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Media Bytes

Connecticut College was featured in The Mystic Times March 5 for hosting the first "Relay for Life" event on campus.

The March 5 onStage at Connecticut College concert of the Danú Traditional Irish Ensemble was the cover story for The Day's weekly entertainment section.

The Thames River Times (CT) and The Groton Times reported March 5 that Dorothy James, professor of government, would provide context for a public forum about a proposed effort to reform the Electoral College called The National Popular Vote Compact – which would award all electoral votes to the presidential candidate with the most popular votes.

After David Gracer, who promotes the consumption of insects as a sustainable food source, visited Anthropology Professor Manuel Lizarralde's botany class, several students were featured in a video on TheDay.com tasting Gracer's delicacies.

Stuart Vyse, professor of psychology, appeared in a comedic video column on TheDay.com March 6 about the stereotypes associated with the hairstyle known as the "mullet."

Connecticut College was one of five institutions to receive the 2009 Nafsa: Association of International Educators' Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalism, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported March 10. The award recognizes colleges and universities for their innovative efforts to bring more of an international focus to their campuses.

On Friday, March 13, Stuart Vyse, professor of psychology and author of "Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition," was interviewed about where superstitious beliefs come from and how they affect behavior on WNYC-FM 93.9 (National Public Radio).

Trustee Tim Armstrong '93, vice president with Google, was named Chairman and CEO of AOL, Wall Street Journal reported March 13. The story was reported by nearly 100 other news outlets, including the Washington Post, Reuters and Yahoo News.

A History Channel documentary that premiered March 15 about the role sex has played throughout America’s history featured James Downs, assistant professor of history, who was interviewed about Abraham Lincoln’s sexuality.

Jack Tinker, director of recruiting in the Career Enhancing Life Skills office, was quoted in the Wall Street Journal March 15 about how internships can help grads gain the experience necessary to compete against laid-off workers. The article also ran in approximately 40 other national publications, including South Florida Sun-Sentinel, News Sentinel (TN), Austin-American Statesman (TX) and Salt Lake Tribune (UT).

The Day reported March 15 that Alex Samma ’10 is the first national champion in the history of Connecticut College’s track and field program, leaping 49 feet, 5 ½ inches, to win the Division III triple jump title. Daily Press (VA) and Terre Haute Tribune Star (IN) also reported the story.

The New London County Chapter of the American Guild of Organists arranged a concert in the memory of Roberta Bitgood Wiersma ’28, who entered Connecticut College at age 16 and became a famed American organist and composer. John Anthony, professor of music, helped arrange the concert, and was featured in The Day March 16.

Centre Daily Times (PA) reported March 16 that Connecticut College had purchased new security equipment to stop data breaches that could lead to identity theft.

Sylvanna Falcón, the Lenore Tingle Howard '42 Assistant Professor of Sociology, was quoted in Latina magazine March 18 about the perils women face as they attempt to immigrate to America. Falcón said that in addition to sexual exploitation by smugglers, there have been documented incidents of U.S. Border Patrol agents raping women or pressuring them for sex.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s athletics page mentioned March 18 that Connecticut College’s field hockey team is tied with M.I.T. for fourth smartest in the nation.

Maddie Carlson ’08 – who now works in financial services in New York – was featured on Wicked Local (MA) March 18 as one of a group of students who graduated from Acton-Boxborough Regional High School who will be running the Boston Marathon.

A feature article in The Waterford Times March 19 about an upcoming production of "The Vagina Monologues" quoted producer Megan Nashban ’09, director Eleanor Berke ’09 and actress Quinn Arevalo ’10. Arevalo said she liked the idea of college women coming together to have their voices heard about an important issue. This article was also printed in The Stonington Times and The New London Times.

The Amelia Trio – made up of music department faculty Anthea Kreston, Jason Duckles and Rieko Aizawa – was featured in Register-Star (NY) March 20 in anticipation of an upcoming performance at The Hudson Opera House.

The cover of the Norwich Bulletin’s March 20 Living section featured an article about Rebecca Pappas’ ’01 upcoming production of “Monster” at Connecticut College. Pappas said the production explored the contradiction between the “weak, emaciated” image of concentration camp victims and the “very strong, aggressive” body often associated with Jewish heritage. David Dorfman, head of the dance department, was quoted as saying that Pappas combines “imagistic and kinetic impulse” in the piece.

Stuart Vyse, professor of psychology, was quoted in The Hamilton Spectator March 20 about people who have been turning to psychics for hope in a poor economy. The simple act of doing something, said Vyse, gives people a sense of control.

Eleanor Berke ’09, Megan Nashban ’09 and Quinn Arevalo ’10 were interviewed live March 23 on WLIU 88.3 FM (NY) about a production of “The Vagina Monologues” at Connecticut College. Berke said it had been powerful to see so many women come together to represent the voices in the monologues. Arevalo said the production touches all women. Nashban said her involvement over the years has helped her to find her voice.

In an opinion piece in The Day March 23, Leo Garofalo, assistant professor of history, argued that U.S. drug dollars, weapons and ammunition are helping to fuel Mexico’s drug war.

Journal-Courier (IL) announced March 24 that Professor Emeritus Michael Burlingame would be a keynote speaker at the Illinois State Historical Society’s annual symposium in Jacksonville, which would bring together more than 200 scholars and educators to shed light on the latest Lincoln research.

Robert Richter, director of arts programming, was quoted in the Norwich Bulletin March 25 as saying that an upcoming performance by the Paul Taylor Dance Company – which, in 1962 at Connecticut College, debuted the work that would make it famous – would give the College a chance to look at its dance history.

Natalie Theys ’11 was pictured in Washington Times March 25 at Powershift ’09 holding a sign among the thousands who attended a rally on Capitol Hill to push for climate and energy legislation.

“Monster,” a dance piece by Rebecca Pappas ’01 that explores Jewish identity, was featured as the cover story of The Day’s March 26 entertainment section.

March 26, the weekly entertainment section of the Westerly Sun featured a photo and story about an upcoming production of “Monster” by Rebecca Pappas ’01.

Jon Krawczyk ’92, an abstract sculptor, will have his biggest commission to date – a stainless steel hockey player – installed in front of the Prudential Center in Newark, where the New Jersey Devils play, Hunterdon Review (NJ) reported March 26

For the second straight year, Connecticut College’s field hockey team was ranked among the top five smartest in the nation, The Day reported March 28.

Priya Bajaj ’12 was featured in a photograph in The Day March 29 holding a candle during Connecticut College’s Earth Hour demonstration.

Sunday Hour (CT) announced March 29 that Andrea Bianchi ’87, who went on to become a professional actress after attending Connecticut College, would perform in “Being Audrey” at Connolly Theater in New York through April 26.

Amid a budget crisis in California, thousands of caregivers for the elderly and disabled could see a dramatic cut in their salaries, according to an article in New American Media, March 30. Candace Howes, professor of economics, was quoted as saying that if wages go down, the burden will shift to nursing homes and Medicare, which could cause further detriment to the economy.

Paul Taylor, founder of Paul Taylor Dance Company, was interviewed on WLIU 88.3 FM (NY), March 30. Taylor discussed his connection to Connecticut College in anticipation of the company’s upcoming performance as part of the onStage at Connecticut College season.

An article in the Hartford Courant March 31 about Fairfield University adopting an SAT-optional admission policy, mentioned that Connecticut College was among those who have already adopted such a policy.

South Florida Caribbean News mentioned March 31 that Michael Burlingame, professor emeritus of history, was in Jamaica for a number of speaking engagements related to the connection between Presidents Lincoln and Obama.

A travel article about New London in the April edition of Rhode Island Monthly suggested the Connecticut College Arboretum for a stroll during warm weather.

The March 30 edition of The Day highlighted Connecticut College’s “Celebration Earth: 2009,” a series of events in April aimed at promoting sustainability, conservation and environmental awareness.

Alan Cohen ’83 – a former arts and entertainment executive-turned-professional career coach – was featured on BroadwayWorld.com April 1 in anticipation of a workshop he would lead for professionals in the entertainment industry.

Dorothy James, professor of government, offered a historical perspective of the National Popular Vote movement, which would award all electoral votes to the presidential candidate with the most votes, at a recent library talk. James was quoted in The New London Times April 1 as saying that accuracy, simplicity and anonymity are needed in the voting process before “one person one vote” can become a reality.

An April 1 opinion piece in The Advocate (CT) mentioned that Connecticut College is one of three Connecticut colleges and universities with gender identity and expression protections written into its policies.

April 2, Clarksville Online (TN) featured Greg Butcher ’77, director of bird conservation at the National Audubon Society, who has been an active birder since age 11.

David Hannah ’96 was mentioned in the Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle (MA) April 2 as one of the original a cappella singers who began a tradition at Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School in which alumni return to sing for an evening of a cappella. Hannah returned to his alma mater in 1994 to perform, along with several other alumni from the high school.

An upcoming performance of Paul Taylor Dance Company, which has a history with Connecticut College that spans decades, was the cover of The Day’s weekly entertainment section April 2.

An April 1 photo in The Day featured Connecticut College students playing a round of croquet on the green.

Andrew Margenot ’10 was featured in The Call (RI) April 3 as a 2009 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Honorable Mention.

WVIT-CT Channel 30 (NBC) covered a memorial service April 3 to remember Elizabeth Durante ’10, who was killed by a suspected drunken driver. Joseph Schroeder, assistant professor of neuroscience, and several students were interviewed about Elizabeth’s dedication to helping others. WTIC-TV CH 61 (FOX) also covered the service. Thomas Gethin-Jones ’09 told Fox 61 that Elizabeth’s service to others has infiltrated the entire Connecticut College community. A reporter spoke about the trips Elizabeth took in the name of helping others and read from an essay she wrote during her last trip to Uganda.

April 3, an article in the Norwich Bulletin highlighted an upcoming panel at Connecticut College that would bring leading experts to discuss gender and hip-hop. Heather Day ’09, who organized the discussion and considers herself a hip-hop feminist, was quoted as saying that she’d like to see hip-hop rise to a higher standard that respects women.

A Water Scarcity & Conflict conference at Connecticut College was covered by an article in The Day April 4, which reported that while Americans are consuming less water than they did 20 years ago, the world’s water supply has been stressed by overpopulation, industrial waste and other threats.

A letter to the editor of The Day April 5 praised Kristin Steele, women’s hockey coach, for her participation in the Southeastern Connecticut Youth Hockey League.

At a college fair in Vermont April 6, Mitch Herz, assistant director of admission, spoke to WCAX-TV CH 3 (CBS) (VT), about affordability. Herz said that because of the College’s financial aid policies, it could be cheaper for a student to attend Connecticut College than a state school.

The Day announced April 7 that an upcoming fundraiser at Connecticut College would raise funds to benefit the Chikumbuso Women and Orphans Project, a community-based organization in Zambia, Africa, that helps empower women and children whose lives have been affected by AIDS.

American Chronicle announced April 7 that uTest, the world’s largest marketplace for software testing services, had named Travis Connors ’93 to its board of directors.

Linda Eisenmann ’75 was featured in The Sun Chronicle (MA) April 8 as the new provost at Wheaton College.

Heather Day ’09 was interviewed on Hot 93.7 FM (CT) April 8 about the “Rap Sessions” panel on gender and hip-hop she organized.

A news broadcast on WTNH-TV Channel 8 (ABC) April 9 explained that Connecticut College had expanded its SAT-optional admission policy to include all standardized tests.



April 17, 2009