Stetson University in the News, July 3-9, 2020

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Christopher Roellke, PhD

• President Chris Roellke, PhD, was interviewed by The Daytona Beach News-Journal on July 8 for the article, “New Stetson President Christopher Roellke: ‘Kindness has to get as contagious as the virus.’” About the challenges posed by the coronavirus, he said, “We’re doing the very best we can to follow all CDC guidelines on appropriate physical distancing. We have enhanced our cleaning protocols. … We have full testing capabilities and full isolation capabilities should some of our students become affected.”

• Stetson international student Vitor Lacerda Siqueira from Brazil was quoted in a Voice of America story on July 7, “Drastic Declines Expected in Foreign Students in US,” in RiodeJaneiroNews.net, Sydney News, Trinidad Times, Israel Herald, China National News, Hawaii Telegraph and many other media outlets around the world. Siqueira plans to return for classes next month and said, “My parents are afraid because the cases are still growing, but they understand that the college is making an effort to have a better and safe environment.”

Asal Mohamadi Johnson, PhD

• Asal Mohamadi Johnson, PhD, assistant professor of Public Health, was quoted in The Daytona Beach News-Journal in the July 2 article, “31 Volusia long-term care facilities now have coronavirus cases.” She said, “We need to remember that test results are not always accurate. It takes only one false negative staff member to enter and infect so many others. The only way to protect the most vulnerable people in our community is to decrease the number of positive cases everywhere.”

• Asal Mohamadi Johnson, assistant professor of Public Health, also was quoted in the Florida Today article, “COVID-19 cases begin to tax testing capacity … again,” on July 8. She said, “In order to keep up with tracing cases, we need to hire more public health forces. This is an overdue investment in our public health infrastructure. If COVID-19 can not justify such an important investment, I do not know what else can be done.” 

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Michèle Alexandre

• College of Law Dean Michèle Alexandre was mentioned in a July 8 article in the Tallahassee Democrat called, “Florida law schools teaming up to address social, racial injustice.” The article also was published in the Daytona Beach News-Journal, the Sarasota Herald Tribune, Winter Haven News Chief, St. Augustine Herald, Florida Times-Union and other media outlets. 

• Susan Peppers-Bates, PhD, associate professor of philosophy, was quoted in the story, “Splash Mountain has a long history of racial insensitivity. But re-branding isn’t an easy fix,” on July 8 in the South Florida Sun Sentinel and the Orlando Sentinel. “White people have loved and laughed at caricaturing Black people for a very long time. Splash Mountain has been a part of that,” she said. Her interview also was included in a story on Forbes Online on July 8.

• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $250,000 for the Stetson College of Law’s veterans advocacy clinic, according to an article June 29 in the Tampa Bay Times, as well as other media outlets, including the Tampa Bay Business Journal and Florida Bar Online.

• Terence Farrell, PhD, professor of Biology, was quoted in the South Florida Sun Sentinel on July 4 in the article, “Native snakes have another enemy, and it’s spreading.” Farrell said, “Our snakes don’t have any history with these parasites, and it’s in these situations where we tend to see the worst possible outcome.” The story also appeared in the Orlando Sentinel and a similar story appeared in KeyNews.com on July 8.

• Kara Cummings, Marketing administrative assistant II for the School of Business Administration, was interviewed for a news segment that aired July 8-9 on WESH-TV 2 News and CW18 WKCF TV about her experiences contracting COVID-19 and her quick recovery.

• Heidi H. Goldsworthy, director of the Office of Financial Aid, was quoted in the July 6 article, “What to Do if You Need More Money for College This Fall” by The Penny Hoarder. The story also appeared in other media outlets.

• Stetson student Lucas Colon was quoted in The Daytona Beach News-Journal in the July 2 article, “DeLand mandates masks, will fine those who don’t comply.”

• Law professor Ciara Torres-Spellicy was quoted by WalletHub on June 30 in the article, “2020’s Most Independent States.”

• Chris Ferguson, PhD, professor of psychology, was mentioned in the article, Chris Ferguson’s Research, on the 360mag.com. Ferguson was interviewed for the July 9 article, “Healthy Habits: Screen Use and Teen Mental Health,” for the Motherhood Moment blog.

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Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center

• The Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center was highlighted in the article, “University boathouse’s curved metal roof marries form to function,” on PAC-Clad.com.

• Incoming student Krista Haraway and Law alumnus Jose Estrada were quoted in the July 2 article, “When students make racially insensitive comments, should schools be held accountable?” on St. Pete Catalyst.

• Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy wrote a July 6 opinion piece for the Brennan Center for Justice called, “Supreme Court Allows States to Punish ‘Faithless’ Electoral College Voters.” This was picked up by both the Election Law Blog and the SCOTUSblog round-up.

• Law Professor Ellen Podgor posted the following blogs to the White Collar Crime Prof Blog: July 2, “Supreme Court Accepts Cert on Redaction Issue in Mueller Report;” and July 8, “NY Department of Financial Services and Deutsche Bank – Jeffrey Epstein.”

• Law Professor Ellen Podgor’s 2002 article in the U.C. Davis Law Review was cited in a July 3 article in The National Law Review.

A woman sits at a computer with Stetson in the News on the screen
Stetson University in the News is a weekly roundup of media coverage that mentions Stetson, its faculty, students, staff and alumni.

• Stetson University was mentioned in the July 6 article, “Early workouts a ‘measuring stick’ of readiness, but Cardinals already have pitchers ‘compromised’ for opening day,” on the Salemnewsonline.com and other media outlets.

• “DeLand Suns play home opener; Florida League starts season without fans in stands” in the Daytona Beach News-Journal on July 2 quoted incoming student Jovan Gill and mentioned other Stetson players.

• “Meghan McLean looks to capture her first Women’s Amateur Championship” highlights the Stetson student and Hatter golfer in the July 4 article on Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC) of Ottawa, Ontario.

• Law Professor Rebecca C. Morgan received the 2020 Powley Elder Law Award from The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, according to a June 30 announcement.

Alumni News

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Jacob deGrom

• Jacob deGrom was interviewed for the July 6 article, “Third Cy Young ‘definitely still a goal’ for deGrom,” on MLB News. A similar story, “Jake wants third Cy Young, but . . .; Says it wouldn’t be the same in shorter season,” appeared in Newsday on July 7.

• Jacob deGrom was mentioned in the July 7 article, “Mets slugger Pete Alonso says his college baseball experience will help him prep for 60-game sprint,” in the New York Daily News.

• Logan Gilbert was interviewed for the story, “Early arrival; Delayed season means Mariners’ top prospect joins team before projections,” on July 7 in the Kitsap Sun.

• Stetson University graduate Joe Beery was featured in The Daytona Beach News-Journal on July 8 in the article, “Local Sports Roundup: Stetson runner named to ASUN All-Decade team.”

• Donald Parham was mentioned in the article, “2020 Positional Overview: Tight Ends,” on July 9 in the Dallas Sun and Arizona Herald.

• “Is Hall of Fame in late-blooming deGrom’s future?” on MLB News featured alumnus Jacob deGrom and mentioned Stetson as his alma mater.

• The July 2 story, “Minor Disruption: Robbie Peto signed with the Dodgers as undrafted free agent. Now what?” in the Los Angeles Times quoted alumnus and former Hatter pitcher Robbie Peto.

• Law alumnus Cary Rada was featured in the Leesburg Daily Commercial for his recent appointment to circuit court judge.