UD in the News, Sept. 1, 2005

Benigno Aguirre, professor of sociology with UD’s Disaster Research Center, was quoted in Sept. 1 Washington Post and Newhouse News Service stories concerning the looting in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. "It may look from the outside as if they are stealing or breaking the law when in fact some of them are trying to survive," Aguirre said, adding, “There is always a very small number of people that are predisposed to crime, and they see a disaster as an opportunity to act."

Richard Sylves, professor of political science and international relations, was quoted in Sept. 1 Los Angeles Times, Baltimore Sun and Christian Science Monitor stories concerning the federal response to Hurricane Katrina. Sylves told the Times the disaster offers President George W. Bush an opportunity to bolster his image. "It is usually the case with large-scale disasters that it centralizes power in the presidency and improves the president's ratings in public opinion, particularly if he is seen as rallying the troops," he said.

Louis Hirsh, UD director of admissions, and Linda Carey, director of student housing assignment services, were quoted in a Sept. 1 News Journal story on the acceptance of students from storm-battered Tulane University. Hirsh also was quoted in an Aug. 28 Asbury Park (N.J.) Press story about the fact that class rankings are counting for less in the admissions process.

Sheldon Pollack, director of UD’s legal studies program, was quoted in a Sept. 1 Business Week online story about the Justice Department’s tax fraud case against accounting giant KPMG.

Charles Elson, Edgar S. Woolard Jr. Chair and director of the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance, was quoted in an Aug. 30 Chicago Tribune story about KPMG. Elson also was quoted in an Aug. 27 San Diego Union-Tribune story about a decision by the board of Maxim Pharmaceuticals to forgive a multimillion dollar loan to its chief executive officer and in an Aug. 25 Financial Times story about corporate governance issues surrounding Verizon’s takeover of MCI.

Norman Wagner, Alvin B. and Julia O. Stiles Professor of Chemical Engineering, was featured in an Aug. 29 National Public Radio Morning Edition segment on the Army’s next generation of body armor. Wagner is working with the Army to improve protective clothing through the use of a material known as shear thickening fluid.

Hermant Kher, associate professor of business administration, was quoted in an Aug. 26 News Journal story about a local software company and its ability to profit by a tight inventory system.

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