Materials . . .

The value of frequent classroom low-stakes quizzes

Quizzes work for me, so I enjoy reading about scholarship that concludes they are a good idea. All students might benefit from David Glenn's May 1, 2009 article, "Close the Book. Recall. Write it down," for the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Early UA materials found

For the Akron Beacon-Journal, Colette M. Jenkins reports on the discovery of archival materials for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron, which oversaw Buchtel College until 1913. It contains some details that might amuse current students:

The Universalists administered the college until 1913, with ministers of the Akron church serving as its presidents. That year, it became a municipal college, which is now the University of Akron.

A Buchtel Leaflets publication that was among the documents in the box reveals that college tuition was $40 in 1885. Room rent was $10 to $30. Steam heating and gas was $12. The college offered three courses of study and required candidates for the freshman class to pass exams in Greek, Latin, math, drawing and English.

Emily Dickinson's love life

For Slate, Christopher Benfrey summarizes biographical scholarship by Carol Damon Andrews, Brenda Wineapple, Genevieve Taggard, and George F. Whicher on Dickinson's early love, George Gould.

Kate Tucker and the Sons of Sweden, "Everything Went Down"

More Kate Tucker, in another video directed by Miriam Bennett. If your connection can support the larger stream, you can click through to YouTube to see the video in a higher quality resolution.

Kate Tucker "Say Love"

UA English alumnus Kate Tucker has a music video in high definition and a new album set an October 30 release.

Slave gravesite on former sugar plantation found

Matt Probasco reports for the Associated Press that "researchers from Denmark and the U.S. Virgin Islands want to unearth up to 50 skeletons" found on private property in St. Croix.

Tombstone of Susan Gilbert's father found

The Associated Press reports that Gen. Thomas Gilbert’s headstone was found in the front yard of the Emily Dickinson Museum. On Halloween, no less.