dangerous chemicals might sound like a recipe for disaster, but it led Professor Richard R. Schrock to pursue a career in chemistry that reached a high point Wednesday when he was named recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Karl W. Reid ’84 recently took office as the new director of the Office of Minority Education, a position now endowed with influence beyond the Institute’s undergraduates. Appointed by Chancellor Phillip L. Clay PhD ’75 and Dean of Undergraduate Education Robert P. Redwine, Reid said he intends to analyze current patterns in minority populations at MIT to develop new diversity programs involving graduate students as well as undergraduates.

Last night at the Sanders Theatre at Harvard, the 15th First Annual Ig Nobel prizes were distributed to 10 curious and motivated people for their almost inconceivable research. Unlike the Nobel Prize, the Ig Nobels, created by Harvard alumnus Marc Abrahams, recognize those whose research “first makes people LAUGH, then makes them THINK.”

Donald R. F. Harleman, a renowned civil engineer whose love for the ocean and expertise in water quality and waste treatment benefited urban harbors throughout the world, died of cancer on Sept. 28 on Nantucket, Mass. He was 82.

MIT’s Solar Electric Vehicle Team finished the 2005 World Solar Challenge in sixth place out of 22 teams despite racing with a damaged car. The MIT team covered 1,800 miles in 40 hours.

Want to learn more about Zephyr? Need to figure out if someone is logged in and communicate with them quickly? In this final introductory column, we cover the basics of using Zephyr.

In the bifurcated job market of the last 25 years, a college education became an indispensable credential for a middle-class wage. That is still the case, but the payoff from a bachelor’s degree is beginning to falter.

The following incidents were reported to the Cambridge and/or MIT Police between Sept. 26 and Oct. 3. This summary does not include incidents such as suspicious activity, false alarms, general service calls, medical shuttles, or isolated incidents of theft.

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Dance Review: The Art and Tradition of Indian Classical Dance: MIT Natya Conveys Religion, Philosophy, and Mythology in Kresge Little Performance
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Food Review: The Battle of The Generals General Gau’s Chicken Festival 2005
Classical Review: Hey BSO, Where’s the Beef?: Orchestra Performs Mediocre Opener to Otherwise Promising Season
CD Review: Joshua Bell Revitalizes Timeworn Concerto: Tchaikovsky’s Masterpiece Reinterpreted With Bell’s Personal Touch
Film Review ***: Clooney’s Homage to Good Journalism: Pseudo-Documentary Examines Edward R. Murrow’s Stand Against Joseph McCarthy
Film Review *1/2: ‘Two’ Not Worth the Money of Admission: Sports Betting Movie Leaves Out Too Much Substance
Film Review **1/2: ‘Greatest Game’ Just Barely On Par Tale of Golf’s 1913 U.S. Open is Confusing, Yet Entertaining
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