The Latest from The Conversation

From left to right: Rodney Coates, Michael Crowder, Stephen Norris, and Anne Whitesell 

• Rodney Coates (Global and Intercultural Studies) published his eighth article for The Conversation, about his personal experience with protests during the Vietnam War and racial unrest in the U.S. He then also co-authored his ninth article (with Lee Banville) recapping the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris on Sept 10.
• Michael Crowder (Chemistry and Biochemistry) explains the chemistry behind decaffeinating coffee in his latest article for The Conversation. He also discussed his findings as a featured guest on the WKRC Local 12 "Healthy Innovations" program with Liz Bonis.
• Stephen Norris (History; Havighurst Center for Russian and Post-Soviet Studies) published an article in The Conversation highlighting how the Soviet media downplayed the D-Day invasion during WWII.
• Matthew Smith (History) wrote an article for The Conversation about the city of Middletown and the novel “Hillbilly Elegy,” written by Middletown native and Republican presidential running mate JD Vance.
• Anne Whitesell (Political Science) wrote an article for The Conversation on the actions of anti-abortion activists in a post-Roe-era, ranging from enforcement of trigger laws to ballot initiatives. She also weighed in on FOX-WXIX about President Joe Biden dropping out of the race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.

Other Faculty Accomplishments

From left to right: Phillip Arceneaux, Claire McLeod, Michele Navakas, Jazma Sutton 

• Phillip Arceneaux (Media, Journalism, and Film) is the program director of Miami's Diplomacy Lab, a partnership between the Department of State and dozens of U.S. colleges and universities to tackle complex global challenges.
• Ryan Barrilleaux (Political Science) was interviewed by CNN about how the expectations of politician virtues have changed from 1976 with Jimmy Carter to the present day.
• Wietse de Boer (Phillip R. Shriver Professor of History) was awarded a 2024-25 National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship at the Newberry Library in Chicago, where he will complete his book, The Windows of the Soul: Sensory Culture and Religious Conflict in Early Modern Italy.
• David Gorchov (Biology) is quoted in a story on deer management programs in Oxford, as well as Miami's own efforts to minimize the negative impacts of deer overpopulation.
• Kimberly Hamlin (History) was quoted in a Lansing State Journal article on Miss USA's history, scandals, and recent resignations.
• CAPT Jeffrey Lamphear (Navy ROTC Commanding Officer) was the keynote speaker at the highly anticipated dedication and groundbreaking ceremony for the USS Cincinnati Memorial at Voice of America. Watch the video and see the coverage from Cincinnati's FOX 19.
• Claire McLeod (Geology and Environmental Earth Science) was awarded the 2024 Early Career Mentor Award from the Geosciences Division of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR).
• Cricket Meehan (Center for School-Based Mental Health Programs) appeared in the PBS series "A World of Difference," featuring a student coping with learning disabilities and anxiety. Meehan shares strategies for helping children navigate these challenges and building confidence.
• Michele Navakas (English) has been honored with the Danish Distinguished Scholar Award in American Studies, which is one of the most competitive of the Fulbright Scholar Awards.
• TaraShea Nesbit (English)’s novel Beheld has been listed on the New York Times Book Review’s Best Books Since 2000.
• Rosemary Pennington (Media, Journalism, and Film) was interviewed for The Revealer podcast for her new book, Pop Islam: Seeing American Muslims in Popular Media. Rosemary is also the new chair of her department.
• Jazma Sutton (History) was awarded the 2024-2025 Lloyd Lewis Fellow in American History at the Newberry Library. During her residency, she will work to complete a book project, Moving toward Freedom: Black Women, Freedom, and Early Migration in Antebellum Indiana, which is the first historical survey of Black women in the antebellum Midwest.

In Memoriam

Ron Wiley '59, former professor of Zoology

Wiley, a physiologist, developed a handgrip device to control blood pressure. He helped recruit athletes for nearly every sport at Miami, served on the Athletic Advisory Board and the Hall of Fame/Cradle of Coaches Committee.

Robert DiDonato, former professor of German

DiDonato was a "force of nature" – energetic, supportive, and inspiring in his roles as chair and professor. He was a true agent of change, always brimming with new ideas to improve teaching, elevate the national and international visibility of Miami's language programs, and modernize our disciplinary fields. Please give to the GRAMELAC study abroad scholarship fund in his name.