Media Watch (April 25-May 2, 2005)

"Media Watch" is a round-up of recent stories in the media about the University of Hartford, as well as significant stories about other local and peer institutions and news about trends and issues in higher education.

News of University alumnus Tim Petrovic’s first victory on the PGA Tour was carried in dozens of media outlets throughout the country. Petrovic made a 19-foot birdie putt on the final hole of regulation, parred the first playoff hole to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. “It’s not quite as good as the Red Sox story, but it’s close,” said Petrovic, 38, a fan of the World Series champions. “It only took me 14 years to get out here, and the emotions are just crazy.” The touernament was broadcast live on CBS. (Hartford Courant, May 2)

The Hartford Courant published a full-page photo essay on the “All-Live 2” event held at WWUH Radio on April 6. For 12 hours, everything on WWUH-FM was live, including all musical performances, interviews and announcements. The essay featured five color photographs capturing some of the spontaneity of the live broadcasting. (Hartford Courant, May 2)

A front-page story in the Hartford Courant, covering an event celebrating noted activist and Yale Chaplain William Sloane Coffin, Jr., included comments from Warren Goldstein, chair of the University of Hartford’s history department and author of a recently published biography on Coffin’s live and times. Goldstein also took part in a panel discussion that was part of the celebration. (The original story misidentified Goldstein, but the Courant published a correction the next day.) (Hartford Courant, April 29, April 30)

Jilda Aliotta, chair of the politics and government department at the university, was quoted in a story by the Hartford Courant’s Washington, D.C. bureau chief on why Congress is failing to tackle the major issues facing the country. She noted that congressional leaders and the political parties are eagerly pushing the more controversial agenda as a means to an end that they dearly want. “It looks like the 2006 campaign has begun, if not the 2008 campaign,” she said. (Hartford Courant, April 26)

Ryan Williams, a member of the university’s women’s softball team, was the subject of a feature article on the front page of the Hartford Courant’s “Sports” section. Williams was diagnosed in January of 2004 with multiple sclerosis. The story noted that “in the classroom, Williams is an honor student. She had a 4.0 grade-point average last semester. Williams, from Gilbertsville, Pa., recently moved from shortstop to left field because of a shoulder injury to the starter, her third position this season. Two weekends ago she hit two homers in a doubleheader.” (Hartford Courant, April 28)

Nikki Segal, an MBA student at the university who won the graduate student category in the eighth annual “You Belong in Connecticut Business Plan Competition,” was featured in a story in the Hartford Business Journal. She was quoted talking about her idea for establishing “Two Pigs Brewery,” a microbrewery business. The article also included a photograph of Segal and her display booth. (Hartford Business Journal, May 2)

The opening of an exhibition of work by internationally renowned neon light artist Keith Sonnier, that kicked off with an artist’s reception in Joseloff Gallery on April 29, was a highlighted item in the “Cal” section. (Hartford Courant, April 28)

A preview of the performance by Kenny White as part of the MUSIC for a CHANGE benefit concert series at the university was a highlighted item in the “Cal” section, as well as a mention in the column by the music critic. (Hartford Courant, April 28)

A forum on the dramatic amount of activity taking place in eastern Connecticut’s construction market was presented by the Construction Institute. “The Construction Institute, which is a non-partisan research group for the building trades based at the University of Hartford, holds regional forums on the construction industry across the state, and the April 27 event attracted a broad mix of public officials, private contractors, developers and investors,” noted the story. (The Day, New London, April 28)

The groundbreaking ceremony for the university’s $10 million Home Field Advantage campaign was covered by several media outlets. (West Hartford News, April 28)

Sharon Shepela, a professor of psychology in Hillyer College, was interviewed by Harry Smith of the CBS “Early Show” to talk about her reaction to the election of the new pope. Shepela, who is with the liberal Catholic group, Call to Action, said her organization “has been following [Pope Benedict the 16th’s] career in Rome, and has seen that he has been very authoritarian, and has been responsible for suppressing debate within the church. (CBS Early Show, April 20)

USA Network is starting a new show called “The Good Life of Golf Superstars” that will feature a segment on university alum and PGA Tour member Jerry Kelly. Hosted by “TODAY” co-host and avid golfer Matt Lauer, the show will also feature segments on Greg Norman, Mike Weir, and Peter Jacobson. (MikeWeir.com, May 2)

The lead item in the Hartford Courant’s golf column was about Dave Gunas, who is an alum of the university and was a teammate of Jerry Kelly, Tim Petrovic and Pat Sheehan. Gunas has started “Barefoot Challenge,” a putting competition being held at 100 courses nationwide, to raise funds in the battle against autism. He’ll be at Gillette Ridge Golf Club in Bloomfield on May 21, Blue Fox Run Golf Club in Avon on July 23, Tunxis Plantation Country Club in Farmington on Sept. 17, and Great River Golf Club in Milford on Oct. 8. (Hartford Courant, April 28)

Rob Jachym, the former University of Hartford All-American who went on to play Major League Soccer, was recently inducted in the Wallingford Boys & Girls Club Alumni Hall of Fame. Jachym now coaches soccer at Wethersfield High School. (Meriden Record-Journal, April 26)

Other News

Presidents of private colleges do well to keep close ties with trustees, in good times and in bad, according to an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education that featured Claire Gaudiani, former president of Connecticut College, and Richard Hersh and Jimmy Jones, the former and current presidents of Trinity College, respectively. When turmoil strikes, whether student unrest or faculty votes of no confidence, the strength of a relationship with the governing board often determines whether the president will keep his job, and for how long. (Chronicle of Higher Education, May 6)

Fairfield University administrators are raising tuition and room and board next year by close to 6 percent. At the University of Bridgeport, there will be a 5.2 percent increase in tuition, room and board for full-time undergraduates. Trustees at Sacred Heart University next Friday are set to approve an overall increase of 6.8 percent for fulltime residential undergraduates. (Connecticut Post, May 2)

Since being named president at the University of Connecticut in 1996, Philip Austin has presided over an unprecedented transformation of the university. He also had to confront a string of controversies this year, including investigations of UConn’s campus construction program and ethical questions surrounding officials who swapped athletic tickets for cars. (Hartford Courant, May 1)

University of Connecticut President Philip Austin wrote an editorial about how the university’s accomplishments should not be obscured by the Hartford Courant’s recent stories that give the impression that UConn is a university run amok. (Hartford Courant, May 1)

Mitchell College will begin offering a postgraduate year of study for high school students this fall in a program called the Thames Academy designed to give high school graduates an additional year to prepare for college. Students who complete the academy would receive a Certificate of Study and would be eligible for up to 18 transferable college credits. (The Day, New London, April 28)

Naugatuck Valley Community College will offer hybrid courses, which combine traditional lectures in class with online instruction. These courses are for students who require the flexibility that comes with online distance learning—but still want face-to-face interaction with instructors and classmates. (Town News, April 28)

A settlement conference is scheduled Thursday in Bridgeport’s U.S. District Court, in a federal Title IX lawsuit a woman filed against her former Norwalk Community College professor and the school. The suit was filed in November by a woman who alleges Ronald Masi of Norwalk sexually harassed and sexually assaulted her in February 2004 while she was taking his criminal justice class at NCC. (Stamford Advocate, April 25)

Faced with a dwindling congregation and a dramatic drop in student participation, Battell Chapell on Yale University’s campus will no longer be affiliated with the United Church of Christ. Battell will now offer ecumenical, or non-denominational, Christian services, a decision has upset a number of Battell regulars. (Newsday, April 30)

Sixteen community college students were honored during an All-Connecticut Academic Team Awards ceremony at the state Capitol that recognized their scholarly achievements, leadership accomplishments and community service activities. The students also represented the state in the All-USA Academic Team Competition and each plans to attend a four-year college or university in the fall. (Hartford Courant, April 30)

Across the country, colleges are offering perks to attract college students. As high school seniors are receiving college acceptance letters this spring, amenities are becoming a factor in their decisions. (Hartford Courant, April 30)

The strike that has shut down the main campus of the University of Puerto Rico for three weeks appears set to continue indefinitely, after an emergency meeting of students Tuesday ended in chaos. University officials have suspended graduation at the Río Piedras campus in San Juan, where the strike over a planned tuition increase has stopped classes, jeopardized current research and threatened future funding. (Hartford Courant, April 27)

Acceptance letters in hand, thousands of high school students are wrestling with final college decisions. Academics, financial aid and even athletics will tip the balance for many. But many also are struggling with a question they can no longer postpone: Do I want to go away to school, or stay close to friends and family? (CNN, April 26)