CLAS in the News, January – February 2009

This is a report of College of Liberal Arts & Sciences faculty, staff and students in the news for the months of January and February 2009.

Faculty Expertise

  • Profil, the No. 1 newsweekly of Austria, featured Dr. James Tabor, department chair and professor of religious studies, in the article “Was lief wirklich in Bethlehem?” translated “What really happened in Bethlehem?” (Dec. 24)
  • Dr. Jonathan Marks, professor of anthropology, appeared on ABC Radio National discussing the topic of “All in the Mind and the Philosopher’s Zone: Happy Birthday Charles Darwin.” (Feb. 14)
  • Dr. Gregory Starrett, professor of anthropology, was featured on NPR’s “On the Media,” discussing the origin of the phrase “apes and pigs.” (Feb. 27)
  • Dr. Paul Friday, professor of criminal justice, was featured in a WFAE news story, “Charlotte-Mecklenburg crime drops to a 14 year low.” (Jan. 6)
  • Department chair and professor of English Dr. Malin Pereira was featured in The Charlotte Observer article, “Inaugural poet about to join elite company.” (Jan. 11)
  • Creative Loafing featured Dr. Jean-Claude Thill, Knight Professor of Geography and Earth Sciences, in the story, “Government wants inside your car.” (Jan. 13)
  • Dr. Owen Furuseth, professor in the department of geography and earth sciences, was quoted in The Charlotte Observer story about “Immigrants now key to telling Charlotte’s tale.” (Feb. 7)
  • The Charlotte Observer featured comments from Dr. Cindy Combs, Bonnie E. Cone Professor of Political Science in the story “How Obama May Govern.” Dr. David Goldfield, Robert Lee Bailey Professor of History, was quoted in the same issue in “Dear Mr. President-elect.” (Jan. 18.)
  • The Charlotte Observer quoted Dr. Ted Arrington, professor of political science, in the story “Issues drew young voters to Obama,” (Jan. 19) in “Hagan speech in Charlotte key for gay rights,” (Feb. 21) and in “Lassiter kicks off campaign for mayor.” (Feb. 11)
  • Dr. Eric Heberlig, associate professor of political science, appeared on WFAE’s “Charlotte Talks” to discuss the “The Bush Legacy ,” (Jan. 16) and to discuss “Obama’s First 100 Days.” (Jan. 21)
  • WFAE’s “Charlotte Talks” hosted history professor Dr. David Goldfield and Africana studies professor Dr. Debra Smith on the show “Inauguration Day 2009.” (Jan. 20)
  • The Hickory News and Record highlighted Dr. Akin Ogundiran, department chair and professor of Africana studies, in “Newton shows its spirit of Unity.” (Feb. 9)

College Matters

  • The University Times highlights the work of communications professor Dr. Scott Phillipson to help get a university radio station started: “UNCC has a radio station.” (Feb. 04)
  • The Charlotte Business Journal featured the new Center for Global Public Relations in “UNCC launches Public Relations Center.” (Feb. 16)

Alumni and Student Newsmakers

  • Alumnus Eric Robinson (BS ’07) was featured in The Charlotte Observer in the article “UNCC graduate drives the stars around town.” (Jan. 4)
  • Winston-Salem Journal featured an article on UNC Charlotte freshman history major Ivory Paysour, “Local teen campaigner met Obama.” (Jan. 22)
  • The Charlotte Observer featured an article on alumnus Boris Rogers (BA ’06), “SlamCharlotte gets positive about politics,” group leader of the city’s national champion poetry team. (Feb. 14)