“Affluenza,” a 3+3 program with UWF and single-gender classes led the news for Stetson this week. Notable national and local media placements include Time Ideas, USA Today, WGCU, JD Journal, Pensacola News Journal, Orlando Sentinel, Daytona Beach News-Journal, Bay News 9, WFSU, and Cyber Law and Business Report. Top stories for Dec. 13-20 include:

Top Stories

• Chris Ferguson, Ph.D., chair of the psychology department, published a blog post in Time Ideas on Dec. 14, regarding the lack of scientific support for “affluenza” – the belief that someone lives such an extravagant, materialistic, consequence-free life that they are unable to understand or control their behavior. Reference to that post was picked up in about a dozen outlets throughout Australia, from Tasmania to the Northern Territories. Additional coverage: Free Republic, Herald Sun News, Manila Standard Today.
• The Dec. 13 JD Journal, Northwest Florida Daily News, WEAR TV, and Dec. 16 Pensacola News Journal ran news of the Stetson University/University of West Florida 3 + 3 program. The Legal Skills Prof Blog also mentioned the new program.
• Kathy Piechura-Couture, Ph.D., professor of education, was interviewed on WGCU Dec. 18 regarding single-gender classrooms. Florida legislators may consider a bill on the subject during the upcoming legislative session.
• Law Associate Dean Michael Allen, director of Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute, spoke with the Sun-Sentinel for the Dec. 13 story, “Project offers free legal help for backlogged veterans claims.”

Other News

• In a Dec. 13 article in USA Today, regarding FGCU’s policy on complimentary sports tickets for student athletes, Stetson is mentioned as a peer institution whose policy clearly spells out that student athletes are not allowed to exchange complimentary tickets for anything of value (an NCAA violation). Additional coverage: LoHud.com
• T. Wayne Bailey, Ph.D., professor of political science, was quoted in a Dec. 16 WFSU article on why Sen. Tom Lee (R-Brandon) might say “yes” if offered the Florida Lieutenant Governor position.
• Viviana Vasiu, an honor student at Stetson, appeared on the radio show Cyber Law and Business Report to discuss cyber bullying. Vasiu has formed an advocacy organization fighting cyber harassment, and is working with leading national advocates such as Jayne Hitchcock of Working to Halt Online Abuse to raise awareness on the Stetson campus.
• Stetson was mentioned in a Dec. 18 West Volusia Beacon article as a potential candidate to manage a business incubator program for the west side of Volusia County.
• Stetson’s Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and Special Olympians played in the first Unified Sports’ softball game in Volusia County, reported the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Dec. 15.
• Stetson student Matt Gerken was quoted in the SeminoleChronicle.com discussing “Tuba Caroling for a Cause.” The group of 11 tuba players visits neighborhoods in Winter Springs, playing holiday tunes and collecting money for Habitat for Humanity. Gerken said he is very familiar with the charity through his involvement at Stetson.
• Visiting Assistant Professor Rachel VanLandingham is quoted in the Dec. 16 San Antonio Express News article, “Plan gives lawyers more say on military sex cases.”
• Law Professor Luz Nagle is mentioned in the International Bar Association article, “Fifth session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption.”
• According to the Dec. 17 Commercial Law Blogspot, Law Associate Dean Kristen Adams is participating in the International Conference on Contracts at St. Thomas University in Miami.
• The Dec. 15 Workplace Prof Blog includes a hat tip to Law professor Jason Bent and former visiting law professor Brad Areheart.
• According to the Dec. 15 Bottom Line Publications, Law adjunct professor Bradley Frigon, president-elect of NAELA, offers advice regarding retirement community contracts.
• According to the Dec. 14 InHouse Blog, The ABA Section of Science & Technology Law is holding the 2014 ABA Information Governance, Electronic Discovery and Digital Evidence National Institute at Stetson’s Tampa Law Center on Jan. 28-31, 2014.
• ABC 5 News is Des Moines quoted Chris Ferguson, Ph.D., chair of the psychology department, in an article on movie violence. Additional coverage: Valley News Live, KLKN-TV,
• Stetson was prominently mentioned in the Orlando Sentinel’s  Dec. 16 article announcing DeLand’s victory in its “other best downtown” bracket buster competition. DeLand bested Winter Garden – with the help of an email to Stetson alumni — to advance to the final round against Mount Dora on Dec. 13. Sentinel-style bracketology earned that newspaper a column on organic vs. created downtowns in The Atlantic Cities, Dec. 12.
• Stetson University took second place in the Nonprofit category at the annual DeLand Jaycees Christmas Parade according to the West Volusia Beacon on Dec. 12
• Stetson was mentioned incidentally in articles regarding tours of Stetson Mansion at Christmas time. Bay News 9.

Alumni in the News

• Florida Senate Republicans have chosen Sen. Andy Gardiner to take over as Senate president in 2014, according to the Daily Journal Online, Dec. 12.
• Aliana M. Payret will handle immigration issues and criminal defense cases at the new LaBelle, Fla., office of the law firm Goldberg, Racila, D’Alessandro & Noone, according to the Visalia Times-Delta, Dec. 11.
• Carol Thomas, Ph.D., has published a book of poetry on American culture, “Shards of Light and Hope: In a Darkening Time,” according to StreetInsider.com on Dec. 16. Additional coverage: Digital Journal,
• According to the Dec. 16 Securities Technology Monitor, Law alumnus and Florida Circuit Judge Gregory P. Holder will be speaking on the topic, “Dangerous Road Ahead: Avoiding a Collision at the Intersection of Fiduciary Duty and Fraud,” on Jan. 27, 2014 in Orlando at the Orlando Museum of Art.
• According to the Dec. 17 CityBizList, Law alumna Meredith Level has received an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
• According to the Dec. 16 Naples Daily News, Law alumna Traci McKee has received an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
• According to the Dec. 16 Watchdog Report, Gov. Scott has announced the reappointment of Law alumnus Mark Turner to the Polk State College District Board of Trustees, effective Dec. 12.