Pacific in the Press | March 19, 2019

Quote of the Week

"I am honored by the opportunity to serve the university in this role."

— Michael Hunter Schwartz, The Record, March 12, 2019

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

"One year later: Will Stephon Clark's family get the justice it desires?," The Sacramento Bee,  March 18, 2019: McGeorge's John Cary Sims commented in this story about the possibility of a federal investigation into the death of Stephon Clark in an officer-involved shooting. Sims said that federal prosecutors would have to prove that the officers conspired to deprive Clark of his right to life. "My impression was that this was a gesture to the community to say we are aware of what's happened," Sims told The Bee. "This does not seem to be the type of case the federal government will ultimately do anything about." The story was distributed broadly and published by the Bakersfield Californian, Wall Walla Union-Bulletin, Hartford Courant, The Fresno Bee, Merced Sun Star, The Modesto Bee and others.

"McGeorge School of Law dean named interim provost at University of the Pacific," The Record, posted March 12, 2019: Provost Maria Pallavicini and McGeorge Dean Michael Hunter Schwartz were quoted in this story about Schwartz being named interim provost as of July 1 when Pallavicini becomes interim president upon Pam Eibeck's scheduled retirement. "I am honored by the opportunity to serve the university in this role," Schwartz told The Record. "I have yet to meet a Pacific faculty or staff colleague who is not passionate about serving our students, and I share that commitment. I am excited about the possibilities for Pacific and want to help where I can." Pallavicini added, "Dean Schwartz has been an enthusiastic and energetic leader for McGeorge during a time of significant transition."

"Kids take note: Vegetables weren't always seen as healthy," Chicago Sun Times, March 15, 2019: History's Ken Albala is quoted in this story about shifting beliefs about what foods are good for you and what are not. Apparently, peaches were to be feared at one time. "They were really afraid of peaches," Albala told the Sun Times. "If you had peaches at the end of your meal, (they thought) they would kind of float on top of your stomach. ... And they would go bad, and send fumes up to your head and cloud your thoughts."

"Open Forum: Napa County's proposed land-use rules ignore wildfire risks," San Francisco Chronicle, March 19, 2019: McGeorge's John Kirlin, the founding director of the law school's public policy program, authored an opinion piece on a land-use proposal in Napa County that does not consider wildland fires. "Wildfires are a certainty of this area. The risks must be addressed systematically in land-use decisions and management to reduce the need for fuel reduction or firefighting," Kirlin's commentary concluded.

"Stockton woman kicked out of thrift store for carrying a large purse. Is that legal?," ABC 10, March 12, 2019: McGeorge's John Myers was interviewed for this story about a Stockton woman who was kicked out of a thrift store for carrying a large purse. "Stores have a right to take reasonable measures to protect their merchandise," Myers told ABC 10. "Especially when they give clear notice of limitations. And I've looked at the sign that was outside of the store and it seems very clear to me that it says no big bags. They're not permitted to put, (or) required to put dimensions. ... And if that permission is freely given that's not a problem. If that security guard went into a bag without permission that would be a battery and they could be sued."

"Death chamber closed," KSBW (Monterey), March 13, 2019: McGeorge's Leslie Jacobs provided context in this story about Gov. Gavin Newsom's moratorium on the death penalty. "He does have the authority to give reprieves to the people who are on death row," Jacobs told KCRA3 in the original story. "So, these are temporary measures and they last during his governorship. ... We would have to see what the next governor would do." The original story on KCRA3 and an online version by KCRA.

"Vice Adm. Robert Sharp, NGA Director, Inducted Into 2019 Wash100 for His Technological Capability Advancement Vision," ExecutiveBiz.com, March 12, 2019: Navy Vice Adm. Robert "Bob" Sharp '98, director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, was named to the 2019 Wash100, Executive Mosaic's "annual selection of the most influential voices in the government contracting arena." Sharp was named to the list for "his vision to improve the agency's capabilities in its use of emerging technologies." He graduated Pacific with a degree in English.

"Women in Leadership: Selvi Stanislaus, Franchise Tax Board of California," Comstock's Magazine, March 13, 2019: McGeorge alumna Selvi Stanislaus, the executive officer of the Franchise Tax Board of California, was profiled in this feature. She earned a degree in tax law from McGeorge. "I'm proud to be the first woman to lead the Franchise Tax Board, but that's not what drives me to do the job each day," Stanislaus told Comstock's. "Instead, I'm determined to find new ways to better serve the people of California. I never forget who I ultimately answer to: the citizens of our state."

"Francke: Sunshine Week, Your Right to Know," Voice of OC, March 14, 2019: McGeorge alumnus Terry Francke, general counsel for CalAware, wrote this piece offering tips on how people can protect their rights. "You don't have to be a lawyer, lobbyist or policy wonk to make improvements in how open your city council, county supervisors, school board or special district directors' meetings are, or in public access to government information," he wrote.

"Face Of: Dr. Fahd Al-Mutairi, diplomat at the KSA's UN Mission in Geneva," Arab News, March 17, 2019: McGeorge alumnus Fahd Al-Mutairi, head of the human rights section at the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the UN in Geneva and counselor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was featured in this story. In the wake of the terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, he told Arab News, "The Kingdom has warned repeatedly of the dangers of racist rhetoric." And about those who are lenient to those who express extremism, hatred and violence, he said, "There are those who welcome these despicable speeches in some parliaments of these countries while welcoming the pretext of freedom of opinion and expression. We call on these countries to pass laws that limit racism against Muslims."

"Women of justice rule in SJ County," The Record, March 17, 2019: Alumna Helen Ellis, collaborative courts director for San Joaquin County, was among the women featured for this Women's History Month story. "You can't talk to ... a male figure like you can talk to a woman," Ellis told The Record. "They know the issues that are going on in this county, from substance-abuse issues to women who are being trafficked. We all work together as a team." The story includes mini-profiles on the county's district attorney, public defender, chief probation officer, court administrator and the presiding judge.

"Symphonic Wind Ensemble Tours NYC," The Pacifican, March 14, 2019: Conservatory Dean Peter Witte and several members of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble were quoted in this story about the ensemble's trip to New York City, which include a performance in Carnegie Hall. "Of course, after Dr. (Eric) Hammer's untimely passing, one of the questions we were forced to ask ourselves was if we should and could go forward with this tour," graduate assistant Nico Peruzzi '20 told The Pacifican. "I think one of the greatest testaments to his legacy is the fact that we are able to go forward with this concert."