Thomas Reigstad, professor emeritus of English, presented an invited lecture, “Scribblin’ for a Livin’: Mark Twain’s Pivotal Period in Buffalo,” at Elmira College on November 30. Based on his book of the same name, Reigstad’s talk was the final event in the college’s Center for Mark Twain Studies fall lecture series, “Trouble Begins at Eight.” The evening marked the 178th birthday of the iconic American author and humorist, who was born November 30, 1835. Reigstad’s talk outlined the domestic, social, and professional experiences of Twain during the 18 months he lived and worked in Buffalo (1869–1871).

Dan MacIsaac and Kathleen Falconer were invited keynote presenters for Physics Day 2013 at the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, Alberta, December 5 and 6. They delivered three presentations—Using the Reformed Teaching Observation Protocol with K–12 Mathematics Classrooms; Learning Trajectories: Fostering Learning of Introductory Physics via Student Interactions; and Fostering Learning of Introductory Physics via Intensive Student Discourse—as guests of the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (CMASTE), the Departments of Mathematics and Physics of the University of Alberta, and the Alberta–British Columbia Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers. Copies of their presentations are available from the authors.

Gerhard Falk, professor of sociology, has published his 22nd book, The Jew in Christian Theology. The book contains, as an appendix, a translation of a 1543 book by Martin Luther called Vom Shem Hamphorash (part medieval German and part Hebrew). This is the first and only translation of Luther's book.

The Jew in Christian Theology is a review of the writings of the Catholic church fathers since the first century to the declaration "Nostra Aetate" and "De Antisemitismo Vitando" of 1965. The book also includes the Protestant and Eastern Orthodox considerations of the same issue.

Congratulations to the hard-working Educational Opportunity Program staff and students for a most recent graduation rate of 60 percent, as reported by the State University of New York.

The Buffalo State Mock Trial "A" team won the second annual Friar Faceoff, held at St. Bonaventure University on November 16 and 17, with a 7-1 win-loss record. This is the first time in the Mock Trial program's seven-year history that a Buffalo State team has won a sanctioned tournament. In addition, this is the first time Buffalo State has entered two teams in a tournament. Five students from these teams won individual awards: Kate Marinelli, Marco Santiago, and Alexis Childs for best attorney awards, and Michelle Imafidon and Cynthia Duncan for best witness awards. Seventeen students gave up their weekend to compete in this tournament, including nine who have never before competed in a Mock Trial tournament, and they are a credit to this college and to the Mock Trial program.

Sarah Vélez, director of the Campbell Student Union, was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the SUNY Buffalo State University Police Department (UPD) at its 2013 awards ceremony on October 28. Vélez was commended for her collaborative efforts with UPD to enhance policies and procedures for the reservation of space in the newly renovated Campbell Student Union to ensure improved safety measures for building users.

Buffalo State alumnus Kenneth Robinson, lecturer in the Sociology Department, has published his first book, From Vick-Tim to Vick-Tory: The Fall and Rise of Michael Vick (Strategic Book Publishing). Using critical analysis, the book chronicles the odyssey of NFL All-Pro quarterback Michael Vick, who went from a world of opulence to being ostracized by the NFL and society over his involvement in dog fighting. But rather than a recapitulation of the events and story lines that eviscerated Vick, Robinson's work examines social factors that help explain his fall and subsequent rise on and off the field. He offers both historical and theoretical analyses of the broader sports culture of the NFL, which includes the media, corporate sponsors, and the politics of the state, with race and deviance as interceding variables. Robinson's book fills considerable voids in the public discourse and in the literature and provides policy recommendations.

The book has garnered favorable reviews, including this excerpt from Adrienne N. Milner, assistant professor of sociology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham:

“Overall, the strength of this work lies in Robinson’s unique analysis of Michael Vick’s fall and rise. I don’t think I have ever described an academic work as creative, but each section of this book is just that—innovative, original, and inspired. I say this because of the specific comparisons that Robinson utilizes (i.e., dog fighting to bestiality; Vick’s treatment to Roethlisberger’s; the NFL to China), which have never previously been discussed so thoroughly and sophisticatedly, but are undeniable in proving the point that racial discrimination is alive and well in America.”

The foreword to the book was written by Ron Stewart, professor of sociology at Buffalo State. Robinson wishes to extend his thanks and appreciation to all who supported him on this insightful journey.

The book is available on the publisher's, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble websites. The book can also be purchased through the Barnes and Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore.

James Sobol, associate professor of criminal justice, moderated a panel discussion at the annual Criminal Justice Educators Association (CJEANYS) meeting, held October 23–25 in Albany, New York. Also invited to participate on the panel was Alan Lizotte, dean of the School of Criminal Justice at the University at Albany. Lizotte is one of the nation's leading experts on gun use and violence, criminology, and juvenile delinquency. In addition, Sobol was elected to a second term as vice president of CJEANYS.

Ted Schmidt, associate professor of economics and finance, participated in a panel discussion as part of the keynote presentation for the second Buffalo Food Policy Summit, held on October 23 at the University at Buffalo. The keynote presenter was Julian Agyeman, professor and chair of the Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning at Tufts University. In addition, Schmidt and Allie Brady, events and rentals manager at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, were the campus coordinators for the food summit's public event (hosted at the Burchfield Penney), which introduced Erie County's new Food Policy Council to the public.

Brian Kantz, publications director in College Relations, has been elected incoming president of the board of directors at Child Care Resource Network (CCRN). His term begins in January. CCRN is a nonprofit agency that supports families, child care providers, and the community by developing and advocating for high-quality, accessible, and affordable child care for all children in Erie County.