Pacific in the Press | Nov. 21, 2019

Quote of the Week

"It’s another good report — an incredibly strong, consistent string of growth. It’s sort of remarkable in its longevity."

— Jeff Michael, The Sacramento Bee, Nov. 26, 2019

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

“Impeachment: Constitutional Questions,” Fox 40, Nov. 15, 2019: McGeorge’s Leslie Gielow Jacobs provided context and analysis on the impeachment hearings for Fox 40’s morning show. Jacobs helped to explain the impeachment process, comparing this initial phase to a grand jury proceeding to determine whether the U.S. House of Representatives will bring charges for a trial in the U.S. Senate. She appeared at 7:15 a.m. and 7:45 a.m.


“Project CommUNITY: Civility in Politics,” KCRA3 (NBC, Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto), Nov. 16, 2019: Political science’s Keith Smith was interviewed for this 30-minute special on the upcoming election. “A lot of people point to Pete Wilson and his anti-immigrant stances in the 1990s as kind of pushing people away from the Republican Party and into the Democratic Party,” Smith told KCRA in explaining how California turned from a red state to a blue state. He appears at about 2:35.

“Couple says dream home’s paperwork included racist clauses,” Fox 40 (KTXL, Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto) via WGN9 (Chicago, Illinois), Nov. 13, 2019: McGeorge’s John Sprankling was quoted and provided context for this story about a racist phrase in a contract to buy a home in Stockton. The contract included a restriction dating back to before 1947 that the purchaser or occupant must be “wholly of the white Caucasian race.” “The Supreme Court in 1948 declared that racially restrictive covenants were invalid as a matter of public policy and since then they’ve all been invalid,” Sprankling told KTXL. Sprankling said the phrase could be changed or removed by filing a statement with the county recorder. The story was shared widely across the country.

“University of the Pacific launching new health programs,” CaravanNews.com, Nov. 8, 2019: The hyperlocal news outlet published a story on the new School of Health Sciences. The “Colleges in U.S.” blog also shared the story.

“California’s record low unemployment extends growth streak; Sacramento posts 3.1% rate,” The Sacramento Bee, Nov. 15, 2019: The Center for Business and Policy Research’s Jeff Michael was quoted in this story on the regional jobs outlook, which reported more Californians at work than at any time since 1989. Michael told the Bee: “It’s another good report — an incredibly strong, consistent string of growth. It’s sort of remarkable in its longevity. After nine years, it’s impressive to continue to add jobs month to month.” The story was also carried by The Fresno Bee, The Modesto Bee and The Tribune (San Luis Obispo).

“Livermore Files Lawsuit Over Downtown Plan Ballot Language,” The Independent, Nov. 14, 2019: McGeorge’s Mary-Beth Moylan was interviewed for this story about the Livermore city clerk suing the authors of a rebuttal argument on a ballot initiative. Moylan provided context for what is proper in such cases.

“What do pharmacists know and think about medical marijuana? A report from the Golden State,” Journal of Primary Care & Community Health via SAGE journals/blogs, Nov. 6, 2019: Eberhardt’s Dara Szyliowicz and Peter Hilsenrath co-authored a piece on pharmacists’ roles and views on marijuana. The article is based on a survey conducted with the California Pharmacists Association.

“Pacific student pharmacists help older adults navigate Medicare Part D plans,” Pharmacist.com, Nov. 14, 2019: The Journal of the American Pharmacists Association wrote a brief story on the Medicare Part D clinics and screenings offered each year by Pacific student-pharmacists, and then linked to The Record’s video, photo gallery and story.

“Redwood Grove named after Muir: Eibeck, Jeffery honored with dedication,” The Pacifican, Nov. 14, 2019: History’s Bill Swagerty, director of Pacific’s John Muir Center, was quoted in this story about the naming of the redwood grove just west of McCaffrey Center to the Pam Eibeck and Bill Jeffery Muir Grove. “I think it will bring more recognition to John Muir,” Swagerty told The Pacifican. Pacific in April celebrated receiving ownership of about 75% of the known John Muir papers, journals, manuscripts, photos and other material. (Page 1 jumping to Page 2.)

“26 Amazing Things You Probably Don't Know About Thanksgiving History,” BestLifeOline.com, Nov. 17, 2019: Ken Albala’s Nov. 20, 2015, commentary in the San Francisco Chronicle was cited in this piece on Thanksgiving. The holiday started out not as a feast, but as a communal day of fasting and meditation, giving thanks for a bountiful harvest and reflection on individual shortcomings.

“Early signing period: UOP honors late Bay Area baseball star’s commitment,” East Bay Times, Nov. 13, 2019: Baseball coach Ryan Garko was in Campbell on national signing day to honor a Westmont High School baseball star, Kirk Vasquez, who had accepted a scholarship to play here, but died in a traffic collision in February. Vasquez’s father was given a Pacific jersey and the scholarship paperwork, and a signing ceremony was planned for later in the week. “We use a rule that if he’s the best player on the field and it’s not even close then maybe we’ll take a shot — and that was Kirk,” Garko told the East Bay Times. “As we got to know him and his mom and his dad, he was just the kind of kid you want to have in your program and at your university.” The story also appeared in The Mercury News.

“A Coach’s Legacy: Giving credit where credit is due,” The City College Times (San Jose City College), Nov. 19, 2019: This feature on Don Stagnaro highlighted his time at Pacific as a three-sport student-athlete — starting quarterback, baseball pitcher and golfer. He became an assistant football coach here before being recruited by San Jose City College to be an assistant coach for football and golf. He later became the head coach for those sports and, for a time, the athletic director.