Pacific in the Press | May 1, 2019

Quote of the Week

"We need to keep in mind the presumption of innocence before we accuse somebody of committing a horrible crime that hasn’t been proven yet."

— John Myers, KCRA, April 30, 2019

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

"Gem donation adds sparkle to Stockton university," KCRA, April 27, 2019: Ironstone Vineyard's John and Gail '58 Kautz recently gave Pacific ownership of a gem and mineral collection with nearly 5,000 specimen that will be used by students studying geology. The collection, considered the largest in Northern California, has been housed at Pacific for years. Stories on the celebration of the gift were carried twice on KCRA, once on its sister station, My 58, SCW News and a news aggregator website.

"Some victims say lists is incomplete," KCRA, April 30, 2019: McGeorge's John Myers provides context for this story about the release of names of clergy accused of sexual assault. "One thing that's important for people to remember is the fact that this is a list of credible allegations," Myers told KCRA. "(It) doesn't mean that any of these allegations have been proven. ... There has been no litigation for many of these. (For) some, there has been litigation and has been resolved. But I think we need to keep in mind the presumption of innocence before we accuse somebody of committing a horrible crime that hasn't been proven yet." The story was broadcast at least twice.

"Yarris family features three generations of dentists," Napa Valley Register, April 30, 2019: Three generations of Dugoni School of Dentistry alumni were featured in this story. "It is unusual to see three generations of dentists from one family," Dean Nader Nadershahi told the Register. "This makes the Yarris family really stand out among our Dugoni School family."

"Gilbert: Musical revue explores issues of prejudice," The Record, April 28, 2019: Graduating seniors Taylor Carnes and Ethan Albala were featured in this story about a performance of "All Kinds of People," a musical revue sharing social messages in the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein. "The content of the shows are what we're capitalizing on, the themes of social justice and themes of exposing the prejudices we have, sexism and racism and discrimination, that Oscar Hammerstein put the spotlight on in the shows," Albala told The Record. "A perfect example is 'South Pacific' and 'You've Got to Be Carefully Taught.' " Carnes added, "That's the cornerstone of our piece. Everything goes around that and our idea."

"Newberry Award-Winning Author to Speak at Pacific's Commencement," The Pacifican, April 24, 2019: The story reports that author Matt de le Peña '96 will be the 2019 Commencement speaker. "At University of the Pacific, I discovered a love for literature and nurtured that into something that would become a huge part of my life," he told The Pacifican. "It didn't take long for me to realize the incredible opportunity I had in front of me."

"Ken Kercheval, beleaguered Cliff on 'Dallas,' dies at 83 Newburgh Gazette," Newburgh (Illinois) Gazette, April 25, 2019: Alumnus Ken Kercheval '57, a stage, film and TV actor who played Cliff Barnes on the prime time soap opera "Dallas" (1978-91) and was the rival of main character J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman), died recently. He was 83. His portrait is among those in Faye Spanos Concert Hall and he is listed among Pacific's Alumni of Distinction. The story of his death was carried by hundreds of news outlets.

"Law professor: 'Training employees' may help reduce Sacramento's risk of lawsuit settlements," Northern California Record, April 23, 2019: McGeorge's Julie Davies commented on HR-related lawsuits versus the city of Sacramento. "Many times settlements paid may reflect that things were not done as they should be. While settlements typically include acknowledgements that neither side is at fault, large settlements paid after lawsuits are filed may indicate a need to look at the processes in place in certain departments," Davies told the trade publication.

"Pacific grad gets first professional role as opera singer," The Record, April 20, 2019: Conservatory alumnus Edward Tavalin was featured in this story after receiving his first professional gig as an opera singer. "This role isn't exactly a springboard into a full-time performance career, but more of a foot in the door for experience and future opportunities," Tavalin, who teaches independently at Main Street Music Inc., told The Record. "My favorite experiences are the ones in which I'm singing someone's cherished music, whether it's golden age musical theater for the 50-year reunion of UOP alumni, or the music of Gaetano Donizetti in a small town in Italy."

"Trio 180 spring concert a study in contrasts," The Record, April 21, 2019: The Conservatory's arts-in-residence ensemble Trio 180 was featured in this story ahead of a performance. "We pick one large work and bring in a colleague or others," Sonia Leong told The Record. "As a piano trio, you add a viola and call it a piano quartet and there are wonderful pieces for that combination. Last year we added a viola and double bass. Sometimes we add singers and wind players. It's nice to bring in more friends."