July 30, 2019: Sharkey ’13 Leads U.S. at Pan Am Games; Milley ’80 Confirmed by Senate

Field hockey standout Kathleen Sharkey ’13 was selected by her teammates as Team USA’s flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, July 26. She also helped the U.S. to a 5-0 opening win over Mexico July 29. Read more at TeamUSA.org.

The Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Gen. Mark Milley ’80 as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. — The Wall Street Journal
 
Journalist Maria Ressa ’86 went on trial in the Philippines on criminal libel charges related to her company’s reporting on President Rodrigo Duterte and the Philippine government. — CBS News
 
Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller ’66 testified before two House committees last week, defending his investigation and subsequent report. — The Washington Post
 

“I know seminars aren’t nightclub acts. But I think scientists at the microphone could benefit from adopting some of the fundamental theatrical principles that make an audience not want to run screaming.”  

— Scientist, teacher, and comedian Adam Ruben ’01, who suggests that speakers at scientific seminars take lessons from stand-up comedians. Read more in Science.

Rep. Ken Buck ’81, the chairman of Colorado’s Republican Party, is among a growing number of Republican leaders promoting recall campaigns. New Colorado Gov. Jared Polis ’96 is one target. — Associated Press
 
Michelle A. Williams ’84, dean of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, makes the case that the time to act to fight antibiotic resistance is now. — The Washington Post
 
Judicial analyst Andrew Napolitano ’72 writes in an opinion column that President Donald Trump’s rhetoric must be rejected because it promotes hatred and “destroys peaceful dialogue.” — Fox News
 
Acting president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Alexis McGill Johnson ’93 argues in an opinion column that the organization’s role as a healthcare provider has been wrongly politicized. — The Washington Post
 
Cincinnati councilman P.G. Sittenfeld ’07 announced a Rapid Response Network to protect the city’s immigrants and refugees from ICE raids. — Cincinnati Enquirer
 
Janice Weiner ’80 announced her candidacy for Iowa City Council following a career as a diplomat in the foreign service. — Iowa City Press-Citizen
 
M. Greig Metzger II ’82 has been appointed executive director of the Little Free Library. — The Chronicle of Philanthropy
 
Rower Emily Kallfelz ’19 claimed the silver medal for the second straight year in the women’s single sculls at the Under-23 World Championships. — Sarasota Herald Tribune
 
John Thompson III ’88 has been named vice president of player development and engagement at Monumental Basketball, a collective that includes the NBA’s Washington Wizards and the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. — The Washington Post