Campus News

The Independant University Alumni Association gave away $125,000 in scholarships in grants this past week at an awards banquet at Princeton Station. Among these awards is the prestigious Alumnus Award, which this year was given to Dr. Robert S. Smith. Dr. Smith graduated from Lowell Technical Institute in 1961 in its first graduating class of mechanical engineers. He then worked at Army Quartermaster Research and Development Center where he became the youngest laboratory director in the center's history at 40. He retired from the Army Natick Laboratories at 48 and worked at reasearch jobs subsequently.


The Office of Student Activities and Multicultural Affairs, The Council on Diversity and Pluralism, and the Association of Students of African Origin are offering several events on campus in honor of Black History Month. These events will be concluded on Wednesday, February 28th with "A Night of Soul," a night of music, poetry, and thoughts in Fox Hall on East Campus.

Local News

A former executive at a trust fund firm has allegedly laundered 58 million dollars from the descendants of a 19th century local mill owner. The descendants of Fredrick Ayer have filed a civil suit against the firm, which the accused is said to have spent on private jets and upscale condominiums. The former executive, his wife, his son, his mistress, and several of his extended family members are listed as defendants in the case. The family members allege that his high status at the firm was how he gained access to the money. The executive was fired and escorted from the Beverly business last year following the accusations.

14 illegal immigrants were taken into custody on February 6th when the truck that they were in broke down on Interstate 93. One of the men driving the truck shouted out "My friends, My friends," in Spanish as a tow truck was pulling away with their vehicle. Upon examination, the state trooper who had pulled over to assist found 12 illegal immigrants in the bed of the truck, 6 from Mexico, and 6 from Guatemala. The two men in the cab of the truck were also illegal, and all were held in custody without bail until trial.

Popular News

A 13 year old boy who was abducted at gun point at a bus stop on Friday morning has been found. Clay Moore of Parrish, Florida was allegedly found on a ranch 20 to 30 miles away from the bus stop. An extensive manhunt of the area is being conducted to find the would be kidnapper. Police say that Moore was not targetted specifically, and that this was a random abduction. The boy was discovered without serious injury and was reunited with his parents on Friday evening.

An 80 year old law prohibiting dancing in New York City ordinary bars and restaurants has been upheld by a New York court. The law does not prohibit dancing in establishments with dancing liscences. The law came into question when several individuals and one club sued for denying free expression, but the the appeals were denied as the dancing causes safety hazards during an emergency, and disobeys noise ordinances. The law was enacted in the 1920's to battle speakeasies during prohibition.