March 14, 2017: Barron ’77 on a Prized Stamp; Sommers ’00 on Health Policy; and More

New York Times reporter James Barron ’77 details the history behind the 150-year-old One-Cent Magenta stamp, which has been dubbed one of the most valuable objects in the world and is the subject of Barron’s new book. — CBS This Morning

Harvard University associate professor of health policy and economics Benjamin Sommers ’00 says that under the Affordable Care Act replacement plan, “the majority of the Medicaid expansion population under the ACA would likely become ineligible for the current level of federal funding in less than two years.” — The Washington Post

Mohsin Hamid ’93 speaks about his new novel, Exit West, and the issue of migration in an interview with Steve Inskeep. — NPR

Former CNN Manila bureau chief Maria Ressa ’86, the co-founder and CEO of the Manila-based news website Rappler, received the Aguhon Award, given to individuals who return to the Philippines and give back. — Philippine Daily Inquirer

Former FCC enforcement bureau chief Travis LeBlanc ’99 joined law firm Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, where he will “advise clients on privacy and cybersecurity issues, build out a technology practice, leverage his telecommunications expertise, and work with clients facing actions by state attorneys general.” — The Wall Street Journal

Critic Hilton Als writes that Branden Jacobs-Jenkins ’06 is a playwright with “considerable intellect” and “considerable heart,” and both are on display in his new drama, Everybody. — The New Yorker

Lonnie Reece Smyth *10, Lew Lukens ’86 *03, and Marc Knapper ’91 were named chargé d’affaires ad interim, or acting ambassadors of the United States, to Ireland, the United Kingdom, and South Korea, respectively. — US Embassy

Greg Katsas ’86 has been named deputy assistant to the president and deputy counsel to the president, and will serve in the White House Counsel’s Office, advising President Donald Trump on legal matters. — The White House

Temple University religion professor Nyasha Junior *94 discusses how women react and relate to the Bible, and how “reading and looking at contemporary issues alongside the Biblical text help us understand what is going on in the lives of women.” — The Temple News

Eric Schwartz *85, the dean of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, has been named the president of Refugees International, an organization that advocates for refugee protection. — University of Minnesota

University of Wyoming photography professor Bailey Russel ’01 explains that photography is “unique for its ability to misrepresent reality” and that “there’s that weird disconnect where it implies the real world, but doesn’t really show the real world.” — The Branding Iron

Jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan ’81 explains that his new record will “feature both more guitar overdubs and more singing” and “deep influences from Brazil.” — Asbury Park Press

Paul Martino *99, a former entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, returned to Pennsylvania to invest post-seed-stage funding in Philadelphia-based startups. — The Philadelphia Inquirer

Toronto University professor of ancient Greek art and archaeology SeungJung Kim *01 says her Korean upbringing has given her an “unconventional perspective” in her field.  — Korea JoongAng Daily

Activist Anika Rahman ’87 explains that “the only way for humans to flourish as equals across gender is to work with the planet and taking care of the health and well-being of both.” — Bustle

Kelly Brodie ’12 is the founder of Emma’s Torch, a culinary program for refugees in New York City that provides hands-on cooking instruction as well as ESL classes and interview preparation. — Billy Penn

Princeton men’s basketball head coach Mitch Henderson ’98 won Coach of the Year in the Ivy League after the Tigers finished the conference season with a 14-0 record. — The Trentonian

Self-help guru and investor Tim Ferriss ’00 explains that “the best way to persuade someone is to use their argument to your advantage,” which he dubs the “Trojan horse maneuver.” — Business Insider

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