Media Coverage of Lafayette, May 9, 2006

The following is a selection of recent media coverage of Lafayette:

National and Regional Media
Boston Globe (Mass.), May 1
The article “Younger siblings more likely to behave badly than eldest” focuses on the research “Birth Order and Risky Adolescent Behavior” by Susan Averett, professor and head of economics and business. The research appears in the April edition of the journal Economic Inquiry and has been featured in USA Today on April 25 and numerous other publications. Averett was also interviewed by host Matt Lauer on NBC’s “Today” May 4. The Boston Globe article states, “The stereotype that older siblings tend to be more responsible than their younger brothers and sisters may have some truth to it, according to a study by researchers at the University of Colorado and Lafayette College. The researchers analyzed questionnaire results from 9,000 American adolescents 12-17 years old and found that younger siblings are more likely than their first- born counterparts to use tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana and to be sexually active. Younger male siblings are also more likely to steal, while younger female siblings are more likely to destroy property. Younger siblings of both genders are also more likely to carry a gun. The researchers posit that younger siblings are more likely to be exposed to behaviors such as smoking and drinking than first-borns. Alternatively, parents may have less time and energy to devote to overseeing younger siblings.”

Spotlight on Students in Their Hometown Newspapers
New Canaan Advertiser (Conn.), April 13
English major Sarah Thompson ’07 of New Canaan won first prize in the Jean Corrie Poetry competition with her entry “To my uncles.” “I am thrilled about winning the competition, and I absolutely didn’t expect it,” says Thompson, daughter of Robert and Frances Thompson of Dunning Road. “To my uncles” captures her memories of spending every summer in Barnstable Village, Cape Cod. The poem focuses on one specific character that is a composite of Thompson’s three uncles and describes weekend trips to the beach. Guest judge and poet David Chin chose Thompson’s poem “for its overall attention to craft.” Lee Upton, professor of English and writer-in-residence also praised Thompson’s poetry skills: “Sarah Thompson is a gifted young poet with a razor-sharp sense of humor and an impressive facility with images.” She is a 2003 graduate of St. Luke’s School.

The Concord Monitor (N.H.), April 11
Brent Utter ’06 (Concord, N.H.) will present his research on improving surgeon’s accuracy in predicting aneurysm danger at the National Conference on Undergraduate research at the University of North Carolina.

Patriot (Pa.), April 6 and Item (Pa.), April 12
Trustee Scholar Zane Ferguson ’06 of Kempton will present the findings of his yearlong research on the behavioral responses of pigeons at two national conferences. The project also opened up a career opportunity when he graduates in May. Ferguson will share his findings at the 20th annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research in April. He also will present at the 32nd annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis in May. The psychology major’s project “Operant and Pavlovian Effects of an Added Counter on Variable-Ratio Performance” tests behavioral response using four pigeons and a digital touch screen. He has been working with Robert Allan, associate professor of psychology, since the fall. Ferguson has already secured a position after graduation at City University of New York where he will work on behavior projects similar to his undergraduate experience. “It’s all very exciting, and I’m happy to be able to not only do my research, but also participate in these conferences,” he says.

The Courier News (N.J.), April 5
A recent externship at NBC gave Catherine Miervaldis ’07 of Basking Ridge and Brittney Rothweiler ’06 of Longmeadow, Mass. a remarkable look behind the scenes at the network. Both double majors in economics and business and art, Miervaldis and Rothweiler shadowed William Wermuth ’98, who heads the NBC Guest-Relations Page Program, for two days at the network’s New York City headquarters. The students observed work practices, learned about careers they may consider entering after college and developed professional networking contacts. Miervaldis worked closely with the pages, touring the studios and sitting in on meetings. The externs also saw tapings of “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and the “Today Show,” and spoke with network personalities, including “Today’s” Matt Lauer and Katie Couric and “Nightly News” anchor Bryan Williams, all of whom offered the externs career advice.

The Mercury (Pa.), April 3
Jacqueline Bonder ’08 (Collegeville, Pa.) recently completed an interim session externship with Angela Guarino ’04, an asset manager at SEI Investments Co. A government and law and foreign language major and varsity tennis player, Bonder was among more than 275 Lafayette students who served January externships. The students learned about careers, developed professional networking contacts and built their resumes. SEI employees went out of their way to provide good advice, Bonder said. “They sat down and went through resumes and really showed us what to focus on after college,” she said. “It was really interesting and helpful to know that people are hired on their attitudes and personalities as much as on their resumes.” SEI Investments is a leading global provider of asset management and investment technology solutions. The company works with corporations, financial institutions, financial advisers and families to create and manage wealth.

Intelligencer (Pa.), March 31
Trish Sumpf ’07 of Perkasie is conducting intensive research into using bacteria as means to fortify the ground beneath structures damaged by earthquakes. She is working with Laurie Caslake, assistant professor of biology, and Mary J.S. Roth, professor of civil and environmental engineering.

Boyertown Area Times (Pa.), March 30
Trustee Scholar Matthew Coughlin ’07 of Boyertown has received national distinction as a recipient of a Goldwater Scholarship. Coughlin, a 2003 graduate of St. Pius X High School, is the son of John and Bonnie Coughlin of Sawmill Road. A chemistry major, Coughlin is one of four Lafayette students to receive the prestigious honor this year. He plans to pursue a doctorate in organic chemistry and would like to conduct research in the development of biologically important molecules, using enantioselective reactions. In a project related to nanobiotechnology, he has been looking at the effect of carbon nanotubes on the oligometric structure of proteins as an EXCEL research assistant to Tina Huang, assistant professor of chemistry. In an earlier project with Huang, Coughlin did research on the presence of glutamate, an amino acid, in enzymes.

Potomac/North Potomac Gazette (Md.), March 15
Marie Berninger ’06 of North Potomac is involved in an engineering research project that uses computer software to analyze the structure of the nave of the 12th-century priory church in France. She is searching for areas of the church that may be vulnerable to structural failure. She is a 2002 graduate of Quince Orchard High School and the daughter of Mark and Mary Berninger of North Potomac.

Hunterdon County Democrat (N.J.), March 9
Lia Mandaglio ’08, daughter of James and Laura Mandaglio of Annandale, traveled to Shreveport, La. Over the January interim session, where she volunteered with InspireWorks, helping to organize a tutoring program and teaching first-graders displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Other
The Charlotte Observer (N.C.), May 9
Lafayette College in Pennsylvania conducts a “road show,” bringing information about its sexual-misconduct policy to dorms, as well as classrooms.

Other recent media coverage reports:
March 24, 2006
March 1, 2006