Quote of the Week

"Pepper is a cheap thrill. It’s not really going to harm you. It’s not dangerous."

— Ken Albala, National Public Radio, June 14, 2019

Examples of how University of the Pacific was represented in the news media in recent days:

"How did pepper earn its place on the table?," "I've always wondered" feature on National Public Radio's Marketplace, June 14, 2019: History's Ken Albala was interviewed for this NPR story on the reasons and origins of pepper in our lives. "Pepper is a cheap thrill," Albala told NPR. "It's not really going to harm you. It's not dangerous. But it provides discretionary heat. If you don't like heat, you don't put it on (food). If you like a lot, you throw a lot of pepper on." He also said that ancient Greeks and Romans had pepper that was brought to Europe by Arab merchants. It was a luxury until trade routes opened up, making it more affordable. The segment was broadcast on NPR stations from San Diego to Boston and Seattle to Miami. It was also posted on Marketplace.org.

"Training the next generation of STEM teachers," Capital Public Radio News, June 11, 2019: Geological and Environmental Sciences' Lydia Fox was interviewed for this story about a National Science Foundation grant that will help recruit and train students studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics to become K-12 teachers to meet the demand. "The goal is to try to recruit local students who want to stay local, because while they could go off and teach anywhere, we want to make a difference here in San Joaquin County," Fox told Capital Public Radio.

"Energy Drinks Might Be Giving Your Heart a Jolt," Runners World, June 13, 2019: Research on popular energy drinks by Pharmacy's Sachin Shah that was published by the Journal of the American Heart Association was highlighted in this story by Runners World. A portion of the story reads: "The breadth of the electrical changes is generally mild, according to lead author Sachin Shah, Pharm.D., professor of pharmacy practice at University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. But even if the effects are temporary and not enough for one can to shock your heart, consuming a high amount like a few large cans-especially in a short period like within the same day-should be avoided, Shah said. This is particularly true for those with underlying heart conditions or on certain medications."

"Weekly gathering gives artists public forum to express their creative voices," The Record, June 10, 2019: Incoming student Erika Meickle was quoted in this story about her modeling for the Art Expressions of San Joaquin Wednesday Night Drawing Group. Meickle, who will be in the doctorate program in counseling psychology, told The Record: "I'm excited to see the differences between them all and see each artist's work unique from one another. I'm definitely thinking about that when I'm up there."

"Inland Northwest Musicians special 20th anniversary concert June 16," Union-Bulletin (Walla Walla, Washington), June 13, 2019: A musical composition by alumnus and four-time Emmy award winner Larry Nash Groupé '79 was featured in this story.

"'I'll play for a sack lunch' - former PV player takes long shot MLB hopes to Pittsburgh," KRCR News (Redding), June 10, 2019: Former student-athlete Samson Abernathy '19 was drafted by the Major League Baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates and told KRCR, "You know, I told them I'd sign for a sack lunch. ... I just wanted an opportunity to play and it would be awesome just to get the opportunity."