Stetson In the News
September 29-October 5
Top Stories
Stetson University, along with five other universities, won EC-Council's Academic Circle of Excellence award, as reported by multiple news outlets. The award recognizes excellence in cybersecurity education, with the criteria being the commitment to educate and make a difference in the cybersecurity workforce, student feedback on EC-Council courses and faculty, evaluation reports post class, student engagement, ratio of students who move on to test out on EC-Council certifications, volume of students educated in cybersecurity, and continuous program development. Valrie Chambers, CPA, Ph.D., associate professor of accounting, edited the article, "Filing 'optional' partnership return costly," in The Tax Advisor. The article began: "Married couples that jointly own a business often by default choose to treat the business as a partnership, which requires the business to file a partnership return. However, in many cases, treating the business as a partnership and filing partnership returns is optional. A recent Tax Court case highlights how a married couple's choice to treat a co-owned business as a partnership can work to their detriment." Jason Evans, Ph.D., associate professor of environmental science and studies at Stetson, was quoted in the Daytona Beach News-Journal article, "Did a warming climate make Florence worse? Maybe, scientists say." Evans was posed the question, "Can Florence's impacts — especially the up to three feet of rain over three days — be directly linked to a warming climate and rising seas?" His response: "There's an active debate. Of course, everyone wants to know the answer. There are scientists who say you can do the attribution and scientists who say you can't." The article’s conclusion: "Practitioners must use their professional judgment when presented with a new business operation that is owned by a married couple. A careful weighing of the potential risks and rewards when advising whether to prepare a separate partnership tax return is important." Christopher Ferguson, Ph.D., professor of psychology, was quoted in the article "More Evidence Video Games May Trigger Aggression in Kids." Ferguson said: "Every parent knows their kid best. They have to use their best judgment." Law Professor Rebecca C. Morgan wrote the Elder Law Prof Blog "Financial Caregivers Now Can Request Security Freezes." Also, Morgan wrote the Elder Law Prof Blog "Reminiscence Therapy and Adult Day Care," along with the Elder Law Prof Blog "Medicare Advantage Costs Dropping," among others.
Other News:
Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy is quoted in the Huffington Post article, "Corporations Are Striking Back On Ballot Initiatives." Torres-Spelliscy pointed out that petition-gatherers are not under oath, so charging them with lying would be nearly impossible. Plus, she added, in 2014 the Supreme Court affirmed the right of political campaigns to lie, arguing that government bodies cannot be tasked with separating fact from fiction — with the court indicating that public debate is a better way to inform voters than regulation. New York Times reported that five Stetson Law professors signed the letter, "The Senate Should Not Confirm Kavanaugh," which was to be presented to the Senate on Oct. 4. The opinion letter was headlined "The Senate Should Not Confirm Kavanaugh."
Alumni:
New York Mets pitcher and former Hatter standout Jacob deGrom finished the season with the lowest Earned Run Average(ERA) in Major League Baseball. He is a leading candidate for the National League’s Cy Young Award, emblematic of "best pitcher." His success has been widely reported internationally. Stetson alumnus Stacey Morris published an article in Seeking Alpha about escalating ethane prices. Headline of the article was "Escalating Ethane Prices And The Implications For MLPs And Midstream." Morris is director of Energy Research at Alerian, which equips investors to make informed decisions about Master Limited Partnerships and energy infrastructure. Kelly Dawson was appointed to senior vice president of Human Resources of Border States, an electric-utility company. In that role, Dawson leads the department and generally provides vision, direction and leadership for the employee-owned company's talent strategy. The Imperial Valley News reports that U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed law alumna Shadee M. Star, an immigration judge, to begin hearing cases in October 2018. Gray-Robinson reports that law alumnus Stephen K. Tilbrook was named chair-elect designate of Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. Amnesty International reports that law alumna Becky Farrar has been elected chair of Amnesty International USA board of directors. Law alumnus Will Robinson is quoted in the Herald-Tribune article, "Florida State Rep. District 71: Q&A with Will Robinson." Law alumnus Ben Braun is quoted in the Herald-News article, "Candidate Questionnaire: Ben Braun." Daily Record reports that law alumna Cheryl L. Worman is a board-certified construction lawyer and serves on the firm's board of directors. Herald-Tribune reports that law alumnus Steven Brownlee has joined the community board of Florida State University College of Medicine, Sarasota campus. Orlando Sentinel reports that law alumnus Roy Stevenson is running for the seat 3 on the Tavares City Council.
September 21-27
Top Stories
Stetson University reported its largest-ever undergraduate enrollment this fall, with 3,150 students, a 2.1 percent increase over last year. That total includes 895 new students, the second-biggest entering class for the DeLand university, as reported in the article, Stetson University reports largest-ever enrollment by The Orlando Sentinel. Several other media outlets reported the same news. Psychology professor Christopher Ferguson, Ph.D., was quoted in the article "China to Issue Rules for Treating Adolescent Web Addiction" in Yi Cai Global, a financial news group based in Shanghai. Ferguson said, "There was a fairly widespread concern that this is a diagnosis that doesn't really have a very solid research foundation." Ferguson also wrote an opinion in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, "Diversity's goals can sometimes sow division." Former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy announced he will do volunteer work with Stetson in the article, "Former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy is at a crossroads over next step" from the Daily News Journal. Stuart Michelson, Ph.D., Roland and Sarah George Professor of Finance, was quoted in the Orlando Sentinel's article, "SeaWorld pays $5 million over bogus 'Blackfish' spin — and maybe got off easy". "I don't think the SEC does this often enough," said Michelson about the SEC's fine of Sea World. Paul J. Croce, Ph.D., professor of history and director of American studies, wrote an article on the late psychologist William James on the online History News Network. K.C. Ma, Ph.D., director of the Roland George Investments Program at Stetson, was quoted in an article Sept. 25 by U.S. News & World Report, "3 Dividend Stocks to Buy in October." Ma discussed the financial history of the Summit Midstream Partners (SMLP) stock. Law Professor Peter Lake is quoted in the Sept. 22 Wall Street Journal article, "Colleges, Buffeted by Courts and Washington, Navigate Sexual Assault." Lake is quoted in the Sept. 24 Harvard Crimson article, "Harvard's Capital Campaign Shows Enduring Support for Higher Ed, Growing Financial Gap Between Schools." He is quoted in the Forbes 24 article, "The Rich Get Richer: Harvard."
Other News:
Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy wrote the Sept. 18 Brennan Center for Justice article, "The Hottest Tool in Campaign Finance Law Enforcement Today Is More Than 100 Years Old." The Sept. 24 Mercer News reports that Professor Torres- Spelliscy will be on a panel at the Mercer Law Review Symposium on "Corporate Law in the Trump Era" to be held on Oct. 5. Law Professor Rebecca C. Morgan wrote the Sept. 20 Elder Law Prof Blog, "Issue Brief: Older Adults, Legal Services & Disaster Assistance." She wrote the Sept. 23 Elder Law Prof Blog, "Kicked Out of ALF?" Law alumnus Mike Boryla is quoted in The Sept. 22 Denver Post article, "Embittered by NFL, former Pro Bowl QB living in Castle Rock writes plays about 'psychopathic blood sport' he now hates."
Alumni:
Stetson alumnus Henry Brown was selected as the Jacksonville 2020 Chamber Chair. "Whether it's promoting downtown development to advocating for important policy issues, JAX Chamber is leading to make Jacksonville a city where businesses want to invest and where people choose to live," Brown said. The Sept. 25 Herald Chronicle reports that Law alumnus Alan Parrish has been appointed as Director of Client Learning for Agency Services in the Southeast Region. Stetson alumnus Rob Wagner, executive vice president at Brown & Brown Insurance of Florida, was appointed to the board of the Southwest Chapter of the American Red Cross. The Sept. 26 Space Coast Daily reports that Law alumnus Bryan Lober has been endorsed by Sheriff Wayne Ivey for Brevard County Commission District 2 Seat.
September 14-20
Top Stories
Jason Evans, Ph.D., associate professor of environmental science and studies at Stetson, was quoted in "How one North Carolina town stayed dry during Florence," in the Christian Science Monitor. Swan Quarter stayed largely dry during the hurricane, thanks to a dike built despite political differences in town. "Working in Swan Quarter, flooding is not an ideological issue there. It is a way of life. Same with sea level rise. People have watched it happen within that lived environment. If you watch forests turn to marshland and the roads flood, the politics fade away," said Evans, who worked on the dike project. A sinkhole that opened on Stetson University's DeLand campus received widespread coverage by media, including the Orlando Sentinel and the Daytona Beach News-Journal. The sinkhole opened in an empty field, owned by Stetson, near the DeLand House Museum. The sinkhole was later filled in. Christopher Ferguson, Ph.D., professor of psychology, was mentioned in the article, "Increasing Number Of Couples Divorcing Over Video Game Fortnite," on The Daily Wire. "Video game addiction might be a real thing," wrote Ferguson and another researcher about a recent study concerning gaming disorder. "But it is not the epidemic that some have made it out to be," as only about 1 percent of the general population suffer from the addiction. Chris Ferguson, Ph.D., professor of psychology, wrote an opinion piece for the New York Daily News on Sept. 19, entitled "Never mind the panic; the jury’s out on kids and screen time." K.C. Ma, Ph.D., CFA, director of Roland George Investments Program, was quoted in the story, Artificial Intelligence Stocks 2017, in Boston Commons High Tech Network on Sept. 14. The story noted that Stetson's Roland George Investments Program launched a new stock index on Artificial Intelligence. "The stocks in the Artificial Intelligence Index will be first in its kind to directly invest in the pure play companies in Artificial Intelligence," he said. Stetson University appeared in three rankings by U.S. News & World Report, including fifth as best Regional University in the South, No. 3 as Best College for Veterans and No. 17 Best Value School, according to The Minaret Online, the University of Tampa's student news source. Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy was a guest on the Sept. 19 MPRnews, "How the #MeToo era might make a difference for who's the next Supreme Court justice." Law Professor Louis Virelli was quoted in the Sept. 15 Tampa Bay Times, "Romano: Rick Scott's do-it-yourself guide to rigging a Supreme Court." A video of Jason Evans, Ph.D., associate professor of environmental science and studies at Stetson, was featured as part of an editorial, "Get past platitudes on water supply: Another view," Sept. 16 on TCPalm.com. Evans monitors and inventories stormwater sewers for the city of Satellite Beach and other areas.
Other News:
K.C. Ma, Ph.D., also wrote two articles on seekingalpha.com this week: What Tesla Has To Do To Raise $2 Billion Capital and Micron Price Should Not Drop After Q4 Earnings. Stetson students in a British Literature I course are working with students at Florida Southern College this semester to transcribe selected manuscripts for a class project, according to The Southern: Florida Southern College. The project allows students from both Stetson and FSC to work together to learn more about manuscript culture before the invention of the printing press. Stetson University is mentioned in a story about Edward Larson, author of the 1998 Pulitzer-Prize winning book on the Scopes Trial, "Summer for the Gods." The article on Before It's News mentions that Larson gave lectures on the creation-evolution debate at Stetson. Alumnus George Mitcheson was included in a story in the Tampa Bay Times on Sept. 14 about being the first in line when Publix opened a new store in St. Petersburg. The story notes Mitcheson majored in business at Stetson and worked at Carnation before starting his own company, Native Sun Sports, a promotional company he still runs. Stetson University is mentioned in the story, Jacksonville's Bruce Horovitz has written a Gamble Rogers biography, in the Florida Times-Union and Jacksonville.com. Rogers, a revered Florida folksinger/storyteller, briefly attended Stetson as an undergraduate student. The Sept. 14 The American Bar Association reports that Stetson Law will serve as one of the 11 regional hosts for the 2018-2019 American Bar Association's Client Counseling Competition season. Law Professor Rebecca C. Morgan wrote the Sept. 17 Elder Law Prof Blog, "Hospitals Selling Insurance?" Professor Morgan wrote the Sept. 18 Elder Law Prof Blog, "Two Blogs You Don't Want to Miss." Law Professor Morgan wrote the Sept. 19 Elder Law Prof Blog, "Issue Brief: Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes." Alumna Stacey Morris wrote an article for Seeking Alpha, entitled "Water In The (Mid)Stream: How Water Flows Generate Cash Flows," on Sept. 19. Morris graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Stetson University.
Alumni:
Betty Hensinger, who attended Stetson between 1999 and 2001, recently was included in the Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, according to Business News Articles. Alumna Helmi Banta has been selected for the 2019 Board of Governors for Newfields, according to Inside Indiana Business. Banta earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Stetson. The Sept. 13 Stanford News reports that law alumna Jill Thomas will serve as the Title IX coordinator and director of equity investigations. The Sept. 17 Trenam Law announced that law alumnus Richard A. Bruner, Jr.; Patrick M. Causey; and Catherine DiPaolo have been elevated to shareholder. The Sept. 17 Gulfshore Business Daily reports that FisherBroyles, LLP has added law alumnus Charles (Chuck) Geitner as a partner and litigator in the firm’s Naples office. The Sept. 20 BizWire Express reports that law alumna Traci McKee was sworn in as President of Florida Defense Lawyers Association.
September 8-13
Top Stories
Stetson University was ranked fifth among the Best Regional Universities in the South, according to U.S. News & World Report's top 300 national college and university rankings for 2019. Stetson also was ranked third among 51 schools listed as the best colleges for veterans. The rankings were reported by The Daytona Beach News-Journal, Orlando Business Journal and numerous other media outlets. New York Mets pitcher and Stetson alumnus Jacob deGrom was profiled in "A Deeper Look at the Cy Young Season of Jacob deGrom" on sportsmedia101.com. "deGrom's brilliant season shouldn't be ignored considering how much his team has struggled this year," the article said about the former Hatter's prospects of winning Major League Baseball's top award for pitchers. USA Today reported that deGrom set an MLB record by allowing no more than three runs in 26 starts. Sam Friedman, the first Hillel director at Stetson, wrote the article "A great beginning for Hillel at Stetson – L'Shana Tova and go Hatters!" on the website of Heritage Florida Jewish News. "Excellent Hillels develop excellent students, who foster excellence on campus, and it's inspiring to watch an excellent Hillel develop at Stetson," Friedman wrote. Friedman also was cited in "New Year's greeting from Central Florida Hillel" in Heritage Florida Jewish News. Chris Ferguson, Ph.D., professor of Psychology, was quoted in the article "Video Game Addiction Is Real and Professionals Aren't Prepared to Help" on newscaf.com. "Undoubtedly some people overdo games just as they overdo food, sex, work, dance, etc., but there's no real rationale for an independent gaming disorder diagnosis," Ferguson said. Ferguson also was quoted in "'Warfield Widows' Say This Game Is Ruining Their Marriages" on agriculturalinformation4u.blogspot.com. Stetson's Roland George Investments Program was featured in the article "How a Stetson University program is creating next-gen investors" on the website of the Orlando Business Journal and Tampa Bay Business Journal Online. Law Professor Charles Rose was quoted in the Sept. 6 Daily Magazine article "With parking-lot shooting, Florida 'stand your ground' law takes the stand." The Legislature "shifted the burden of proof in a pre-trial hearing from the defense to the prosecution," Rose said. "That leaves the possibility that if you indict someone and it doesn't hold up during the hearing, then you may be facing an allegation of false imprisonment by the individual who was asserting stand your ground."
Other News
Law professor Rebecca C. Morgan wrote the Sept. 6 Elder Law Prof Blog "Is There Such a Thing As Rational Suicide?" She also wrote the Sept. 9 Elder Law Prof Blog "ECHO MOLST," the Sept. 10 Elder Law Prof Blog "How Retirement of Baby Boomer Business Owners Will Affect Employees" and the Sept. 11 Elder Law Prof Blog "Stetson's 20th Annual SNT Planning Conference." Law professor Peter Lake was quoted in the September 7 Waco Tribune-Herald article "Baylor legal fees skyrocket amid investigations, lawsuits related to sexual assault." Professor Lake is quoted in the Legal Intelligencer article "Are Law Schools Increasingly Acting as a Minor Judiciary, Holding Quasi-Trials?" He also is quoted in the Campus Safety Magazine article "Baylor Legal Fees Rise After Sexual Assault Lawsuits." Law professor Irene Sullivan was quoted in the September 7 Fox News article "Details of Florida boy's short, troubled life emerge." The late Stetson art professors Louis and Elsie Freund, who established the gallery/art studio Florida CraftArt in St. Petersburg, were cited in "25 Best Things to Do in St. Petersburg, Florida" on vacationidea.com. K.C. Ma, Ph.D., CFA, director of Roland George Investments Program, wrote three articles on seekingalpha.com: "Intel, AMD, Nvidia: A 3-Way Valuation," "What's Happened To Micron Technology Lately?" and "Should Micron Buy Back Stock As Soon As Possible?" Stetson’s Christmas Candlelight Concerts were featured in an article on capitalsoup.com. The digital portraits of international students in the exhibit "Anni Holm: The Immigration Project" are composed of the fingerprints of each subject, resulting in a pixilated look."Anni Holm: The Immigration Project," an exhibit at the Hand Art Center, was featured in "Multimedia Exhibit Explores Impact of 9/11 Terrorist Attacks on U.S. Immigration" on capital soup.com. Stetson was cited in the article "JUULing, vaping, mods: More teens attracted to e-cigarettes" on the website of The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Stetson student Jessica Kamuche received a scholarship from U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, according to crossroadsnews.com. Stetson's AFROTC program was cited on news.erau.edu and Firetrench Aerospace & Defence. A lecture on geriatric mental health by Dr. Dan Hale, former Professor of Clinical Psychology at Stetson, was cited on avenuenews.com. Stetson's presence at the upcoming inaugural Performing Arts College Fair at the Straz Center in Tampa was cited in the Tampa Bay Times. Stetson was cited in the article "Sky's the Limit in the Southeast" on sportstravelmagazine.com. Former Stetson administrator Tina Calderone as appointed to Seminole State's District Board of Trustees, according to seminolestate.edu. Stuart Michelson, Ph. D., Roland and Sarah George Professor of Finance and Chair of Finance, was quoted in an "Ask the Experts" segment of a wallethub.com article on American Express. "The American Express brand is stronger than ever," Michelson said.
Alumni News
Alumna Karen Wiggins, director of the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center, was featured in the article "Many entertainment groups call Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center home" on tcpalm.com. Alumna Stacey Morris, Director of Energy Research at Alerian, wrote the article "With the U.S. Exporting 20% of Its Oil Production, What Midstream Companies Could Benefit?" on seekingalpha.com. Alumnus Dan Tibbetts was inducted posthumously into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame, according to Cayman iNews and caymancompass.com. Alumnus Bryan C. Hinmon, CFA, wrote the article "Outperforming Through Independent Thinking and a Long-Term Mindset" on twst.com. Alumnus and U.S. attorney Byung J. Pak was profiled in "U.S. Attorney BJ Pak to speak during Constitution Day" on clayton.edu. FisherBroyles, LLP, announced that law alumnus Charles Geitner has been added as partner and litigator in the firm's Naples office. The Sept. 7 Gray-Robinson reports that law alumnus Andy Mayts has been elected vice chair of the Hillsborough County Children’s Board. The Sept. 10 Trenam Law announced that law alumna Alicia H. Koepke has been appointed co-practice group leader of the firm's Commercial Litigation Group.
September 1-7
Top Stories
Hari Pulapaka, associate professor of mathematics at Stetson and renowned chef, was featured in The Daytona Beach News- Journal on Sept. 6 in "DeLand's acclaimed Cress Restaurant marks 10 years." The restaurant switched to an events-only format last year and may return to regular hours in the future, if owners Pulapaka and his wife, Jenneffer Pulapaka, can find help. "As a chef and a cook, ultimately, I'm not done. I seem to have found a new energy," Hari Pulapaka said. Clay Henderson, executive director of the Stetson Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience, was quoted in The Daytona Beach News-Journal and the St. Augustine Record for the story, "Florida springs plans on hold until 2019." Henderson said, "I am hopeful that this will give all the interested parties a chance to tweak the rules in the meantime." Law Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy is quoted in the Aug. 31 Law360, "In State Farm Trial, Veiled Donations May Stroke Juror Anger." Professor Torres-Spelliscy is quoted in the Sept. 3 Huffington Post, "Here's What Experts Would Ask Brett Kavanaugh At His SCOTUS Confirmation Hearing." Stetson’s Hand Art Center was included in "Orlando Arts Season Preview 2018-19: Art" in the Orlando Sentinel on Sept. 6. The section listed six exhibits at Hand Art Center through May 2019. Chris Ferguson, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Stetson, was interviewed on Spectrum News 13's In Depth on Sept. 4 about the recent mass shooting at a video game competition in Jacksonville. "There is evidence to suggest that competition can increase aggressiveness, but that's true for lots of different things. It’s true for real football," he said. The mother of former Stetson student and football player Nick Blakely has started a foundation in his honor, according to WAGA- TV Online Fox 5 in Gwinnett County, Georgia, and other media outlets. Smiling Hearts: The Nick Blakely Foundation works to raise awareness about the signs of sudden cardiac arrest and what to do in those situations. Law Professor Peter Lake is quoted in the Sept. 4 Diverse Education, "Guns on College Campuses Debate Ushers in New School Year." Professor Lake is quoted in the September 6 Columbia Spectator, "Leaked DeVos rules could trigger drastic changes in Columbia’s sexual assault policies."
Other News:
Stetson University was mentioned in a story on the Financial Wire about new commander, U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Patla, taking over for the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 157 on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Daytona Beach Campus, which also includes cadets at Stetson. Stetson University will attend the Straz Center's inaugural Performing Arts College Fair on Sept. 30 in Tampa, and meet with students interested in pursuing college degrees in such areas as theater or music, according to School Notes in the Tampa Bay Times Online Sept. 3. Lynn Bria, the most successful women's head coach in Stetson University history, will be one of the featured speakers at the Florida Association of Basketball Coaches annual clinic at Bishop Moore on Sept. 8, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Law Professor Rebecca C. Morgan wrote the Aug. 30 Elder Law Prof Blog, "Rep Payee Reviews." Professor Morgan wrote the Sept. 4 Elder Law Prof Blog, "Podcast about Brooke Astor Case." She wrote the Sept. 5 Elder Law Prof Blog, "Rituals for the Death of Residents in LTC Facilities." The Sept. 6 24-7PressRelease reports in multiple national media outlets that two new professors, Professor Andrew Appleby and Professor Anne E. Mullins, have joined Stetson University College of Law. Kenneth L. Stilson, former assistant professor of Communication Studies and Theatre Arts at Stetson, recently had the 12th edition of his textbook, "Acting is Believing," ranked number one on Ezvid Wiki's "Top 10 Acting Textbooks of 2018." Stilson is now chair of The Jeanine Larson Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre and Dance at Southeast Missouri State University, according to the university's website. Four Leesburg High School students in Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps (JROTC) have received scholarships to Stetson, according to Lake & Summer Style. Three of the students, Katia Baita, Sarah Munnigh, and Connor Smith, were awarded three- year Army ROTC Scholarships. Doreen Barrett, another Air Force Junior ROTC student was presented with a one-year scholarship. Stetson student Jessica Kamuche received a scholarship of $8,200 from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, according to Gwinnett Daily Post in Georgia on Sept. 1. Samantha Kaye, a student at Stetson, received a $5,000 scholarship from the John M. Shank Memorial Scholarship Fund, awarded to students who are employees or children of employees of Johnstone Supply, according to Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News Online on Sept. 3.
Alumni:
Alumnus Tim Ballesteros has joined MORE Health, a medical co-diagnosis and second opinion global healthcare company, as a regional vice president, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Online, DMN Newswire and numerous other media outlets. Ballesteros lives in DeLand, home of his alma mater, where he played baseball, according to the reports. Alumna Helmi Banta has been selected for the 2019 Board of Governors for Newfields, a Place for Nature and the Arts, which includes the Indianapolis Museum of Art, according to ArtDaily.org. Banta earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Stetson. The Aug. 31 Veterans Resources reports that Law alumnus Jim Byrne has been named VA Acting Deputy Secretary. The Sept. 1 Tampa Bay Reporter reports that Law alumnus Chris Hunter, who is running for the District 12 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, has set a fundraiser for Sept. 7. The Sept. 5 Channel 8 Eyewitness News reports that Law alumnus Fred S. Ridley has been appointed as an independent director to Starwood Property Trust, Inc. Board of Directors. Troy Henninger, who earned a certificate of advanced study in educational leadership from Stetson, has become a school principal, according to the Portland Press Herald and other media outlets in Maine.