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WVU President Sets Ambitious Course in Inaugural Address to Build University as New Model for Public Research Institutions
MORGANTOWN, West Virginia, Oct. 17 -- West Virginia University posted the following news:
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WVU president sets ambitious course in inaugural address to build University as new model for public research institutions
October 15, 2026
Bringing together Mountaineer history, family, and possibility, West Virginia University President Michael T. Benson called on the University community to "show why WVU matters" following his formal investiture as the 27th president of West Virginia's flagship, land-grant, R1 higher education institution.
"Today, we mark our fresh start at West Virginia University
... Show Full Article
MORGANTOWN, West Virginia, Oct. 17 -- West Virginia University posted the following news:
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WVU president sets ambitious course in inaugural address to build University as new model for public research institutions
October 15, 2026
Bringing together Mountaineer history, family, and possibility, West Virginia University President Michael T. Benson called on the University community to "show why WVU matters" following his formal investiture as the 27th president of West Virginia's flagship, land-grant, R1 higher education institution.
"Today, we mark our fresh start at West Virginia Universityas our work begins, in earnest, to become the model for the new public American research university," Benson said during his Oct. 15 inauguration ceremony at the Canady Creative Arts Center, which coincided with Homecoming.
"We must be bold. Now is not the time to shrink our ambitions. Instead, we must allow our ambitions to reflect our true capabilities."
Joining Benson, his wife, Debi, three of his five children and other relatives, along with University students, faculty, and staff, were West Virginia elected officials, WVU Board of Governors members, University leaders, representatives from other universities and colleges -- including Johns Hopkins University, former WVU President David Hardesty and former WVU First Lady Susan Hardesty; and President Benson's predecessor, former WVU President Gordon Gee and former WVU First Lady Laurie Erickson.
"In Michael T. Benson, we have found a University chief executive officer who brings vital experience, energy, accessibility, and authenticity to the role at a pivotal time in our history," said Robert "Rusty" Hutson Jr., chair of the WVU Board of Governors.
"With grit, determination, and skill, we're counting on you to win for West Virginia," he told Benson.
Joining Hutson, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia Chief Justice C. Haley Bunn, a two-time University graduate, presided over the formal installation.
"President Benson, to you and your team -- working in close collaboration with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters here in West Virginia and around the world -- we entrust to you the building of the future of West Virginia University," Chief Justice Bunn said.
The ceremony was held more than a year after Benson's start date.
"I wanted to ensure that, when we marked this occasion, we had a clear understanding of where we are, guided by a vision of where we are going with institutional ambition, energy, and action," Benson, a professor in the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Department of History, said.
"Roads move people. Power grids move energy. Broadband moves information. West Virginia University -- as a research university -- moves knowledge, talent, technology, and opportunity."
Adam James, a three-time WVU graduate and construction manager for WVU Planning, Design, and Construction who won a WVU Impact Award for his work on the Woodburn Lighting project, said both he and Benson are builders.
"At Woodburn Hall, he saw what restoring a tradition could mean for generations of Mountaineers and trusted people across the University and community to make it happen," James said while speaking as a representative of University staff.
"That is the future I hope we keep building: a WVU where students from anywhere find both an open door and the support to succeed; where staff have the trust and opportunity to contribute their ideas; and where our traditions make room for the next generation."
Maura McLaughlin, Eberly Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy, chair of the Eberly College Department of Physics and Astronomy, and the first University researcher to be selected for the National Academy of Sciences, highlighted President Benson's emphasis on academic discovery.
"There is tremendous value, and in my experience tremendous joy, in knowledge for knowledge's sake. A great university should be a place where discoveries are made, where ideas are born, and where our students learn that they can be the people who make them," McLaughlin said while speaking as a faculty representative.
"That's the future that really excites me, and I think we have all the ingredients we need. We have extraordinary faculty and staff. We have amazing students. We have a state that needs us and a mission worth believing in. And now we have leadership that can help us see both the forest and the trees and chart a path through them."
Colin Street, a senior majoring in political science, environmental and energy resource management, and multidisciplinary studies, Student Government Association president, and Udall Scholar from Morgantown, spoke as the student representative.
"Over the past year, I've learned a lot from President Benson and the team tasked with leading WVU through the era of change we face today. They know the path ahead will be full of twists and turns, but they bring a level of cohesiveness and competency we will undoubtedly need to navigate the moment ahead," Street said.
"They understand that WVU isn't just any university. It's the provider of life-changing healthcare, the home of traditions that bind generations of families together, and the steward of a promise that lends hope and opportunity to a place that needs it most."
In his first year, Benson oversaw the development of the Strategic Compass, an established framework to guide the University's direction, priorities, and decisions. Ceremony attendees included representatives from each of the five priority areas: Education, Discovery, Health, Service, and Experiences.
For Education, school officials from Monongalia and Kanawha counties were on hand to highlight WVU Express, a new direct admissions program. Students and faculty with the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics Applied AI and Data Analytics program represented Discovery. For Health, Cooper Sampson, the Suncrest Middle School student and WVU Medicine Golisano Children's patient who helped light the Water Tower to close Benson's 55-county "Welcome Home Tour," attended. Representatives from Lewis County Schools and WVU Jackson's Mill served as examples for Service, with the site now providing temporary educational space for students from Robert L. Bland Middle School following flooding. And Experiences were exemplified by students and staff with Adventure WV.
Benson also announced plans for a Mountaineer mascot sculpture that will be placed in front of the Canady Creative Arts Center. Jeff Fetty, a sculptor based in Roane County, is the artist for the project. Funding support is being provided by the state's natural gas industry, led by Mike John, a WVU alum who is the founder, president, and CEO of Northeast Natural Energy.
Now in his 25th year as a university president, Benson is focused on the future.
"By the time my tenure as president ends, my goal is to see West Virginia University serving as a model of a successful modern public research university -- a University built on trust, our land-grant mission, human learning, place, regional relevance, and wide-ranging research, an institution which makes a positive impact in the lives of West Virginians every single day," Benson said.
"Our fresh start is today. The work to take West Virginia University to places it's never been before begins right now."
Watch the inauguration, including President Benson's address, at the Canady Creative Arts Center (https://youtube.com/live/aqcaKfC_zWM?utm_source=cision-media-advisory&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pres-benson&utm_id=strat-comm&utm_content=comm588).
Read about the history of WVU inaugurations (https://stories.wvu.edu/famous-first-words?utm_source=cision-media-advisory&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pres-benson&utm_id=strat-comm&utm_content=comm624).
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Original text here: https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2026/10/15/wvu-president-sets-ambitious-course-in-inaugural-address-to-build-university-as-new-model-for-public-research-institutions
University of Wollongong: Alumni Awards Recognise Graduates Making a Difference
WOLLONGONG, Australia, Oct. 17 -- The University of Wollongong issued the following news release:
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Alumni Awards recognise graduates making a difference
October 17, 2026
Seven alumni recognised for contributions to mental health, clean energy, journalism, technology and community wellbeing
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Seven University of Wollongong (UOW) graduates have been recognised in the 2026 UOW Alumni Awards for their contributions to journalism, mental health, clean energy, technology, research and community wellbeing.
The winners include SBS journalist Ricardo Goncalves, mental health advocate and author
... Show Full Article
WOLLONGONG, Australia, Oct. 17 -- The University of Wollongong issued the following news release:
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Alumni Awards recognise graduates making a difference
October 17, 2026
Seven alumni recognised for contributions to mental health, clean energy, journalism, technology and community wellbeing
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Seven University of Wollongong (UOW) graduates have been recognised in the 2026 UOW Alumni Awards for their contributions to journalism, mental health, clean energy, technology, research and community wellbeing.
The winners include SBS journalist Ricardo Goncalves, mental health advocate and authorChelsea Pottenger, psychologist and entrepreneur Dr Suzy Green, Green Gravity founder Mark Swinnerton, community leader Joe Williams, technology leader, innovator and advocate Natalie Piucco and clean energy researcher Professor Jun Chen.
"These awards recognise graduates who have made a meaningful contribution to their own field, and impact to society," Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Max Lu AO said.
"A university's reputation is shaped by its people. It travels through the way our graduates care for others, create opportunity and contribute to the communities around them."
The 2026 UOW Alumni Award winners
Alumni Award for Professional Excellence
Chelsea Pottenger and Dr Suzy Green are joint winners in this category.
Ms Pottenger is author of the internationally bestselling book The Mindful High Performer, hosts the Recharge Your Mental Health podcast and was a finalist for the 2025 Australian of the Year Awards. After overcoming severe post-natal depression, she founded EQ Minds, partnering with leading companies to improve workplace mental wellbeing
Dr Green is a clinical and coaching psychologist and UOW double graduate who pioneered evidence-based coaching psychology. As founder and CEO of The Positivity Institute, she delivers wellbeing and leadership programs to workplaces, schools and communities across Australia and internationally.
Alumni Award for Arts and Culture
Ricardo Goncalves is a highly respected journalist with a career spanning more than two decades, including as presenter and finance editor for SBS World News and host of SBS's On the Money and Cost of Living Secrets podcasts. Throughout his career, he has combined authoritative reporting with a commitment to cultural diversity and public education.
Alumni Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
As Founder and CEO of Green Gravity, Mark Swinnerton is leading the commercialisation of gravitational energy storage technology that repurposes disused mine shafts into renewable energy infrastructure, addressing both energy storage challenges and the transition of legacy mining assets.
Alumni Award for Social Impact
Wiradjuri/Wolgalu man Joe Williams has delivered mental health education, suicide prevention and resilience programs to more than 200 communities, through his initiative The Enemy Within. In 2024, he established Our Way Academy, supporting First Nations young people through programs that strengthen identity, belonging and educational engagement.
Young Alumni of the Year Award
Natalie Piucco is a technology leader, innovator and advocate whose work is shaping the future of artificial intelligence and digital transformation globally. A Chief Technologist with Google Cloud Engineering, she combines technical leadership, public engagement and community service to inspire the next generation of innovators.
Alumni Award for Research and Scholarship
Professor Jun Chen is a world-leading chemist and UOW engineering PhD graduate whose battery research is driving the clean energy transition. A Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher with more than 700 publications, he is an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences whose breakthroughs have led to commercial partnerships worldwide.
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Original text here: https://www.uow.edu.au/media/2026/alumni-awards-recognise-graduates-making-a-difference.php
University of Bath: Leaked Documents Raise serious Questions about British American Tobacco's Role in Cigarette Smuggling
BATH, England, Oct. 17 (TNSjou) -- The University of Bath posted the following news:
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Leaked documents raise serious questions about British American Tobacco's role in cigarette smuggling
New research suggests that British American Tobacco may have been complicit in cigarette smuggling, despite the company's public claims to combat the trade.
16 Oct 2026
The Tobacco Control Research Group has published two new research papers on illicit tobacco trade
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New research from the University of Bath suggests that British American Tobacco (BAT) may have been complicit in cigarette smuggling,
... Show Full Article
BATH, England, Oct. 17 (TNSjou) -- The University of Bath posted the following news:
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Leaked documents raise serious questions about British American Tobacco's role in cigarette smuggling
New research suggests that British American Tobacco may have been complicit in cigarette smuggling, despite the company's public claims to combat the trade.
16 Oct 2026
The Tobacco Control Research Group has published two new research papers on illicit tobacco trade
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New research from the University of Bath suggests that British American Tobacco (BAT) may have been complicit in cigarette smuggling,despite the company's public claims to combat the trade.
The findings, from two papers published by the University's Tobacco Control Research Group (TCRG), part of the Centre for 21st Century Public Health, in BMJ's Tobacco Control journal, are based on systematic searching of approximately 15,000 leaked internal BAT documents provided by a whistleblower in 2015, and analysis of a relevant sub-set of these. The 164 documents cited in the paper, which mainly concern East and Central Africa between 2000-2014, are now publicly available from the University of California, San Francisco's online archive.
BAT launched its "Anti-Illicit Trade" programme in 2004, officially to tackle cigarette smuggling. However, the leaked documents indicate that the programme instead concealed evidence that BAT's own products were entering illicit markets. Through operations, often involving informants and covert tracking, the programme was used to monitor and disrupt competitors, with BAT employing external companies to distance the company from direct involvement in such activities. Meanwhile, documents suggest BAT continued to use trade strategies for which they previously faced legal action, including through distributors well-known for their smuggling activities.
Lead author Benoit Gomis, a consultant with the Tobacco Control Research Group (TCRG), said: "BAT's anti-smuggling programme was never about stopping smuggling - it was about boosting profits and influence. Governments must cut ties with the tobacco industry, strengthen protections against interference, and investigate BAT's role in illicit trade and anti-illicit trade practices."
Dr Allen Gallagher, co-author and Research Fellow and Co-Director of the Tobacco Control Research Group, said: "BAT's anti-smuggling programme was not focused on eliminating illicit trade. Instead, it covered up evidence of the company's product appearing illicitly in markets, only tackled illicit trade when the company felt it would financially benefit from doing so, and sought to bolster the company's influence over governments."
Call for action
Building on their findings, the researchers encourage relevant governments to end all partnerships with BAT and other tobacco companies and to consider launching independent investigations into BAT's conduct.
They also stress the need for greater transparency across tobacco product supply chains and tightening of safeguards against industry interference in policymaking and research, including fully-independent mechanisms such as exhaustive, real-time track and trace systems, more frequent inspections of shipments, and consistent independent data collection, reporting, and research.
The findings demonstrate the need to continue and monitor tobacco industry strategies and practices, including via the use of internal, rather than just public-facing, industry documents.
The paper British American Tobacco's continued involvement in illicit tobacco trade is published in the BMJ journal Tobacco Control. DOI: 10.1136/tc-2024-058843
The paper "To increase the available profit pool" and "get a seat at the table": using internal documents to understand British American Tobacco's anti-illicit tobacco programme is published in the BMJ Journal Tobacco Control. DOI: 10.1136/tc-2024-058844
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Original text here: https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/leaked-documents-raise-serious-questions-about-british-american-tobaccos-role-in-cigarette-smuggling/
Samuel Merritt University: Opening Doors
OAKLAND, California, Oct. 17 -- Samuel Merritt University posted the following news:
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Opening Doors
October 16, 2026 Ursa Born
Once a scholarship recipient herself, Caroline Cabias is creating pathways to opportunity for others.
Caroline Cabias's passion for health and education access and equity keeps her very busy. When a friend initially approached her about becoming a Samuel Merritt University (SMU) donor and joining the Board of Regents, Cabias was intrigued -- but she also felt already stretched thin by her numerous involvements on other university boards, committees, and community
... Show Full Article
OAKLAND, California, Oct. 17 -- Samuel Merritt University posted the following news:
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Opening Doors
October 16, 2026 Ursa Born
Once a scholarship recipient herself, Caroline Cabias is creating pathways to opportunity for others.
Caroline Cabias's passion for health and education access and equity keeps her very busy. When a friend initially approached her about becoming a Samuel Merritt University (SMU) donor and joining the Board of Regents, Cabias was intrigued -- but she also felt already stretched thin by her numerous involvements on other university boards, committees, and communitycouncils. Yet as she learned more about SMU's objective of addressing healthcare needs for underserved populations, it struck a very deep and personal chord. "The Samuel Merritt story, the SMU president's story, that's my story. I recognized the importance of their mission and knew I needed to make the time to participate meaningfully," Cabias proclaims. "I was all in."
Cabias's Filipino dad and Mexican mom raised her and her five siblings working in the tomato fields and packing sheds of rural Sacramento. Because of language and cultural barriers, it fell to the kids to navigate and translate the complexities of the medical system for the family. She learned early and firsthand about the lack of healthcare infrastructure and workforce in rural communities. "This is a problem that we still see," she explains, "and one that Samuel Merritt [University] is working to address.
Cabias knows that one key to expanding healthcare access is supporting education, particularly for those who come from and may return to underserved communities. "I received a scholarship that allowed me to graduate from UC Davis and go on to a successful career," she recalls. "I often think about how much more I am able to do for others now because I had help then." Her generosity includes five years of funding to support SMU Oakland's new campus, as well as an unrestricted bequest to support the University in her trust.
"You have to admire the giving and loving nature of people who want to work in healthcare," says Cabias. "I want to support them, whether it's through scholarships or by helping Samuel Merritt [University] expand their capabilities relative to their mission statement."
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Original text here: https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/news/opening-doors-caroline-cabias
Four Minnesota Students Honored With the 2026 Humphrey-Johnson Book Prize
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Oct. 17 -- The University of Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs posted the following news:
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Four Minnesota Students Honored with the 2026 Humphrey-Johnson Book Prize
Award celebrates rising seniors who lead with empathy, courage, and a commitment to social change
October 16, 2026
The Humphrey School of Public Affairs is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Humphrey-Johnson Book Prize for Inspirational Leadership and Social Change. Sponsored by The Givens Foundation for African American Literature, the award honors rising seniors at participating
... Show Full Article
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, Oct. 17 -- The University of Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs posted the following news:
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Four Minnesota Students Honored with the 2026 Humphrey-Johnson Book Prize
Award celebrates rising seniors who lead with empathy, courage, and a commitment to social change
October 16, 2026
The Humphrey School of Public Affairs is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Humphrey-Johnson Book Prize for Inspirational Leadership and Social Change. Sponsored by The Givens Foundation for African American Literature, the award honors rising seniors at participatingMinnesota high schools who carry forward the legacies of Hubert H. Humphrey and Dr. Josie R. Johnson through passionate advocacy, inspirational leadership, and dedication to their communities.
The award invites nominations from six Minnesota high schools, with recipients selected by the Humphrey School. Each honoree receives a book authored by a local leader who exemplifies public service in Minnesota, along with an award certificate signed by Dean Nisha Botchwey, presented at their school's end-of-year award ceremony. This year's recipients each received a copy of Hope in the Struggle: A Memoir by Josie R. Johnson, selected by their nominators.
This year's recipients are:
Don Blackmore, Denfeld High School (Duluth). A student who leads through action, Don balanced nine high school and college courses, taking classes at Lake Superior College through Minnesota's Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program, alongside a demanding football season, earning recognition on both Denfeld's Honor/Merit Roll and the Lake Superior College Dean's List. His counselors describe him as "a serious, warm, and humble student of substance" and "a doer, not a talker," who plans to complete his associate's degree alongside his high school diploma.
Charles Frescas, Twin Cities Academy (St. Paul). Charles was recognized for his courage in speaking at St. Paul student protests in support of immigrant community members, stepping forward to give voice to neighbors who often go unheard. "He cares deeply for his community and is not afraid to speak up for the underrepresented," his counselor wrote, noting his commitment to standing with community members. His willingness to act, rather than remain silent, reflects the deep empathy and sense of responsibility at the heart of this award.
Barbara Rodriguez Zaqueros, Robbinsdale Armstrong High School (Plymouth). A creative force and community builder, Barbara contributes to Art Club, Mural Club, the Robbinsdale Youth Council, Gender and Sexuality Alliance, and Peer Mentoring, strengthening her school's spirit and inclusivity through both art and outreach. She pairs that engagement with a rigorous academic record in Advanced Placement and PSEO coursework, and her counselor praised the time management, organization, and accountability that set an example for her peers. "She makes Armstrong High School a better place," her counselor wrote.
Mahnoor Zaman, Parnassus Preparatory School (Maple Grove). A leader in Youth in Government, Student Senate, and Mock Trial, where she guides her team as an innovative thinker, Mahnoor pairs scholarship with sustained advocacy. She works to promote equality for Muslim communities in the United States through protests, lobbying efforts, and public engagement, with a genuine commitment to reform and issues of international peace. Her teachers describe her as "very civic-minded" with a focus on "creating positive change in the communities she is a part of."
Recipients of the Humphrey-Johnson Book Prize embody five values at the heart of the award: passionate advocacy for underrepresented communities, leadership grounded in empathy and integrity, dedication to meaningful social change, deep community engagement, and the intellectual curiosity to keep learning and growing. They reflect the spirit of both Hope in the Struggle and Samuel G. Freedman's Into the Bright Sunshine, the two books at the center of the prize.
The Humphrey School is grateful to The Givens Foundation for African American Literature, whose generous sponsorship provides this award at no cost to participating schools and whose mission of celebrating African American literature and writers enriches communities across Minnesota.
Congratulations to Don, Charles, Barbara, and Mahnoor. These students give us hope for the bright sunshine ahead.
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Original text here: https://www.hhh.umn.edu/news/four-minnesota-students-honored-2026-humphrey-johnson-book-prize
FHSU Students Help Bring Stories of Relationship-based Violence in Rural Kansas to Light
HAYS, Kansas, Oct. 17 -- Fort Hays State University posted the following news:
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FHSU students help bring stories of relationship-based violence in rural Kansas to light
10/16/26
HAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State University students are helping bring greater visibility to experiences of relationship-based violence in rural Kansas through the Facing Relationship-Based Violence: A Rural Kansas Initiative. This community storytelling project creates opportunities for survivors and others affected by relationship violence to share their experiences, elevate perspectives that are often overlooked,
... Show Full Article
HAYS, Kansas, Oct. 17 -- Fort Hays State University posted the following news:
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FHSU students help bring stories of relationship-based violence in rural Kansas to light
10/16/26
HAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State University students are helping bring greater visibility to experiences of relationship-based violence in rural Kansas through the Facing Relationship-Based Violence: A Rural Kansas Initiative. This community storytelling project creates opportunities for survivors and others affected by relationship violence to share their experiences, elevate perspectives that are often overlooked,and contribute to greater community understanding and dialogue.
Guided by Dr. Ziwei Qi, FHSU associate professor of criminal justice, Dr. Lori E. Kniffin, Voss Distinguished Professor of Leadership and director of Civic Learning and Engagement, and Diana Angarita, FHSU alumna of Marketing and Organizational Leadership, and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the project brings together storytellers and writers to document lived experiences and explore the challenges and opportunities surrounding relationship-based violence in rural communities.
FHSU students have contributed as writers, steering committee members, and photographers, helping to create the book Facing Relationship-Based Violence: A Rural Kansas Initiative, which will be shared with the community during a launch event at the Hays Public Library on October 22 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The project is led by Fort Hays State University in collaboration with The Facing Project, a storytelling organization that brings people and communities together through listening, storytelling, and connection, using stories to build understanding and empathy, and to inspire action.
The goal of the project is not only to raise awareness of relationship-based violence, but also to reduce stigma, strengthen connections to resources, build on existing community strengths, and help communities think about what meaningful support can look like in rural places.
For Ben Wilkerson, a senior from Lawrence double-majoring in criminal justice and psychology, the project offered an opportunity to further his undergraduate research experience with Qi and to explore the power of storytelling.
Wilkerson contacted the Facing Project's directors about developing a project focused specifically on relationship-based violence in rural Kansas. As a writer, he was paired with an individual whose experiences he would help shape into a written narrative.
After initial Zoom conversations, Wilkerson and his storyteller spent hours discussing the individual's experiences, followed by multiple rounds of revisions.
"Figuring out how to tell this individual's story, without trying to speak for them, was very difficult," Wilkerson said. "It took a lot of reflection."
The experience also challenged his assumptions about the differences between rural and urban communities. His storyteller had previously lived in a more populated area before moving to a rural community, providing a perspective on how location can influence the experience of relationship-based violence.
"There were fewer resources in the rural areas, and sometimes there was more stigma," Wilkerson said. "But there was a small-town community aspect of having support from close circles that they didn't have back in the bigger area. There were two sides to it, and that wasn't something that I was expecting going into it."
Although barriers exist in rural areas, Qi pointed out that recognizing the value of rural strengths has been an important part of the project. Although barriers such as distance, privacy, and transportation exist, members of rural communities have strong relationships, local knowledge, trust, and are deeply committed to helping one another.
The project has strengthened Wilkerson's interest in pursuing an academic career. He hopes to earn a doctorate at the University of Kansas and research how storytelling and language shape human experiences.
Lauren Franks, a senior from Russell majoring in sociology with a minor in political science, also contributed as a writer after becoming interested in the project through her interactions with Qi.
Franks wrote the story of a health care provider, gaining insight into the experiences of professionals who support individuals affected by relationship-based violence. She said the project helped her recognize that the effects of relationship-based violence extend beyond survivors to the people who care for and assist them.
"When I was speaking with my storyteller, she didn't think she had a story to tell," Franks said. "But it's everyone's perspective. It's so much bigger than just survivors."
Franks also emphasized the significance of the project's bilingual format. It is the first bilingual book produced through The Facing Project and includes translated stories intended to ensure that language does not prevent people from sharing their experiences or connecting with others.
"They had a lot of translators come together to translate all the stories and work with people who are non-English speaking, particularly Spanish-speaking, because they have stories to tell, too, and they shouldn't be excluded just because their story writer doesn't know English," Franks said. "That was monumental."
For Franks, one of the project's most important goals is helping rural communities recognize that relationship-based violence is not limited to urban areas.
"This is happening in rural areas," she said. "We're not immune to it. I hope for the community that they learn to acknowledge that this is happening here."
The project also included a photography competition, with images of rural settings adding another dimension to the stories collected in the book. In addition, listening circles in Western Kansas have created opportunities for community members to engage with the narratives, learn from one another, and identify possible actions to strengthen support and create meaningful community change.
Norah Bradstreet, a junior from WaKeeney double-majoring in sociology and criminal justice, participated as a writer. She said hearing a storyteller describe personal experiences made the issue more immediate than studying relationship violence statistics in the classroom.
"You see all the numbers and statistics in classes, but when your storyteller is actually telling you what happened to them, and where they were, it is really close to home, and it's eye-opening," Bradstreet said.
Although she initially found the writing process challenging, Bradstreet said that working closely with her storyteller helped her develop the narrative and understand the responsibility of representing another person's experiences.
"My storyteller was really flexible and helped me a lot with my writing," Bradstreet said. "It definitely was a privilege."
Through their participation, FHSU students gained valuable research and communication experience while contributing to a project with a broader community purpose. By documenting personal experiences and creating opportunities for conversation, they help challenge stigma surrounding relationship violence and draw attention to the resources and support rural communities need.
"One of the most meaningful parts of this project has been watching students move beyond learning about relationship-based violence in a classroom," Qi said. "They have had to listen carefully, build trust, think about how they represent someone else's experience, and understand the responsibility that comes with community-engaged work. They are not just completing an assignment. They are contributing to something that has a life beyond the university."
Facing Relationship-Based Violence has truly been a collaborative effort, with many people and organizations helping move the work forward, including The Facing Project and J.R. Jamison, editors Mary Price and Katy Harris, Hays Public Library, Options, Jana's Campaign, the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition, Catholic Charities in Garden City, and Fort Hays State University's Civic Learning and Engagement, Criminal Justice Program, Center for Empowering Victims of Gender-Based Violence, and numerous other campus and community partners.
"The book launch at the Hays Public Library will bring these stories into a shared community space, continuing the project's work of amplifying voices, encouraging people to listen, and turning personal stories into opportunities for greater understanding and action," Qi said.
The book launch will also feature live graphic recordings and a silent auction featuring photography. Proceeds and donations from the event will help support efforts related to relationship-based violence and strengthen community support for those affected.
For more information about the Center for Empowering Victims of Gender-based Violence, visit: https://www.fhsu.edu/criminaljustice/center-for-empowering-victims-of-gender-based-violence/
For more information about Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, visit: https://help4abuse.org/
For more information about Jana's Campaign, visit: https://www.janascampaign.org/
For more information about The Facing Project, visit: https://facingproject.com/
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Original text here: https://www.fhsu.edu/news/2026/10/fhsu-students-help-bring-stories-of-relationship-based-violence-in-rural-kansas-to-light#gsc.tab=0
Bryn Mawr College: An American in Athens
BRYN MAWR, Pennsylvania, Oct. 17 -- Bryn Mawr College posted the following news:
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An American in Athens
As the next director of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, Thomas Brogan, M.A. '90, Ph.D. '99, highlights the long, shared history of the American School and Bryn Mawr College.
By Helen Christ '24
Thomas Brogan, M.A. '90, Ph.D. '99, hasn't spent a single summer in the United States for the past 40 years. Ever since 1986, when he first attended the Summer Session at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA), he has spent his summer months in Greece,
... Show Full Article
BRYN MAWR, Pennsylvania, Oct. 17 -- Bryn Mawr College posted the following news:
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An American in Athens
As the next director of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, Thomas Brogan, M.A. '90, Ph.D. '99, highlights the long, shared history of the American School and Bryn Mawr College.
By Helen Christ '24
Thomas Brogan, M.A. '90, Ph.D. '99, hasn't spent a single summer in the United States for the past 40 years. Ever since 1986, when he first attended the Summer Session at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA), he has spent his summer months in Greece,most of them at excavations on the island of Crete.
Beginning July 1, 2027, Brogan will step into his new role as the director of the American School, the latest link in a long chain of connections between Bryn Mawr and the internationally renowned institution.
The American School was founded in 1881 and today stands as the primary resource for scholars of Greek language, history, archaeology, and other related fields from American institutions. In addition to teaching the next generation of scholars, the American School also oversees the major excavations at the Athenian Agora -- one of the most visited sites in Greece -- and at the ancient site of Corinth, one of the world's oldest continuous excavations, ongoing since 1896.
"There was wonderful synergy between my networks at Bryn Mawr and the American School, which really revealed to me how connected the two institutions were. I have remained in contact with many of the people from the American School in ways that continue to affect my professional career."
- Danielle Bennett, M.A. '11, Ph.D. '17, ASCSA Associate Member 2015-2016, Assistant Curator, Mediterranean Art and Provenance at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
All but one of the previous directors of the American School had academic backgrounds, teaching at universities across the United States, but Brogan's background is different. He spent the majority of his career as director of the Institute for Aegean Prehistory Study Center for East Crete and since 2022 has served as the executive director of INSTAP. Over the years, Brogan worked closely with the American School in a variety of ways, including by leading the school's students on trips to Crete for more than a decade.
Shannon Dunn, M.A. '19, Ph.D. '24, is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Edinburgh and attended one of those trips led by Brogan. "He's so knowledgeable and affable and was a great trip leader," Dunn says. "He always liked to ask how things were going at Bryn Mawr and showed me some great photos from his student days."
Brogan was legendary Bryn Mawr archaeology professor Brunilde Ridgway's final Ph.D. student before she retired. The first student who completed her dissertation under Ridgeway's tutelage at Bryn Mawr, Nancy Bookidis, received her Ph.D. in 1967 and went on to hold many roles at the American School, including as curator of the excavation collection at Corinth until her retirement in 2012.
"My first contact with the American School was as a participant, and like many others, I found the inspiration for my dissertation topic during that time. After finishing my Ph.D. at Bryn Mawr, I was hired as collection development librarian for the ASCSA library in June 2015. Since then I have had the opportunity to interact with Bryn Mawr students and graduates on a regular basis."
-- Andrea Guzzetti, M.A. '06, Ph.D. '12, ASCSA Regular Member 2007-2008
"I cannot emphasize enough the importance of both experiences," Bookidis says. "Bryn Mawr for acquiring the background by which one can do research, and the American School for the opportunity to put that into practice, to have a year in which one visits the whole of Greece, to do research in its wonderful libraries, and perhaps one day to have one's own excavation."
Bryn Mawr and the American School -- which first admitted women in 1885, the same year that Bryn Mawr opened its doors -- have shared hundreds of scholars over the years. While figures such as Rhys Carpenter, former director of the American School and founder of Bryn Mawr's Archeology department, may be the most recognizable, hundreds of Bryn Mawr students and faculty have found themselves at the American School during their time as students and beyond.
"At the American School, I constantly met Bryn Mawr alumni -- they are everywhere, and they are always so welcoming and encouraging . . . I feel proud of our archaeology department, its role as one of the first institutions in the U.S. to grant women Ph.D.s, and its contributions to the development of both Mediterranean and Near Eastern Archaeology."
--Yusi Liu, M.A. '21, Ph.D. candidate, ASCSA Summer Session 2019, Associate Member 2025 to 2027, Samuel H. Kress Art and Architecture of Antiquity Fellow 2026-2027
Likewise, Brogan has strong ties -- professional and personal -- to both Bryn Mawr and the American School. Brogan met his wife, Natalia Vogeikoff-Brogan, M.A. '88, Ph.D. '93, at a party in Bryn Mawr's on-campus, graduate-student housing when they were both students. When Brogan assumes the director position at the American School next year, the couple will become colleagues, thanks to Vogeikoff-Brogan's longtime role at the American School as the Doreen C. Spitzer Director of Archives. (Spitzer, nee Canaday, was Bryn Mawr class of 1936; Canaday Library is named for her mother, Mariam Coffin Canaday, class of 1906.)
"There's just something magical about everyone's graduate experience at Bryn Mawr," Brogan says. "I could not have been better prepared for the career that I ended up finding."
10/16/2026
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Original text here: https://www.brynmawr.edu/bulletin/american-athens
