Thomas Laqueur

After about a semester-long departure from campus, former chancellor Nicholas Dirks makes his return to campus — for some not-so-awaited — as a history professor this spring semester.

Carl Schorske, a professor remembered fondly for his charismatic lectures, dedication to his students and his genius in the discipline of history, died last Sunday at the age of 100.

Taming the trouser snake, frosting the pie, unlocking the chamber of secrets, battling the purple-headed yogurt slinger — we all know what these phrases really mean. It’s been around since human beings first realized hands could be useful for something other than high-fiving and biting one’s thumb in insult.