An article in the Washington Post regarding religion in schools and a $2 million gift from a St. Augustine couple led the news for Stetson University this week. Notable national and regional placements include the Washington Post, ESPN online, University Herald, The Atlantic, University Business, Chronicle of Higher Education, Orlando Sentinel, Huffington Post and Fox 35. Top stories for the week of Feb. 21-27 include:

• Glen Epley, professor of education, was quoted in a Feb. 25 Washington Post article regarding religion in public schools. Additional coverage: Religion News Service.
• University Herald reports on Feb. 24 that Lt. Col. Jesse and Ruth Miles of St. Augustine made a gift of $2 million for an endowed academic scholarship at Stetson University. Melvin D. Stack, the couple’s attorney, said that they were not Stetson graduates and chose Stetson because of its high academic standards and great reputation.
• Kirsten Work, Ph.D., chair of the biology department, is quoted in a Feb. 21 Hometown News article regarding Niagara Bottling’s impact on Lake County’s water resources.
• Law professors Robert Bickel and Peter Lake are referenced in The Atlantic Feb. 19 article, “The Dark Power of Fraternities.”
• Meghan Walter, Ph.D., assistant professor of counselor education, spoke to Fox 35 for a Feb. 25 story about apps that provide children with opportunities to practice academic skills, literacy, and numerals.
• Peter Lake, law professor, spoke with Meg Mott, professor of political theory at Marlboro College, for the Feb. 21 article, “What about prevention?” published in University Business.
• Paul Croce, Ph.D., professor of American studies, was interviewed for a Feb. 27 Orlando Sentinel article on the religious views of two candidates vying for Apopka City Council Seat 2.
• Peter Lake, law professor, is quoted in the Feb. 26 Chronicle of Higher Education article, “Judge’s Ruling Tilts Curricular Control Toward CUNY Administrators.”
• According to “Orlando’s Newest Attraction: World-Class Dining” on WKRG.com Feb. 21, mathematics professor and Cress co-owner, Hari Pulatpaka, Ph.D., is a semifinalist in the 2014 James Beard Awards, which honors outstanding restaurants and chefs. Additional coverage:  Sys-Con Media, WXTX, WICU, KHGI and dozens of other media outlets.
• Ciara Torres-Spelliscy, law professor, wrote the Feb. 26 article, “How Far Can the IRS Go in Regulating Political Ads by Nonprofits?” for the Huffington Post.
• Peter Lake was quoted in an article from University Business about higher education facilities working to prevent sexual assault by implementing policies and practices that discourage nonconsensual sex.

Other Stories in the News

• According to an article in the Daytona Beach News-Journal, political science professor, T. Wayne Bailey, Ph.D., was honored by the Volusia County Council as one of Florida’s “public health heroes” due to his advocacy of smoke-free public places.
• Vinegar Tom, a production put on by the Theatre Department, received coverage in the Daytona Beach News-Journal, promoting the show to the local area.
• The Feb. 23 Tampa Tribune reports that Amy Ziettlow, an affiliate scholar at the Institute for American Values and author, is speaking at an event co-hosted by the Center for Excellence in Elder Law at the Stetson University College of Law at noon on Feb. 27 at the Tampa Law Center.
• The Feb. 23 Tampa Tribune reports that David Jolly, a previous board member of Stetson University College of Law, is a candidate for the vacant District 13 seat.
• Stetson Opera Theatre’s production of Candide was covered in the Daytona Beach News- Journal.
• The exhibit at the Hand Art Center was mentioned in the Feb. 20 Orlando Sentinel as one of the Freebie Friday events to check out.
• The Odenton-Severn Patch included an article about the performance of the Stetson Concert Choir that will be taking place in Odenton, MD.
• Law professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy wrote the article, “Worse Than it Looks? How to Depict Big Money in Politics,” for the Feb. 24 Brennan Center for Justice.
• Law professor Jason Bent spoke with the Tampa Tribune for the story, “Bank manager, fired after carrying gun into work, files suit.” The interview also published in the Feb. 22 Daily Mail online and other outlets.
• Hari Pulapaka, professor of mathematics, and his wife Jennefer, owners of Cress, were featured in a brief Orlando Sentinel article Feb. 26 for their contributions to the Central Florida culinary scene.
• Law professor Charles Rose spoke with Feb. 20 Tampa Bay Times for the article, “Critics say adding duty to retreat would better Florida’s ‘stand your ground’ law.” It was also published in the News Chief and The Ledger as “Lawmakers Opened ‘Can of Worms.’”
• Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law Bruce Jacob spoke with the Daytona Beach News-Journal for the Feb. 25 story, “Facial recognition helpful tool in Volusia crime fighting effort.”
• Law professor Rebecca C. Morgan published “How to Figure Retirement “Readiness” in  Law Professor Blogs Network on Feb. 20.
• Rebecca C. Morgan, law professor, wrote on Law Professor Blogs Network that there will be a webinar on Preventing Financial Exploitation in LTC Facilities on March 5.
• Judging for the 16 annual Mardi Gras on MainStreet dog parade will take place in front of Cummings Gymnasium at Stetson, according to the Feb. 26 West Volusia Beacon.

Alumni in the News

• Chris Johnson, third baseman for the Atlanta Braves, was profiled on ESPN online. The Feb. 23 article mentions that Johnson met Chipper Jones (former 3B for the Braves) while playing for Stetson. Additional coverage: Big News Network.
• In My Hometown News Feb. 21, Josiah Armes is praised for his musical talent and featured as the new organist for the Advent Luthern Church.
• In the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Emily Ollila is mentioned as a new employee of the Weston & Gregory, PA firm.
• A Feb. 24 article in Evansville Business reports that Jim Butterfield sold his family’s business of Smith and Butterfield to become CEO of Evansville Surgical Associates.
• Center Partners announced the hiring of Jo Ann Parris as their Senior Vice President of Market Strategies, according to Virtual Strategy Magazine on Feb. 25. Additional coverage: WKRG, Daily Herald, WLTZ.
• Eric Seidel is now associate director at Marcus & Millichap Capital Corp’s New Jersey office, according to TMCnet.com on Feb. 25.
• The Feb. 21 Naples News reports that Law alumna Tiffany N. Moncrieff has joined Quarles & Brady’s Naples Office.
• The Feb. 25 Tampa Bay Times reports that Law alumnus Andy Zodrow is a candidate for the Safety Harbor City Commission, Seat 3.
• The Feb. 20 New Jersey News reports that Law alumnus Evan Rosen has been selected to serve as an Assistant Attorney General for the Suncoast Region of the State of Florida.
• The Feb. 18 Insurance News Net published that Law alumnus Jonathan C. Chane is one of eight attorneys being elevated to shareholder for Greenberg Traurig LLP.
• Professional responsibility adjunct professor and alumnus Michael J. Keane has died, according to the Feb. 21 Tampa Bay Times.