CLAS in the News, May – June 2009

July 21, 2009
Categories: College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences, Updates

This is a report of College of Liberal Arts & Sciences faculty, students and alumni in the news for the months of May and June.

Faculty Expertise

  • NBC’s “Today Show” features criminology professor Dr. Joe Kuhns in the story “Are Tasers Safe?” (June 17)
  • Dr. Deborah Bosley, associate professor of English, was quoted extensively in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story “The language we choose has helped shape U.S. energy debate.” (June 11) Due to her expertise in plain language in financial information, Bosley was quoted in a number of news stories on the new credit card bill in congress, including The Oklahoman (May 27), Transaction World (July 2009), The Omaha World-Herald (May 23), Wall Street Journal Radio and the New Jersey Herald, among others.
  • Charlotte NPR affiliate WFAE featured biology professor Dr. Mark Clemens in the story “Following the biotech dollars in Charlotte,” which reported that Clemens received $2.5 million from the National Institutes of Health for a ground-breaking organ transplant project. (May 7)
  • Dr. Harrison Campbell, a UNC Charlotte geography professor who tracks local economic indicators, was quoted in The Charlotte Observer story “It’s not good yet, but it’s a little less bad.” (June 28) He was also highlighted for his benchmark report for the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, which ranks Charlotte third overall among nine Southern metro areas, in The Charlotte Observer and the Charlotte Business Journal.
  • Doug Shoemaker, associate director of the Center for Applied GIS, was quoted in The Charlotte Observer story “Why Charlotte floods.” (May 7)
  • The Charlotte Observer reported that Dr. Meg Morgan, professor of English, received the North Carolina Board of Governors Award for Excellence in “4 from UNCC win awards.” (May 7)
  • Dr. Owen Furuseth, director of the geography PhD program, was quoted in The Charlotte Observer story, “American Dream fading for Latino business owners.” (May 8)
  • Dr. Alfred Stuart, emeritus professor of geography, was quoted in the Winston-Salem Journal in “Forsyth diversity up; Hispanics led increase in population in 2008.” (May 14)
  • Dr. Kathy Reichs, professor emeritus of anthropology, was featured in The Charlotte Observer story “’Bones’ author gears up for health drive.” (May 18)
  • WFAE reported on Distinguished Visiting Research Professor (in biology) Dr. Rob Bierregaard’s research on barred owls in Charlotte’s neighborhoods: “Who gives a hoot? Biologist Rob Bierregaard.” (May 18)
  • Fox News Charlotte quoted Dr. Dena Shenk, professor of anthropology and director, gerontology, in a report about aging baby boomers. (May 19)
  • The Charlotte Observer reported on English professor Dr. Mark West’s Children’s Literature Conference on both May 28 and June 7.
  • WFAE’s “Charlotte Talks” featured Dr. John Szmer, assistant professor of political science, discussing the “Supreme Court Nomination Process.” (June 9)
  • Dr. Vivian Lord, professor and chair of the department of criminal justice and criminology, was quoted in the WCNC-TV story “Craigslist rape case causing legal hurdles for defense.” (June 15)
  • Dr. Heather Perry, assistant professor of history, was featured on WFAE’s “Charlotte Talks,” discussing The Atkins Library’s Berlin Airlift Exhibit. (June 18) The exhibit was also covered by The Charlotte Observer, WTVI-TV and News 14 Carolina, among other outlets.
  • Criminology professor Dr. Paul Friday, was quoted on the WCNC-TV story “Man with three DWI convictions arrested again,” (June 24) and The Charlotte Observer story “Teens smoke less, binge drink more.” (June 23)
  • WFAE’s “Charlotte Talks” featured Dr. Gary Rassel, associate professor of political science, discussing “The N.C. State Budget.” (June 24)

College Matters

  • The Charlotte Observer reported on the launch of the new Charlotte Teachers Institute (CTI), “Colleges, CMS create teacher institute.” (May 6) The CTI launch also was reported by The Charlotte Weekly, WSOC-TV, News 14 Carolina, WBTV and WAXN-TV.

Alumni and Student Newsmakers

  • Leevi Barnard (BA ’07), a first lieutenant with the North Carolina Army National Guard who died when the 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team he was assigned to was attacked by enemy forces, was memorialized in news coverage by Fox 8-TV, NBC 17, News 14 Carolina, and WFMY-TV, among other media outlets.