January 1, 2012 Political Scientist Reviews the RNC (WHNZ-AM, Tampa, FL) The Republican National Convention wrapped up in Tampa, Florida on Friday. Were Republican leaders persuasive? How did Republican Candidate for President Mitt Romney come off? Tampa radio station WHNZ-AM host Evan Gold interviews political science professor Sean Savage to get his impressions. January 1, 2012 Sophomore Advances on "The Voice" (NBC) Pop singer Christina Aguilera chose Sylvia Yacoub '15 to remain on her team this week saying to her, "You come out and you're on fire." Yacoub, therefore, remains on Team Aguilera on the nationally televised show "The Voice" on NBC. The sophomore, who is an intended political science and philosophy major, took off the fall semester from Saint Mary's to follow her dream to be a pop singer. January 1, 2012 Social Work Student Works as Life Coach (South Bend Tribune) Monica Murphy, a senior social work major, is working with Ivy Tech Community College students as a life coach during her internship there. Service to others has long been a passion of Murphy’s. “I love to invest in people,” she says. “When I go to bed at night, if I can know that I’ve had an impact on someone’s life, then I know I’ve done my job.” January 1, 2012 Math Professor on Lottery Odds (WSBT-TV) The Mega Millions lottery jackpot is $540 million on the line. What are the odds of you winning if you play? According to Steven Broad, assistant professor of math, the odds are not in your favor. "There are no guarantees," Broad told WSBT. "We could sell a billion tickets and still not have a guarantee of a winner." January 1, 2012 Entrepreneurship Initiative Sparks Businesses, Networking (South Bend ... Like a fire, it started with a spark. Susan Vance, a Saint Mary’s College professor of business law and accounting, had an idea for a program that could empower women to become business owners. Vance’s idea became the Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative at Saint Mary's College, which gives students and area women the tools they need to be entrepreneurs. It's an example of how the College goes beyond the campus to make a difference. January 1, 2012 The American Prize Recognizes Two Choirs Conducted by Music Professor Saint Mary’s College and the Department of Music are pleased to announce The American Prize in Choral Performance recently recognized the Women’s Choir with 2nd place in its College/University Division. Nancy Menk, professor of music, director of choral activities, and the Mary Lou Judd Leighton Chair in Music, is conductor of the Women’s Choir. She also serves as conductor and music director of the South Bend Chamber Singers, which was among the finalists in the Community Division. January 1, 2012 Saint Mary's to Host State Department Women’s Leadership Institute Saint Mary’s College is proud to host a U.S. Department of State Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Women’s Leadership titled "Educating Tomorrow’s Global Women Leaders" for 20 undergraduate women from Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Mongolia, and Burma (Myanmar) June 16 to July 20. This four-week academic residency program, followed by a week of educational travel, is part of a broader State Department initiative designed to promote a better understanding of the U.S. abroad and to help develop future world leaders. January 1, 2012 Social Work Research Helps Shelter (South Bend Tribune) Two groups of social work seniors in professor Fran Kominkiewicz’s Research Methods course conducted surveys at the Hope Ministries homeless center in South Bend last semester. One team asked clients about their health and lifestyles while the other group surveyed them about their housing, education, and employment histories. The results will help the center assess their programs and make potential changes, some of which have already been implemented. January 1, 2012 Student Helps Sisters with Super Bowl Anti-Trafficking Initiative (Sou... If hotel workers in Indianapolis know how to spot sex trafficking this Super Bowl weekend, it may be because of Catholic nuns, including Sisters of the Holy Cross, and a Saint Mary's College student. Cailin Crowe '13 is among the foot soldiers for the cause to end human trafficking. She compiled the names and contact information for the general managers of about 120 hotels.