Compiled by the Office of Institutional Marketing & Communications
International and National Media Highlight
Adobe | May 12, 2021
Adobe has featured artist Phung Banh ’20 in their #WomenCreateWednesday series on Instagram: “Vietnamese artist Phung Banh captures the colors of her culture in every illustration.” Banh, under the account @pb.journal, displays her illustrations that celebrate both her Vietnamese heritage and the beauty of diversity.
Mercer University | May 14, 2021
Mercer University School of Law has announced three new faculty members, including Ishaq Kundawala, J.D. ’99. Kundawala joins Mercer School of Law as a tenured professor of law. Previously, he taught at Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law. Prior to his teaching career, Kundawala was in private practice in Dallas, as an associate at the international law firm of Baker Botts LLP.
MegaDoctorNews | May 2021
Fifteen minority students entering Texas Medical schools this fall will each receive a $10,000 scholarship from the Texas Medical Association, including Ndanzia “Paul” Mpunga ’21, who majored in biology and neuroscience and will be attending UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine in the fall. Physicians selected the students based on academic achievement and commitment to community service. TMA created the Minority Scholarship Program in 1998 to help diversify the physician workforce in Texas.
New York Times | May 22, 2021
In an article about recent efforts to restrict ballot initiative processes in many states, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo ’03, the executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center comments that these “hurdles that make it really hard for community-based groups to qualify for the ballot and counter why ballot initiatives were created in the first place.”
Psychiatry Online | April 22, 2021
Dr. Laura Roberts interviews Dr. Paul Putman ’78, the author of Rational Psychopharmacology: A Book of Clinical Skills. Rational Psychopharmacology is designed to advance practitioner’s clinical knowledge, methodical assessment expertise, and diagnostic sophistication. Unlike other psychopharmacology books, this guide transcends lists and tables of dosages and side effects, instructing the reader in the reasoning that undergirds treatment decisions.
Publishers Weekly | May 18, 2021
Random House Studio has acquired world rights to KINDergarten, a picture book by Vera Corbett Ahiyya ’05, illustrated by Joey Chou. The book is written by Ahiyya, known as The Tutu Teacher, and was inspired by her real-life kindergarten class, where she and her students take a kindness pledge to ensure that their class is the kindest it can possibly be. The publication is slated for summer 2022.
Religion News.com | May 20, 2021
J.J.F. Alexander ’97 is a writer-in-residence at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in San Jose, California. His new novel I Am Sophia imagines a not-so-distant future in which organized religion is gasping its last breath.
Dallas and Regional News
Coppell Gazette |
Joshua V. Chanin ’16 has published a biography of Sallie Brooke Capps titled Sallie Brooke Capps: Education Trailblazer in North Texas. The book, which will be published by Texas Tumbleweed History Press, tells the story of Capps, a Sherman native who advocated for better academic opportunities for young women and children in North Texas during the Progressive Era.
Lake Highlands Advocate | May 10, 2021
Lake Highlands High School signing day celebrated eight student-athletes signing their letters of intent to play collegiate sports, including future ’Roo Asher Thompson, who will play baseball at Austin College next year. Parents Jenny and Chris Thompson ’92 are happy that they will be close enough to attend some games. “It’s going to be exciting, but we will try to give him some space,” Jenny said.
Meridian Star| May 5, 2021
Sportswriter Austin Bishop celebrates his vast knowledge of college and university sports mascots by sharing some of his favorites, including (of course) the Austin College Kangaroos. He muses that if Austin College were to play the North Carolina Wesleyan Bishops, it would be a game that he – Austin Bishop – would not be able to miss.
NBC DFW |May 7, 2021
Esteria Miller, the mother of then-senior Chris Miller who died in the fall of 2020 as a result of COVID-19 complications, urges young people to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Santa Fe New Mexican | May 29, 2021
A celebration of 2021 high school graduates in Santa Fe profiles future ’Roo DeeDee Jansen, who will be starting at Austin College in the fall. Jansen was part of the team at her school that helped figure out how to make special events accessible and pandemic safe this year. She plans to study universal design.
The Tribune Newspapers | May 19, 2021
Humble ISD has announced its plans to name Marcus Schulz ’03 as the new Athletic Coordinator and Head Football Coach of Humble High School. Schulz currently serves as Athletic Director and Head Football Coach for Splendora ISD. He has been Splendora ISD’s Athletic Director since 2014. Under Schulz’s leadership, the Splendora football team became Bi-District Champions for the first time in the school’s 74-year history.
Weatherford Democrat | May 29, 2021
In a profile of graduating senior athletes of Trinity Christian Academy in Weatherford, future ’Roo Luke Carlson shares about his decision to attend Austin College. Carlson says he loves the coaching staff and program and is excited about the opportunity to “play competitively on a team that consistently fights for a spot in their conference each season.”
Wylie News | May 26, 2021
A profile of Wylie High School seniors highlights future ’Roo Delia Martinez, who will be starting at Austin College in the fall. Martinez has received the Presidential Scholarship and an Art scholarship. She is planning to study Political Science, Art, and Nonprofit Management.
Local Media Highlights
Herald Democrat | May 31, 2021
Sherman High School celebrates its 2021 graduates, six of whom will be attending Austin College next year. Sherman High School Principal Jenifer Politi said collectively the class received more than $3 million in scholarships.
Herald Democrat | May 26, 2021
Grayson County will close the Health Department’s mass COVID-19 vaccination site in June, as the vaccine has become widely available through local pharmacies, explains County Judge Bill Magers ’85. The article offers a summary of the county’s COVID-19 response, from testing sites early on that included Austin College, to offering the vaccine at the old Sherman High School. The Health Department will still offer the vaccine at their regular facility, including the Pfizer shot to children 12 and over with a parent present.
Herald Democrat | May 24, 2021
The Austin College community celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2020 as well as the Class of 2021 during commencement exercises Saturday, May 22. Victoria Star Gilbert ’21 was elected by her classmates to present the senior address. Dr. Helen Lowman ’88, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful and former appointee of the President of the United States in the senior foreign service and the senior executive service, presented the commencement address.
Herald Democrat | May 21, 2021
Austin College tennis players Brett O’Brien ’21 and Preston Spivey ’21 have been selected as All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference performers for their play during the 2021 season.
Herald Democrat | May 12, 2021
Denison High School celebrates their top 10 graduating seniors of the class of 2021, which includes future ’Roo Micaiah Wetzold, who will be starting at Austin College next fall.
Herald Democrat | May 11, 2021
Grayson County community leader Raymond “Jerdy” Gary has died at the age of 87. Gary was a senior trustee of Austin College, along with many other posts in local groups. Notably, Gary is a former Denison mayor and served a 20-year stint as Chair of Texoma Medical Center.
Herald Democrat | May 11, 2021
Two members of the Austin College men’s soccer team have earned All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference recognition for their play during the spring 2021 season. Xander Spurlock ’22 and Colin Saum ’21 were named honorable mention selections.
Herald Democrat | May 11, 2021
Six members of the Austin College baseball team have been named All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference performers for the 2021 season. Justin Alphonse ’21, Ryan Culp ’21, Zack Mahoney ’21, Jake Thomas ’21, Jake Trapani ’24 and Jake Webster ’22 all earned honorable mention All-SCAC accolades.
Herald Democrat | May 11, 2021
Gunter basketball standout Sarah Putnicki announced her decision to play for Austin College. Putnicki was an all-state choice in Class 3A by the Texas Girls Coaches Association, an all-region selection for 3A Region II by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. She is excited to join her former teammate Bri Carr ’23, who played for the ’Roos this season. “They’ve had success and I hope to be able to contribute,” Putnicki said.
Herald Democrat | May 10, 2021
Austin College honored more than 50 student-athletes at the annual Athletics Convocation. Senior men’s basketball player Michael Holland and sophomore women’s water polo player Sophie Oliver were selected as the Pete Cawthon Male Athlete and Gene Day Female Athlete of the Year, respectively.
Herald Democrat | May 11, 2021
Three members of the Austin College women’s soccer team have been named All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference performers for their play during the 2021 spring season. Meredith Harris ’22 was named first-team All-SCAC, while Sydney Padget ’22 was a second-team selection. Dajia Campbell ’24 was named honorable mention and to the All-Freshman Team.
Herald Democrat | May 1, 2021
Three members of the Austin College volleyball team have been selected as All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference performers for their play in the 2021 spring season, the league office has announced. Mari Prazak ’22 was named to the second team while Victoria Smith ’24 and Ali Horton ’22 were third-team All-SCAC honorees.
KTEN | April 27, 2021
Gunter basketball player Sarah Putnicki signed to continue her athletic career with Austin College. She helped the Lady Tigers get to the regional final game in the 2020-2021 season.
KXII | May 16, 2021
The Austin College Women’s basketball team will have a familiar face for local sports fans next season as former Collinsville Lady Pirate Carrie Johnson is transferring to AC from Southeastern Oklahoma State.
Paris News | May 11, 2021
English professor emeritus Dr. Jerry Lincecum explores the geology and history of the Ogallala Aquifer.
Blogs and Online Media
Austin College News | May 11, 2021
Each spring, several awards are presented to members of the Greek community at Austin College. The Greek Review Board voted on each position after nominations by sorority and fraternity members. Outstanding Greek Woman for 2021 is Kappa Gamma Chi senior Abigail Ross. Outstanding Greek Man for 2021 is Lucellus Christian Miller, senior member of Chi Delta Eta, who died during the fall term from COVID and its complications. Outstanding New Member is Kate Kahle, a sophomore member of Xi Epsilon.
Austin College News | May 10, 2021
Dr. Meg Brandl of the Austin College English Department announced a ’RooWrite Fiction Contest earlier in the semester—and now has declared it a success. Twenty-three students submitted entries, and Kim Powers ’79, a successful writer himself, served as judge. Powers very generously provided the prize money for the contest, Brandl said. A collaboration of the English Department and Office of Alumni Engagement, the contest asked students to submit one entry of original fiction.
Austin College News | May 3, 2021
Wyatt Hill ’21 and Katie King ’22 have been selected as 2021 Hertog Fellows. The Hertog Fellowship program was established by New York businessman and philanthropist Roger Hertog in 2010 to further educate students who seek to influence intellectual, civic, and political life in the U.S. The Hertog Foundation has awarded 1,098 fellowships, largely to students devoted to the study and practice of the liberal arts. King will be involved this summer in a study of The Federalist & Contemporary Debates. Hill’s program will be a study of Free Speech in a Fractured Republic.
Austin College News | May 3, 2021
Writer, producer, lyricist, and educator Ayvaunn Penn ’12 (known in her Austin College days as Marion Fields) wrote For Bo: A Play Inspired by the Murder of Botham Jean by Officer Amber Guyger. The play is a fictionalized narrative inspired by the true-life murder of Dallas’ Botham Jean by now ex-police officer Amber Guyger. The production illustrates the tragedy of the Jones family when Bo is murdered in his own home. Penn is an instructor in theater at TCU. Her play received national honor as a 2020 finalist for the prestigious Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference.
North Texas e-News | May 29, 2021
Chaplain Emeritus Dr. Henry Bucher has published an op-ed questioning the ”inability of Congress to vote on a bipartisan agreement on how to set up a ‘9/11/01 style’ commission to determine what happened” at the January 6 Capitol riots.
North Texas e-News | May 26, 2021
Austin College President Steven P. O’Day announces the addition to the College senior leadership of Carllos Lassiter as Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer at Austin College. He will assume the role on August 1. Lassiter comes to Austin College with 18 years of experience in the student affairs profession, most recently at American University in Washington, D.C., where he is Assistant Vice President of Student Engagement in the Office of Campus Life.
North Texas e-News | May 26, 2021
Professor emeritus of English Dr. Jerry Lincecum explores the history of robots, from the invention of the word in 1921 to today’s industrial robots. Lincecum highlights some robots that have been adapted to help with the pandemic, and some areas where humans have proved more efficient.
North Texas e-News | May 26, 2021
State Representative Reggie Smith ’91 presented to the Fannin County Republican Women about redistricting and recent legislation, as well as any special session issues.
North Texas e-News | May 26, 2021
Austin College head volleyball coach Ed Garza will again direct two High-Intensity volleyball camps at Austin College this June. One is for junior high and high school athletes, and the other is for kids in second through sixth grades. Individual skill training coupled with a team system provides a meaningful camp experience for all players, regardless of playing level. Coach Garza has over 665 college wins and has qualified six teams to the NCAA National Tournament and 19 teams to the USA Junior National Tournament.
North Texas e-News | May 21, 2021
Austin College celebrates the graduation of the Class of 2020 as well as the Class of 2021 during Commencement exercises Saturday, May 22. The ceremony includes addresses by senior speaker Victoria Star Gilbert ’21 and Dr. Helen Lowman ’88. Honorary degrees to be awarded this year include Rev. Amos Jerman Disasa, who presented the Baccalaureate sermon, and Rev. Amy Poling Sutherlun ’00, MAT ’01.
North Texas e-News | May 21, 2021
Dr. Henry Bucher, emeritus faculty member, reflects on being called a ‘communist’ when working to support voters rights in Chicago as part of the civil rights movement of the 1906s.
News ’Roos Can Use
Inside Higher Ed | May 20, 2021
Higher Education has a public opinion problem – the number of Americans who view college education as “very important” has declined in recent years, while “nearly 40 percent of Americans thought that colleges and universities were having a negative effect on the way things were going in the country in 2019.” Goucher College professor Mileah Kromer argues that schools must “take back the narrative” and do a better job of telling our stories. One way of doing so is for faculty to engage in public outreach in the media, and another is to “develop programs and research agendas rooted in analyzing problems in the proximate geography of the institution’s location.”
Inside Higher Ed | May 20, 2021
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has flagged Florida State University’s presidential search for considering Richard Corcoran. Corcoran — who currently serves as Florida’s education commissioner and is the former speaker of the state House of Representatives — cannot be considered for the presidency while he remains on the state board without violating SACSCOC’s rules.
Forbes | May 12. 2021
The U.S. Department of Education has released guidance for the third round of Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) regarding dispersal and permissible uses of the funds. The largest portion of that is designated for emergency financial aid grants to students.