Research by Psychology Department Chair Chris Ferguson on media violence and behavior problems in children received national attention in a number of media outlets this week. Law professors were interviewed in this week’s news coverage about student safety enforcement issues, Target stores’ major data breach and the anticipated legal action, First Amendment issues and the number of patients who have used insanity defense. Stetson’s business graduate programs were featured in an Orlando magazine. And, Stetson’s commemoration of this year’s MLK Week received local attention. Stetson’s news coverage for the week of Jan. 17-23, 2014, follows:

Top Stories

In a Jan. 17 article, Reuters reports on a study out of Tanzania that shows physical punishment of children results in behavior problems. Reuters interviewed Chris Ferguson, Ph.D., chair of the psychology department, for the article, which was picked up by dozens of news outlets throughout the country and internationally including: Orlando Sentinel, Reuters India and UK, Chicago Tribune, Yahoo! News (in English and Spanish), GMA (Phillipines), Pakistan Today, and numerous television stations.

Chris Ferguson, who has a blog that appears regularly in TIME Ideas, recently served as guest editor for an American Psychological Association’s special journal issue on the topic of media violence. Ferguson prepared the opening statement from a group of active researchers dissenting from the APA stance on media violence. The proposal brief, which links to other online news/opinion websites, will be presented at the 2014 Eastern Communication Association conference in April.

Law Professor Peter Lake spoke with Magna Publications for the Jan. 16 article, “Expect Ramped-Up Student Safety Enforcement in 2014.” 

Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy wrote the Jan. 18 opinion editorial, “To gut conflict minerals rule, trade associations turn to First Amendment,” for Al Jazeera America.

Law Professor Tim Kaye is quoted in the Jan. 20 Tampa Tribune story, “Target data breach sets stage for legal action.”

Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law Bruce Jacob is quoted in the Jan. 18 Daytona Beach News-Journal article, “Nearly 100 Volusia, Flagler Patients Have Used Insanity Defense.”

Other Stories in the News

Stetson students are volunteering with Volusia/Flagler County Coalition for the Homeless to assist with the annual census of homeless in those counties, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Jan. 16.

The Jan/Feb 2014 edition of Lake Mary Life includes an article on Stetson’s graduate business programs that quotes Yiorgos Bakamitsos, Ph.D., associate dean of graduate business programs.

According to the Jan. 22 Workplace Prof Blog and Environmental Law Professor Blog, the Stetson Law Review is hosting a symposium on Citizens United in February. 

Law student John Beggan is a guest columnist in the Jan. 22 Jurist, writing on “Extending Duty of Care Too Far: 7 World Trade Center Building Decision and its Implications.” 

News of Stetson Law’s upcoming wills for veterans program in February has run in the Jan. 21 Gabber. The news also ran in the Jan. 17 Tampa Bay Times.

In a Jan. 17 article on home beer brewers, the Daytona Beach News-Journal mentions that Stetson has a Brewing Science and Technology course for chemistry majors who are 21 and older. It also quotes Tandy Grubbs, Ph.D., chair of the chemistry department.

The February 2014 edition of the Volusia/Flagler Business Report included a feature on Stetson’s Family Enterprise Center and interviewed Greg McCann, director of that program.

Coverage of Stetson’s MLK Day events were included in Daytona Beach News-Journal, Hometown News, Sun-Sentinel,

Stetson was mentioned in The Florida Baptist Witness regarding a history of that paper which celebrated its 130 anniversary on Jan. 17.

Stetson will host the 2014 induction ceremony of the Florida Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame, according to the Jan. 17 University of Florida College of Fine Arts blog.

Stetson’s participation in the Arts for Life! Scholarship was mentioned on the Suncoast Polytechnical High School website, Jan. 16. Additional coverage: ArtsForLifeAward.org.

Stetson was included in the Orlando Business Journal’s annual Book of Lists in the list of the top M.B.A. programs.

Alumni in the News

Fletcher Smiley was mentioned in “Remains of the Florida Stagecoach Road,” on Far Enough Photo blog.

Richard Swartz was mentioned in an Orlando Sentinel article on Jan. 19 about Vietnam where he served as an Army helicopter pilot in 1970.

Law alumna Carol Mirando was appointed to the federal courthouse in downtown Ft. Myers, according to the Jan. 22 News-Press.

According to the Jan. 23 Tampa Tribune, Law alumnus Bruce Bartlett has retired from the state attorney’s office.

Law alumnus Rich McKay will speak at the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Meeting and Lunch on Feb. 6, according to On Common Ground News.

According to the Jan. 21 Courier-Post, Henderson Franklin Starnes & Holt, PA has named Law alumna Suzanne Boy, editor of the Southwest Florida Employment Law Blog, as a stockholder.

Law alumnus and longtime Daytona Beach judge James Nelson has died, according to the Jan. 20 Daytona Beach News-Journal.

According to the Jan. 16 ABC Action News Tribute, Law alumnus John Phillip (“Jack”) Griffin passed away Jan. 16.

Christine Bange has been promoted to associate accountant with the James Moore CPA firm in Tallahassee, Fla., according to The Chamber, Jan. 21.

Nicholas Bilotta, a CPA, has been promoted to senior accountant with the James Moore CPA firm in Tallahassee, Fla., according to The Chamber, Jan. 21.