Faculty, Staff and Alumni in the News – July 2025

July’s news topics included coverage of the annual summer philosophy camp, the ALEX program, federal civil servant performance, and AI in the classroom, among others. Links are provided, but some may require subscriptions to access content. Please contact Vige Barrie if you cannot open a link or do not have a subscription.

• “Military Strikes on Iran” - CNN News, July 1
  Professor of History Ty Seidule discussed the White House’s July 4 event celebrating the military’s strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
• “A Tohono O’odham family integrates Catholic and Native beliefs in the Arizona desert” – Associated Press, July 2
  Associate Professor of Religious Studies Seth Schermerhorn discussed this blend of religions. The article was published throughout the U.S.
• “The enduring magic of Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’” – Washington Post, July 7
  Professor of Music Lydia Hammesley’s book Dolly Parton’s Jolene received a positive review.
• “The Higher Education Opportunity Program Professional Organization Partners with Kaplan to Offer Free Test Prep for Students at 10 of its Campuses Across New York State” – Yahoo, July 8
  Director of Opportunity Programs Aaron Ray spoke about this program.
• “From Convicted Killer to Magazine Writer: One Prisoner’s Bid for Mercy” – The City, July 10
  Professor of Literature and Creative Writing Emeritus Doran Larson was referenced as the author’s teacher.
• “From NJ influencers to a Brazilian beatboxer, nuns are getting a pop-culture makeover” – NorthJersey.com, July 11
  Professor of Religious Studies S.B. Rodriguez-Plate discussed the fascination with and mystery of nuns. This article later appeared in outlets across the country.
• “Do Civil Servants Serve the Constitution or the President?” – I Hate Politics podcast, July 11
  Associate Professor of Sociology Jaime Kucinskas discussed her new book The Loyalty Trap.
• “8 Colleges With Four-Year On-Campus-Living Policies” – U.S. News, July 13
  Hamilton was included in this article.
• “AI is helping students be more independent, but the isolation could be career poison” – The Markup, July 16
  Professor of Sociology Emeritus Daniel Chambliss discussed this issue. The article appeared throughout the U.S.
• “The canal carried not only commerce, but much change”– Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, July 20
  Professor of Religious Studies S.B. Rodriguez-Plate discussed the impact of the Erie Canal on the nation.
• “Fortune Leadership Next: Gillian Zucker's Blueprint for Modern Sports Entertainment” – Fortune, July 21
  Gillian Zucker ’90, president of business operations of the Los Angeles Clippers, talked about her time at Hamilton during this interview.
• “A Summer Camp Where Professors Are the Focus” – Chronicle of Higher Education, July 22
  Hamilton’s Philosophy Camp, directed by Professor of Philosophy Russell Marcus, was the subject of this article.
• “How One College Aims to Help Students Fail Better” – Inside Higher Ed, July 22
  Dean of Engaged Education KinHo Chan discussed the ALEX program’s new focus on encouraging students to try new things and risk the possibility of failure.
• “13 Summer Fellows from Masonic Medical Research Institute Graduate” – WKTV (Utica NBC affiliate), July 25
  Lucas Constantine ’27, one of the summer fellows, was included in this story.
• “Why Columbia gave in to Trump’s extortion” – The Hill, July 27
  Former President Wippman coauthored this essay.
• “Special Olympics New York Announces Local Host for Summer Games” – WKTV, July 28
  Hamilton will serve as the swimming events venue for these games.
• “NY Times hires Wemple to cover media for business section” – Talking Biz News, July 30
  Erik Wemple ’86 will leave The Washington Post in September for a similar position at the Times.