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DEPUTY AG. SECRETARY President Barack Obama has appointed Kathleen Merrigan, an assistant professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The deputy secretary oversees day-to-day operations of the USDA. full story

NORTH KOREA ENVOY Fletcher School Dean Stephen Bosworth has been appointed special representative for North Korea policy—a new position—by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Bosworth served as U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Korea from 1997 to 2000. full story

DRINK AND BE STRONG Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol contributes to greater bone mineral density over age 60, according to a new study by scientists at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging. full story

ETHIOPIA VISIT Over the semester break, five Tufts undergraduates studied affordable housing, energy, and food production in Ethiopia, one of the world’s poorest countries. The trip was sponsored by the Tufts Institute for Global Leadership. full story

SERVICE HONOR ROLL Tufts has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency. It is the highest federal designation a college can achieve for its commitment to civic engagement. full story

EASIER CREDIT Tufts will participate in the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, starting in 2009–10. The move will guarantee students and parents access to low-cost federal education loans. full story

DENTAL EXPANSION The project to add five floors to the School of Dental Medicine building in Boston is halfway done, and a dedication ceremony is set for November 20. full story

MAGNET CLASSES Mirroring national and international trends, Tufts students are flocking to Arabic and Chinese language classes. full story

ARTHUR ENTERS TUFTS The animated aardvark and his PBS pals have found a new home at the Tisch Library with the arrival of the Marc Brown archives, comprising materials from the popular kids’ TV series. full story

MORE NEWS Keep up with all the latest Tufts news and events at news.tufts.edu.