January 1, 2012 '12 Alumna Recounts Experience on Romney Campaign (monroenews.com) Hannah Biniecki '12 graduated in May with a degree in political science and wasted no time getting involved in the political scene. The former president of the Republican Club on campus found herself working in the Boston campaign headquarters of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. The Monroe, Michigan native recounts the experience she'll never forget to her hometown newspaper. January 1, 2012 Grounds Crew Keeps ahead of the Snow (ABC 57) It took a while to get here, but winter has arrived at Saint Mary's College. There has been a string of snow events in the South Bend region over the past week, keeping the grounds crew here busy as they clear the entrances, sidewalks, and drives on the 100 acre campus. Interviewed for this story is Mark Kubacki, director of grounds. January 1, 2012 Dance Marathon 5K "For the Kids" Formerly known as the Trot for Tots, this annual “For the Kids” or FTK run is now called the FT5K. This is the fifth year for the 5K. It will take place on campus at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 26. The race will begin at the softball fields on the north end of campus. January 1, 2012 Chemistry Research Team Unveils New Device to Screen for Counterfeit D... Saint Mary’s College's first U.S. patent could result in a very meaningful product for developing countries. With the aid of researchers at Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s researchers developed a paper-based tool that can screen for counterfeit medications. The tool, known as a paper analytical device or PAD, is the size of a business card. January 1, 2012 Sophomore Competes on NBC's "The Voice" (The Observer) Sylvia Yacoub, a sophomore from Muskegon, MI, took off the fall semester to follow a dream. The intended political science and philosophy major tried out for "The Voice" and her audition aired last night. She's on Christina Aguilera's team. See her audition, post messages to her, and follow her on Twitter. January 1, 2012 Wikipedia Stages New Kind of Protest, Notes Professor (Fox 28) Joy Piazza, visiting assistant professor of communication studies, is interviewed about Wikipedia's virtual protest. On Wednesday, the website blacked out the English language version of its website for 24 hours to protest anti-piracy legislation under consideration in Congress. It's an unprecedented move that Piazza likens to the Occupy Movement. January 1, 2012 STEM Students and Faculty Put on Hypatia Day for Middle School Girls Hypatia Day is this Saturday, Feb. 25. The day was started by a Saint Mary’s math professor in 1991 to get young female middle school students interested in math and science and show them how it can be fun. The various STEM departments at the women's college will host more than 90 female 7th grade students from over 30 Michiana middle schools, who were nominated by their math and science teachers to attend. January 1, 2012 Political Science Professor on N.H. Primary (WSBT-AM) The New Hampshire primary is today and GOP candidate Mitt Romney is expected to win the nation’s first presidential primary of 2012. Today is anticipated to be a race for second place. Political science professor Sean Savage is interviewed on his projections for this primary and beyond. Among Savage's predictions, if Jon Huntsman doesn’t come in second or a close third, he will leave the race. January 1, 2012 Democrats Must Get Message Across at DNC (AFP Wire Service) A correspondent with the Agence France-Presse (AFP), a French News Agency, interviewed communication studies professor Michael Kramer on the impact of what was communicated at the Republican National Convention and what must be communicated at the Democratic National Convention. Democratic leaders must counter the cutting Republican charge that though President Obama's election was historic, his presidency hasn't been successful. This story was picked up by news websites around the world.