Compiled by Olivia Bailey, Public Affairs Marketing Specialist
International and National Media Highlights
Brookings, Washington, D.C. | August 28, 2017
Kevin Simmons, disaster economist at Austin College, told ProPublica the financial losses “will likely exceed Katrina,” basing these losses on a conservative estimate of a 10 percent hit to the $325 billion in residential value and $471 billion local GDP.
Grist Magazine, Seattle, Washington | August 29, 2017
Disaster economist Kevin Simmons of Austin College, estimates the cost of damage and lost business associated with Hurricane Harvey “will likely exceed Katrina,” which means Harvey could ultimately cost between $150 billion and $200 billion.
Lancaster Online | August 28, 2017
Austin College has named Steven P. O’Day, Lebanon Valley College vice president of strategic initiatives and secretary of the college, president, effective October 30.
New York Magazine, New York, New York | August 30, 2017
It is too early to assess the damage caused by Harvey, but early estimates by Kevin Simmons, disaster economist and economics faculty at Austin College, suggests it may be the costliest storm in U.S. history.
Politico Magazine | August 28, 2017
According to a preliminary and informal estimate by disaster economist Kevin Simmons of Austin College, Harvey’s economic toll “will likely exceed Katrina”—the most expensive disaster in U.S. history.
PropPublica, New York City, New York | August 30, 2017
Kevin Simmons, an economist at Austin College, stated that the economic costs of Hurricane Harvey will take months to calculate, and years to overcome, likely exceeding Hurricane Katrina.
The Princeton Review | August 3, 2017
Austin College was among 13 schools in Texas to make the list of “The Best 382 Colleges 2018 Edition.”
The Progress-Index, Petersburg, Virginia | August 30, 2017Andrew G. Gillies ’81, veteran
planner currently employed by a city in the Dallas suburbs, has been named the Chesterfield County, Virginia, new planning director.
The Wall Street Journal | August 29, 2017
Kevin M. Simmons, disaster economist at Austin College, estimated that $145 billion in property is at risk of damage because of the devastating Hurricane Harvey.
The Wall Street Journal | August 30, 2017
According to Kevin M. Simmons, a disaster economist at Austin College, Harvey could be the most expensive U.S. storm ever, with an estimation of $145 billion in property at risk of damage.
Resilience – Post Carbon Institute, Corvallis, Oregon | August 29, 2017
Disaster economist Kevin Simmons of Austin College, estimates the cost of damage and lost business associated with Hurricane Harvey “will likely exceed Katrina,” which means Harvey could ultimately cost between $150 billion and $200 billion.
Dallas and Regional News
Coppell Gazette, Coppell, Texas | August 8, 2017
Traci Leach ‘97, assistant city manager for the city of La Porte, will join the City of Coppell as one of the deputy city managers.
Dallas Morning News | August 20, 2017
The Austin College board of trustees announced the appointment of Steven P. O’Day as its 16th president effective October 30.
Dallas Morning News | August 20, 2017
Selmore Haines III ‘80 will star as Justice Thurgood Marshall in Jubilee’s production of Thurgood at Bishop Arts Theatre in February.
Deming Headlight, Deming, New Mexico | August 15, 2017
Larry Francell ‘67 will delivered a presentation titled, “My Summer Vacation” from the Journal of Robert Grierson honoring Fort Bayard’s service to the communities of southwestern New Mexico.
eParis Extra, Paris, Texas | July 26, 2017
Clay Scarborough ‘99 was hired by North Lamar ISD Board of Trustees to serve as the principal of North Lamar High School.
Herald and News, Klamath Falls, Oregon | July 25, 2017
Justin Alphonse ‘20 found the freshman experience on the Austin College baseball team a learning moment.
KXAN, Austin, Texas | August 29, 2017
Annie Hardy ‘02 helped people in areas hardest hit by Hurricane Harvey, spending hours coordinating help in flooded cities using only her phone, computer, and connections in the coastal area.
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Lubbock, Texas | July 24, 2017
The Texas Tech Health Sciences Center partners with Austin College, promising that students who qualify will now be guaranteed interviews for admission.
My San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas | August 2, 2017
Lawrence “Larry” McNeil Correu ’52, known for his calling to advocate for people with disabilities, died recently.
Neuces County Record Star, Robstown, Texas | July 23, 2017
Jerry Lincecum, retired Austin College professor, comments on his past pig-farming days.
Neuces County Record Star, Robstown, Texas | August 17, 2017
Rhea Bermel ‘12 comments on her experiences prior to becoming a journalist for the Herald Democrat in Sherman, Texas.
News OK, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | August 27, 2017
Elisa Thompson ‘02, certified Family Nurse Practitioner, has joined the Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic practice.
Plano Star Courier, Plano, Texas | August 30, 2017
In a partnership with The Dallas Entrepreneurship Center, Capital One hosted a fireside chat for Women in Tech; among the crowd were Karisma Sheth ’17 and Ayodele Aigbe ’20, co-creators of Hangio.
The Concho Valley, West Texas | August 3, 2017
Austin College was one of 13 schools in Texas to make the list of “The Best 382 Colleges 2018 Edition.”
The Edinburg Review, McAllen, Texas | August 17, 2017
Rhea Bermel ‘12 comments on her experiences prior to becoming a journalist for the Herald Democrat in Sherman, Texas.
The Norman Transcript, Norman, Oklahoma | August 7, 2017
Abigail Ballard ‘19 participated in the Flemings Scholars Program through the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, known for conducting innovative research pushing the world of medicine forward.
Silver City Sun-News, Silver City, New Mexico | August 7, 2017
Larry Francell ‘67 honors the 151st birthday of Fort Bayard through a presentation titled, “My Summer Vacation,” which comes from the journal of Robert Grierson.
Local Media Highlights
Herald Democrat | August 5, 2017
Jerry Lincecum, retired Austin College professor, comments on his favorite author, Mark Twain.
Herald Democrat | August 17, 2017
Austin College names Steven O’Day as the 16th president of Austin College.
Herald Democrat | August 30, 2017
The Austin College Service Center launched the Helping Harvey’s Heroes campaign this week to raise money for the American Red Cross in benefit of Hurricane Harvey victims.
KTEN Texoma News | August 9, 2017
David Baker, director of the Adams Observatory and physics professor at Austin College, comments on the solar eclipse approaching August 21.
KTEN Texoma News | August 17, 2017
Steven P. O’Day takes the reins as the 16th president of Austin College.
KTEN Texoma News | August 21, 2017
Several students and staff observed the solar eclipse through a solar telescope, and Eva Natinsky ’19 expresses her excitement.
KTEN News | August 30, 2017
Margaux McCartney ‘18 comments on her hometown of Baytown, Texas, which was inundated by floodwaters from Hurricane Harvey, and Aneesa Vaidya ‘18 explains what Austin College is doing to help those affected by the storm.
KXII News | August 17, 2017
Steven P. O’Day, vice president of strategic initiatives and secretary of Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania, was named the 16th president of Austin College.
KXII News | August 21, 2017
Austin College hosted an eclipse viewing for its students, faculty, and staff on Monday, where Eva Natinsky ‘19 expressed her emotions.
KXII News | August 30, 2017
Three Austin College students spoke with KXII Wednesday about their trapped families down in the Houston area while they attend the first week of class.
Blogs and Online Media
Austin College | July 28, 2017
Pairs of English and Spanish teachers from several Texas high schools spent three days at Austin College for the Summer Institute offered by the College’s Center for Southwestern and Mexican Studies.
Austin College | August 15, 2017
A rare event comes this way August 21 in a partial solar eclipse—and it shouldn’t be missed, according to Dr. David Baker, Austin College professor of physics.
Austin College | August 17, 2017
The Austin College Board of Trustees announced today the appointment of Steven P. O’Day as the 16th president of Austin College, effective October 30, 2017.
Austin College | August 23, 2017
Dr. Jane D. Moorman ‘48, an active member of the College’s Board of Trustees from 1971 to 1996, died July 8 in Oakland, California, at the age of 88.
Austin College | August 23, 2017
Austin College faculty, administrators, and student leaders welcomed some 360 new students to campus last Friday in preparation for the start of the 169th academic year of the College.
Austin College | August 29, 2017
Kevin Simmons, Austin College professor of economics and a nationally recognized expert on disaster economics, is quoted in Politico Magazine regarding the economic toll of Hurricane Harvey.
KJZZ 91.5 | August 30, 2017
Kevin Simmons, economics faculty at Austin College, interviews with KJZZ 91.5 regarding the economic costs of Hurricane Harvey.
North Texas e-News | August 3, 2017
Henry Bucher, associate professor emeritus of humanities at Austin College, comments on Jerusalem’s Sacred Mount.
Twitter | August 27, 2017
Andrew “Andy” Revkin, American science and environmental journalist and author, tweeted an initial conservative estimate of Hurricane Harvey monetary losses from Kevin Simmons, disaster economist at Austin College.
Victory Sports Network | August 2, 2017
Oklahoma Panhandle State University is proud to announce the hire of the Aggies’ new head baseball coach Jason LaRocque, former Austin College assistant baseball coach.
News ‘Roos Can Use
The Huffington Post | August 28, 2017
Those who take the arts and humanities, in addition to their main field of study, are 31-72% more likely to have higher-level positions and earn more than $100,000 more than others.