Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison M.A. ’55, had a joyous homecoming yesterday in a packed Bailey Hall, which welcomed the renowned writer with a standing ovation. Morrison, who graduated from Cornell 54 years ago, read from her most recent offering to the literary world, A Mercy, published last year.

Eight former editors of The Ithaca High School Tattler gained a small victory in their fight for First Amendment rights in high school journalism: On Jan. 26., U.S. District Judge Norman Mordue issued a decision allowing an appeal of his earlier ruling that dismissed some of the students’ claims.

Yesterday approximately 25 faculty members and graduate students gathered in the Guerlac room of the A.D. White House to consider ways to improve interdepartmental collaboration by bridging gaps between related fields of study at the University.

Canadian rapper Drake will headline this year’s Slope Day, according to Dan Tracy ’10, chair of the Slope Day Programming Board.

In an effort to cut back on the proverbial Big Red tape, the University recently created an Initiatives Coordination Office. Provost Kent Fuchs announced the creation of the ICO on Dec. 16. As one of the newest Reimagining Cornell initiatives, the ICO seeks to maintain and augment efficiency in the face of the ongoing economic recession.

Already providing the third-most Teach for America volunteers, the University’s graduates continue to flock in droves to the public sector. The University sent 46 volunteers into the Peace Corps in 2009, more than any other Ivy League institution, according to statistics released by the agency last Thursday.

R & B and Rap Artist Drake will be performing at Slope Day this year, according to Dan Tracy, chair of the Slope Day Programming Board. Drake announced his North American solo tour today, during which he is scheduled to perform at a "private location" in Ithaca, NY on May 7, the date of Slope Day, according to Billboard.

Just after kickoff last night, the Focus on the Family commercial hit the air. Even those who missed the Super Bowl have probably heard of the controversy over this infamous and previously unseen commercial featuring Heisman winner Tim Tebow.

Ever since the downtown CVS closed eight years ago, officials have been looking for a pharmacy to take its place. On Jan. 25, these officials finally got their wish when Palmer Pharmacy opened on East Green St.

Doris Davis, associate provost for admissions and enrollment, is leaving Cornell after 10 years. Davis, who will not leave until the application decisions for the class of 2014 are complete, has changed the application process, financial aid policy and composition of incoming classes during her time at Cornell. Her replacement has not yet been named.