IC student wins $20,000 in Dr Pepper challenge
Ithaca College student Phoebe Napolitano came in second place in the Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway challenge during the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game between Florida State and Duke University on Dec. 7.
She won $20,000 in scholarship money for making it to the final round.
Napolitano was chosen after she submitted a video to DrPepper.com explaining why she deserved to win college tuition as part of the season-long Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway.
On Dec. 7, Napolitano threw footballs from five yards away into a two-foot hole in an oversized Dr Pepper can replica. The winner had to complete the most throws in 30 seconds to win the grand prize scholarship of $100,000.
Napolitano is currently pursuing a degree in health sciences in order to start a career in preventative medicine. Napolitano’s entry video can be viewed at www.drpeppertuition.com/finalists/acc.
Textbook buyback begins Dec. 12 at the Bookstore
The Bookstore will start its end-of-semester textbook buyback Dec. 12. The store will also be accepting rentals for return.
The buyback will be held inside the Bookstore in the textbook area. For every $25 worth of books students sell back, they get a wooden nickel that can be redeemed for discounts on Ithaca College apparel in the Bookstore.
Even if the textbook was not bought at the Bookstore, it can still be sold back to the store. Books rented in-store or from the bookstore’s Skyo partner site can be dropped off for free return shipping.
National Influenza Week encourages flu vaccines
The National Influenza Immunization Week runs from Dec. 8 to Dec. 14 and highlights the importance of vaccination for the best protection against the flu. Getting a flu vaccination in December or later will still provide protection this flu season. Flu shots are available by appointment for adults and children six months of age and older at the Tompkins County Health Department at 55 Brown Rd. The flu vaccine is also available at some physician offices and at local pharmacies like Wegmans. Call 274-6616 for more information.
People at high risk for developing serious flu complications include children younger than five years old, people 65 years of age and older, pregnant women and people with certain long-term medical conditions, like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, blood disorders, obesity, kidney and liver disorders, HIV or AIDS and cancer.
Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits and missed work because of the illness, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and death around the country.
In the United States, flu activity usually peaks in January or later and can last as late as May. Tompkins County often experiences a peak of flu illness during January and February when holiday travelers have returned to the area. The county health department reminds residents that as long as flu viruses are circulating, people can still
receive a vaccination.
H&S adds new outreach staff member for projects
The dean’s office in the School of Humanities and Sciences has hired Dylan Schoch ’08 as Coordinator for Outreach and Special Projects. Schoch will be taking over for Kelly Stern, who is now the recruitment marketing coordinator in the Office of Marketing Communications. Schoch will focus on coordinating and providing logistical support for admission, student and alumni programs and events; acting as liaison to other offices in regards to admission and marketing activities; and help with marketing activities, grant programs, endowed scholarships and outreach events.
An alum of H&S, Schoch returns to the school after having served as the administrative assistant to Carol Henderson, associate provost for accreditation, assessment and curriculum.
Cornell researchers find clues to shark genetics
Despite fascination with sharks, the world’s oldest ocean predators have long been a genetic mystery. Throughout their project, “White Shark Genome”, Cornell University researchers have been surprised by the genetic code of sharks because the genes are more human-like than expected. Researchers said the animals’ genetic code and design had barely changed since before dinosaurs roamed the earth.
The researchers have discovered that many of the endangered great white shark’s proteins involved in an array of functions, including metabolism, match humans more closely than they do zebrafish, the quintessential fish model for sharks.
Michael Stanhope, professor of evolutionary genomics at Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine and scientists at the Save Our Seas Shark Research Center at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., published the study in the November issue of BMC Genomics. The project lays the foundation for genomic exploration of sharks and vastly expands genetic tools for their conservation, Stanhope said.
The study launched when Stanhope received a Save Our Seas Foundation grant and a rare gift of a great white shark heart. The heart had been autopsied from an illegally fished shark, confiscated by government authorities and donated to their genetic project.
Researchers were interested in the fact that the white shark had a closer match to humans for proteins involved in metabolism.
The decreasing number of sharks threatens the stability of marine ecosystems, on which millions of people rely for food. According to the researchers, this study also increased the number of genetic markers scientist can use to study the population biology of great white and related sharks from which they hope to expand their knowledge of the animals, Stanhope said.
Ithaca College to host Annual Network Nights
This January, Ithaca College alumni and students have the opportunity to network at the 28th annual Network Nights in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia and Syracuse, N.Y. Network Nights are sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations and Career Services.
Network Night receptions are open to all students of all years and majors. Admission is free and light refreshments will be provided. Career Services said meeting alumni could make a difference in students’ careers, whether they are looking for an internship, a job or career advice. Students can register for Network Nights on eRecruiting. The Network Nights are Jan. 6 in Boston, Jan. 8 in New York City, Jan. 14 in Philadelphia and Jan. 16 in Syracuse. There is a network night Mar. 11 in Los Angeles.
