At 71, Veteran Boston Newscaster Will Graduate from College

Jim Boyd, broadcast into Boston's homes for 36 years, is set receive his college diploma from Tufts this weekend.

Jim Boyd, a veteran Boston anchorman and member of the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame, graduated from high school in 1958. On May 19, he'll graduate from college, with a bachelor's degree in sociology from Tufts University. "It only took 55 years to get here," Boyd said. A familiar face to most Bostonians, Boyd, 71, spent 36 years as a reporter and anchor for WCVB, where he spent years delivering the morning news to viewers. He got into television news after dropping out of Long Island University at the age of 19 and landing a job in the mailroom of National Education Television, a precursor to PBS. In fact, Boyd had been put on academic probation. The Harlem native had graduated from high school at the age of 16, and he spent …

• Photos (2)

NATO's Top Commander Takes Post at Tufts

Admiral James Stavridis will succeed Stephen W. Bosworth as dean of the Fletcher School.

James Stavridis, a Navy admiral who serves as NATO's top military commander and supreme commander of U.S. military forces in Europe, will take over as dean of Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, according to an announcement from the school. According to the announcement, he'll take over this summer from Stephen W. Bosworth, who's been dean of the school since 2001. The announcement had the following to say about Stavridis: He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and has a master's degree and Ph.D. from the Fletcher School. As the top American commander in Europe, he's responsible for 120,000 troops and oversees operations and diplomacy in 51 countries—a territory that stretches from the Arctic to the Middle East. In …

• Photos (1)

Expert on Stereotypes to Deliver Tufts Commencement Address

Psychologist Claude M. Steele has changed the way we understand stereotypes, and he speaks at Tufts' 2013 commencement.

Claude M. Steele, a psychologist whose work has impacted our understanding of stereotypes, will deliver Tufts University's commencement address on May 19, according to an announcement from the university. Steele is James Quillen Dean of the School of Education at Stanford University, and he previously served as provost of Columbia University, the announcement says. His work has explored stereotypes among several groups and has connected those stereotypes to cognitive performance, the announcement says. Among other things, he's published the book, Whistling Vivaldi: And Other Clues to How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do.

• Photos (1)

Christiane Amanpour Gives 'Edward R. Murrow' Talk at Tufts

The international-affairs journalist will discuss world events and changes in the way people get their news.

Christiane Amanpour, chief international correspondent for CNN and global affairs anchor for ABC News, will talk at Tufts University Friday for the eighth annual Edward R. Murrow Forum on Issues in Journalism. According to an announcement from Tufts, Amanour will discuss current world issues and changes in the way people receive their news. The forum is free and open to the public, and it takes place at 12 p.m. at Barnum Hall, according to the university. Previous speakers at the Murrow Forum have included Brian Williams, Katie Couric, Ted Koppel, Tom Brokaw, Dan Rather and Chris Matthews.

• Photos (1)

Ambassador to Spain Speaks at Tufts

Alan D. Solomont will discuss a career in diplomacy, health care and activism.

Alan D. Solomont, U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, will speak at Tufts University Monday. Interestingly, he'll be giving the Alan D. Solomont Lecture—the ambassador, a member of the Tufts class of 1970 and a trustee emeritus at the school, was founding chairperson of the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship, according to an announcement from the university. Solomont, who was named ambassador by President Barack Obama in 2009, will speak about his diplomatic career as well as his life as an activist, the announcement says. Among other things, he'll talk about serving on the board of directors for the Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees service programs like AmeriCorps and Serve America. He's also spent …

• Photos (1)

Marathon Profile: Jane Carter Runs Her First Marathon

Carter is runing with the Tufts Marathon Team to support medical and fitness causes at the university.

The 117th running of the Boston Marathon takes place April 15, and this week we'll be posting profiles of local runners who are taking on the marathon this year—and supporting good causes while they're at it. Most of these runners shared their stories here, and the words below are their words. If you're running the Boston Marathon this year, feel free to share your story. More profiles: Name: Jane Carter  Age: 24 Marathon experience: This is my first full marathon, and hopefully not my last! I ran the Seattle half-marathon two years ago, and the experience was so great that I have always been looking for the right opportunity to run a full marathon. Reason for running: When I came to Boston for grad school, I joined the Tufts Marathon Team…

• Photos (2)

Patriots Lineman Ryan Wendell Reads to Somerville, Medford Kids at Tufts [PHOTOS]

Wendell visited Tufts University Sunday as part of the "Read by the River" fair.

New England Patriots player Ryan Wendell, an offensive lineman, was at Tufts University Sunday as part of the 13th annual "Read by the River" carnival, organized by Tufts Hillel. The event promotes education and early childhood literacy. Wendell read to elementary-school kids from Somerville and Medford, and he also signed a few autographs. According to the New England Patriots Facebook page, he read from the children's book, "Let's Go, Patriots!"

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)

Patriots Lineman Ryan Wendell to Visit Tufts Sunday

The Patriots player will read to as many as 850 kids from Somerville and Medford as part of the "Read by the River" carnival.

Patriots Lineman Ryan Wendell to Visit Tufts Sunday

The Patriots player will read to as many as 850 kids from Somerville and Medford.

New England Patriots offensive lineman Ryan Wendell is scheduled to visit Tufts University Sunday to read to children and sign some autographs, according to an announcement from the university. Wendell is visiting as part of the "Read by the River" carnival, sponsored by Tufts Hillel. This year marks the 13th annual "Read by the River" event. About 850 elementary school kids from Somerville and Medford, and their families, are expected to attend, and there will be face painting, arts and crafts and performances for kids. The carnival promotes literacy. It takes place from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gantcher Center, 161 College Ave., Medford.

• Photos (1)

Tufts Dean Blasts Students' Drunken Behavior at Boston Bash

According to the Boston Herald and a letter in The Tufts Daily, things got out of hand at the Winter Bash at a Boston Hotel Feb. 1.

Tufts University Dean of Student Affairs Bruce Reitman scolded students for their behavior at a Feb. 1 school event at the Westin Copley Place in Boston, according to a report in the Boston Herald. A letter by Reitman published in The Tufts Daily student newspaper Tuesday indicates that 15 to 20 students who attended the Winter Bash "spent most of the night in the medical triage room" due to excessive drinking, while others were rude to hotel staff and still others were observed vomiting "all over the place." Reitman also said two students, a male and a female, were seen urinating in the middle of the hotel lobby.  In the letter, Reitman said several departments are reviewing the Winter Bash and that future planning needs to address "the …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)