Pacific in the Press | April 16, 2019

Quote of the Week

"This is simply a wonderful collection, and we are so very grateful to the Muir-Hanna family for their generous gift."

— Pamela A. Eibeck, Sierra Sun Times, April 11, 2019

Examples of how University of the Pacific was represented in the news media in recent days:

"John Muir Collection Donated to UOP Holt Atherton Archives," KFBK News Radio, April 12, 2019: Mike Wurtz, head of Pacific's Holt Atherton Special Collections and Archives, was interviewed for this story. Of Muir's most famous quote, Wurtz told KFBK: "It turns out what Muir actually wrote was, 'The mountains are calling and I must go and I will work on while I can, studying incessantly.' He wanted to understand the places he went to in the Sierra, but more importantly he wanted to work on and study and preserve these places."

"Pacific hosting weekend of events celebrating gift of John Muir papers," The Record, April 12, 2019: The celebration of the transfer of ownership of the John Muir Papers from the Muir-Hanna family to the university was advanced in this story, which included images of items from the collection. "Part of the reason for the (initial) loan (to Pacific) is the family wanted to make sure the receiving institution was going to do what they said they would," said Bill Hanna '67, Muir's great-grandson. "It also was to have control over the content of the papers in case there was anything damaging to Muir's reputation. ... They've really expanded the exposure to Muir and his ideas and have made access to the materials very, very easy. They have a lot of things you can look at online. (Digitizing the collections) is something we would not have been able to do, and they have maintained the papers, stored them and preserved them in the best way possible. They did everything we had hoped they would do." The story included a link to an online photo gallery, "Muir collection at home at Pacific."

"University of the Pacific Celebrates Muir-Hanna Family's Gift of John Muir Papers," Sierra Sun Times, April 11, 2019: Pacific President Pamela A. Eibeck was quoted in this story ahead of the celebration of the gift of the John Muir Papers by the Muir-Hanna family to the university. "This is simply a wonderful collection, and we are so very grateful to the Muir-Hanna family for their generous gift," Eibeck told the Sierra Sun Times. "This celebration is to show our deep appreciation of the family's donation and to share with the community this extraordinary news."

"University of the Pacific on John Muir: Timeless Champion of Nature," Sierra Sun Times (Mariposa), April 13, 2019: Bill Swagerty, the John Muir Center director and professor of history, authored a commentary on the importance of John Muir and how he became "The Greatest Californian." "The Muir collections at University of the Pacific have played a key role in this maturation process within the academy, as well as in reaching a much broader audience," wrote Swagerty. "Since Muir's death in 1914, more than 100 books on Muir have been published, some as overviews, others as very specialized aspects of Muir's life or his impact and contributions. ... Those who 'do Muir' seriously must find their way to Stockton if their work is to be original, comprehensive and well received. And those who do not make it to Pacific's Holt-Atherton Special Collections still benefit from the dissemination of Muir studies - a subfield that bridges the natural sciences, the humanities and the social sciences with a tag of its own - Muiriana."

"Guest view: Muir collection an education in understanding, preserving nature," The Record, April 12, 2019: Mike Wurtz, head of Pacific's Holt-Atherton Special Collections and Archives, authored a commentary on the use of the John Muir Papers in student research and as a call to action in preserving nature. "Even with all the environmental challenges we face today, we must never give up hope," wrote Wurtz. "We can emulate the spirit of John Muir and through the wonderful gift from his living descendants, we can all work together to preserve nature for future generations to love and cherish as he did. If we do not, John Muir's words may be all we have left of nature."

"Math Bragging Rights: Math Steeplechase," Good Day, Sacramento, April 12, 2019: Benerd's Gregory Potter was interviewed in this live segment about the annual Math Steeplechase hosted by Pacific in A.G. Spanos and other locations on campus. Some 900 to 1,000 fifth-graders from schools from Sacramento to Modesto attended the math and critical thinking competition. A version of the story was broadcast on Fox 40.

"Free symposium takes closer look at SEED program," The Record, April 10, 2019: The annual X-Boundaries event was highlighted in this story. The topic for this year's installment was the city's Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration (SEED) program. Intended to help alleviate poverty in Stockton, the program gives $500 debit cards each month for 18 months to 100 city residents living poverty-prone neighborhoods. Experts from around the country came to discuss the program. Communication's Qingwen Dong covered the symposium for Xinhuanews.com: "California's pioneer program of tackling poverty attracts extensive attention," Xinhuanet.com, April 15, 2019.

"University of the Pacific ranked in top 5 nationwide for renewable energy fleet," The Record, April 12, 2019: The Environment America Research and Policy Center praised Pacific for its efforts in tackling climate change with a No. 4 ranking among colleges and universities owning electric vehicles. "The colleges and universities leading the rankings are at the top of the class when it comes to tackling climate change and transitioning to clean, renewable energy sources," Bronte Payne, Environment America's 100% Renewable Campuses Campaign director, said in a statement. "Future and current students care deeply about the role higher education is playing in the fight against climate change. With this report, they now have valuable data regarding which colleges and universities are leading the charge to a renewable energy future."

"Trash-to-Class: UOP Green Fashion Show," "Good Day, Sacramento" (CW31), April 12, 2019: Kelsey Smith, Pacific's sustainability coordinator, was interviewed for a live segment on the Green Fashion Show. Various designers showed off their designs created using sustainable materials, such as organic or local textiles, natural materials like plants and plant matter, upcycled thrift store finds and garbage. The Lodi News Sentinel published a story in advance of the event: "University of the Pacific to hold Green Fashion Show," Lodi News Sentinel (paywall), April 12, 2019. Subscribers to the News Sentinel can read the story at lodinews.com.