UIndy Faculty, Staff Provide Expert Insight to Local & National Media in December
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 December:
Dr. Grant Williams, assistant professor and director of the theatre track, and Betsy McGill, director of disability resources and the BUILD program, showcased the ongoing collaboration between the two programs in creating an acting class specifically for students in the BUILD program and how it was helping teach life skills beyond the stage for a story on WXIN as well as WTHR. Both stories were syndicated in other markets around the country including KTHV in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Dr. James B. Williams, dean of the Ron and Laura Strain Honors College and associate professor of history, was interviewed alongside recent graduate Faith Kelley to discuss Kelley’s Honors College research into the hidden struggles of homelessness on WISH-TV.
Dr. Tanuja Singh and Dr. Ken Reid, associate dean and director of the R.B. Annis School of Engineering, discussed the importance of the $2 million dollar gift to establish an endowed professor of engineering position for the Daily Journal and the Indianapolis Business Journal. Singh was also quoted by both WTHR as well as WIBC after Perry Township Schools received a $40 million gift from Lilly Endowment to strengthen student achievement and career readiness—which includes funding for a new innovation facility on the UIndy campus.
Dr. Christopher Moore, professor of anthropology, explained the significance of the artifacts found near Prophetstown State Park for a feature in Archaeology Magazine.
Dr. Wendy Stoelting-Gettelfinger, associate professor and graduate program director, showcased to WRTV how the new Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program at UIndy is helping teach critical skills in a safe environment in an effort to meet an upcoming physician shortage which is forecasted to happen in another decade or two.
Dr. Ted Frantz, chair of the history department and director of the Institute of Civic Leadership, provided historical context to the Indianapolis Star for how 38th Street has served as a divider of both political power and economic power for the city of Indianapolis amid the Republican effort at the Statehouse to draw new lines for the congressional districts.
Dr. Kelly Miller, psychologist and director of the Student Counseling Center, provided expert tips for how to discuss sensitive issues and enjoy family gatherings before the holidays as part of a live interview on WXIN.
Carissa Newton, assistant professor of practice of marketing and director of the Stephen F. Fry Scholars Program, shared expert analysis about whether Fort Wayne-based Vera Bradley and its signature patterned handbags can regain relevance for a featured article in Indianapolis Monthly.
Dr. Larry Belcher, professor of finance, discussed why Central Indiana is suddenly becoming a hub for popular gas stations like Wawa, Wally’s and Buc-ee’s for WXIN.
Dr. Milind Thakar, professor of international relations and director of the graduate program, penned an op-ed about how Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India was a demonstration of strategic autonomy by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and an attempt to fight off international isolation in American Kahani.
Dr. Christopher Schmidt, chair of the anthropology department and director of the Bioarchaeology Laboratory, was the featured speaker for Science with a Twist organized by the Indiana Academy of Science.
Dr. Laura Merrifield Wilson, associate professor of political science, provided expert analysis for the Associated Press which displayed the power of partisan gerrymandering in Tennessee which was syndicated by more than 250 outlets nationwide including the Houston Chronicle and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. She discussed why Indiana redistricting was not turning into the easy slam dunk that many analysts thought on NPR’s All Things Considered which was syndicated by more than 150 stations across the country. Wilson and Dr. Gregory Shufeldt were both interviewed by WFYI after the state Republican leaders released a proposed redistricting map for congressional districts which split Marion County into four districts. Wilson shared her expertise for how that would impact the city of Indianapolis for WXIN as well as WTHR. She explained how the redistricting bill could impact Fort Wayne for WPTA. She analyzed the meaning of some Republicans remaining mum amid the redistricting debate in the Indiana Senate for a story in the Indiana Capital Chronicle which was also picked up by WTHI. She served as a featured guest for the IN Focus politics show on WXIN which is rebroadcast on other stations around the state. She discussed the impact of the downvote amendments as the Senate prepared to make a final vote on the redistricting effort for The Indiana Citizen as well as TheStatehouseFile.com. She provided expert analysis about redistricting efforts and President Donald Trump’s efforts to turn up the heat on Republican state senators for The Washington Times. She provided expert analysis to WXIN after the Indiana Senate voted down the redistricting bill.
Dr. Gregory Shufeldt, associate professor of political science, explained how the proposed congressional redistricting map would dilute Black votes for WRTV as well as analyzed how Black political power in Indianapolis was under threat due to the new maps for WFYI. He also provided expert analysis to WRTV after the Indiana Senate rejected the redrawing of congressional maps.
Dr. Matt Will, associate professor of finance, discussed various financial topics during several live interviews with Tony Katz on WIBC.
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.