January 2, 2011 Mahoney Earns MIAA Player of the Week Honor The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has named Saint Mary’s guard Patsy Mahoney its Player of the Week in women’s basketball for games played through November 27. January 1, 2011 Young people love their technology, survey says (Fox 28) One in three college students thinks the Internet is as vital as air, food, water and shelter. That's according to the results of a worldwide survey taken by computer networking giant Cisco. The survey revealed that and a whole lot more about the under-30 generation, or "Generation Y." Fox 28 interviewed Joy Piazza, visiting assistant professor of communication studies, about young adults' dependence on technology and social media. Also interviewed fro this story are Cara Rectanus '13 and Sarah Monte '14. January 1, 2011 Chemistry professor shares passion for science 1/7/11 (Fox 28)—It's Winter Break, but the chemistry labs are buzzing with activity. Chemistry professor Toni Barstis is conducting labs this week with 10th graders from a Trinity School at Greenlawn in South Bend. The idea came out of conversations between Barstis, a Trinity parent, and Trinity chemistry teacher Katy McShane who both sought to provide students with more lab experience. McShane passed away in the fall. Barstis said she thinks McShane would be very pleased to see their idea come to fruition. January 1, 2011 Sociologist and alumna research "Extreme Fans" 1/20/11 (Fox 28 and WSBT-AM)—This weekend the Chicago Bears face off against the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. Are you into it? Sociology professor Carrie Erlin is! She says she's an "extreme fan" of the Chicago Bears, and she should know. The sociologist has done research on extreme fans. Last year she analyzed a season's worth of Bears blogs and learned a lot, like when the team loses a game, extreme fans don't blame the players because they feel like they're part of the team. Nori Drach '10 did her own research on extreme fans, but she looked at fans of collegiate teams. Her research was based on observing ND and Michigan fans. She went to games and tailgates at both campuses and recorded her observations. January 1, 2011 Saint Mary’s College redesigns website (The Observer) Saint Mary's launched its redesigned website Saturday after over four years of research contributed to the site's facelift. January 1, 2011 Music professor interviewed about "We Remember" 9/9/11 (WNDU-TV)—Associate professor of music Laurel Thomas was interviewed about this Sunday's "We Remember" faculty concert. It is a commemoration in music, dance and poetry on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. The event will take place in Little Theatre at 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 11. Admission is free and the public is encouraged to attend. January 1, 2011 Saint Mary's student starts American Girl Club Saint Mary's College student Eilis Wasserman '12 is a huge fan of historical American Girl dolls. She is also a communication studies (speech) major with minors in English writing and American history. This spring she’s using all of these passions to put on a program at two St. Joseph County Public Library branches. It’s called the American Girl Club, and it will meet once a month at the Francis and Centre branches. January 1, 2011 Student entrepreneurs introduce their soda 1/27/11 (WNDU-TV)—A team of five students enrolled in the New Venture business class started a new soda company last semester and they debuted their bubbly, green "Twist O’Luck” soda pop to students recently. You can buy it in the Cyber Café on campus and may soon be able to buy at at the University of Notre Dame. The entrepreneurs hope Fighting Irish fans will be drawn to the shamrock green colored soda. The team created the formula, designed the labels, and chose to have the beverage be made in glass bottles with gold twist off caps. The next step is to take it to off-campus buyers. Team member Hannah Hupp '12 was interviewed. January 1, 2011 Professor interviewed on talking to kids about 9/11