On The Quads

Fresh cream of the crop
The incoming Class of 2004 continues the exemplary academic tradition of the University, according to Ted O'Neill, AM'70, dean of College admissions. The selected applicants add to the recent increase of students who score 1500-1600 on the SATs and rank in the top percentages of their classes. The new class also further diversifies the campus with more minority and international students.

Overcoming the obstacles
Pleasure Heard--who graduated as valedictorian of Chicago South Side's Englewood Technical Preparatory Academy and joins the Class of 2004--was burned over 40 percent of her body in 1997 by a gang member who drenched her in alcohol and set her on fire. But Heard braved through her recovery, even studying for her honors classes in her hospital room, and maintained her No. 1 class ranking throughout her high-school career. President Clinton acknowledged Heard for her valor and perseverance through a letter, as did the admissions office at the U of C, which welcomes her in the fall.

Looking for a new path in life?
The Alumni Career Network, an on-line database of more than 2,500 alumni who are willing to volunteer information about their careers, is now available. Current students and alumni can conduct general to specific searches through such choices as occupation and location, and access the contact information of the person in their field of interest. Alumni can log on with a username and password or as new users at http://alumnicareers.uchicago.edu.