Compiled by Nikitha Murugesan ’18 and Oyindamola Olufosoye ’20, Public Affairs Interns
International and National Media Highlights
New York Review of Books, New York
Felix Harcourt, visiting assistant professor at Austin College, wrote Ku Klux Kulture: America and the Klan in the 1920s, featured in the New York Review of Books – his book focuses on Klansmen’s appearances, variously as heroes or villains, throughout the history of the United States.
The Chronicle of Higher Education, Washington, D.C. | December 1, 2017
College leaders are bracing for major changes in the nation’s tax code that could weaken their financial footing by undermining charitable giving and placing new tax burdens on institutions with valuable endowments. Marjorie Hass, president of Rhodes College and former president of Austin College, expresses her sentiments in the passing of this bill.
Dallas and Regional News
Houston Chronicle, Houston, TX | November 27, 2017
Colin Foss, professor of French at Austin College, commented on the recently passed tax bill mentioning that it negatively affects middle-class families while the wealthy benefit, which can be a big hurdle for graduate students on the risk of debt.
Local Media Highlights
KXII | November 3, 2017
Grayson County Assistant District Attorney Britton Brooks ’04 has announced his candidacy for district attorney of Grayson County.
KTEN | November 7, 2017
Steven Goldsmith, biology professor at Austin College, identified Asian lady beetles as a ladybug look-alike and stated that although they can be a nuisance because they invade homes to seek shelter during the winter, they pose no real danger.
KTEN| November 10, 2017
Nate Essin ’18 worked on a smartphone fundraiser that taps into the oldest football rivalry around “The Battle of the Axe” between Sherman and Denison high schools.
KXII | November 13, 2017
George Diggs, biology professor at Austin College, found a shark tooth near the Lake Texoma shoreline and comments on how it’s not rare to find fossils, but rather getting people to stop and notice nature.
Holistic Management International (HMI)
Daniel Nuckols, associate professor of economics at Austin College, has been elected Chair of the Board of Directors for HMI, whose mission is to aid beginning and existing farmers and ranchers in their transition from industrial, traditional operations to that of resilient, holistic land management.
Herald Democrat | November 2, 2017
Tim Millerick, vice president for Student Affairs and president of the Sherman Independent School District board of trustees, commented on the timeliness of a bond to enlarge SISD facilities and address enrollment growth.
Herald Democrat | November 7, 2017
Austin College students participated in the college’s 21st annual Great Day of Service event – an event that provides students an opportunity to volunteer with local nonprofit organizations throughout the community.
Herald Democrat | November 8, 2017
President Steven O’Day completed his first official week as the 16th president of Austin College and with his wife Cecilia O’Day, moved into the president’s home on Grand Avenue.
Herald Democrat | November 9, 2017
The Austin College German Department recently received a grant from the German Embassy in Washington, D.C. to participate in its cultural awareness program, “Campus Weeks,” a program of collegiate bridge-building between the U.S. and Germany.
Herald Democrat | November 25, 2017
From the Greater Texoma Jazz Ensemble to the Austin College Chamber Orchestra to the Greater Texoma Orchestra, Austin College is heling musicians of varying levels learn the art of performance from each other.
Herald Democrat | November 29, 2017
Austin College hosts Women’s Health and Cancer Forum where Kole Roybal ’05 was the keynote speaker and students in the cancer biology course created by Dr. Lance Barton, professor of biology, presented their research about cancer.
KTEN| November 29, 2017
Kole Roybal ’05 was the keynote speaker at the Women’s Health and Cancer Forum, where cancer biology students in Dr. Lance Barton’s course also presented their research.
Blogs and Online Media
Austin College | October 31, 2017
President Steven O’Day has nearly completed his first week of leadership at Austin College, having begun his tenure as the 16th president on Monday, October 30.
Austin College | October 31, 2017
The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Washington, D.C. selected Austin College to participate in Campus Weeks and the Austin College German House will be providing activities to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
Austin College|November 2, 2017
John Mendel ’76 will be featured at the 2017 Todd A. Williams Executive-In-Residence lecture, “Leading by Heart Count, Not Head Count” where he will discuss his hypothesis of leadership.
Austin College | November 7, 2017
Christine Rottler ’18 was the featured speaker at the Environmental Studies Lunch Talk where she discussed her summer 2017 internship at Selah Bamberger Ranch in Johnson City, Texas.
Austin College | November 7, 2017
The Austin College Department of Music hosted their annual fall concert of instrumental ensembles, “An Evening of Chamber Music and Jazz”, under the direction of Dr. Ricky Duhaime in Wynne Chapel.
Austin College | November 7, 2017
Students competed in the 8th Annual AC Unplugged energy-saving competition during the month of October, saving over 10,000 kilowatt-hours and donating $1,770and all of this year’s prize money to the Houston Food Bank for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
Austin College|November 8, 2017
Dr. Lisa Thomas, organist and adjunct instructor for January term courses at Austin College, completed her Fulbright research in Alberta, Canada titled, “The Legacy of Canadian Indigenous Music as Classical Compositional Material.”
Austin College | November 9, 2017
The Austin College Department of Music presented the Wind Symphony in concert, which included various pieces such as “Song of the Blacksmith” by Gustav Holt.
Austin College | November 9, 2017
Jacob Dowling ’18 directed the student production of the spy thriller parody “The 39 Steps,” a stage adaption of the 1915 novel by John Buchan and 1935 movie by Alfred Hitchcock.
Austin College | November 10, 2017
The Austin College Music Department will present Opera Scene Workshops for students, including songs performed and conducted by an ensemble of students.
Austin College | November 11, 2017
The Austin College community is extremely saddened to learn the death of junior Patrick “PJ” Johnson of Lufkin, Texas, following a single vehicle accident in Sherman.
Austin College | November 27, 2017
The Austin College Posey Leadership Institute and STAR Leadership Program will host Dr. Rick Hodes, Medical Director for American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) in Ethiopia, to present “Extreme Medicine: 3 Decades in Africa.”
Austin College | November 28, 2017
The annual Austin College Service of Lessons and Carols, a free event open to the campus and community, will be held in Wynne Chapel.
Austin College | November 28, 2017
Austin College student organization AC Cares will host its annual World AIDS Day in the small chapel of Wynne Chapel and accept donations to support the Simbaradenga Newstart Children’s AIDS Orphanage in Zimbabwe, Africa.
Austin College | November 28, 2017
Austin College welcomes alumnus Dr. Kole Roybal ’05, assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, as the keynote speaker at the annual Women’s Health and Cancer Forum.
Austin College | November 28, 2017
The Austin College directing class presents an evening of one-act plays, free and open to the public, to showcase student work in the Ida Green theatre.
North Texas e-News | November 4, 2017
President Steven O’Day has completed his first week at Austin College, having begun his tenure as the 16th president of the 168-year-old private liberal arts college on Monday, October 30.
North Texas e-News | November 7, 2017
Christine Rottler ’18 discussed her summer 2017 internship at Selah Bamberger Ranch in Johnson City, Texas during an Environmental Studies Lunch talk.
North Texas e-News | November 28, 2017
Dr. Kole Roybal ’05, assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, is the keynote speaker at the annual Women’s Health and Cancer Forum.
Presbyterian Mission | November 8, 2017
Reverend Ben Gutiérrez ’53 served the Presbyterian Church as a mission co-worker, alongside his wife Ernestina, in Ecuador passed away November 2 at the age of 87; however, his work in Latin America and the Caribbean lives on.
News ’Roos Can Use
The Academic Minute | November 29, 2017
Could a focus on liberal education help America’s leadership in the world? Damon Coletta, professor of political science at the United States Air Force Academy, delves into this question.
The Wall Street Journal, New York City | December 2, 2017
The sprawling, 542-page revamp of the Higher Education Act released Friday by Rep. Virginia Foxx, chairwoman of the House Education and Workforce Committee, kicks off what is likely to be a rocky and drawn-out legislative process aimed at reshaping college education.