In memory of the generative influence Professor Sidney Cox exerted on hundreds of Dartmouth students both inside and outside his classes, this prize was established to honor undergraduate writing that best meets his high standards of originality and integrity. Winners are published in Overland and receive a cash prize.

In a ceremony reminiscent of the weekly sessions at his home where students gathered for talk, coffee and brownies, Budd Schulberg ’36 presented this year’s award to Richard M. Rogin ’54 of New York City for Three Times Round, a trio of short stories tracing different paths toward the “bella”–the truly happy moment. The selection committee, which included several members of the English Department and one member of the class of 1936, was composed of John Kelleher ’39, author and professor of Irish culture at Harvard; Jerry Tallmer ’42, former editorial writer for The Nation; Samuel French Morse ’38, a poet and Professor of English at Hamilton College; and Thomson Littlefield ’41, an author and a long-time editor for The New York Times.

The 2023 Sydney Peace Prize was awarded to Nazanin Boniadi for her dedication to advancing women’s rights in Iran. The Australian-born activist and actress has used her platform to turn outrage into action, and was formally recognized for this work at a special event in Sydney Town Hall.

Winners of the Neilma Sydney Prize will be published in Overland’s Autumn 2024 issue. The top prize recipient will receive $5000, and two runners-up will each receive $1750. For more information, visit the Overland website.

Since 1950, the Hillman Foundation has awarded annual prizes in book, newspaper, magazine and broadcast journalism that promote investigative reporting for the common good. We are proud to honor Sidney’s legacy by recognizing excellence in journalism that fosters social and economic justice.

In recognition of the significant contribution that physicists make to the cultural, artistic and humanistic aspects of physics, the American Institute of Physics is pleased to award the Andrew Gemant Memorial Prize to Professor Sidney Perkowitz of the University of California at Berkeley for his work connecting art, media and literature with science. The prize is accompanied by a $5,000 honorarium and will be presented at our national conference in 2024.

The City of Sydney, in partnership with the National Association of Scholars, annually offers the Sydney Prize to a nominee who has made a distinguished contribution to academic freedom and the integrity of scholarship. The 2023 Sydney Prize was awarded to Nazanin Boniadi, an Iranian-born actor and human rights activist, for her commitment to advancing women’s rights in Iran. Learn more about this year’s honoree and previous winners.

If you’re a swimmer, then you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more stunning swimming pool than Hong Kong. With floor-to-ceiling windows, a purple ceiling that looks like the night sky and LED walls that display the illusion of coral reefs, the pool at the Ritz Carlton is truly a sight to behold. And even if you’re not a hotel guest, you can still pay for a day pass to enjoy the pool and wellness facilities.

The pool’s design is influenced by a series of natural forms, including the sea and mountains. Its shape and position are reminiscent of the fjords in Norway and Sweden, while the colour palette is inspired by the sea. The swimming pool also has a range of amenities, including a Jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath.

Those planning to spend a day at the pool will have to book ahead, as it is only open during the morning and afternoon. And even then, it’s best to get there early if you want to have enough laps in before it gets too busy.

A public consultation on a new policy for swimming pools in Hong Kong has been opened by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). The proposed policy will allow schools and training centres to use public swimming pools as long as they provide their own lifeguards. This is to address a shortage of lifeguards and prevent water contamination from vomit or faeces, which have caused some pools to be closed.

The iconic Kowloon Park Swimming Pool, designed by Derek Walker Associates and Simon Kwan and Associates, was constructed in 1989 as part of a larger redevelopment of the park, which was funded by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club. The design features a central circular pool with two elongated curved wings, each containing three pools of different sizes and depths. The pool is surrounded by lush trees and landscaped gardens.

There are several swimming pools at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, including one with a glass wall that provides spectacular views of Victoria Harbour and the city’s skyline. There are also a few loungers and cabanas around the pool where you can relax. Guests can also make use of the spa, fitness centre and golf course.

Despite the ongoing staff shortage, the Grand Hyatt has been able to maintain its pool operations by drawing on its reserves. It has also sought to increase hiring by offering more attractive two-year contracts. However, the lack of new recruits means that a full reopening of all public pools is unlikely this year. Only 40 per cent of the 600 seasonal lifeguards have turned up for duty so far. With only two weeks remaining of the season, a full reopening is looking less and less likely. The Grand Hyatt is also relying on a number of poolside cabanas and floatation devices to ensure safety. This is a much better option than some other hotels which have had to resort to using inflatables and other temporary measures to cope with the shortage of lifeguards.