Compiled by Public Affairs Interns Marissa Graf and Carrie Johnson
International and National Media Highlight
The Business Journals | September 2, 2021
Marjorie Hass, new president of the Council of Independent Colleges and former president of Austin College, talks with The Business Journals about the state of private higher education and how small colleges are dealing with enrollment declines.
CBS News | September 5, 2021
Dr. Felix Harcourt, assistant professor of history, is quoted in an article about the publicity given to the Ku Klux Klan in the early 1900s. The article discusses that sometimes publicity is advertising in addition to being informative and asks the readers to consider how this continues to manifest today, whether through election denial, Qanon conspiracies, or vaccine resistance.
MarketWatch | September 20, 2021
Dr. Vikas Goyal ’06, a triple board-certified critical care pulmonologist, sees patients at Wise Heart Care in Decatur, Texas. Dr. Goyal received his Bachelor of Science degree from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, where he graduated cum laude, majoring in biochemistry and minoring in mathematics.
The Statehouse News Bureau | September 14, 2021
Dr. Patty Manning Courtney ’87 of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital comments on the high volumes of children being treated for COVID and the importance of masking for K-12 schools.
The State of Texas | September 10, 2021
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed four new members to the Texas Commission on Community College Finance, including senior trustee Todd A. Williams ’82.
SwimSwam | September 17, 2021
Austin College ranks number 10 in Men’s Varsity water polo Division III by the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA).
Dallas and Regional News
Coppell Gazette | September 19, 2021
Coppell ISD Trustees approved Dennis Womack ’95 as the district’s new chief operations officer. He brings more than 25 years of education experience to the district, including 22 years in administration serving in McKinney ISD and Lovejoy ISD.
St. Mary’s University | September 24, 2021
Steve Nivin, Ph.D. ’89, chair of the Department of Economics and director of the SABÉR Research Institute at St. Mary’s University, is being recognized by the nonprofit San Antonio Sports with the Salute Award. Nivin’s economic research was instrumental in earning the city the honor of hosting the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament in March.
Local Media Highlights
KXII | September 2, 2021
Austin College has a new program called Tuition Advantage that cuts tuition for students living in Grayson and Collin counties. This program helps boost the number of local students who can attend Austin College. “We had fifty percent more students enroll this year from Grayson County, and we’re really excited about that. We really want to have our local students be a part of the campus,” said Chief Marketing Officer Lynn Womble.
Herald Democrat | September 13, 2021
Austin College and Sherman High School students prepare a mural site on Saturday morning for the Sherman Arts Fest next weekend. The project is sponsored by the Sherman Cultural District and led by artist David Freeman. Community members are invited to help paint portions of the mural during Sherman Arts Fest on September 18.
Herald Democrat | September 16, 2021
Dr. Julia Shahid, Austin College associate professor of education, will present a lecture “Pandemic Pivot” on Wednesday, September 22. The lecture is part of the Bernice S. Melvin Sabbatical Series hosted by the Robert and Joyce Johnson Center for Faculty Development and Excellence in Teaching.
Blogs and Online Media
Austin College News | September 16, 2021
TEDxAustinCollege will be presented Saturday, September 25, 2021, in the Nation Theatre. The 2021 speakers are Mariam Abeje ’22, Kate Kahle ’23, Laura J. Lawson ’10, Ann Crews Melton ’03, Ting Lan Sun ’87, and Kelly Yarbrough ’09. Senior Marissa Graf, who is part of the student planning team, explains this year’s theme “Confluence means the coming together and merging of two rivers into one, but it goes beyond water. It represents allowing oneself to naturally respond to change and create connections.”
North Texas e-News | September 16, 2021
The Austin College Center for Southwestern and Mexican Studies presents guest lecturer Dr. Marlene Llopiz ’80, who presented “Understanding Mexico and its State of Health: An Overview of the Trials and Tribulations of the Mexican Healthcare System.” Llopiz is chief medical and scientific officer and CEO for one of the most important training companies of the pharmaceutical industry in Mexico, Clínica Responsible Operative, S.C.
North Texas e-News | September 20, 2021
Dr. Julia Shahid, Austin College associate professor of education, presented a lecture, “Pandemic Pivot” on Wednesday, September 22. During her presentation, Shahid shared what she learned about how the pandemic affected K-12 education during her teaching sabbatical in 2020.
North Texas e-News | September 21, 2021
John Aldridge ’23, a kicker for Austin College was named special teams player of the week by the American Southwest Conference. He totaled 10 points in the ‘Roos 16-7 win over Sul Ross State. He was 3-for-3 on field goals, connecting from 19, 21, and 31 yards, and was 1-for-1 on extra points. Aldridge also averaged 65 yards per kickoff with one touchback.
North Texas e-News | September 24, 2021
Daniel Dominick, piano and harpsichord, and Sylvia Rivers, soprano, assisted by Leslie Whelan on cello, will present a Faculty Recital, Saturday, September 25 in Clifford Grum Sanctuary of Wynne Chapel. Dominick, professor of music at Austin College, Rivers, adjunct instructor of music, and Whelan will perform classical pieces, including “When I Am Laid in Earth” from the opera Dido and Aenas by Henry Purcell and excerpts from Le Nozze di Figaro by W.A. Mozart.
North Texas e-News | September 28, 2021
Dr. Henry H. Bucher, Jr., Emeritus Faculty in Humanities, reflects on the pandemic and politics in the past several months. He asserts that the rise in racial injustice, ‘war on women,’ and the January 6th terrorist attack on the U.S. capitol is unlike anything U.S. citizens have ever seen. Bucher insists that one action will not create change, but the only solution is serious public pressure and action.
News ’Roos Can Use
Inside Higher Ed | September 24, 2021
Nineteen higher education organizations including the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities are urging the Senate to keep a provision in the Build Back Better Act that would repeal the taxability of Pell Grants. Currently, the portion of Pell Grants spent on non-tuition expenses is taxable, adding to the cost of attendance for low-income students.
Inside Higher Ed | September 14, 2021
Blackboard and Anthology to merge, creating Ed-Tech behemoth.