Stetson University in the News, March 30-April 4, 2019

A cup of black coffee sits beside a newspaper on a table.
Melissa Gibbs
Melissa Gibbs, Ph.D.

• Professor of Biology Melissa Gibbs, Ph.D., was quoted April 3 in the Orlando Sentinel article, “Manatees face new challenge in Florida from harassing, non-native armored catfish.” Gibbs said, “The catfish aren’t physically, directly damaging manatees. They annoy the heck out of them. And if manatees are twitching and moving around, they are burning calories.”

• News of Michèle Alexandre joining Stetson as the next dean of the College of Law is running in the April 1 Diverse magazine.

• Professor of Psychology Christopher Ferguson, Ph.D., was quoted in the Orlando Sentinel article, “Parkland teen suicides shine spotlight on need for prevention.” Discussing the problem of teen suicide, Ferguson said, “With people who feel bad about their actions in any type of event, suicide [to them] is about restoring their honor.”

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Chris Ferguson, Ph.D.

• Psychology Professor Chris Ferguson, Ph.D., was quoted in the April 2 Wall Street Journal article, “Why Videogames Trigger the Nightly Meltdown—and How to Help Your Child Cope.” According to the professor, if a serious problem develops, parents should seek treatment for a possible underlying condition in their children.

• Professor Ferguson was quoted in an article in the Independent Australia titled, “The NRA: Fear, hatred, and how to sell guns.” According to him, “there is no evidence to support the claims that violent media and real-world violence are connected.”

• Former UCF head coach Donnie Jones was recently hired as the new Stetson men’s basketball coach, as reported by multiple news sources.

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Hari Pulapaka, Ph.D.

• Associate Professor of Mathematics and Chef Hari Pulapaka, Ph.D., was featured in Food Tank’s list, “10 Plant Forward Cookbooks that Make Greener Eating Easier.” Pulapaka’s 2018 cookbook, “Dreaming in Spice,” “combines regional American cuisines with techniques and flavors from all over the world. Pulapaka’s recipes reflect the experience of a four-time James Beard Award semi-finalist and a champion in delivering ethical and sustainable food principles.”

• Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy wrote the March 29 Just Security Blog, “As the Mueller Investigation Closes, New York Investigations Shift Into High Gear.” Professor Torres-Spelliscy is featured in the April 1 E&E News on the Green New Deal. Professor Torres-Spelliscy is a guest on the April 2 Social Science Research Council conversation, “Online Campaign Contributions in US Politics: A Conversation.”

• Professor of Biology Kirsten Work, Ph.D., was quoted in a March 31 article on Medium.com titled, “Freshwater springs support amazing ecosystems and reflect the health of aquifers humans rely on. What can we do to protect them?” “We need to care about springs because they tell us what our groundwater is like,” Work said. “If the spring discharges decline, then we’re running out of groundwater and running out of drinking water.”

Valrie Chambers, Ph.D., Stetson University professor
Valrie Chambers, Ph.D.

• Associate Professor of Accounting Valrie Chambers, C.P.A., Ph.D., edited an article regarding different types of LLCs for the Tax Advisor on April 1.

• Associate Professor of Accounting Valrie Chambers, Ph.D., was quoted in an MSN article titled, “How to pay taxes on investment income.

• Associate Professor of Philosophy Joshua Rust was mentioned in an April 1 article from Open Culture titled, “Do Ethicists Behave Better Than the Rest of Us?: New Research Answers the Question” for his research.

• Law Professor Mark Bauer is quoted in the April 3 Kiplinger Report article on “New Rules Battle Financial Scams, Elder Abuse.”

• Law Professor Rebecca C. Morgan wrote the March 31 Elder Law Prof Blog, Bye Bye Donut Hole.” Professor Morgan wrote the March 29 Elder Law Prof Blog,“Will There Ever Be A Cure for Alzheimer’s?” She wrote the April 1 Elder Law Prof Blog, “New Article on Planning for Beneficiaries with Special Needs.” She wrote the April 3 Elder Law Prof Blog, “Nursing Home Oversight-Two Updates.” She wrote the April 4 Elder Law Prof Blog, “Phased Retirement In Other Countries.”

Alumni News:    

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

• Alumnus Eric Baum, music teacher at Strings N’ Things in Titusville, was quoted in the March 30 Daytona Beach News-Journal article, “One final note: Curtain falls on Ormond’s Yancey Music.” “The music store provided a foothold for me,” Baum said. “I don’t want to see the music store in my hometown close down. It’s funny, the series of events: a new kid in new town with no friends walks into a store and instantly has an outlet.”

• The Orlando Sentinel reports that law alumnus William Bray Whitaker passed away on March 22.

• Law alumna Katherine B. Schnauss Naugle is featured in the March 29 Jacksonville Magazine article, “Katherine B. Schnauss Naugle.”

• Law alumna Jennifer Bate is featured in the April Boca Life Magazine article, “Boca West Children’s Foundation Hosting Back-To-Back Fundraising Events.”

• Law alumnus George Dondanville is featured in the March 30 Naples Daily News article, “Q&A: Naples City Council candidate George Dondanville.”

• The April 1 Florida Record reports law alumnus John R. Herin Jr. has joined the Fox Rothschild LLP Miami office as partner.

• The April 1The Bulletin reports law alumnus Winfield Scott Lovejoy III passed away on March 22.

• Law alumnus David “Mac” McCallister is quoted in the April 1 Tampa Bay Times article, “In this GOP primary, it’s the outsider against the insider.”

• Law alumnus Spencer Hathaway is quoted in the April 1 Daytona Beach News-Journal article, “4 running to replace retiring Volusia-Flagler Public Defender Jim Purdy.”

• The April 2 CityBizlist reports law alumnus Hoyt L. Prindle III and alumnus Taylor R. Ryan have joined the Tampa office of Freeborn & Peters LLP. 

• Law alumna Kathryn Welsh is quoted in the April 2 Catalyst article, “Hurricane winds blow entrepreneurs to Pinellas.”