Stetson University in the News, Feb. 1-7, 2019

A cup of black coffee sits beside a newspaper on a table.

Top News:

portrait
Chris Ferguson

• Psychology Professor Christopher Ferguson, Ph.D. was quoted in an article Jan. 22 from Medium, entitled “Should Killers with a Violence Gene Get Lighter Sentences?” Ferguson believes “the combination of the low-activity MAOA gene and a traumatic childhood might be considered as a mitigating factor in court cases but shouldn’t be used to ‘medicalize crime,’ because there are people who have this version of the gene and are not criminals.”

• Executive Director Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience Clay Henderson, J.D. was featured on a radio show Feb. 1 with 90.7 WMFE. With environmental reporter Amy Green, Henderson spoke about the importance of cleaning up Florida’s springs.

Terence Farrell

• Professor of Biology Terence Farrell, Ph.D. was mentioned in an article Feb. 6 from the Ohio State University titled, “Rattlesnake venom: mild, medium and wicked hot.” Farrell participated in a study that had “first-of-its-kind research [that] reveals significant venom variation within populations of Florida pygmy rattlesnakes, showing that effectiveness against one type of prey differs widely among individuals and opening up questions about why this variation exists.”

• Alumnus Junior Nyong’o was featured in a Feb. 6 article in Orlando Weekly titled “Junior Nyong’o plays the titular prince in Orlando Shakes’ ‘Hamlet’.” Nyong’o stars as Hamlet in the famous Shakespeare play in an Orlando Shakes production.

• Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science Daniel Plante, Ph.D. was quoted in an article from Global Traveler about connections between cybersecurity and travel. Plante stated that “the safest thing to do in an airport is to go to the information booth and [ask] ‘What is the name of your WiFi network?’ There may be other ones [networks] but they’re not the official sites. You can try the other ones, but it’s at your own risk.”

• Psychology Professor Christopher Ferguson, Ph.D., also wrote a short piece Feb. 4 for Quillette responding to the American Psychological Association’s guidelines for treating men and boys. Ferguson’s piece was titled, “My Warning to the APA About the Draft Guidelines.”

• Alumnus Thomas Rebman was featured in a piece from Click Orlando TV News Channel 6 regarding an award that he won for his advocacy for the homeless. The Getting Results Award was given to Rebman due to his efforts for Palm Bay to receive their “first cold-night shelter.” Rebman’s goal is “to change people’s perspectives on the homeless, and to spread his message: ‘The homeless need help.’”

• Professor of Psychology Christopher Ferguson, Ph.D. was also quoted in a piece from Health Medicine Network about “Policy statements on the effects of media overlook scientific complexity.” Ferguson said, “Although there certainly are some pretty good media policy statements out there, many of the policy statements were not very accurate and where there were inaccuracies, these tended to lean in the direction of conclusions that were generally scarier than could be defended by the actual data.”

Other News:

• Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts Krista Franco was quoted in a Feb. 6 article at Ole Miss News titled “‘Mr. Burns’ Examines Importance of Stories in Everyday Life.” Franco said about the making of the show, “With a show that envelops almost all theatrical conventions, challenges in design are inevitable; we had mountains to climb as a design team.”

portrait in a gown at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony
Rebecca Morgan

• Law Professor Peter Lake is quoted in the Feb. 3 The Chronicle of Higher Education article, “When Kenneth Starr Gives the Keynote at a Higher Ed Conference.” Professor Peter Lake is quoted in the Feb. 3 The Harvard Crimson article, “News Analysis: In SFFA Lawsuit, a Unified Strategy with Nuanced Arguments.” Professor Lake is quoted in the Jan. 31 The Tufts Daily article, “Monaco’s letter to Department of Education criticizes Title IX sexual harassment reform proposals.”

• Law Professor Rebecca C. Morgan wrote the Feb. 3 Elder Law Prof Blog, “Japanese Elders-Seek Jail When Financially Insecure or Lonely?” Professor Morgan wrote the Feb. 4 Elder Law Prof Blog, “Frail, Old & Living Independently.”

• Law Professor Ellen S. Podgor is mentioned in the Feb. 4 Miami Herald article, “Effective criminal justice reform requires collaboration, conversation and creative thinking.”

• Law Professor Charles Rose is mentioned in the Jan. 31 Best of Odd News article, “Police Try to Unlock Phone with Dead Man’s Finger.”

Alumni News:

A cup of black coffee sits beside a newspaper on a table.

• Alumna Rebecca Williams was featured in a piece from Public Now in regards to her study of migration, violence and climate change in the Honduras. Williams hopes to “raise awareness in America about climate change, social disruption, violence and migration.”

• Alumni Samantha Edwards, Savana Strickland and Caitlan Walker were mentioned in a Feb. 4 press release from the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce for their promotions.

• Alumnus Mike Ullian was mentioned in a piece from Space Coast Business regarding his company, The Ullian Realty Corporation. Since graduating from Stetson, Ullian has been an “active member of the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) and the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) for over 25 years.” He has also served as president of the Florida Chapter of SIOR.

• Alumna Jewel Spears Brooker was featured in a piece from 24-7 Press Release regarding the fact that she was presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who. Brooker was given this award due to her “many years’ experience in her professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes she has accrued in her field.”

• Law alumnus George Dondanville is quoted in the Feb. 4 Naples Daily News article, “Former City Manager Bill Moss, one other qualify for special election.”

• Law alumnus Dr. Jay Wolfson is quoted in the Feb. 4 Fox 13 article, “Fallout continues from All Children’s federal report.”