Top Stories: 

• Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Studies Jason Evans, PhD, was quoted in the Daily Magazine article, “’The science is real’: Coastal experts hope Biden will partner to combat sea level rise,” on Jan. 18. If federal funding for high-dollar construction projects were contingent on planning for sea level rise, “that would make a big difference,” Evans said. “It’s really overdue. We should have been doing it 25 years ago.”

• Professor Emeritus of Political Science Eugene Huskey, PhD, was quoted in the Daytona Beach News-Journal article, “Congressman Michael Waltz opposes 2nd Trump impeachment effort,” on Jan. 8.

• Professor Emeritus of Political Science Eugene Huskey was also quoted by the Penza News in Russia in the article, “The credit of trust of Kyrgyz citizens to Sadyr Japarov imposes a great responsibility on him,” on Jan. 19.

• Law Professor Peter F. Lake was quoted in a Jan. 10 article in the Philadelphia Inquirer called, “Should college students be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine? It’s too early for colleges to decide.” The article was picked up by several affiliates, including Lancaster Online and Morning Call.  

• Professor of History Paul Croce, PhD, was featured in a Jan. 19 Spectrum News 13 segment on national unity and President Biden’s inauguration. 

• Associate Professor of Philosophy Susan Peppers-Bates, PhD, was quoted in the Register Guard article, “Staples: Domestic terrorism. How do you like us now?” on Jan. 15.

• Sophomore Kendall Buck was featured in the Daytona Beach News-Journal article, “Stetson sophomore entrepreneurship student launches Herbie Rake kitchen utensil,” on Jan. 15.

• Associate Professor of Mathematics Hari Pulapaka, PhD, was mentioned in the Blogarama article, “24 Books About Food Recommended by Food Tank this Winter – Food Tank,” on Jan. 14. Pulpaka’s 2020 cookbook, “Dreaming in Spice: A Sinfully Vegetarian Odyssey,” was recommended by the site.

• Associate Professor and Jessie Ball duPont Endowed Chair of Social Justice Education Rajni Shankar-Brown, PhD, was mentioned in the West Volusia Beacon article, “Class Notes: Agreement reached for ‘Teacher Salary Allocation,’” on Jan. 7. Shankar-Brown was recently awarded Stetson’s most prestigious teaching award, the William Hugh McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching.

• Professor of Computer Science Hala ElAarag, PhD, was mentioned in the Orlando Sentinel’s Jan. 7 “People on the Move” segment. ElAarag received Florida Council Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ Outstanding Engineering Educator Award.

• Assistant Professor of Political Science Kelly Smith, PhD, was featured in WOFL (an Orlando-based virtual television station affiliated with Fox) on Jan. 13.

• Political Science Department Chair William Nylen, PhD, published a guest commentary entitled, “Believing in the future of liberalism,” at the West Volusia Beacon on Jan. 19. The article discusses the philosophical tenets of liberalism and its place in the future of human civilization.

Other News:

• Law Professor Royal Gardner was quoted in a Dec. 20 article from Bloomberg called, “The real trees behind fake corporate climate progress.” It was picked up by The Japan Times and other publications.  

• Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy was quoted in a Jan. 17 interview with BBC News about President Donald Trump’s legacy. 

• Law Professor Louis J. Virelli III was featured in a Jan. 17 segment of Battleground Florida on WFLA NBC about the impeachment process. 

• Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy was featured on ABC Action News on Jan. 11 explaining how social media bans on President Trump were not an infringement on free speech. This interview was picked up by other Scripps Local Media affiliates, including outlets in Detroit, San Diego, Kansas City, Salt Lake City and more. 

• Law Professor Royal Gardner was quoted in a Dec. 18 article on InvestmentNews called, “Rethinking the value of programs that pay landowners to plant trees, sometimes even if they did it a decade ago.” 

• Law Professor Royal Gardner was quoted in a Dec. 24 article in Florida Phoenix called, “EPA boss plays Santa for Florida developers.” 

• Law Professor Peter F. Lake was quoted in a Jan. 4 article in The Chronicle of Higher Education called, “Colleges Weigh Whether to Require Covid-19 Vaccines, or Just Urge Them.” 

• Law Professor Peter F. Lake was quoted in a Jan. 15 article in the Columbia Spectator called, “Columbia reinstates diploma, ‘good’ alumni standing to journalism student found guilty of sexual assault.” 

• Law Professor Mark Bauer was a commentator during the Section on Commercial and Consumer Law: Works-in-Progress for Junior Consumer Law Scholars during the AALS 2021 Annual Meeting.  

• Law Professor Rebecca C. Morgan wrote the following blogs for the Elder Law Prof Blog: Jan. 8, “The COVID Vaccine Priority List?” Jan. 10, “KFF Web Briefing on COVID Vaccine and LTC Facilities:” Jan. 11, “2020 Summary of Guardianship Legislation;” Jan. 13, “Medicare Drug Out of Pocket Costs;” Jan. 16, “A Tribute to a Cat;” Jan. 18, “COVID, Vaccination Confusion & More;” Jan. 19, “DOJ Announces Charges vs. Home Health Aide” and “The Future of Caregiving;” Jan. 20, “Improving Neighborhoods Key for Aging in Place;” and Jan. 21, “COVID Shortens Life Expectancy Projections?”

• Law Professor Jason Palmer was named secretary of the International Law Section of AALS, according to International Law Prof Blog.   

• Law Professor Ellen Podgor wrote the following blog for the White Collar Crime Prof Blog: Dec. 26, “Corporate Transparency Act;” and Dec. 31, “2020 White Collar Crime Awards.”

• Law Professor Robyn Powell was mentioned on the HealthLawProf Blog on Dec. 21 for her 2020 William & Mary Journal of Women and the Law article.  

• Title IX researcher Jake Sapp was quoted in a Jan. 22 article in Inside Higher Ed called, “A Long and Complicated Road Ahead.” 

• Law Professor Stacey-Rae Simcox was mentioned on the HealthLawProf Blog on Dec. 20 for her 2016 South Carolina Law Review article. 

• Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy wrote a Dec. 21 analysis for the Brennan Center for Justice called, “Transparency for Democracy’s Sake.” It was picked up by the Election Law Blog.  

• Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy was quoted in a Dec. 29 article on 10 Tampa Bay called, “Republicans sue Vice President Pence in attempt to upset election results for President-elect Joe Biden.” 

• Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy was quoted in a Jan. 6 segment with WUSF called, “Former U.S. Senate Staffer And Professor Calls Capitol Assault ‘Heartbreaking.’”

• Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy wrote an analysis for the Brennan Center for Justice called, “How the Capitol Riot Is Affecting Corporate Political Spending.” It was also picked up by the Election Law Blog.  

• Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy was quoted in a Jan. 15 article in the Christian Science Monitor called, “CEOs spurn Trump and his allies: How big a blow?” It was also picked up by Yahoo! News. 

• Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy was quoted in a Jan. 22 article on Salon called, “Texas lawyer fired after Capitol riot files ambitious suit: Dissolve Congress, don’t arrest him.” 

• Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy was featured in an interview with Marketplace for a Jan. 19 segment called, “What will Biden inauguration donations go to?”  

• Law Professor Louis J. Virelli III was featured in a Jan. 6 interview with Bay News 9 regarding the attack on The Capitol and what would happen with certification of the votes.  

• Law Professor Louis J. Virelli was featured in a Jan. 6 interview with 10 Tampa Bay regarding the riot at The Capitol and the vote certification process.  

• Law Professor Louis J. Virelli III was featured in a Jan. 12 interview with WFTV/WRDQ Orlando regarding the impeachment process.  

• Law Professor Louis J. Virelli III was featured in a Jan. 13 in-depth interview with Bay News 9 about the impeachment process.  

• Law Professor Louis J. Virelli was featured in an interview on 10 Tampa Bay on Jan. 13 regarding the impeachment process.  

• Law Professor Louis J. Virelli III had a guest column published by the Tampa Bay Times on Jan. 15 called, “Even now, our best way forward is the 25th Amendment.” 

• Law Professor Louis J. Virelli III was quoted in a Jan. 16 article for Desmog Blog called, “Will Amy Coney Barrett, Whose Father Was a Shell Attorney for Decades, Recuse from Climate Suit?” 

• Law student Emily Lehman has joined the executive board of The St. Pete Young Professionals (SPYP) as the marketing co-chair. 

• Law students Patrick Collins, Ian MacLean and Alex Sorley got a shout out from Alan Gassman for their help and research on his Jan. 7 article on Forbes called, “January 6th SBA Regulations Help Solidify PPP And EIDL Changes.”  

Alumni News:

• Judge Stephen Toner was featured in the Hernando Sun article, “Judge Stephen Toner Gives Back to Boy Scouts,” on Jan. 17.

• Assistant Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement Alex Herron was featured in the West Volusia Beacon on Jan. 14 in the article, “MLK DAY 2021: What’s your New Year’s resolution?”

• Alumna Tahirah Scott-Anderson was featured in The Gleaner article, “Tahirah Elizabeth Singing A Soulful Journey – Led By Philosophy On Love, Life,” on Jan. 15. Scott-Anderson currently works in the music industry and has recently spent time studying Jamaican music.

• Alumna Kristin M.T. Mora has been included in Marquis Who’s Who, according to a Jan. 11 press release. 

• Alumnus and Board of Overseers Member Bernie McCabe passed away on Jan. 1, 2021, according to several local media outlets.  

• The Tampa Bay Times Editorial Board featured alumnus Bernie McCabe in a Jan. 11 editorial, noting he will be “remembered for doing the right thing.”  

• Alumnus Ryan J. Leuthauser was elected as a new shareholder at Hill Ward Henderson, according to a Jan. 19 announcement from the firm.  

• Alumnus and Hillsborough County judge Michael Bagge-Hernandez was selected to serve as vice chairman of the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, according to a news release. 

• Alumnus Thomas McFadyen has joined the firm Ligori & Ligori Attorneys at Law in Tampa, according to a press release. 

• Alumnus Richard Barbara was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Florida Real Estate Commission, according to Florida Politics. 

• Alumnus Robert Sendler was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority Governing Board, according to Florida Politics. 

• Goldberg Segalla announced alumnus Gregory E. Jordan joined the firm’s Orlando office as an associate.  

• Alumnus Brian Gnage has been appointed to serve as Judge on the Pinellas County Court, according to Florida Politics. Gnage fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Steve Berlin to the Sixth Circuit Court. 

• Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., announced that alumnus John Marra joined the firm as an associate in the Tort & Insurance Litigation Department. 

• Alumnus Bob Dillinger was featured in a Tampa Bay Times piece on Dec. 24 about his retirement after more than 40 years as the Pinellas-Pasco public defender.  

• Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the reappointments of four residents to the Polk State College District board of trustees, including alumnus Mark Turner, according to the Lakeland Ledger. 

• Alumnus and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman was featured in Dec. 31 profile with ABC Action News.  

• Alumna KaShonda L. Day was elected partner with the firm Adams and Reese. 

• Alumnus Jim Shore received the Government Attorney of the Year Award for 2020 from the American Bar Association Section on Environment, Energy and Resources, according to Indian Country Today.   

• LL.M. alumna Ryann Siclari joined the Wealth Preservation Group of Porzio, Bromberg & Newman P.C., according to a Jan. 5 announcement from the firm.