University of Indianapolis Faculty, Staff Featured in Local, National News in October
Written by Lilli Keiper
As part of their commitment to “education for service,” faculty and staff at the University of Indianapolis share their expertise with local and national news outlets in order to keep our community informed and to introduce new perspectives on current issues.
UIndy faculty and staff were featured in the following news stories in October:
Dr. Laura Merrifield Wilson, assistant professor of political science, gave her insight to IndyStar on the competitive mayoral election in Carmel, Indiana, how different voters perceive the candidates, and the overall effect that the election will have on the city.
Dr. Wilson gave additional insight in another IndyStar article discussing the Indianapolis mayoral election and the role of gun violence in the candidates’ campaigns. In this IndyStar article, Wilson explains other national issues present in the race along with gun violence. An article from FOX59 discusses the “record spending” on this year’s Indianapolis mayoral race. Wilson explains the spending and where the funds originated in detail.
Dr. Wilson also discusses in a FOX59 article why former vice president Mike Pence has withdrawn from the presidential race.
Dr. Wilson explained why “culture wars” are becoming more prevalent in politics due to the political diversity in suburbs in an article from IndyStar on Hamilton East Public Library Board’s attempt to remove harmful books from its shelves.
In an Indianapolis Business Journal article, Dr. Gregory Shufeldt, associate professor of political science, discussed Indy Chamber, an influential group of local business owners and how its endorsement of a political candidate may influence individual voters. Dr. Shufeldt was featured in another IBJ article discussing Indianapolis mayoral candidate Jefferson Shreve’s chances of winning the election.
Beth Kiggins, instructional technologist and assistant professor at the UIndy School of Education, Dr. Laura Merrifield Wilson, associate professor of political science, and Dr. Elizabeth Ziff, assistant professor of sociology and co-director of the UIndy Community Research Center, were featured in the Southside Times for receiving the 2023 PALSave Award due to their continued innovation in the field of education.
Dr. Larry Belcher, professor of finance, discussed inflation and holiday spending in an article from WRTV Indianapolis. Belcher also discussed the factors contributing to inflation and consumer spending.
Dr. Christopher Schmidt, professor of anthropology, assisted Johnson County in exhuming and studying the remains of Nancy Barnett and others resting within a grave located in the middle of a two-lane road in 2016. WRTV revisits the story in an article from this month.
Cyndi Carrasco, vice president and general counsel at UIndy, was selected to finish late Senator Jack Sandlin’s term. State Senate District 36 seat will be filled by Carrasco until November 2024. Read more on the decision from these sources: IndyStar, CBS4Indy, Daily Journal, WTHR, FOX59, WISH TV, The Indiana Lawyer, and WIBC.
Krista Latham, associate professor of biology and anthropology and director of the UIndy Human Identification Center, aided in identifying the remains of Allen Livingston, which were discovered on suspected Indiana serial killer Herbert Baumeister’s estate at Fox Hollow Farm. This NBC News article discusses the mystery in more detail.
Dr. Amanda Miller, associate professor of sociology, was quoted in a New York Times article talking about Feeld, a “kink- and queer-friendly” dating app. Miller explains Feeld’s target market and how the app appeals to them.
Are you a UIndy faculty or staff member who was recently featured in the media? Let the Office of Communications and Marketing know at newsdesk@uindy.edu to be included in the next monthly update.