January 1, 2012 Professor's Tips for Blended Families during Holidays (WSBT-AM) Holidays and family. The combination can bring joy and anxiety. Trying to visit and buy gifts for two sides of the family can be tricky. But for many, the family is much larger. The fact is, 60% of first marriages in the U.S. end in divorce. About 75% of divorced people remarry and most bring kids into the marriage. According to the Census Bureau, more Americans live with step-families than in nuclear families.Saint Mary’s College associate professor of psychology Catherine Pittman, whose expertise is anxiety and stress, has some tips for the holidays. January 1, 2012 Business Professor: Save Early and Often (Bankrate.com) For many years, baby boomers and other workers looked at their homes as giant piggy banks. Rather than saving for retirement, they assumed rising home values would bail them out in their golden years. But since 2008, a "huge paradigm shift" has made the road to a secure retirement much rockier, according to Jill Vihtelic, professor of business at Saint Mary's College. Vihtelic says the best way to prepare for an "uncertain future" is to spend less and invest your savings. January 1, 2012 Students to Host Dance Marathon-Related Events Feb. 6-10 The countdown has begun for the seventh annual Dance Marathon at Saint Mary's College. The event is less than two months away, taking place on Saturday, March 31 from noon until midnight in the Angela Athletic Facility. Dance Marathon is organized completely by Saint Mary’s students and benefits Riley Hospital for Children, a Children’s Miracle Network facility. The Indianapolis hospital treats sick children from all over the state, including the South Bend area. 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 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 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.