All News

On Feb. 20, TIME's Techland blog published "Polling and Social Media Collide with 'Social Polling'" by Olivia B. Waxman '11.  The article discusses a new form of polling which, instead of surveying a random sample of the population, polls users online on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and blogs.  The questions posed generally focus on current events but can often be more fun that those presented in traditional polls. After a fundraiser at New York's Apollo Theater where President Obama sang "Let's Stay Together," Poll Position asked Americans whether they thought he was a better president or singer.

Lachlan Markay '09 spoke Monday, Feb. 13 as part of The Heritage Foundation panel on "President Obama's Unconstitutional 'Recess' Appointments." The event focused on President Obama's recent appointments of one member of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and three members of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and sought to "examine the implications of the President's power grab, the logical results if future presidents followed suit, and the remedies that lie with Congress to restore the proper separation of powers between the Executive and Legislative branches of the federal government."

Heather Haberl '94 was named Up & Coming Real Estate Lawyer of the Year at Chambers USA's first Women in Law Award ceremony at the Plaza Hotel in New York on Feb. 2. The ceremony is the most comprehensive national awards for women lawyers across the country and was supported by America's leading corporate counsel, who are the driving force for diversity in American law firms. Twenty-four awards were presented, with and short-listed firms and nominees selected based on in-depth Chambers research.

Ryan Serhant '06, along with Fredrik Eklund and Michael Lorber, will star in Bravo's upcoming series Million Dollar Listing New York. The show will follow the three realtors as they close multi-million dollar deals on luxury properties in New York City and "give viewers an inside look into the aggressive, high-stakes world of New York City's real estate market."

The Gering & Lopez gallery in New York is currently featuring an exhibition by Michael Scott '81 entitled "Black and White Line Paintings 1989 – 2011." The show closes Feb. 18.

Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, has announced that Michael Bloomquist '91 has been named general counsel for the committee. Bloomquist has also served as general counsel to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction.

David Palmer '56 has recently posted an essay titled "Rituals and Symbols" on his blog Cosmoticks. Palmer's thoughts and questions are the result of his study of the works of Carl G. Jung, which he first encountered at Vanderbilt Divinity School in 1987. His essay explores the nature of adolescence, the relationship between love and power, and the relation of God to the self:

Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP has announced that Arthur J. Reliford, Jr. '96 has been elected to the equity partnership ranks from a non-equity partner. Reliford is co-chair of the firm's Diversity Committee and a member of the Recruiting Committee. His practice focuses on commercial litigation, product liability law, and complex civil litigation. He has been included in Illinois Super Lawyers-Rising Stars Edition in general litigation in 2008-2010.

The Descendants, an adaptation of the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings with a screenplay by Nat Faxon '97, Jim Rash and Alexander Payne, recently won the Golden Globe for Best Picture Drama. The three were also nominated for Best Screenplay but ultimately lost out to Woody Allen.

The Writers' Circle, a nonprofit center for emerging and professional authors, has featured the work of Robert M. Lipgar '49 on their website. The organization selected his poem "A Death in October," which reflects on the passing of a dearly loved father, for an artistic merit award.  The poem can be read at http://www.riwriterscircle.com/ and will be showcased through April.