Daily News

Art student interns with photographer Annie Leibovitz

Increasing numbers of humanities students are gaining interesting experience outside the classroom, while getting credit towards their degrees by taking applied humanities courses. Recent courses have seen students working on editorial projects, interactive Web pages and the development of a film series. But the project that makes everyone prick up their ears, is that of art student Ruth Silver, who spent three months this summer as an intern in the New York studio of photographer Annie Leibovitz. The chance to gain an insider's view of the glamorous world of Annie and her celebrity models (Bono, Bjvrk, Faith Hill, Keith Richards, and Kate Hudson all posed for snaps during Ruth's stint at the studio) was an amazing experience, and not one that will soon be forgotten.

posted on Nov. 2: Polanyi Prize winner accepts award today

McMaster's newest Polanyi Prize winner is in Toronto today to accept an award that bolsters his commitment to continue research in a Canadian academic environment. Imre Szeman, an assistant professor of English and cultural studies, is the recipient of the 2000 John Charles Polanyi Prize for Literature. Each year the Polanyi Prizes, worth $15,000 each, can be awarded in the fields of literature, chemistry, physics, physiology or medicine and economics to scholars and researchers planning to continue postdoctoral studies at an Ontario university. "I'm very happy to have won it," said Szeman, 32, who is in his second year of teaching at the University. "It's amazing that it exists and provides some encouragement to stay in the Canadian university system."