SWARTHMORE, Pa. (AP) – Princeton University’s dean is leaving to become president of Swarthmore College.

Swarthmore officials announced Saturday that Valerie Smith will begin leading the small liberal arts school near Philadelphia on July 1.

Smith has served as dean at Princeton since 2011. She first came to the school in 1980 as an instructor of English and African-American studies.

A former high ranking official at Princeton University is the new chair of the Princeton Area Community Foundation Board of Trustees,according to the foundation’s website.

Carol P. Herring takes over the reigns from David R. Scott, who helped the foundation raise its assets over $100 million during his time as chair.

Local/State

Raleigh slowly returns to life after two weeks of winter weather

Meskwaki poet and tribal member, Ray Young Bear, has been invited to the Princeton Poetry Festival in Princeton, N. J. on March 13 and 14. The biennial event has a line up of internationally acclaimed poets who will read from their work and take part in a panel discussion entitled “The Place of Poetry.

There were nine car accidents in two and a half hours on Sunday, according to Princeton Police. There were no serious accidents, police said.

There were also numerous motorist assists as snow continued to fall across the region and ice began to become a problem.

Police advise drivers to stay off the roads, and to drive only if absolutely necessary.