Professor Emeritus of History Gordon Wood and his daughter Amy Wood, an assistant professor at Illinois State, were among the five finalists for the Los Angeles Times History Book Prize in April, Gordon for Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic 1789–1815 and Amy for Lynching and Spectacle: Witnessing Racial Violence in America 1890 to 1940. Neither Wood took home the prize.... Former student William McCormick sued Brown, alleging he was falsely accused of raping the daughter of a major donor and unfairly expelled more than three years ago.... Chemistry professor and department chair Peter Weber was named dean of the graduate school.... Brown Sports Foundation executive director Steven King '91 was named senior vice president for University advancement.... Nelson Mandela will be one of eight honorary degree recipients at this year's Commencement; Mandela will receive the degree in absentia.