University News and Communications publishes VUToday, a compilation of Vanderbilt mentions in the media, each weekday. Read a selection of Vanderbilt news stories for the week of Sept. 19. To subscribe to the daily VUToday newsletter, visit news.vanderbilt.edu/vutoday.
Nonprofit Quarterly: Returned gifts speak volumes about a nonprofit’s culture
Ohio University recently announced it was returning a $500,000 donation made in 2007 by alumnus Roger Ailes, the founder and former chairman and CEO of Fox News who is facing allegations of sexual harassment. How many nonprofits today would take similar action nearly a decade after receiving such a gift? Vanderbilt University’s return of a gift made 83 years ago to name one of its residence halls Confederate Memorial Hall is mentioned. Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos is quoted.
The Washington Post: There is little evidence that terrorist attacks help Donald Trump
The recent bombings in New York and New Jersey and the stabbing of nine people in a Minnesota mall—now being referred to as terrorist attacks—have led some observers to suggest that these attacks could help Donald Trump in the presidential race. But is this really true? Research by Professor of Political Science Elizabeth Zechmeister, who co-authored a book examining how terror threats impact public opinion, is mentioned.
The Christian Science Monitor: U.S. teacher shortage: How to keep teachers from quitting
With rising class sizes and high rates of teacher turnover, students may be finding it harder now to build meaningful relationships with teachers. In response, a growing number of educators and policymakers are looking to address teacher shortages. Matthew Springer, assistant professor of public policy and education, is quoted about his recent study, which found that a retention bonus program for effective teachers in Tennessee’s lowest-rated schools made them 20 percent more likely to remain in those schools.
Associated Press: Many young athletes joining Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protest
Colin Kaepernick’s protest against social injustice is being heard loud and clear by young athletes across the country and a host of high school football players have emulated the San Francisco quarterback in recent weeks by kneeling during the national anthem before their own games. In football-crazy states such as New Jersey, Alabama and Massachusetts, some players have faced suspension and others have reported harassment or even threats over their stance. David Hudson, adjunct professor of law and author of Let the Students Speak: A History of the Fight for Freedom of Expression in American Schools, is quoted.
NBC News: Ig Nobel prizes honor research on pants, itchy arms
Research by Gordon Logan, Centennial Professor of Psychology, about how lying varies with age is mentioned as one of the winners of the 2016 Ig Nobel prize, the annual spoof hosted by Harvard University that honors quirky scientific achievement. The story was originally published by the Associated Press and posted by Yahoo! News.
Live Science: Oldest indigo-dyed fabric ever is discovered in Peru
The oldest indigo-dyed fabric ever found has been discovered in Peru, pushing back the use of the blue coloring to at least 6,200 years ago. The dyed fabric pieces were excavated by archaeologists Tom Dillehay, Rebecca Webb Wilson University Distinguished Professor of Anthropology, and Duccio Bonavia between 2007 and 2008 from a prehistoric site called Huaca Prieta.