UConn 360: The UConn Podcast

Episode 166: Managing Invasive Plants

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:37:27 -0500

Invasive plants are a serious ecological concern. Without natural predators, they push out native plants and the wildlife that depend on them. In Connecticut, there are more than 100 identified invasive plants. Members of UConn Extension’s Sustainable Landscape Program began the development of an invasive plant certificate program in 2024. In early 2026, the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources began offering a new online certificate program that educates residents how to identify and manage invasive plants in the state. Our guest today is Lauren Kurtz, the newest member of the Home and Garden Education Center, who talks about the dangers of invasive plants and what can be done to deal with them. The course will be offered again next winter.

Episode 165: What’s New in News?

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:23:55 -0500

The Department of Journalism at UConn is the only nationally accredited journalism program in New England. Students learn to become intelligent, responsible, articulate journalists, and clear communicators in all forms of media through practical training and a liberal arts foundation. Marie Shanahan is the head of the department and is our guest on this episode. She began her career as a print reporter for the Hartford Courant and then moved to the digital news side and worked more than 20 years in the field. Marie gives an overview of the department and the types of classes that are offered. She also discusses how AI fits into the current world of journalism and how people can make sure they get accurate information in this day and age of fragmented reporting.

Episode 164: A Costume Designer at UConn

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0500

A New York based costume designer, Sarita Fellows is an assistant professor of costume design in the School of Fine Arts at UConn. Sarita is very interested in events such as the Met Gala and looks at those events more as art than fashion design. Sarita was born in Sierra Leone, first experienced the stage while living in Uganda and has a master’s of fine arts in design from Tisch School of Design at NYU. Sarita enjoys working in regional theaters as well as Broadway and off-Broadway, her more recent works include projects such as Othello, Death of a Salesman, Theater of the Mind, and A Jolly Holiday with Disney. She also enjoys working with dance and film and has designed for numerous short independent films.

Episode 163: The Entrepreneurial Spirit at UConn

Wed, 20 May 2026 08:35:02 -0500

The Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, known as CCEI was established in 2007 as the first organized center to support entrepreneurship activity at UConn. CCEI leads initiatives focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, experiential learning, and economic development. It’s been recognized in the Princeton Review’s Top 50 Entrepreneurship Programs nationally and has supported more than 1,400 startups and served over 2,500 entrepreneurs. CCEI carries the legacy of the inaugural entrepreneurship education initiative at UConn, funded by the Wolff Family in the mid-1980's. Jennifer Mathieu joins us on this episode of the podcast. She has been with CCEI since 2017 and was named executive director in 2021. She is an entrepreneur herself, has degrees from UConn and Springfield College, and has been recognized by the Hartford Business Journal’s Top Women in Business and Connecticut magazine’s 40 Under 40.

Episode 162: Let’s Meet Coach Candle

Tue, 05 May 2026 11:00:32 -0500

Jason Candle joins us on this episode of the UConn 360 podcast and was named the football coach last December after completing a very successful 11- year tenure as the head coach at Toledo. He led the Rockets to a school-record 81 wins over that time with nine bowl appearances and 12 NFL Draft picks. Jason also served as an assistant coach at Toledo for seven years before becoming head coach and started his coaching journey at Division III powerhouse Mount Union, his alma mater. As a player, he won national championship at Mount Union in his junior and senior seasons. He just wrapped up his spring practice here at UConn as he has rebuilt the Husky roster from as team that has made two-straight bowl appearances. We also salute and congratulate the UConn Class of 2026 as commencement takes place this weekend!

Episode 161: A Children’s Book Author Is a Soon-To-Be Grad

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:09:33 -0500

Our guest this episode is Luisana Duarte Armendáriz, who is a doctoral student concluding her studies at UConn this spring. She is already an accomplish author of children’s literature and is a graduate assistant in the Creative Writing Program in the Department of English. She has had an incredible variety of experiences in her life, ranging from graphic designer to high school teacher to an acceptance to medical school. She started writing children’s books when applying for graduate school and has written “Julieta and The Diamond Enigma” with its sequel “Julieta and The Cryptic Rose” set for release in the fall. Before we get started with Luisana, we talked about Izzy’s experience covering the NCAA Men’s Final Four for University Communications.

Episode 160: Final Four(s) Here We Come!

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 20:59:37 -0500

The UConn men’s and women’s basketball teams are the talk of the sports world this week as both teams are head to the NCAA Final Four. This podcast is a media roundtable taking a look at the upcoming games in Indianapolis and Phoenix. We start with the long-time color announcer on the UConn Radio Network Wayne Norman and then we talked to four student journalists – Sam Calhoun and Matt Dimech, who cover the men’s team for The Daily Campus; and Jake McCreven of the Daily Campus and Kaden Knapp of WHUS-91.7 FM radio, who cover the women’s team. The student journalists talk about what it is like to cover a team while still in college and what their future plans are. And we have predictions…Go Huskies!

Episode 159: Dance The Night Away

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:31:03 -0500

Our guest on this episode is Pagie O’Keefe, who is the vice president of communications for HuskyTHON 2026. HuskyTHON is a year-long effort by UConn students to raise funds and awareness for Connecticut Children’s, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. This effort culminates in an 18-hour dance marathon that features thousands of Huskes. This year’s HuskyTHON dance marathon took place two weekends ago and over $2.2 million was raised. HuskyTHON is the largest Children’s Miracle Dance Marathon in the country by participants and the second-highest by amount raised. HuskyTHON is entirely student-run, led by a management team of 32 undergraduate student leaders, who work to make it better each year. Over the past 27 years, HuskyTHON has now raised over $17 million.

Episode 158: A Positive Voice at UConn

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 22:39:12 -0500

Jonelle Reynolds is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives here at UConn and brings a positive outlook to us on this episode of the podcast. She has been at UConn for over a decade and currently develops, manages, and supports culture, engagement, and inclusion strategies across the university. Jonelle’s work blends strategy and operations, identifying gaps in resources and training and partnering with faculty, staff, and students to design programs, streamline processes, and strengthen community. She also has a background in marriage and family therapy and gives us some good ideas on how to make those relationships successful in our lives. A native of Guyana, she earned her doctorate degree from UConn, her undergraduate from Baruch College in New York City and has a master’s from Oklahoma State.

Episode 157: Inclusion and Civil Rights at UConn

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0500

Our guest on this episode is Dr. Jeffrey Hines, who leads the Office for Inclusion and Civil Rights for both UConn and UConn Health. The office ensures the University’s commitment and responsibility to foster equitable and inclusive working and learning environments. Jeff has an amazing background as he earned his undergraduate degree and medical degree from Brown University. He then did his residency in obstetrics and gynecology and served as a battalion surgeon during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. In January, he was the keynote speaker at the Connecticut Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission Commemoration. In the podcast, he reflects on King, Black History Month, and the recent passing of the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Episode 156: A New Look at Resiliency

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 11:29:50 -0500

Keith Bellizzi is a professor of gerontology in Human Development and Family Sciences here at UConn. He has spent the last two decades studying resilience, cancer survivorship, healthy aging, and behavioral change. Keith recently published a new book entitled “Falling Forward: The New Science of Resilience and Personal Transformation.” Bellizzi was diagnosed with cancer in his early 20s and has faced the disease four times. The book explores how experiences can change the terrain of one’s life and how you move forward on different ground. Keith takes a look at the topic of resiliency and what it means today and how it is perceived differently in previous decades. It’s not pushing through and being tough all the time, but more about vulnerability and honesty. Keith also talks about living longer in a healthy way and what caretakers for the elderly need to do to keep their own piece of mind.

Episode 155: Baking For All the Huskies

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 12:58:37 -0500

Eric Merkle is the long-time Bakery Manager for UConn Dining Services and oversees a staff of over 20 full-time bakers and student workers. The UConn Bakery produces thousands of muffins, cookies, and baked goods each week. The bakery starts each day at 3:30 a.m. – long before the rest of campus is awake. Eric studied bakery and pastry at the world-famous Culinary Institute of America. Each year, the bakery holds a pie sale for Thanksgiving, where members of the public can leave their Thanksgiving baking up to Eric and his staff! Everyone can get a taste of UConn by ordering from the online bakery. Eric’s cupcakes were also featured prominently in the recent UConn holiday video! Eric brought sample of a lemon chiffon cake (see the photo) and we all gave it a try!

Episode 154: Starting 2026 With Women’s Ice Hockey

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 09:38:01 -0500

Happy New Year to all of our UConn 360 Podcast listeners. Women’s ice hockey coach Chris MacKenzie is our guest on this episode and his team is currently ranked fifth in the country. He is in his 13th year in charge of the Huskies and has led UConn to the Hockey East regular season championship in each of the past two years. Chris was the national coach of the year in 2024 as he led UConn to its first-ever NCAA tournament appearance. He talks about this year’s team, what he looks for when recruiting a student-athlete, and how the new Toscano Family Ice Forum has changed the program. Chris also gives us an Olympic preview and a look into his family life. Check out a UConn game this season!

Episode 153: Healthy Rounds Moves to Podcast Format

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 09:37:49 -0500

Our guest on the final UConn 360 podcast of the year is a familiar one to listeners of the Healthy Rounds radio show. Dr. Anthony Alessi of UConn Health is a neurologist specializing in general neurology, neuromuscular diseases, EMG and sports neurology and the long-time host of the show. It is moving to a podcast format in January and listeners can reach out to Dr. Alessi with questions at info@alessimd.com . Dr. Alessi also talks about his experience working in athletics with UConn teams, the New York Yankees, boxers, and Professional Bull Riding. In addition, co-host Izzy Harris shares how she and her University Communications co-workers finished in first place the annual UConn Gingerbread House Decorating Contest. Happy Holidays to all from UConn 360!

Episode 152: Thanksgiving with UConn Dining Services

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Rob Landolphi is the Director of Culinary Development for UConn Dining Services. In his role, he and his team develop the menus to the over 200,000 meals served to students each week in Storrs. Rob joins us on his episode to talk about how student tastes have changed over the years and how everything from social media to the Cultural Centers on campus affects what is served in dining halls. For those of you that are getting ready to prepare Thanksgiving dinner, Rob provides some great tips on cooking turkey and getting sides dishes done in advance. We also discuss the 25th Annual UConn Culinary Olympics, which takes place on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, and the public is invited to attend!

Episode 151: Are Students Bouncing Back from the Pandemic?

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 07:00:00 -0500

During the COVID-19 pandemic, over half a million K-12 students in Connecticut had to rapidly pivot to remote and hybrid learning. Now, after five years, schools have reestablished their regular rhythms, and it’s easy to imagine that the pandemic’s effects on learning have subsided along with social-distancing and mask mandates. But unfortunately, this isn’t the case for many students. Our guest on this episode of the UConn 360 podcast is Morgaen Donaldson, the Associate Dean for Research and Philip E. Austin Endowed Chair of the UConn Neag School of Education. She has worked to investigate and address the pandemic’s effects on student performance and well-being. Donaldson works to identify the issues currently faced by schools, develop research studies to analyze them, and ultimately design solutions.

Episode 150: The Lucky Husky

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Bethany O’Brien is the author of a new UConn children’s book and is a proud UConn graduate. She met her husband in the first month of college in the West Campus residence halls and lives with her family in nearby Tolland, as they share their love of UConn with their two children. Bethany has integrated her passion for UConn by writing a children’s book that celebrates UConn’s success in men’s and women’s basketball – “The Lucky Husky”. The book has just been published, and a share of the proceeds will benefit the care and upkeep of our beloved mascot Jonathan! She joins us on the UConn 360 podcast to talk about her background and how she decided to write this book. The book is available on Amazon and information on appearances and book signings can be found on Instagram.

Episode 149: It’s Halloween Time, Let’s Study Horror Films!

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0500

It’s October here at UConn (and everywhere else!), which means it is almost Halloween and horror film season. Our guest on this episode of the UConn 360 podcast is professor of English Greg Semenza, who has been a member of the UConn faculty since 2001 and teaches a class called “The Horror Film” that has 100 students enrolled in each of the last several semesters. He also is the faculty advisor of the Husky Horror Club, which has 500 undergraduate members. Greg is a horror movie aficionado, and we ask him about some of his personal favorites, what exactly qualifies as a horror movie and why they are so popular today. He earned his undergraduate degree from Rutgers and his graduate and doctoral degree from Penn State.

Episode 148: A Community Program for Literacy and Nutrition

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Husky Reads is one of the longest-running community impact programs for UConn Husky Nutrition & Sport out of the Neag School of Education here at UConn. Husky Reads is designed to promote nutrition and literacy among preschool children. The curriculum includes a series of 10 weekly lessons that introduce the preschool-age children to MyPlate while improving fruit and vegetable literacy. Our guest on this podcast is Sarah Larocque, who is the lead coordinator for Husky Reads, who explains the program to us. More than 800 preschoolers across Connecticut engage with Husky Reads each year at 15 early childhood education centers. Such sustained community partnerships are a hallmark of UConn Husky Nutrition & Sport as well as the University’s mission, values, and areas of focus in its current Strategic Plan.

Episode 147: Caring For Family Members With Dementia

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Amanda Cooper is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication and her research focuses on the ways in which individuals and families navigate difficult transitions across the lifespan, particularly at the end of life. She has recently published a study in the Journal of Family Communication about what family members can do to maintain the personhood of their family members who have dementia. The topic is particularly timely as September is World Alzheimer’s Month and Sept. 21 is World Alzheimer’s Day. The study has specific tips, like maintaining a connection with the person by saying phrases like “I love you.” Amanda is a relatively new member of the UConn community and talks about how much she enjoys being part of the institution and the welcoming environment it provides to researchers and educators.

Episode 146: Happy Birthday School of Pharmacy!

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0500

It’s a special year for the UConn School of Pharmacy in 2025-26 as it celebrates its centennial year. Dean Phil Hritcko joins us on the UConn 360 podcast to tell us about all the festivities that are planned, including the Centennial Celebrationon Oct. 18. Dean Hritcko also gives us an update on what is new in the School of Pharmacy and explains the academic programs the school offers. There are a lot of different career options for pharmacy graduates than the traditional retail outlets and working behind a counter. Research has become a big part of the pharmacy field. He also talks about what is new in the global field of pharmacy, including how tariffs are affecting the production of medications.

Episode 145: A Special Summit Comes to UConn

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0500

The Dodd Center for Human Rights will be presenting its Second Human Rights Summit from October 22 and 24 and this year’s event will focus on Sport and Human Rights. The opening keynote event of the summit will feature a conversation with two pivotal figures in the history of sports and activism—Tommie Smith and John Carlos, the 1968 Olympians whose raised-fist salute became an iconic global symbol of the struggle for human rights. The summit is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Our guest on this episode of the podcast is Jim Waller, the Christopher J. Dodd Chair in Human Rights Practice, Director of Dodd Human Rights Impact Programs, and the coordinator of the summit. He has an impressive background, which includes holding responsibilities with the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect.

Episode 144: Kicking Off a New Season

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0500

It is a new season for athletics at UConn and it all starts with the women’s soccer team hosting an exhibition game on Wednesday night. Head coach Margaret Rodriguez is our guest for this episode as her Huskies won the Big East tournament last season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament. “Mags” played at UConn and was a long-time assistant coach before taking over the head coaching reigns. She talks about the culture that she has built in the program and what that culture is all about. Rodriguez gives insight on how parents can guide their children in the college recruiting process. The Huskies open the regular season on Sunday, August 17, against Stony Brook. For the complete schedule and ticket information visit uconnhuskies.com.

Episode 143: Keeping UConn in Tip-Top Shape

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Eric Kruger is UConn’s Vice President of Facility Services and University Planning and took time out of his busy schedule to join us on the UConn 360 podcast. Eric oversees a team of skilled and dedicated workers who keep the UConn campuses running and in good condition, in addition to new buildings and construction. Eric was named to his current position in March and oversees the planning and management of all facilities operations and the physical infrastructure of all UConn campuses. He has a long history at UConn and was the vice president for facilities and development and operations at UConn Health before taking his current job. Eric came to UConn in 2014 as executive director of facilities and operations. He previously was as an operations and engineering manager at Eversource and had a 20-year career with the U.S. Naval Submarine Force.

Episode 142: Weathering the Storm

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0500

It’s the middle of summer and the weather is great! But, we all must be aware that hurricane season is upon us. Fortunately, the UConn Extension works with colleagues from across the United States as part of the national Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN). The goals of the network are to help residents, communities, businesses, and municipalities in the state to prepare for, mitigate, and recover from extreme weather events. Our guest on the podcast this week is Stacey Stearns, who is a communications specialist for the Extension and works with EDEN. Stacey gives us some prep tips for what we should all do to prepare for hurricanes, whether you own a home, a business, or a farm. The podcasters also remember storms of the past and how to prepare for all kinds of snow and rain. Also back in 2005, do you know what Slate picked as the U.S. city where the odds of perishing in a natural disaster are the smallest?

Episode 141: Well, Well, Well…

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Episode 141: Well, Well, Well…

Water affects every part of our life, especially when it comes to our supply where we live. Mike Dietz is director of the Connecticut Institute of Water Resources, which is part of the UConn Extension. Among the services offered by the institute of testing of home well water, which is recommend to be performed every other year, but seldom is by homeowners. Mike tells us about what owning a home with a well is like and the differences in using a municipal supply. He also explains other issues facing our state and country in terms of water and how he first became interested in this topic as a youngster. Mike even gives Izzy some tips about drinking water safety for her upcoming trip to the Canary Islands!

Episode 140: A Large and Historic Puppet Collection

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Professor of puppet arts Matthew Isaac Cohen has laid hands on each of the 23,000 puppets that comprise the largest Indonesian puppet collection in the world. Over the last eight years, he has researched the Dr. Walter Angst and Sir Henry Angest Collection of Indonesian Puppets at the Yale University Art Gallery, Cohen has taken great care with each of the artifacts, some hundreds of years old. He joins us on the podcast to talk about what it is like to work with such a large and historic collection. Cohen is a member of the prestigious John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation’s 100th class of fellows and plans to document in two major publications what he’s found in Angst’s collection. Cohenalso talks about being part of UConn world-renowned puppet arts program as it celebrates its 60th anniversary.

Episode 139: Takin’ Our Licks

Wed, 28 May 2025 07:00:00 -0500

UConn is known for many things – great academics, championship sports …. and the world’s great ice cream (in our humble opinion!). Joining us on this edition of the podcast is Bill Sciturro, who is the manger of the UConn creamery that is responsible for making the ice cream that is sold at the UConn Dairy Bar. Bill tells us a little bit about the history of ice cream making at UConn and what flavors are the most popular. He has an interesting background himself as he grew up working in ice cream shops in Rhode Island and started his career in health care before returning to his ice cream roots. The process of making ice cream, and the other products produced at the creamery is not an easy and sometimes unglamourous task and Bill goes through the whole process. He also talks about what preparation is done to prepare special favors like the Senior Scoop and the ones that honor basketball championships. Finally, he brought us some ice cream and we got a chance to have a taste. If you want to visit the Dairy Bar this summer, these are the hours.

Episode 138: Novel Brands Give Consumers New Choices

Wed, 14 May 2025 07:00:00 -0500

When somebody scrolls through the top product categories on Amazon odds are some 60% of the brands for sale will be ones you’ve never heard of before. That poses a challenge for marketers looking for their brands to be chosen among the many options, including familiar ones. UConn marketing professor Danielle Brick has researched how novel brands can make inroads in a very crowded marketplace and it has been published in the Journal of Consumer Research. She joins us on the podcast and tells us about how she went about her research, which included offering candy bars to people that just worked out at a gym. Brick also tells us about how novel brands have affected her personal shopping habits and her research on spiteful brand choices in relationships.

Episode 137: UConn’s Rudd Center Studies Various Food Issues

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0500

UConn’s nationally-renowned Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health promotes solutions to food insecurity, poor diet quality, and weight bias through research and policy. Marlene Schwartz is the director of the Rudd Center and joins us on the podcast. She is also a professor of Human Development and Family Studies. Marlene talks about how the Rudd Center performs research and advocates on these various issues. She also gives parents helpful hints on how to get their children to eat healthy foods and good tips on how buying things like fruits and vegetables can be done in an economic way. Schwartz also reviews what college students can do to eat healthy when they move into dormitory life.

Episode 136: UConn Professor Looks at Role of Law in Businesses

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Robert Bird, a professor of business law in UConn’s School of Business, has a new book out - “Legal Knowledge in Organizations: A Source of Strategic and Competitive Advantage.” Bird tells us that most companies believe that lawyers and legal knowledge are only necessary to avoid breaking the law or getting stuck in a lawsuit. Legal knowledge, however, is much more valuable than that and can be a source of competitive advantage for any company that wants to use legal knowledge in this fashion. Bird goes through the five pathways a business can use to make the law a positive difference and be a competitive advantage. In addition to interviewing Bird, co-host Izzy Harris talks about her recent experience working at the NCAA Women’s Final Four for University Communications.

Episode 135: The Future of Clothing Is So Smart

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 07:26:20 -0500

John Toribio is a doctoral student at UConn in polymer chemistry – and is the first student to join us in this current format of the UConn 360 podcast. In addition to his studies, he is the CEO and CTO of Zemi Labs, (zemilabs.com), which is a start-up company creating smart clothing for comprehensive health and fitness. The company creates wearable garments that provide real-time relevant analytics about human bio-mechanical data, like heart and muscle performance, cognitive awareness, emotional status, and physiological workload. Zemi was the winner of UConn’s 2024 Innovation Quest entrepreneurship competition and received a $15,000 award. Toribio discusses where Zemi is now and what the future might hold. In addition, he talks about how he uses smart clothing and technology in his own life, how he balances his academic and entrepreneurship efforts, and what his own workout regime is like.

Episode 134: Irish Studies at UConn

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0500

It is March, which means Saint Patrick’s Day and Irish-American Heritage Month in the United States. Here at UConn, Mary Burke is a professor in the Department of English and oversees the Irish Literature Concentration. She joins us on this episode of the UConn 360 podcast to talk about Irish studies on campus and her background as a scholar and professor. Mary explains the origins of the holiday back in Ireland and some of her own family traditions. If you are interested in learning about Irish literature, but have never studies it, she gives you a few places to start. Mary organizes the annual Gerson Irish Reading event on campus, which takes places this year on Tuesday, April 1, at the UConn Alumni House.

Episode 133: A New Book from Coach Calhoun

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Former UConn men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun won three national championships for the Huskies, but the relationship he has with players goes well beyond in the court. Calhoun has recently finished his third book - “More Than a Game: How the UConn Dynasty Was Built on a Culture of Caring” – which he co-authored with sportswriter Dom Amore. The book takes a look at Calhoun’s relationships with a number of former players from all his various coaching stops with many of them former Huskies. Amore joins us on the latest episode of the UConn 360 podcast to talk about how the book came about, when people will be able to get a copy, some insight about its content, and a little bit about his career as well.

Episode 132: Helping High School Athletes Eat Right

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Jennifer Fields is an assistant professor of nutritional sciences at UConn and recently published a study about high school athletes and their lack of knowledge in nutrition. Fields knew that college student-athletes often turned to unscientific outlets, like social media, for nutritional information in the absence of formal education. Given this, she became interested in seeing if similar patterns existed for high school athletes. Fields found out it was, and she talks about the reasons why and how this lack of knowledge can hurt the high school athlete. One of the key differences between sports and regular nutrition is athletes’ calories and carbohydrate needs, and she discusses that with us. Fields also talks about what parents and families can do to help their high school athlete gain nutritional knowledge.

Episode 131: Hope Springs Eternal

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Husky baseball coach Jim Penders joins this edition of the UConn 360 podcast as he enters his 22nd season guiding this historic program. He is just the fifth coach to guide the team in the past 100 years and Penders talks about the responsibilities that carries. The Penders family has deep baseball and athletic roots in Connecticut and nationally, which inspires him every day. He has spent 33 of the past 35 years as part of the “Hook C” as a player, assistant coach and head coach – the two other years were spent in politics in Washington, D.C. Penders has led UConn to nine NCAA tournament trips and to the Super Regionals in two of the past three years. He previews the 2025 Huskies, which look to make UConn’s first trip to Omaha and the College World Series since 1979.

Episode 130: Trying to Make the Roads Safer

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0500

There are many ways that UConn impacts the citizens of Connecticut beyond its obvious academic mission. The Connecticut Transportation Institute is one of the outlets and it is led by director and associate research professor Eric Jackson. The institute serves to advance the maintenance and enhancement of transportation systems and safety, with a particular focus on Connecticut’s current and future needs. Eric joins us on the UConn 360 podcast to talk about his work and why traffic safety and fatalities have increased in recent years. The reasons are many and vary from the effects of COVID, to distracted driving, and many others. The CTI is doing important work and Eric tells the story in an interesting enlightening way.

Episode 129: Stopping the Loneliness on Campus

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Anna Mae Duane is the director of the UConn Humanities Institute and is currently coordinating a year-long series of events to address the feeling of loneliness that some college students have. Anna was inspired to do this when she received a letter from a UConn student who had given up on companionship. Anna talks about events that happened in the fall semester and some that are planned for the spring. Listeners can email her at uchi@uconn.edu to find out more about the program. Anna also explains what parents can do for their younger children to fight loneliness, the role of the Humanities Institute on campus, and the value of a humanities degree to both a student and potential employers.

Episode 128: Seeing the Skies in Storrs!

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 07:00:00 -0500

UConn is the home to the oldest planetarium in the state of Connecticut as it was originally built in 1954. The facility underwent extensive renovations in 2023-24, led by the efforts of assistant professor of physics in residence Matt Guthrie. Guthrie worked with a number of different areas of campus on the project, which includes a new projector, new seating and a surround sound system. The building has also been renamed in honor of Cynthia Peterson, who served as the planetarium’s director for 35 years. Matt tells us about the shows at the planetarium and how you can come and see one! He also chats about renovations to a little-known observatory on the outskirts of campus.

Episode 127: Togetherness in Tradition

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0500

It’s the start of the holiday season and people are getting ready to celebrate all kinds of traditions. Associate professor of anthropology Dimitris Xygalatas joins the UConn 360 podcast to talk about his research in why rituals and events like holidays are so important to the human experience. Dimitris has performed research all over the world on this topic and explains why in-person events are even more crucial with the rise of social media and electronic communications. He also looks at other rituals like sporting events and how being at a live game brings people together. Dimitris also reflects on what being the parent of a young child means for him now. Leann Garnelis, the Social and Emerging Media Manager in University Communications, joins us as a guest co-host for this episode.

Episode 126: Off to Mars…Via Houston!

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 07:00:00 -0500

Jason Lee, an associate professor in the College of Engineering at UConn, has wanted to travel into space since he was a child. He got a chance to do that for 45 days – without ever leaving earth! For 45 days, Lee, lived in NASA’s Human Exploration Research Analog habitat at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, participating in a simulated journey to Mars. He and three others operated in a constrained environment, completing mission-critical tasks, conducting repairs, viewing Martian landscapes through virtual reality, and making communication attempts with Mission Control. Lee talks to the UConn 360 podcast all about the experience, including what it was like to stay in touch with family and friends, what the diet was for the crew, and the future of space travel.

Episode 125: Cheese, Glorious Cheese

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0500

UConn is known around the country for great academics, championship basketball and the greatest ice cream you can find. Now, award-winning cheese can be added to that list! Cheeses produced at UConn’s Creamery have recently won major awards in national and regional contests, including winning a first prize at the American Cheese Society Annual Judging and Competition. Dennis D’Amico, associate professor of animal science, joins us to talk about the cheese making process at UConn, and also brought some samples along for your UConn 360 hosts to sample and enjoy. Jacie Severance from University Communications is a guest co-host this episode and started off by sharing a few of her favorite cheese puns!

Episode 124: Hoop Dreams

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Coach Tom Moore is entering his 20th season (during two stints) on the UConn men’s basketball coach staff and has been part of four national championships with the Huskies. He has been involved in college basketball at every level – a head coach in Division I and III and an assistant coach in Division I and II. He talks to us about the similarities, and differences, between Dan Hurley and Jim Calhoun and what it is like coaching in the age of NIL and the transfer portal. Moore also looks back on his background growing up in Central Massachusetts and how being a sports writer was his original calling in college.

Episode 123: Holocaust Education

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Alan Marcus is a professor in UConn’s Neag School of Education and among his areas of focus is global education with an emphasis on the Holocaust and teaching difficult history. Last year, he led a program at E.O. Smith High School in Storrs that Taught lessons about the Holocaust and larger issues of identity. The program, which was also offered to local members of the community, consisted of interactive experiences with Holocaust survivors, a virtual tour of a Holocaust concentration camp, and a photography exhibit featuring E.O. Smith teachers and staff members in their life way from school. Marcus talks about how social media has affected the way the Holocaust is thought of in these times and what the future of this program might be.

Episode 122: Meet Our Dean of Students

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 08:09:37 -0500

Fany DeJesus Hannon serves as the Dean of Students and absolutely loves her job…and UConn students. A native of Honduras, she embraces her Latino heritage and applies it to how she and her office help Huskies succeed. The Dean of Students office works with virtually every area of campus to help undergraduates get the most of their college experience. Fany looks at college as a “family business” and encourages parents and guardians to be active participants at UConn. She has been part of the UConn family for 18 years and is the former director of the Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center. Fany even told us the Latino cuisine she like to eat when she visits her family in Florida!

Episode 121: Helping Huskies Earn Scholarship and Fellowships

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0500

It’s the second week of classes on all of UConn campuses and our guest on this week’s UConn 360 podcast is busier than ever. Vin Moscardelli is the director of the Office of National Scholarships & Fellowships, which helps identify students for such honors as the Rhodes, Fulbright, Truman and Udall programs. Moscaredelli’s office guides students through the application process and has some great stories about how some scholars have found out they are winners. Moscardelli also tells us about his background and his time as a political science professor and what that is like during this time of political division. He’s also a huge college sports fan and we talk about his favorites!

Episode #120: A Real Pain in the Knee

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 08:02:58 -0500

Neal Glaviano is an assistant professor at UConn in the Department of Kinesiology and serves as the clinical education coordinator for the master’s in athletic training program. He works with a number of areas on campus ranging from athletics to ROTC. Neal joins us in this episode and talks about treatments for knee pain for everyone from college athletes to members of the military to weekend warriors. He explained how a shoulder injury sustained as a high school football player first got him interested in athletic training. Neal also provides advice to parents on how their child can try to avoid injuries and how playing a variety of sports growing up is helpful.

Episode 119: A Firefighter for UConn... and Beyond

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 09:00:00 -0500

UConn Deputy Fire Chief Chris Renshaw is involved in virtually every aspect of campus life. He is a key part of the Division of University Safety whose mission is to make sure the entire campus community is safe on a day-to-day basis. Chris is also heavily involved in special occasions like a Presidential visit and sporting events. When he’s not keeping UConn safe, he’s been known to travel around the country for the safety of others as he helps battle large forest fires. He also chatted with us about the long and proud history of the UConn Fire Department and how rare it is for a University to have its own department.

Episode 118: Researching the Arctic

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -0500

UConn faculty have performed research all over the globe, but few have gone to a more remote place than professor of marine science Penny Vlahos. Vlahos, along with two other UConn researchers, travelled to the Arctic in May of 2023 to gather samples from sea ice that is expected to be extinct by 2040 and gather clues about our future without it. She shares details about the logistics of traveling to that region of the world and stories of other research trips she has taken around the globe. Vlahos also talks about what she likes to do in her free time, including baking bread!

Episode 117: Hittin’ the Links with Coach Pezzino

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -0500

UConn golf coach Dave Pezzino has been on campus for 17 seasons and has led the elevation of the program to the national scene. He joins us on the latest version of the UConn 360 podcast to talk about that climb and what it is like to be part of the overall Husky culture. Coach Pezzino also gives us some insight on his experience playing alongside Tiger Woods one day, what it is like to be the father of two pairs of twins and what UConn 360 co-host Izzy Harris should concentrate on the next time she hits the driving range!

Episode 116: The New Kids…and Children’s Lit

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 09:15:01 -0500

The UConn 360 podcast is back…with some new co-hosts. Izzy Harris and Mike Enright of University Communications have taken over the reins of UConn 360 and hope to live up the high standards of information and entertainment provided by colleagues Tom Breen and Julie Bartucca. In this first (or 116th) episode, Izzy and Mike introduce themselves to the audience and then are joined by Professor Victoria Ford Smith of the Department of English, who is an expert on classic children’s literature, Robert Louis Stevenson and a slew of other topics.

Goodbye - or Maybe Au Revoir?

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 10:12:44 -0500

After six years, 115 episodes, two national awards, and countless memories that will last a lifetime, UConn 360 is going on indefinite hiatus. Does this mean you'll never again hear from the only podcast known to science that covers the University of Connecticut from every conceivable angle? Probably not! Who knows? The future is unwritten, as Tom's favorite band once observed. So put on your best UConn sweater, scoop yourself a bowl of Dairy Bar ice cream, and join us for a stroll down memory lane as we bid adieu - for now - to what we once advertised on UConn buses as "the only podcast in the world."

The Politics of Wild Weather

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 00:16:00 -0500

From raging wildfires in Canada to record rainfall in New York City to an out-of-nowhere hurricane slamming into Mexico, 2023 has been yet another year with abundant evidence that our weather is getting harder to predict - and disasters harder to manage - as the planet continues to heat. Talbot Andrews, assistant professor of political science, focuses on how institutions, public policy, and the physical environment shape preferences and behavior related to climate change. She uses a combination of experiments, public opinion data, and formal theory to answer questions such as: When do people believe in climate change? When are they willing to support climate change mitigation policies?

She sat down with UConn 360 to talk about extreme weather and public policy, and, while it's a sobering topic, delivers an optimistic message.

After that, UConn 360 travels back to 1989, to discover what it means to be a Suitcase Campus.

How Hip Hop Conquered the World

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 00:39:00 -0500

This year marks the 50th anniversary of hip hop, which emerged from block parties in the South Bronx to become the dominant form of popular music in the United States and beyond. How did this unlikely underdog story happen? What kind of changes to the music and culture have taken place over five decades? What do you do when Chuck D from Public Enemy keeps giving you the brushoff? To answer these questions and more, there's no one better qualified than Professor of History Jeffrey Ogbar, director of the Center for the Study of Popular Music and author of the award-winning book, “Hip-Hop Revolution: The Culture and Politics of Rap." In one of the most fun and wide-ranging conversations in the illustrious history of UConn 360, he lends his insights into how this vital expression of the Black experience in the US became the dominant mode of popular music, and why it remains urgent and fresh after 50 years.

After that, Tom and Julie journey back to the late 1970s to learn about how UConn was responding to the energy crisis: with chilly buildings, solar panels, and carpools that made lifelong friendships.

How You Like Them Apples?

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 00:28:00 -0500

Once upon a time, UConn was home to abundant orchards - where Gampel Pavilion sits now, and later at the Cold Spring Orchard not too far away. It's been many years since UConn grew its own apples, pears, and other tree fruit, but that's about to change.

The Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources is working to revive UConn's status as an orchard-having university, and this time, in addition to apples, there will be an impressive variety of fruits both familiar and new. Here to tell us all about these efforts is Evan Lentz, assistant extension educator of fruit production and integrated pest management. Evan graduated from UConn in 2022 with his master's in plant science and before that earned his bachelor's here in sustainable plant and soil systems.

After we speak with Evan, Tom and Julie find a University guide to managing email from the dawn of the Internet era, and see how much has changed since then.

Reliving UConn’s Dream Season

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 00:11:00 -0500

It may seem hard to believe, as we bask in the glow of a fifth national championship, but there was a time when the UConn men's basketball team was little more than an afterthought.

The Huskies had joined the newly created Big East Conference in 1979, which coincidentally would be the last time they'd play in the NCAA tournament for more than a decade. A doormat in the best basketball conference in the country, UConn's fortunes would only start to change when they hired a new head coach in 1986.

In his second year at UConn, Jim Calhoun led the Huskies to a victory in the National Invitation Tournament, their first ever national championship. But it would be the 1989-90 season that would capture the imagination of the entire state and announce UConn's arrival as a national contender.

The Dream Season, as it's become known, saw the Huskies reach their first NCAA tournament since 1979, a run capped off by the unforgettable Sweet 16 victory over Clemson, won in the very last second by a Tate George jump shot.

It would all end in tears in the following round against Duke, but even though the Huskies would cut down the nets five times in the next 33 years, that season retains a special place in the hearts of UConn fans.

Matt Edwards is one of those fans. But unlike most fans, he's not content to simply cherish his memories.

Since April 2022, Matt has been producing the Dream Season Podcast, an in-depth oral history of the 1989-90 season, featuring interviews with players, coaches, and journalists who relive that incredible time and offer their insights on what made it so special.

After the interview, Matt sticks around while we answer a history question he posed on Twitter: What's the story behind a UConn-related publication with a memorable name that we're not sure we can say on the podcast?

Learning to Live in the Anthropocene

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 00:22:00 -0500

Tom and Julie get a break this week from their hectic podcast production schedule when colleague Elaina Hancock interviews Professor of Earth Sciences Robert Thorson - known far and wide as "Thor" - whose expertise runs from Henry David Thoreau to New England stone walls to cutting-edge geology. In this interview, Elaina and Prof. Thorson talk about the "Anthropocene" - the current age the earth finds itself in, when human civilization is bringing unprecedented changes to the climate and environment. What does it mean to live in a time when people are a leading factor in shaping the very conditions of life on Earth?

Meanwhile, Tom and Julie travel back to a lost age of slightly less dramatic scope: the age of public access television. There, they discover that UConn Waterbury once had its own regular show on cable systems throughout Connecticut, episodes of which seem to be lost, much to our hosts' chagrin.

Getting It Right on Substance Use Disorder

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 00:58:00 -0500

Nationally, about 12% of children live with a parent who abuses alcohol or other drugs, and about 80% of parents in the child welfare system have substance use disorder.

Margaret Lloyd Sieger is an Assistant Professor in the UConn School of Social Work who teaches courses in substance use disorder, research, program evaluation, and social policy. Her professional and practice background includes clinical work with children and adolescents affected by parental addiction at the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and as a civil litigation paralegal. She now studies mothers and infants with prenatal substance exposure, child protection policies and systems, and family treatment courts.

Professor Lloyd Sieger is leading Connecticut's evaluation of the implementation of the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, known as CAPTA, which requires states to collect notifications when infants are born and found to have been exposed to certain drugs in utero.

In this episode, she talks about Connecticut's national-model data gathering system on substance abuse disorder, how to help make social workers' lives easier, and what it's like to be part of drafting a new law.

On this month's visit to Tom's History Corner, we talk about some big anniversaries for UConn, involving intra-university lawsuits, an especially momentous day in the life of Charles Lewis Beach, and the last class in University history who could truthfully say they earned their sheepskins.

How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worthwhile

Wed, 03 May 2023 00:13:00 -0500

Dimitris Xygalatas is an anthropologist and cognitive scientist who studies some of the more peculiar aspects of what it means to be human: ritual, music, sports fandom, and other things that help people connect with each other and make sense of their lives. He is an associated professor in anthropology and psychological sciences at UConn, and the head of the Experimental Anthropology Lab.
His most recent book is “Ritual: How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living,” which is available wherever you can get books. We’ve been trying to make this interview happen for a while, and we’re thrilled it happened for this great conversation about personal superstition, public ritual, and why it sort of makes sense to wear the same pair of underwear during a historic NCAA tournament run. After we speak with Professor Xygalatas, Tom and Julie break out the UConn History Bagatelles and indulge in the decadent fantasy of dedicated parking.

We Are the Champions, My Friend

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 00:20:00 -0500

Hey! Have you heard that the UConn Huskies men's basketball team are YOUR 2023 NCAA national champions? OF COURSE YOU HAVE. In this episode, recorded hours after the final game, Julie and Tom talk about it in a very sleep-deprived way that will either capture the lingering excitement of the moment or make you wonder if the fumes from the soundproof paneling have started to finally get to us.

Then, professionalism kicks in once again, and we have a fascinating chat with Nidhi Nair '23 (CLAS), UConn's first-ever Schwarzman Scholar and someone with a keen grasp of economics in both the macro and micro arenas. In this wide-ranging discussion, we talk about how she started an effort to boost financial literacy among her fellow students, the United Nations COP26 conference in Glasgow which she attended as a student fellow, her future plans to study in China, and much more.

We then travel back to the magical summer of 1966 to learn about the best spots on campus to listen to recordings and check out pamphlets. Take a listen!

Perception Matters: Supreme Court Edition

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 00:10:00 -0500

This week, we sit down with UConn School of Law Dean Eboni S. Nelson for a wide-ranging discussion on everything from the U.S. Supreme Court to the future of legal education. Dean Nelson, who arrived at UConn in July 2020, says that the growing public impression of the nation's top court as essentially a political body doesn't bode well for its ability to fulfill its mission as ultimate arbiter of the country's laws. She also talks about an anticipated Court decision that could radically change the college admissions process, the importance of diverse viewpoints and backgrounds on the Court, and what she wants to see happen at UConn Law as it enters its second century.

After that, the band gets back together when Ken Best returns, IN STUDIO, to talk about a new exhibition he curated at Homer Babbidge Library on the history of rock and roll. Ken has forgotten more about rock music than most of us will ever learn, so don't miss either this conversation or the exhibit, which runs through June.

A Big Mountain to Climb: Neurodivergency and the Workplace

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 00:57:00 -0500

“Neurodiversity” has become a familiar term across American society, but mere awareness of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, and other neurological differences doesn’t mean much for the people who live with these – especially when it comes to finding work.

Studies differ on exact numbers, but the unemployment rate among neurodivergent people (a more precise term than neurodiversity) is definitely higher than among the overall population, probably by a double-digit factor.

“It’s not just awareness,” says Judy Reilly, Judy Reilly, the director of the Werth Institute’s Center for Neurodiversity & Employment Innovation at UConn. “The heavy lift is really in, Ok, so now what do we do? How do we build a process to include these candidates better for the jobs they’re talented enough to do, and then how do we support them when we hire them?”

The new Center, under Reilly, is at the forefront of a growing move in higher education and the American workplace to appreciate the skills and talents of neurodivergent individuals, and create environments where they can succeed.

In this episode of UConn 360, Reilly talks about the shifting landscape in employment, the challenges of culture change in the workplace, and the reasons she’s so passionate about her work.

Then, in this episode's installment of Tom's History Shelf, Tom and Julie discover which building is the oldest on the UConn campus, and explain why it isn't the one you might be thinking of.

The Person Who Makes Sure UConn is Picture-Perfect

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 07:25:52 -0500

If you've ever looked at a copy of UConn Magazine, visited the UConn Today website, or received any UConn-related material in the mail, you've probably seen the work of Peter Morenus. University photographer for nearly three decades, Morenus has photographed everyone from first-year students on their first day moving in to U.S. presidents. Here, he talks with UConn 360 about some of his most memorable assignments, the changes he's seen in photography since he started out as a freelancer in New York putting rolls of film on Greyhound buses, and even a little bit of K-Pop. Also, Julie and Tom discuss where on campus you can find a really old bog.

First Year Programs and the Limo Code

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 13:36:34 -0500

In this episode, we sit down (finally in our real studio!) with Leo Lachut '89, Director of Academic Support and Assistant Director of First Year Programs and Learning Communities. A first-generation college student himself, Leo talks about how, while student needs have remained roughly the same since his undergraduate days, the resources to help them succeed have vastly expanded.

But there's another side to Leo Lachut: a limousine-driving side. Moonlighting as a limo driver since he was in graduate school, Leo tells us about the 'Limo Code,' and the time he almost found himself on a Broadway stage by accident.

Tom and Julie round out this episode by reminding people not to spell "UConn" in all capital letters, in hopes of furthering a surprisingly intense online debate.

The Case for Not Despairing Over the Fate of the Earth

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 00:47:00 -0500

We're joined by Michael Willig, executive director of the Institute of the Environment and a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, who talks about why he doesn't lose hope even in the face of grim news about the climate and environment. One of the things that encourages him is the work that UConn is doing on a number of fronts, which he tells us about. He also discusses what it was like to start his field career in a remote corner of Brazil, and how that taught him about more than just evolutionary biology. Afterwards, we travel back to the Golden Age of Radio to meet a UConn professor reluctant to relive his childhood celebrity.

The ’Black Superwoman’ Dilemma

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 00:10:00 -0500

In this episode, Dr. Loneke Blackman Carr discusses the multiple caregiver role experienced by many Black women. She describes this as "The Black Superwoman Phenomenon,” which essentially means they keep their families and communities afloat, but to the detriment of their own health. Her research is the first study to examne this role specifically in the context of a weight loss intervention. We also talk about the culture around weight loss more broadly, and how it fits into our evolving understanding of holistic health and body positivity. Then, in the latest installment of the History Shelf, Tom and Julie discuss the origin of a singles club strictly for UConn employees.

Folks, We Are 100

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 00:01:00 -0500

It's been a little over four years since UConn 360's humble origins in a conference room on North Eagleville Road, and now we have 100 episodes under our award-winning belts. Join us for a star-studded celebration that includes such beloved characters from the UConn 360 Cinematic Universe as co-founder Ken Best, who tells us about an exhibit he's working on that will be on display in Homer Babbidge Library; former student worker extraordinaire Maxine Philavong '20, who fills us in on her life in the Big Apple and delivers the stunning news that UConn 360 was actually helpful in pursuing a post-graduation career; and Steve Winchell '08, podcaster, artist, all-around great guy, and UConn 360 super fan, who offers some sure-to-be provocative thoughts on which dorms on campus are the best.

Online archive of Ken's WHUS radio show "Good Music": https://spinitron.com/WHUS/show/6021/Good-Music

Maxine's podcasting work: https://www.trainerroad.com/blog/author/maxine/

Steve Winchell on Twitter: @SAWinchell

What’s in Your Medicine Cabinet?

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 00:13:00 -0500

Many people probably think they know exactly what's in the dietary supplements and even prescription medications they take. Many people are WRONG. Professor C. Michael White, head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, drops by to tell us about flaws in the FDA oversight process when it comes to medications, counterfeit drugs, and how dietary supplements can pose real risks to people. And, in this installment of Tom's History Corner Cabinet, Tom and Julie unearth a letter from an alumna that details what it was like to play basketball in cumbersome bloomers.

Some of Professor White's articles and commentary can be found here: C. Michael White – The Conversation

Park Week

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 00:21:00 -0500

Hartford native Frederick Law Olmsted is famous for his work in designing Central Park, but he was also a driving force behind human-shaped landscapes from Niagara Falls State Park to Smith College to the Institute of Living. Sohyun Park, assistant professor in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, recently cohosted a symposium on Olmsted as part of a year-long celebration of the 200th anniversary of his birth. Park tells us about the lessons Olmsted's work holds for landscape architects today, from public accessibility to social justice.

Tom and Julie also spend some time pondering the difference between AM and FM, and Tom makes a rash promise to file a public records request.

Pursuing History, from Israel to Eastern Connecticut

Wed, 18 May 2022 07:58:20 -0500

Stuart Miller, a professor of Hebrew, History, and Judaic Studies and Academic Director of the Center for Judaic Studies and Contemporary Jewish Life, has been a force at UConn since 1982. Professor Miller is an expert in the history and literature of the Jews of Roman and Late Antique Palestine and throughout his career has worked closely with archaeologists, having served for many years on the staff of the Sepphoris Regional Project in Israel. Now, as he prepares to retire, we get a chance to talk with him about his remarkable career, touching on everything from the evolution of Judaic studies to the essence of the professorship to the peculiar thrill of being associated with an ancient toilet.

Read the article about the excavation in Chesterfield here.

Schoolhouse Showdown: The Fight(s) Over American Education

Wed, 04 May 2022 00:46:00 -0500

Preston Green is a professor of educational leadership and law at the University of Connecticut and the John and Maria Neag Professor of Urban Education at the Neag School of Education. He's a nationally recognized expert on school choice, charter schools, and the complex legal landscape of American public education. He's also a great follow on Twitter, and a fun person to talk to about issues that are at the forefront of American politics. He stops by this week to talk about the Supreme Court, charter schools, the fight over school curricula, and more. And, with commencement hoving into view, Tom and Julie take a look back at the "naughty generation" of 1927.

Master of Puppets

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 00:15:00 -0500

John Bell is an associate professor in the Department of Dramatic Arts, the director of the Ballard Institute & Museum of Puppetry, and one of the most fun guests we've ever had. He stopped by to tell us about the astonishing diversity of puppeteering traditions, the everyday objects that serve as puppets without being thought of that way, and even why some people are creeped out by puppets. He also fills us in on some great opportunities to watch live performances on campus by the world-famous Bread and Puppet Theater in April.

Blue and White, Blue and Yellow: A UConn Student Responds to the Invasion of Ukraine

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 00:20:00 -0500

This week we return to the fabled UConn 360 Studio for a talk with Victoria Kostour '22, a first-generation Ukrainian-American and the president of the Ukrainian Student Association. She tells us what it's been like to watch the war in Ukraine from here in the United States, how she and her fellow students have responded with activism and organizing, and how the UConn community has supported her. We also find a very old copy of the Daily Campus, which helps us learn about a bygone campus protest and a mysterious restaurant with a gruesome name.

Facing Anti-Asian Hate in and out of Academia

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 00:57:00 -0500

This week we're joined by Jason Oliver Chang, Associate Professor of History and Asian American Studies, to talk about the pop-up course on anti-Asian racism he helped create for UConn; the increase in anti-Asian racist incidents and attacks since the start of the pandemic; and the role of scholarship in maintaining a strong democracy. We also take a stroll on Tom's History Sidewalk (real name pending) to the first visit by a foreign head of state to UConn.

Healthy Democracy, Healthy People

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 00:22:00 -0500

This week, we sit down with Tanya Rhodes Smith, director of the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work in the UConn School of Social Work. She tells us about how social work is inherently political, how social workers can help make positive changes for individuals and society, and how research indicates that higher rates of voter participation correlate with better overall health in people. Also, back by semi-popular demand, we journey into the mists of UConn's past for a new installment of something we're not calling Tom's History Corner.

Meet the Man Behind those Horsebarn Hill Sunsets

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 00:42:00 -0500

This week, we talk with Milton Levin '04 Ph.D., Associate Research Professor in the Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, about his research work, but also about the thing UConn's roughly 90,000 Instagram followers will recognize instantly: his breathtaking pictures of campus locations, especially Horsebarn Hill. Professor Levin tells us how he got interested in photography, what it's like to teach yourself to pilot a drone, and what he looks for when he goes for a walk and brings his camera along.

Celebrating 50 Years of PRLACC

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 01:49:00 -0500

This week, we welcome Fany Hannon, Director of the Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center, which is celebrating its golden anniversary this year. Fany talks about how the Center emerged from the civil rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s, what it's been like trying to keep a student-oriented organization running during a global pandemic, and why so many generations of Latinx Huskies consider PRLACC a home away from home.

Building Strong Communities and Drinking Hot Sauce on Twitter

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 01:51:00 -0500

In this episode, Matt Necci '03 (CLAS), an attorney and UConn Twitter all-star, talks about what it means to be really involved with a community, his work with the Husky Ticket Project, why he's optimistic about Hartford, and more. He also talks about what it was like to be in the scalding, vinegary center of the Hot Sauce Challenge phenomenon of spring 2021.

Behind the Scenes: Movie Magic

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 04:47:00 -0500

Every year, UConn sends out a video celebrating the arrival of the holiday season - creative, funny, moving, and surprising, these videos are produced by the talented team at University Communications. On this week's episode, we interview videographer Angelina Reyes, the producer of the 2021 holiday video, to learn about what goes into turning a barn into a movie set, and what it's like to work with an actor named Geno Auriemma.

We‘re Back! Sort Of. A Little Bit. Maybe?

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 11:37:56 -0500

It's been a minute! But now your favorite UConn-centric podcast is back-ish! Join Tom and Julie as we catch you up on what's been happening at UConn over the last six months, and talk about what comes next for UConn 360.

Our Puppets, Our Selves

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 06:57:29 -0500

In our last episode before the big summer hiatus, we talk with Prof. Bart Roccoberton Jr. about his work using the puppet arts to build bridges between artists in the US and China; we hear from Sage Phillips '22 about her activism and scholarship on behalf of her fellow Native American students; and we go all the way back to 1881 to experience what a semester was like when UConn first opened its doors (hint: more compulsory prayer than would typically get today).

Sympathy for the Hate Man

Wed, 19 May 2021 00:38:00 -0500

This week, our colleague Courtney Chandler talks with Dr. Sarita Arteaga, the associate dean for students at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, about the challenge of recruiting a diverse group of future dentists; newly-hired assistant men's basketball coach Luke Murray talks about what makes a successful recruiter; and we learn the strange saga of the Hate Man, who generations of UConn students have to thank for giving them a big rock to paint.

The Show Must Go On

Wed, 05 May 2021 00:16:00 -0500

This week, Allison Lombardi, an associate professor in the Department of Education Psychology, tells us about College and Career Readiness for Transition (CCR4T), a five-year measurement study that aims to evaluate high school students' preparation for their next steps; Stuart Brown, campus director of student services at UConn Waterbury, describes how he's been helping the Palace Theater during the pandemic with a little bit of Broadway buzz; and we go back to 1957, when students were so attached to a big rock that they were willing to do almost anything to save it. Plus: it's Tyler Silverio's last show, and we have summer plans for UConn 360!

A Long Time Coming

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 00:23:00 -0500

This week, we talk with Ben Shaiken '10 (CLAS), who was elected to the Mansfield Town Council in 2015 and is now deputy mayor, about his work in the nonprofit world and the challenges faced by elected officials; and we head back to the 1940s to learn how long it takes, once committees get involved, for a good idea to reach fruition (hint: a long time).

A Case of U(Conn)

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 00:37:00 -0500

This week, we're celebrating the 50th anniversary of Joni Mitchell's album "Blue" with music professor Peter Kaminsky, who has organized a virtual conference at UConn to explore the legacy of the landmark recording; we're talking with Aswad Thomas '15 MSW, national director of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, about how his experience as a victim of gun violence led him to a life of advocacy and activism; and we're going back to the 1930s to meet Harrison "Honey" Fitch, the first Black basketball player in UConn history, and the ugly encounter with racism he experienced that made national headlines.

Writing Through Dark Times

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 09:13:38 -0500

This week, Crystal Maldonado '10 (CLAS) stops by to talk about how bleak times helped inspired her critically-acclaimed YA novel "Fat Chance, Charlie Vega"; we speak with History Professor Alexis Dudden about attempts to discredit the experience of women who were forced into sexual slavery during World War II; and we learn about the brief period in history when UConn experimented with running the kind of place where everybody knows your name.

The Battle of Horsebarn Hill

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 00:56:00 -0500

This week, we talk with distinguished political commentator Stu Rothenberg '77 Ph.D. about the latest happenings in a sleepy little town called Washington, D.C.; in the latest installment of our Brave Space series, Political Science Prof. Christine Sylvester interviews Timothy Bussey '18 Ph.D. about their work in the diversity, equity, inclusion and LGBTQIA+ fields; and we hear about a time not so long ago when the UConn community split over the proposed location of a vaccine research facility.

The Trouble With Phubbing

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 00:21:00 -0500

This week, we talk to Ryan Allred '20 Ph.D. about "phubbing": the act of being too distracted by your phone to give your full attention to the person right in front of you. We also talk with Professor Nathanael Okpych about his book "Climbing a Broken Ladder," which provides insight into how children in foster care can be provided with better opportunities to succeed in college. Finally, we visit 1935, a time when the University was convulsed by debate over, well, debate itself.

The Voice of the Huskies

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 00:06:00 -0500

This week, we hear from a voice that's very familiar to Husky fans - John Tuite, the PA announcer whose booming tones are an inseparable part of the gameday experience. We also talk with Professor Sandra Chafouleas about ways parents can support their kids during the uncertainty and stress of pandemic-era schooling, and we learn about a member of the Class of 1941 who became a famous foe of the Luftwaffe.

Banquet Brawl

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 01:01:00 -0500

This week, we speak with School of Fine Arts faculty members Cora Lynn Deibler and Earl MacDonald about the new collaborative work of animation "By Our Love"; student Tomaso Scotti tells us about what it's like to host the My First Year Story podcast; and we learn about a bygone student tradition that is probably best left in the past.

Stop the Car, There's a Nuclear War!

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 01:08:00 -0500

This week, we talk with Prof. Sharde Davis and Mason Holland '23 (CLAS) about UConn's newly-launched course on antiblack racism; John Bell, director of the Ballard Institute & Museum of Puppetry drops by to talk about engineering and puppetry; and we learn about how the University prepared for nuclear attack at the dawn of the 1960s.

Sculpting a UConn Tradition

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 01:01:00 -0500

This week, we talk with Larry Wasiele, the sculptor who created the iconic statue of Jonathan that stands in front of Gampel Pavilion, and we look back on a year that many of us would just as soon forget.

Buying Local, Listening Local, Newspapering Local

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 01:01:00 -0500

This week, we hear from Kenneth Fuchs, professor of music composition, about his new recording with the United States Coast Guard Band; Donald Pendagast '20 MBA talks about how his Curated CT startup is helping local businesses; and we travel back to a time when a house ordered from a Sears catalog was the center of UConn student journalism.

Back to the Big East

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 01:01:00 -0500

Big East basketball is back! We hear from a variety of voices about the significance of UConn's return to the conference where we became a national powerhouse; we talk to Avinoam Patt, Doris and Simon Konover Chair of Judaic Studies and Director of the Center for Judaic Studies and Contemporary Jewish Life, about the critical importance of understanding the Holocaust in relation to contemporary events; and we learn about the time UConn stood up for Keystone State Huskies.

A Building (Almost) Named Nate

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 01:01:00 -0500

This week, we sit down with School of Law Professor John Aloysius Cogan Jr., who talks about why this week's arguments on the Affordable Care Act before the Supreme Court could be so critical; and we travel back to the mid-1970s to learn an iconic UConn building's original name.

Where Have All the Glide-O-Rides Gone?

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 01:01:00 -0500

This week, we talk with History Prof. Manisha Sinha about the 2020 presidential election's significance within US history, as part of our ongoing Brave Space series; Political Science Prof. Evan Perkoski discusses his study of civil society's role in preventing (or worsening) mass violence; and we learn about homecoming traditions of days gone by.

Finding the Blues

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 01:01:00 -0500

This week, we uncover a lost documentary about American blues legends, and learn about a time on campus when Spring Break meant students could finally take off their hats.

Supreme Deliberations

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 01:01:00 -0500

This week, the Brave Space feature launches with Kelly Ha, a Master's of Social Work student who talks about her experiences as an Asian American and the #IAmNotaVirus campaign; we talk with Professor David Yalof about the future of the Supreme Court; and we learn what Mirror Lake replaced on campus.

Broadcasting Diverse Voices in Sports

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 01:01:00 -0500

This week, Adam Giardino '11 (CLAS) tells us what he's doing to make the sports broadcasting world more welcoming and inclusive for diverse voices via a new scholarship and grant program; we meet new UConn 360 student worker Tyler Silverio '21 (CLAS); and Tom horses around ... historically.

Here Comes The Story of the Hurricane

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 01:01:00 -0500

This week, we talk with Professor Caitlin Lombardi about how family income can adversely affect the development of math skills in children, and we learn about how the Hurricane of 1938 left an indelible mark on campus, but couldn't stop classes from being held.