The Interesting Expert of the Week column spotlights experts from within the ProfNet Connect community that we think readers and reporters will find interesting and timely. With more than 60,000 profiles, ProfNet Connect offers journalists a vast database of experts and influencers on virtually every topic imaginable. In addition, reporters can also submit a ProfNet query to request experts on a specific topic. Whatever topic you’re writing about, ProfNet can help you find the sources you need – at no charge. Why not give it a try? Send a query now.

Just a few years ago, not many of us knew what gluten-free food was or where to get it. Today, walk into almost any supermarket and you’ll see gluten-free food in almost every aisle. So, for this week’s Interesting Expert spotlight, we caught up with Elana Amsterdam, a wellness expert and “gluten-free guru.”

Amsterdam is the founder of ElanasPantry.com, where she shares simple, healthy recipes and lifestyle advice with the 20,000 readers that visit the site each day. She has written for Parents, Shape Magazine, and Delicious Living; has been featured in a variety of media outlets, including Fortune Magazine, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal; and has appeared on CNN, MSNBC and Fox News Live.

Amsterdam’s books include “The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook” (Random House 2009), named one of the "Best Cookbooks of the Year" by the Denver Post, and “Gluten Free Cupcakes” (Random House 2011), a tome of delightful, yet healthy and nutrient-dense, desserts. Her latest book, “Paleo Cooking from Elana's Pantry,” scheduled to be released June 18, contains nearly 100 gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, nightshade-free quick and easy recipes ranging from dinners to desserts.

Amsterdam lives in the heart of Boulder, Colo., with an assortment of grueling taste testers that range from her brutally honest husband of 18 years to her two teenage sons. She was kind enough to take some time out from cooking and baking to answer a few questions for us:

How did Elana’s Pantry come about?

I started Elana's Pantry in 2006. After being diagnosed with celiac disease in 1998, I went on a gluten-free diet. When that did not help as much as I had hoped, I went grain-free. When my children's friends and their parents began asking me for my recipes, I decided to start a website, and Elana's Pantry was born.

The gluten-free movement has really taken off. Why do you think it has become so popular?

Many people feel better when they eliminate gluten from their diets. Some of the doctors I've spoken with said they believe it may impact the immune systems of certain individuals in a negative way.

What type of ingredients do you substitute with when cooking gluten-free recipes?

I write all of my recipes from scratch, as I find substitutions in recipes rarely work unless you get very lucky. My favorite ingredients are almond flour and coconut flour because they are low in carbohydrates and high in good nutrients, such as protein and fiber.

What’s your favorite thing to make?

Chocolate chip cookies made with high protein almond flour.

You also teach cooking. What is your best piece of advice for first-time cooks?

The first time you make something, follow the recipe to a "T."

Can you tell us a little about the cookbooks you’ve written?

My first cookbook, “The Gluten Free Almond Flour Cookbook,” has 99 recipes, all made with almond flour. My second cookbook, “Gluten Free Cupcakes,” and has wonderfully healthy dessert recipes. I'm very excited about my third cookbook, which comes out in June. It's called “Paleo Cooking from Elana's Pantry” and has nearly 100 recipes for breakfast, dinner, vegetables, desserts and drinks.

Anything else you’d like to add?

My website, Elana's Pantry, has more than 700 gluten-free, grain-free recipes and is a resource for people with special diets all over the world.

As a writer, you’re likely concerned that the number of opportunities for “traditional” freelance writing is diminishing as more and more news outlets close shop, but there are still plenty of markets for writers who are willing to look beyond magazines and newspapers.

So says Marcia Layton Turner, executive director of the Association of Ghostwriters.

In a recent blog post on ASJA’s The Word blog, Layton Turner says one such market is information products, which she defines as the tools for sharing how-to, service-oriented information that are sold online. That includes e-books, special reports, booklets, podcasts, teleseminars, online courses and more.

In the post, Layton Turner discusses some of the challenges writers may face, and shares a few resources necessary to start creating and selling information products. She also shares a link to a free guide, “10 Steps to Creating Your First Information Product,” which she co-created with Sandra Beckwith.

It’s helpful information for any writer looking to expand their market base. You can read it here:  What Writers Need to Know About Information Products

The American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) held its annual conference a couple of weeks ago in New York City. The conference featured numerous sessions covering a wide range of topics, from custom publishing and university writing to lawsuit prevention and personal finance.

As one of the conference sponsors, we were present not only to connect with writers, but also to attend as many of the sessions as we could and bring the highlights back to you. Over the last two weeks, we posted recaps of several of the sessions. If you missed any of them, here is a recap of the recaps:

• ASJA Keynote Speech: Bestselling Author A.J. Jacobs
• Spice up Your Storytelling With Statistics: Laura Laing, author of “Math for Grownups” and “Math for Writers,” discussed how writers can understand and use numbers and statistics in their writing.
• The Art of Sourcing: Freelance writers Bobbi Dempsey, Jennifer Nelson and Dawn Papandrea shared their experiences and advice with finding, working with and managing expert sources.
• University Writing: Get Schooled on This Great Market: Four editors share their hints and tips on how to break into writing for alumni magazines.
• So You Want to Be a Publicist…: Have you ever thought about crossing over from the reporting side to the publicity side – or vice versa? Professionals from both side of the spectrum share some insider tips.
• International Reporting and Markets: Highlights from two panels: “So You Want to Be a Foreign Correspondent: Living and Writing Abroad” and “Markets for International Reporting: Dispatches From the Foreign Desk.”
• Making a Difference: Writing a Book That Can Change the World: Writers and publishers discussed what it takes to write a social-issues book, and shared tips on how to do it.
• Pitch Perfect: How to Write an Awesome Query Letter: Four panelists share their tips on how to successfully pitch an editor.

We hope you find the recaps interesting and useful. And if you’re looking for experts for an article you’re writing, give ProfNet a try. You can send a query to thousands of experts and PR agents, search more than 60,000 profiles on ProfNet Connect, or sign up for our Expert Alerts “tip sheets” featuring timely experts and story ideas – all at no charge. Ready to get started? Visit our website or email us at profnet@profnet.com.

Where did your experts pop up last month? If you have a success story to share, drop me a line at profnet@profnet.com with “Success Story” in the subject line. Or “like” our Facebook page and leave your success story on our wall, and you might see your picture on the big screen in Times Square!

Not getting queries? Email profnet@profnet.com with your contact info, and we’ll send you details on how you can become a ProfNet member and get publicity for your experts.

With the 2013 commencement season upon us, following is a list of speakers who will be addressing graduates at universities and colleges that are part of the ProfNet network.

If you are in need of experts, you can also submit a query to the hundreds of thousands of experts in our network. You can filter your request by institution type and geographic location to get the most targeted responses. The best part? It’s free! Just fill out the query form to get started.

If you have any questions or need assistance with any aspect of ProfNet, please drop us a note at profnet@profnet.com.

2013 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKERS

May 9

Richland College, Dallas
Keynote speaker: Dr. Sam Tinsley, professor of developmental mathematics, who is the college's 2013 Fulltime Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award recipient. The ceremony will take place Thursday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m. at the Curtis Culwell Center, 4999 Naaman Forest Blvd. in Garland. Richland College is one of the seven colleges in the Dallas County Community College District.
Media Contact: Ann Hatch, ahatch@dcccd.edu

May 10

Campbell Law School, Raleigh, N.C.
North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory will address graduates on Friday, May 10, at 10 a.m. A native of Guilford County, McCrory attended Catawba College and earned degrees in education and political science. Upon graduation, he worked for Duke Energy before winning an at-large seat on the Charlotte City Council in 1989. McCrory then went on to win two more elections to the council in 1991 and 1993, serving as mayor pro tem from 1993 to 1995. In 1995 he was elected mayor of Charlotte, a role in which he served for a record 14 years until 2009. McCrory assumed office as the 74th governor of North Carolina on Jan. 5.
Media Contact: Erin Smith, erin@mmipublicrelations.com

Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, Conn.
Juanita James, president and CEO of Fairfield County Community Foundation, will speak at the graduate commencement, Friday, May 10, at Feldman Arena, O’Neill Center, WCSU Westside campus. James has led change and transformation initiatives in the not-for-profit sector with the same zeal and success that she brings to her professional life. Former nonprofit board services includes: director of Reading is Fundamental and development committee chair, board president of the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, director of the Stamford Symphony and secretary of the board of the Ferguson Library in Stamford. (See below for info on the undergraduate commencement on Sunday, May 12.)
Media Contact: Paul Steinmetz, steinmetzp@wcsu.edu

May 11

Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa.
Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, D.C., will address graduates at 2 p.m. at the Robert S. Carey Student Center.
Website: www.stvincent.edu
Media Contact: Don Orlando, don.orlando@stvincent.edu

Agnes Scott College, Decatur, Ga.
Soledad O’Brien, a CNN special correspondent, will deliver the commencement address on May 11 at 9:30 a.m. at Presser Quadrangle. A critically acclaimed journalist, O’Brien has reported on breaking news from around the globe. In 2011, she won an Emmy for Crisis in Haiti in the category of Outstanding Live Coverage of a Current News Story Long Form. O'Brien was part of the coverage teams that earned CNN a George Foster Peabody award for its BP oil spill and Katrina coverage and an Alfred I. duPont Award for its coverage of the Southeast Asia tsunami. She recently entered into a unique production and distribution agreement with the network to produce long-form programming specials through her company, Starfish Media Group. Launching in June, the 360 media production company and distributor will be dedicated to uncovering and producing empowering stories that take a challenging look at often divisive issues of race, class, wealth, opportunity, poverty and personal stories.
Media Contact: Megan Terraso, mterraso@agnesscott.edu

Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia
The commencement speaker for Chestnut Hill College is Mary Louise Quinlan, M.B.A., New York Times bestselling author of “The God Box: Sharing My Mother’s Gift of Faith, Love, and Letting Go” (Greenleaf Books, 2012). Quinlan has built a national reputation as an author, marketer, and speaker, advocating for women through her work. She is best known for her marketing company Just Ask a Woman, which helps companies understand the buying habits of women. Considered the nation’s leading expert on female consumer behavior, Quinlan has appeared on television programs such as “The Early Show,” “Good Morning America,” and the “Today” show. She has been profiled in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.  The outdoor ceremony is on Saturday, May 11, on campus.
Website: www.chc.edu
Media Contact: Lisa Mixon, mixonl@chc.edu

Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa.
Melanne S. Verveer, who served as the first ambassador-at-large for women's issues in the U.S. Department of State and as chief of staff during Hillary Clinton's tenure as First Lady of the United States, will deliver the keynote address. Verveer recently became executive director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security at Georgetown University. President Obama appointed Verveer as ambassador in 2009 in recognition of her service as co-founder and chairwoman of the board of the Vital Voices Global Partnership, an international nongovernmental organization that supports global women's leadership. Commencement begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 11, at Hartman Green on campus. The rain location is the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center off Harrisburg Avenue. Members of the media who plan to attend the commencement ceremony must RSVP by May 9. Journalists will be given a media badge in advance of the event that must be worn during the ceremony and other activities. Photography and recording of portions of the ceremony is allowed for news purposes. Special arrangements must be made in advance to accommodate broadcast equipment.
More info: tinyurl.com/bq5nnw7
Media Contact: Julia Ferrante, julia.ferrante@fandm.edu

William Peace University, Raleigh, N.C.
Erskine Bowles will deliver the keynote on Saturday, May 11. With a longstanding career in higher education and politics, Bowles has served as the president of the University of North Carolina, as well as the White House Chief of Staff under President Bill Clinton. In 2010 he was appointed as the Democratic co-chair of President Barack Obama’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, alongside former Republican Sen. Alan K. Simpson. Much of his focus during his appointment was co-leading a business group with Simpson, known as The Campaign to Fix the Debt, to address the U.S. debt crisis. Outside of his political responsibilities, Bowles is committed to public service. Nationally, he coordinated the federal response to the Oklahoma City bombing and joined the United Nations as deputy special envoy in the global response to the Southeast Asia tsunami. Equally involved on the statewide level, Bowles has served as the chairman of the N.C. Rural Prosperity Task Force, where he developed a platform to bring economic development to rural communities of North Carolina.
Media Contact: Jennifer Fair, jennifer@mmipublicrelations.com

North Lake College, Irving, Texas
Keynote speaker: Dr. Darryl E. Howard, visiting scholar in religion, department of liberal arts. Student speaker: Diana Noka. The ceremony will take place Saturday, May 11, at 10 a.m. at the Irving Convention Center, 500 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving. North Lake College is one of the seven colleges in the Dallas County Community College District.
Media Contact: Ann Hatch, ahatch@dcccd.edu

Eastfield College, Mesquite, Texas
Keynote speaker: Dr. Gerald Hudson, Lakeview Centennial High School principal, Garland Independent School District, and former Eastfield College student. The ceremony will take place May 11 at 4:30 p.m. at the Curtis Culwell Center, 4999 Naaman Forest Blvd. in Garland. Eastfield College is one of the seven colleges in the Dallas County Community College District.
Media Contact: Ann Hatch, ahatch@dcccd.edu

College of Saint Rose, Albany, N.Y.
Honorary degrees: 1) James Sandman, president of the Legal Services Corp., headquartered in Washington; 2) J. Spencer and Patricia Hunter Standish, philanthropists. Commencement will take place Saturday, May 11, at 10 a.m., at Times Union Center, 51 South Pearl St., Albany, N.Y. Nearly 1,600 students will receive degrees and certificates of advanced study. Also, the college will bestow the Carondelet Medal, its highest honor, on the Most Rev. Howard J. Hubbard for his 36 years of service as bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany and his dedication to interfaith dialogue and understanding.
Media Contact: Benjamin Marvin, marvinb@strose.edu

May 12

Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, Conn.
Patricia Llodra, first selectman, Newtown, Conn.; and Janet Robinson, superintendent of schools, Newtown, Conn., will speak at the undergraduate commencement, Sunday, May 12, Westside Athletic Complex, WCSU Westside campus. As leaders in the community, Llodra and Robinson faced unprecedented challenges after 26 people, many of them children, were gunned down in a December shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Taking charge of their grieving town, the women consoled residents, listened to victims’ families and reached out to political leaders for help. They took their positions among senators and governors in advocating for political responses to the tragedy.
Media Contact: Sherri Hill, hills@wcsu.edu

College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Va.
Robert Mueller, director, FBI, will address graduates on Sunday, May 12, at noon, at William & Mary Hall, College of William & Mary campus. Mueller is the longest-serving director of the FBI since J. Edgar Hoover. He was nominated to the FBI director post in 2001 by President George W. Bush; that appointment was extended by President Obama in 2011. During his career, Mueller has served both as a private litigator and in several capacities in the U.S. Attorney General’s office and is a former U.S. Marine officer.
Media Contact: Suzanne Seurattan, scseur@wm.edu

Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio
Undergraduate commencement: May 12, 1:30 p.m., ONU Sports Center: Robert Manning, Mars Exploration Program chief engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif. Since 2004, Manning has been responsible for ensuring the success of current and future missions to Mars. In early 2008, he was named the chief engineer for the Mars Science Laboratory mission that successfully landed the rover Curiosity on the Martian surface in August 2012. Prior to these roles, Manning led the spacecraft systems engineering team for the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) project, which landed the twin rovers Spirit and Opportunity on the surface of Mars in early 2004. (See May 19 for details on law commencement.)
Event Details: www.onu.edu/features/49405
Media Contact: Mary A. Wilkin, m-wilkin@onu.edu

May 14

Eastern Connecticut State University, Hartford, Conn.
Carlotta Walls LaNier, youngest member of the "Little Rock Nine," a group of African-American students who desegregated Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., in 1957, will deliver the keynote address at Eastern Connecticut State University's 123rd Commencement, at 6 p.m. on May 14 at the XL Center in Hartford. During the ceremony, 1,256 undergraduates and 41 graduate students will receive their diplomas. LaNier was the first African-American female to graduate from Central High School. She continued her education at Colorado State College (now the University of Northern Colorado), graduating in 1968. After college, she began working at the YWCA as a program administrator for teens. In 1977, she founded LaNier and Company, a real estate brokerage company, where she has worked as a professional real estate broker for more than 30 years. She is an active supporter in her community, serving on the board of trustees for the University of Northern Colorado and Iliff School of Theology.  LaNier also serves as president of the Little Rock Nine Foundation, and is a member of the Denver Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and the Johnson Legacy, Inc. board of directors. LaNier has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the prestigious Spingarn Medal from the NAACP in 1958, and the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's highest civilian award, which was bestowed upon the Little Rock Nine in 1999 by President Bill Clinton. She is also the author of "A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice of Little Rock Central High School." At the ceremony, LaNier will also be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa.
More info: tinyurl.com/bm8subh
Media Contact: Ed Osborn, Osborne@easternct.edu

May 16

Brookhaven College, Farmers Branch, Texas
Commencement speaker: Dr. Claire Bambrough, chemistry professor and DCCCD Citi STEM Faculty Fellow. The ceremony will take place Thursday, May 16, at 7 p.m. at the Alfred J. Loos Field House, 3815 Spring Valley Rd. in Addison. Brookhaven College is one of the seven colleges in the Dallas County Community College District.
Media Contact: Ann Hatch, ahatch@dcccd.edu

Cedar Valley College, Lancaster, Texas
Commencement speaker: Roland S. Martin, journalist, syndicated columnist with Creators Syndicate, commentator for TV One and host of “Washington Week with Roland Martin.” The ceremony will take place Thursday, May 16, at 7 p.m. at the Inspiring Body of Christ Church, 7701 S. Westmoreland Rd., Dallas. Cedar Valley College is one of the seven colleges in the Dallas County Community College District.
Media Contact: Ann Hatch, ahatch@dcccd.edu

Mountain View College, Dallas
Commencement speaker: Dr. Wright Lassiter Jr., chancellor, Dallas County Community College District. The ceremony will take place Thursday, May 16, at 7 p.m. at the Jesse Owens Complex/Ellis Field House, 9191 S. Polk St. in Dallas. Mountain View College is one of the seven colleges in the Dallas County Community College District.
Media Contact: Ann Hatch, ahatch@dcccd.edu

May 17

University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
-- College of Law: Friday, May 17, 1 p.m., Iowa Memorial Union Main Lounge: former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), a law school graduate.
--College of Business MBA, Friday May 17, 10 a.m., Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, Coralville, Iowa: Rogelio Rebolledo, MBA alumnus and former international executive with Frito-Lay and Pepsi Bottling.
(See May 18 for additional speakers.)
Media Contact: Lin Larson, lin-larson@uiowa.edu

Fort Worth Country Day School, Fort Worth, Texas
U.S. Congresswoman Kay Granger will address graduates on Friday, May 17, 7 p.m., at McKinney Memorial Bible Church, 4805 Arborlawn Drive, in Fort Worth. A former teacher, small-business owner and mayor of Fort Worth, Granger was first elected to represent the 12th congressional district of Texas in 1997. As a senior member of the powerful Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, she has continually strengthened the 12th District’s contribution to America’s defense system and supported efforts to provide for our women and men in uniform -- both on the battlefield and when they return home from combat. As the top Republican on the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, she has worked to increase global stability and security, as well enrich the lives of millions in the developing world through efforts that center on bettering global health, improving the lives of women and teaching emerging democracies how to sustain newly discovered freedoms. She is also a Majority Deputy Whip and serves on the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.
Media Contact: Karen Berlin Cooperstein, Karen@cookseypr.com

May 18

Creighton University, Omaha, Neb.
Creighton has two commencement ceremonies (morning health science schools and afternoon undergraduate School of Law and Graduate School) on Saturday, May 18, at the CenturyLink Omaha. Mary Lou Quinlan, CEO of Just Ask a Woman and author of “The God Box: Sharing My Mother’s Gift of Faith, Love and Letting Go,” will speak at 1 p.m. and receive an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters. Quinlan is an internationally known marketing executive, best-selling author, actress and speaker. She is the CEO of the leading women’s marketing agency in the United States. Her latest book, “The God Box: Sharing My Mother’s Gift of Faith, Love and Letting Go,” in which she shares her family’s personal story with cancer, became a New York Times bestseller in just three weeks.
Website: www.creighton.edu/
Media Contact: Deborah Daley, Deborahdaley@creighton.edu

Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, Pa.
Two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback and Pittsburgh native Charlie Batch will deliver the keynote address at Washington & Jefferson College’s 214th Commencement ceremony, May 18 at 10 a.m. on the lawn in front of the Olin Fine Arts Center on Wheeling Street. Batch will receive an honorary degree, as will Bernard Harris Jr., retired NASA astronaut and the first African American to walk in space; James E. Rohr, executive chairman of PNC Financial Services Group, the nation’s seventh-largest bank, with more than 5 million customers and 56,000 employees; and Rabbi Serena Fujita, Jewish chaplain at Bucknell University. Fujita will be the keynote speaker at the Baccalaureate service May 17 at 6 p.m. in Church of the Covenant on East Beau Street in Washington, Pa.
Media Contact: Robert Reid, rreid@washjeff.edu

Warren Wilson College, Asheville, N.C.
Joseph Bathanti, 1991 graduate of Warren Wilson College’s MFA Program for Writers, will give the main address at the Commencement for bachelor's degree recipients, May 18 at 10 a.m. at Sunderland Lawn. Bathanti, a resident of Vilas, N.C., is an award-winning poet, professor and literacy advocate. He was formally installed as North Carolina’s seventh Poet Laureate in September 2012. Among Bathanti’s published works are two novels, a short story collection and several books of poetry. He is a professor of creative writing at Appalachian State University, where he also is director of writing in the field and writer-in-residence in the university's Watauga Global Community. He has taught writing workshops in prisons for more than three decades and is former chair of the N.C. Writers’ Network Prison project.
Media Contact: Benjamin Jordan Anderson, benjand@warren-wilson.edu

University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
-- College of Engineering, Saturday, May 18, Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, Coralville, Iowa: Gary Seamans, UI alumnus, former AT&T executive and MCI Communications vice president, currently chairman and CEO of IDx, an Iowa City-based designer of medical diagnostic tools.
-- College of Business undergraduate: Saturday, May 18, 5 p.m., Carver Hawkeye Arena: Sheri Salata, president of the Oprah Winfrey Network and a business school graduate.
-- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Saturday, May 18, Carver Hawkeye Arena: Andy Stoll, an American-based media producer and social entrepreneur and UI alumnus (9 a.m.); Tanna Frederick, indie film actress and UI alumna who co-founded the Iowa Independent Film Festival (1 p.m.).
Media Contact: Lin Larson, lin-larson@uiowa.edu

Loyola University Maryland, Baltimore
Carolyn Y. Woo, Ph.D., president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services, will address graduates on Saturday, May 18, 11 a.m., at 1st Mariner Arena. In January 2012, Woo became CEO and president of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Before CRS, Woo served from 1997 to 2011 as dean of the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Woo immigrated to the United States to attend Purdue University, where she earned her bachelor’s in economics with highest distinction and honors, master of science in industrial administration with award as Krannert Scholar, and Ph.D. in strategic management. Woo was recently named one of the “500 Most Powerful People on the Planet” by Foreign Policy magazine.
Bio: loyo.la/Zynztw
Event Details: loyo.la/16hJvUM
Media Contact: Nick Alexopulos, nalexopulos@loyola.edu

Babson College, Babson Park, Mass.
Patrick Awuah Jr., founder and president of Ashesi University College in Ghana, and Kip Tindell, chairman and CEO of the Container Store, are honorary degree candidates and commencement speakers for the 2013 undergraduate and graduate Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 18. Saras Sarasvathy, associate professor, Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, will also receive an honorary degree at the graduate ceremony. Awuah Jr. will speak at the 10 a.m. undergraduate ceremony and receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws. Tindell will speak at the 2:30 p.m. graduate ceremony and will receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. Sarasvathy will receive an Honorary Degree of Humane Letters at the graduate ceremony.
More details: tinyurl.com/ck7ejz5
Media Contact: Barbara Spies Blair, blairb@babson.edu

California College of the Arts, San Francisco
Physicist Amory Lovins will address the CCA’s 106th commencement exercises, May 18 at the Concourse Exhibition Center in San Francisco. A MacArthur and Ashoka Fellow, Lovins is among the world's leading innovators in energy and its links with resources, security, development, and environment. He has advised the energy and other industries, as well as the U.S. Departments of Energy and Defense, for more than three decades. He is cofounder and chairman of Rocky Mountain Institute, and has numerous notable publications.
More details: tinyurl.com/c9eb8ct
Media Contact: Allison Byers, abyers@cca.edu

Southern Methodist University, Dallas
Former U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison will speak at SMU’s all-university commencement ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 18, on the main campus quadrangle. Hutchison is the first woman to represent Texas in the United States Senate, serving from 1993 to 2012. During her years in the Senate, she expanded higher education opportunities for thousands of Texans and championed advancements in science, technology, engineering and math education. In the history of the Senate, only two women have been elected to Republican leadership -- Senator Margaret Chase Smith and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. As chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, she was the fourth-highest ranking Republican senator.
Media Contact: Kim Cobb, cobbk@smu.edu

Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, Calif.
Commencement speaker: Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, executive vice president and chief medical officer, Pfizer. As the company’s senior physician, Dr. Lewis-Hall is often described as one of the most powerful women in business. She was named the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association’s “Woman of the Year” in 2011; one of the country’s “75 Most Powerful Women in Business” by Black Enterprise magazine; and among the “25 Most Influential African-Americans in Health Care” by Black Health magazine. She was appointed by the Obama administration to the inaugural Board of Governors for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and appears regularly as a featured medical expert on television shows including “The Doctors” and “The Rachael Ray Show.” Keck Graduate Institute is a member of the Claremont College Consortium and the only U.S. graduate institute devoted solely to bioscience education, research and discovery. The ceremony will take place Saturday, May 18, at 11:30 a.m., at 535 Watson Drive, Claremont.
Media Contact: Paige Stein, Paige_Stein@kgi.edu

May 19

DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind.
Elisa Villanueva Beard, co-chief executive officer of Teach For America and 1998 graduate of DePauw University, will return to her alma mater to deliver the primary address at DePauw's 174th annual commencement. The ceremony will take place Sunday, May 19, at 10:30 a.m. in Holton Memorial Quadrangle.
Press Release: tinyurl.com/bw2n7kw
Media Contact: Ken Owen, kowen@depauw.edu

Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio
Law commencement: May 19, 1:30 p.m., ONU Sports Center: U.S. Congressman Tom Reed of New York. Reed, a 1996 graduate of the ONU Pettit College of Law, was first elected to represent the 29th District of New York in a special election held Nov. 2, 2010. Reed is a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, which has broad jurisdiction over many issues, including tax policy, trade, health care and Social Security. He serves on the Human Resources, Oversight, and Select Revenue Measures subcommittees of Ways and Means. Previously, Reed served on the Rules, Judiciary, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees. Reed currently co-chairs the House Manufacturing Caucus and Congressional Natural Gas Caucus, and he is vice chair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus.
Event Details: www.onu.edu/node/49429
Media Contact: Mary A. Wilkin, m-wilkin@onu.edu

Colgate University, Hamilton, N.Y.
Colgate’s 192nd commencement will be held May 19, at 10:30 a.m., in Sanford Field House at Colgate University, 13 Oak Drive. The commencement speaker will be Duncan L. Niederauer ’81, chief executive officer of NYSE Euronext. During his tenure, Niederauer oversaw the transformation of the company into an innovative, globally integrated organization with a high-tech, high-touch focus. Prior to his current position, Niederauer was president and co-chief operating officer of NYSE Euronext, with responsibility for U.S. cash equities. The baccalaureate speaker will be The Very Reverend Dr. Jane Shaw, dean of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. Prior to her move to San Francisco in 2010, Shaw served as dean of divinity and fellow of New College, University of Oxford, and taught history and theology at Oxford for 16 years. She is the author of three books, including the prize-winning “Octavia Daughter of God: The Story of a Female Messiah.” She is also currently a visiting scholar at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. Both Niederauer and Shaw will receive honorary degrees during commencement. The night before commencement will be the annual Torchlight ceremony.
Media Contact: Matt Hames, mhames@colgate.edu

Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland
Renowned business leader and philanthropist Peter B. Lewis will return to a Case Western Reserve stage next month as the university’s 2013 Commencement speaker on Sunday, May 19, at 9:30 a.m., at Veale Convocation Center, 2138 Adelbert Road, Cleveland. Lewis, who addressed the campus a decade ago at the dedication of the landmark building that bears his name, last appeared at the graduation ceremony in 2008. On that occasion, Barbara R. Snyder’s first as the university’s leader, Lewis received the inaugural President’s Award for Visionary Achievement. As part of the ceremonies, Lewis also will receive an honorary degree from Case Western Reserve, the alma mater of his mother, father, sister and ex-wife, Toby Devan Lewis, as well as several earlier generations of his family. Lewis, who grew up in Cleveland Heights, earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University before returning to Northeast Ohio to join Progressive, the insurance company his father cofounded in 1937. In 1965, when he was 31, Lewis became CEO, a position he held until 2000. Lewis remains chairman of Progressive today.
Media contact: Susan Griffith, sbg4@case.edu

University of New Haven, Wallingford, Conn.
Ted Kennedy Jr., a lawyer and advocate for people with disabilities, will be the keynote speaker at the morning commencement ceremony of the University of New Haven at the Toyota Presents Oakdale Theatre on Sunday, May 19. Kennedy will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at the ceremony, which starts at 10 a.m. A second ceremony at 3 p.m. will feature a commencement address delivered by Sen. Christopher Murphy (D-Conn.), who will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. UNH is awarding 37 associate degrees, 760 bachelor’s degrees and 388 master’s degrees at the May 19 ceremonies.
Media Contact: Karen Grava, KGrava@newhaven.edu

New England College of Business and Finance
Massachusetts Treasurer Steve Grossman will deliver the online school’s commencement address on Sunday, May 19, at the Berklee College of Music Performance Center in Boston. Grossman, who was elected as Massachusetts treasurer in 2010, once served as the chairman of both the Massachusetts Democratic Party and the Democratic National Committee, where he established a track record as a reformer and builder, working to implement effective management and financial controls while encouraging individuals to participate in political life. In addition to his political duties, Grossman spent 35 years as CEO of Grossman Marketing Group in Somerville, a 103-year-old, fourth-generation family business.  Grossman is also an advisory board member of the Women’s Lunch Place and chairs the advisory board of Cambridge College.
Website: www.necb.edu
Media Contact: Cassidy Lawson, clawson@schneiderpr.com

Hollins University, Roanoke, Va.
Commencement speaker: Johnnetta B. Cole, director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art; former president of Spelman College and Bennett College for Women; founder of the Johnnetta B. Cole Global Diversity and Inclusion Institute. Commencement date/location: Sunday, May 19, Front Quadrangle.
Media Contact: Jeff Hodges, jhodges@hollins.edu

St. Lawrence University, Canton, N.Y.
Speakers/honorary degree recipients for the 2013 commencement on Sunday, May 19: 1) John J. O’Shea, an immunologist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and a 1974 graduate of St. Lawrence University. O’Shea has received a number of awards for his contributions to the treatment and control of rheumatic diseases and has authored more than 235 articles, establishing his worldwide reputation in immunology. 2) Roger W. Ferguson Jr., president and chief executive officer of TIAA-CREF. He was once vice chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from 1999 to 2006. 3) Joseph L. Kennedy, retired SUNY Canton president. During Kennedy’s 19 years as president, the college transformed from a two- to a four-year college, its enrollment doubled and it now boasts one of the largest and most comprehensive online programs in the SUNY system. Other pertinent information: We will also be awarding the North Country Citation, which is given annually to an individual or group from the region who, through professional and volunteer endeavors, has improved the quality of life in the North Country. This year we will honor the Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley.
More info: tinyurl.com/cqy23jx
Media Contacts: Meg Bernier, mbernier@stlawu.edu, or Tom Evelyn, tevelyn@stlawu.edu

University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Wash.
Commencement will take place at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 19, at Baker Stadium. Philip Zimbardo, Emeritus Professor Stanford University, will deliver the keynote. Zimbardo is an internationally acclaimed psychologist, professor, and author, who gained fame for his Stanford Prison Experiment, which explored the corrupting influence of personal power, and the PBS video series “Discovering Psychology.” He also broke new ground during his decades-long explorations of the nature of shyness and heroism, and attitudes toward time. He has authored more than 400 professional publications and 50 books, including “Psychology and Life,” “The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil” and “The Time Paradox.”
Media Contact: Shirley Skeel, sskeel@pugetsound.edu

Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pa.
David Gergen will deliver the keynote on May 19 at Beachem Portico, north side of Pennsylvania Hall, Gettysburg College campus. Gergen is a professor of public service and director of the Center for Public Leadership at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He also serves as a senior political analyst for CNN, contributes to Parade Magazine and is currently at work on a book about renewing America's political culture. Gergen previously served as a White House advisor to four U.S. presidents: Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Clinton. He wrote about those experiences in his New York Times best-seller, “Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership, Nixon to Clinton.” In the 1980s, he also served as chief editor of U.S. News & World Report.
Media Contact: Nikki Rhoads, nrhoads@gettysburg.edu

El Centro College, Dallas
Commencement speaker: Joan Becker, El Centro College dean of nursing. Student speaker: Rhyzl Guimbatan, 2013 graduate and president of the ECC Sigma Tau chapter of Phi Theta Kappa academic honorary for two-year colleges. The ceremony will take place Sunday, May 19, at 3 p.m. at the Jesse Owens Complex/Ellis Field House, 9191 S. Polk St. in Dallas. El Centro College is one of the seven colleges in the Dallas County Community College District.
Media Contact: Ann Hatch, ahatch@dcccd.edu

Fairfield University, Fairfield, Conn.
Speakers for the May 19 commencement: Undergraduate ceremony: Reverend Michael J. Garanzini, S.J., president of Loyola University Chicago and General Secretary for Higher Education for the Society of Jesus. Graduate Ceremony: Patrick W. Kelley, ’76, P’12, MD, DrPH, director of the Board on Global Health for the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the U.S. National Academies. In addition to the speakers, honorary degrees will be bestowed on the following: Sister Maureen Clark, CSJ, a Sister of St. Joseph from Pittsburgh who has worked in the correctional system for nearly four decades, most recently in Massachusetts; Sister Patricia Farrell, OSF, LCSW, LMHP, a Sister of St. Francis of the Holy Family, Dubuque, Iowa, who spent 20 years in Latin America and is the immediate past president of Leadership Conference of Women Religious; William P. McDonald, ’75, who has been with The New York Times since 1988 in various editorial positions on the Metropolitan, National, Culture, and Obituary desks. The undergraduate ceremony takes place at 9:30 a.m., the graduate ceremony at 3 p.m., at Bellarmine Lawn, outdoors, in back of Bellarmine Hall, on the Fairfield University campus. Media credentials are required.
Media Contact: Mike Horyczun, mhoryczun@fairfield.edu

Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, N.Y.
Speaker: James Carville, one of America's best-known political commentators and a leading citizen in the revitalization of post-Katrina New Orleans. With a history of impressive electoral victories at the local and state level, Carville was the lead strategist for the successful election in 1992 of William Jefferson Clinton as the 42nd president of the United States. The next year, he married Republican strategist Mary Matalin who worked on the campaign of incumbent George H.W. Bush. Their cross-aisle marriage has resulted in more than two decades of political commentary on every major television network and news organization, informing Americans across the political spectrum. Their book, “All's Fair: Love, War and Running for President,” became a national bestseller.  Following Hurricane Katrina, Carville and Matalin relocated their family from the Washington, D.C., beltway to Carville's home state of Louisiana, where they have been vocal supporters of the renaissance of New Orleans. Together, they have taken part in a range of environmental, educational, economic and cultural projects in support of the Gulf Coast. The ceremony will take place Sunday, May 19, at Hobart and William Smith Quad, 300 Pulteney St., Geneva, N.Y.
Media Contact: Mary LeClair, mleclair@hws.edu, or Cindy McVey, mcvey@hws.edu

May 22

The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, N.Y.
Baccalaureate commencement, May 22: Hamdi Ulukaya, founder, CEO and president of Chobani, was dubbed "the Steve Jobs of yogurt" by Forbes in 2011, building a $1 billion business in just five years -- during a major recession. He grew up in Turkey, where his family had a dairy business, and immigrated to the U.S. in 1994 to study business and learn English. In 2002, Ulukaya created Euphrates Feta. Three years later, he founded New York State-based Chobani, now the number one yogurt brand in America. The college holds 16 associate degree and three bachelor's degree commencements each year at the Hyde Park campus.
Media Contact: Jeff Levine, j_levine@culinary.edu

May 23

Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, Pa.
Commencement speaker: Carmen Twillie Ambar, president of Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pa., earned her juris doctorate from Columbia School of Law, her master’s in public affairs from Princeton University, and her bachelor of science degree in foreign service from Georgetown University. The commencement will take place May 23 at the Arthur L. Scott Spartan Center, Main Campus of Northampton Community College.
Media Contact: Myra Saturen, msaturen@northampton.edu

May 24

Goucher College, Baltimore
Author Judith Viorst, perhaps best known for her beloved children’s book “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” and many other works, will receive an honorary degree and deliver the keynote address at Goucher’s 122nd Commencement, Friday, May 24. President Sanford J. Ungar will preside over the ceremony, which will begin at 10:30 a.m. on the Margaret M. Winslow Great Lawn, between the Athenaeum and Katharine and Jane Welsh Hall.
Website: www.goucher.edu/commencement
Media Contact: Kristen Pinheiro, kristen.pinheiro@goucher.edu

May 25

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N.Y.
U.S. Representative John R. Lewis (D-Ga.), one of the nation’s most dedicated and courageous civil rights leaders, will address Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates at the 207th Commencement, May 25. He will join a group of high-level business, military, and nonprofit foundation leaders who will participate in the graduation ceremonies. Lewis will receive an honorary degree, along with Retired Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral (Ret. USN) Michael G. Mullen, Xerox Chairman and CEO Ursula M. Burns, and Microsoft and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pioneer Patty Stonesifer.
More details: www.rpi.edu/academics/commencement/index.html
Media Contact: Mark Marchand, marchm3@rpi.edu

McDaniel College, Westminster, Md.
McDaniel College will have two commencement speakers:  journalists and husband and wife, Al Hunt of Bloomberg News and Judy Woodruff of “PBS NewsHour." The ceremony will take place Saturday, May 25, 2 p.m., at the college's Gill Center.  Hunt is executive editor of Bloomberg News in Washington, D.C. He was formerly a congressional and national political reporter, bureau chief and executive Washington editor for The Wall Street Journal for 35 years. He has served as a panelist on NBC’s “Meet the Press” and PBS’ “Washington in Review,” as well as political analyst on CBS Morning News, and a panelist on CNN’s “The Capital Gang” and “Novak, Hunt & Shields.” Woodruff has covered politics and other news as a television journalist at CNN, NBC, and PBS, for more than three decades. She served as co-anchor of “PBS NewsHour,” chief Washington correspondent for PBS’ “The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour” and anchored the award-winning weekly documentary series, “Frontline with Judy Woodruff.” She was an anchor and senior correspondent for CNN for 12 years, anchoring the weekday political program, “Inside Politics.” At NBC News, she served as White House correspondent from 1977-1982 and for one year after was NBC’s “Today Show” chief Washington correspondent. A founding co-chair of the International Women’s Media Foundation, she serves on the boards of the Freedom Forum, the Newseum, and the Urban Institute. She is also a member of The Knight Foundation, Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, and the board of the National Museum of American History.
More details: www.mcdaniel.edu/information/commencemen...
Media Contact: Cheryl Knauer, cknauer@mcdaniel.edu

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Ind.
G. Felda Hardymon, Ph.D., one of the world’s notable experts in entrepreneurship education and venture capital, will address members of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Class of 2013 during commencement exercises on May 25 in Terre Haute, Ind. A 1969 Rose-Hulman mathematics alumnus, Hardymon is a partner with Bessemer Venture Partners (BVP), one of the oldest venture firms (founded in 1911) and now a global organization with $1.6 billion under management. He has led BVP’s investment with a number of young companies in the software, communications and retail sectors. Since 1998, Hardymon also has taught and conducted research at Harvard Business School, and is currently a visiting professor of finance at the London School of Economics. Hardymon has been named several times to the Forbes Midas 100 List of Venture Capitalists who possess the proverbial “golden touch,” and is co-author of the bestseller “Venture Capital and Private Equity.”
Media Contact: Dale Long, Dale.Long@rose-hulman.edu

May 31

LIM College, New York
Mark Mendelson, president/CEO of Ellen Tracy, will deliver the keynote to graduates of LIM College, which is exclusively focused on the study of business and fashion. Mendelson will also receive LIM College’s Distinguished Achievement Award and an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree at the ceremony. The ceremony will take place May 31 at 4:30 p.m., at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York.
Website: www.limcollege.edu/about-lim/13236.aspx
Media Contacts: Meredith Finnin, meredith.finnin@limcollege.edu, or Melissa Krantz,mkrantz@krantzandco.com

For the June/July list, click here.

With all of the information and data available online, it’s more important than ever for journalists to filter through the noise. In our latest #ConnectChat, held Tuesday, April 30, on Twitter, writer Linda Bernstein discussed social curation for journalists, including some of the available tools journalists can use to work through the social clutter.

Bernstein teaches social media in the continuing education program at Columbia University’s School of Journalism. A writer and editor with over 35 years of experience in all corners of journalism and publishing, she was editor of Sesame Street Parents, Scholastic Parent and Child and Modern Bride Connection magazines, and is currently a contributor to PBS’ Next Avenue. In addition, she is a speaker, social media consultant and conference organizer. Her own blog, GenerationBSquared, is an active voice for the baby boomer generation.

Following is a recap of the chat:

Linda, thanks so much for joining us. Let’s get right to it. What is social curation?

Social curation is selecting and organizing material you pick up on social media. With curation, we make sure our audience has best possible information.

What's the difference between curation and aggregation?

Aggregation is simply bringing together a bunch of stuff in a “pile,” so to speak. Curation involves thought, judgment, and selection.

So aggregation is getting all the info, and curation is sorting through it?

Yes, aggregation is collecting; curating is choosing and selecting and making sense. Journalists need to focus on information and filter away all the noise of social.

What is good definition of noise, and how do you avoid it?

Noise, I would say, is all the information that floats about on social that may be inaccurate or not useful. We avoid noise by becoming good curators -- which is what we're talking about!

In what ways are people already curating on social media?

We are all already using Twitter lists, and “friend” settings on Facebook. We also have been, in our heads at least, selecting trusted sources. We also curate the experts we get from ProfNet. If someone is great, we follow her and use again.

Why is curation important for journalists/writers? Why do they need to be doing it?

There is so much happening on social that, without it, we would go nuts -- or not see the story. Curating also means we have better, accurate sources we trust. Curation isn’t something that happens overnight. You work on it over time.

Can you give an example of how a writer would use curation for, say, breaking news?

For Twitter, you would search hashtags. You can use search.twitter.com or Twitterfall.com. Also, don’t forget to look at trending topics. You might find the most used hashtags there. Also, see who is tweeting in the hashtag. Use search! Hashtags are so rich with possibility. Find journalists and experts you trust and follow them. It helps to do your homework way beforehand. Choose major cities; find news sources there you trust.

How do you make sure you're not plagiarizing when you're curating?

Be smart. Give credit. Follow fair use laws. Find out what is copyrighted and cannot be shared. Here's a link to U.S. fair use/copyright laws: www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html 

Do you have a favorite tool for curating?

My favorite tool: my brain. Also:

• For curating people, I love oneQube. While following my home stream, I can click on buttons to find out about people. Here is my oneQube for today's chat report: qub.me/EfPIbo.
• HootSuite enables you to filter tweets so you get rid of noise: Get Started with Twitter and HootSuite.
• For putting together a story, nothing beats Storify. It pulls in videos and tweets from the Web. Here are some great directions for putting together a Storify: Tips for Using Storify in Your Reporting and Digital Storytelling.
• Archive.ly, a people research platform in now in closed beta. Their CEO, Perri Blake Gorman, is on Twitter: @bethebutterfly.
• OverBlog, a blogging platform that enables you to highlight your curated social, including Facebook and Google +.
• SeeSaw is amazing. You type in a hashtag, and it shows you tiles. Pictures from links are displayed. With SeeSaw, you can take the tiles you see and like and save them to a board.
• Rebel Mouse: collects your social stream - you can embed it into your site. Widely used by news orgs.
• Prismatic lets you connect to a newsfeed based on your interests.
• With Scoop.it, you decide on a topic, name the stream, and handpick sources. Also offers some suggested content.
• For journalists, Storyful verifies information. It's not a free tool, but most news organizations subscribe.
• Pocket (formerly Read It Later) is my favorite way to save things to read later. You can organize what you save with tags.

Pocket sounds really interesting, especially for those of us with terrible memories.

I have a button on my browser. It makes life easy! In fact, most of these tools have browser buttons. Here is a list, though some of the tools aren’t around anymore: The Best Content Curation Tools for Journalists.

With so many tools, how do we decide which one to use?

I always say: Be an early tester. Be a thoughtful adopter. Try them all. Use what you like. There are so many wonderful tools, but, ultimately, they will impede us unless we settle on a few helpful ones. You should curate your tools as well as all the information.

Below are experts from the ProfNet network that are available to discuss summer safety. If you are interested in interviewing any of the experts, please contact them via the contact information at the end of the listing. To receive these updates by email, drop us a note at profnet@profnet.com with the industries you cover, and we'll add you to the appropriate edition.

If you are in need of additional experts, you can also submit a query to the hundreds of thousands of experts in our network. You can filter your request by institution type and geographic location to get the most targeted responses. The best part? It’s free! Just fill out the query form to get started.

If you have any questions or need assistance with any aspect of ProfNet, please drop us a note at profnet@profnet.com.

Beauty/Skin Care

Gary Goldenberg, M.D.
Medical Director, Dermatology Faculty Practice, Mount Sinai Medical Center
Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Pathology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
"The most important thing I tell patients is that you have to do it all -- make sure your kids wear broad-spectrum sunscreen, reapply numerous times per day, wear sun-protective clothing, avoid mid-day sun, and seek the shade. It’s also important or parents to lead by example, to protect the entire family from sun’s harmful rays."
Based in New York, Goldenberg is available to discuss skin cancer prevention and clues, how to keep kids safe in the summer, which type of sunscreen is best, and summer beauty tips for men and women.
Media Contact: Rachel Kessler, kessler.rachel@gmail.com

Liz Eglinton
Founder
Snapper Rock UV50+ Swimwear
“Melanoma is on the rise for U.S. children by approximately 2 percent per year from 1973 to 2009 among newborns to age 19, according to the May issue of Pediatrics. In light of this information and the fact that that Melanoma accounts for up to 3 percent of pediatric cancers, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, it’s imperative that parents protect their kids’ skin this summer, even when they’re not together like during summer or sleep away camps. For starters, parents must educate themselves and their families about proper sunscreen application, which is one ounce of at least SPF 30 every two hours and immediately after swimming or heavy sweating. It’s important to arm children with the right tools like hats and UV50+ swimwear (such as Snapper Rock) and encourage them to catch as much shade as possible during breaks and downtime. If a child comes home from day camp or summer activities with a sunburn, parents should reinforce sun safety procedures for future fun in the sun. If the child is at a sleep away camp, parents can send them letters with friendly reminders about sun safety. Simple pictures with pictures of the sun’s rays beaming down on them with a caption like ‘I’m glad I’m wearing sunscreen!’ may be helpful. Parents should monitor their kids’ exposure to the sun during vacation and anytime they are together. Lastly, it’s important to constantly be aware of changing moles – Melanoma has irregular borders, are asymmetrical and have uneven coloring.”
Media Contact: Erin O’Brien, eobrien@konnect-pr.com

Debra Luftman, M.D.
Dermatologist, Simple Advisory Board
Simple Facial Skincare
“During the summer, the sun’s intensity is at its highest, so it’s especially important to consistently wear a moisturizer containing SPF during these months.”
Dr. Luftman is a board-certified dermatologist and is part of the Simple Advisory Board, a panel of leading industry experts who offer advice for achieving natural, healthy-looking through a holistic lifestyle approach. She is often called upon in the press as an expert in cosmetic medicine, and has appeared on TV shows such as “Good Morning America” and “EXTRA TV,” as well as on the news and various websites. She is frequently quoted in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Vogue, W, InStyle, Oprah Magazine and National Public Radio, just to name a few.
Website: www.simpleskincare.com
Media Contact: Meaghan Ford, MFord@webershandwick.com

Sarah Taylor, M.D.
Dermatology
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
Dr. Taylor can talk about sun exposure do’s and don’ts, as well as what you should do if you suffer from an extreme sunburn involving OTC treatments, and advice on when to seek medical attention.
Media Contact: Bonnie Davis, bdavis@wakehealth.edu

William Huang, M.D.
Dermatology
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
Dr. Huang can talk about skin care tactics for younger men who are concerned about taking care of their skin or who suffer from acne, razor stubble burn. He can offer do’s and don’ts and product advice from a personal viewpoint of someone in his early 30s.
Media Contact: Bonnie Davis, bdavis@wakehealth.edu

Richard Bezozo, M.D.
President
MoleSafe
Bezozo is president of MoleSafe, the world’s most advanced melanoma screening program. As one of the nation’s leading melanoma and skin health experts, he can provide expert insight and information on summer skin care. He can comment on a variety of skin care topics, some of which include: best practices for keeping your skin healthy in the summer heat; insight on how to get a “safe” tan; pre and post-sun skincare tips and information; information on how to have flawless skin and combat UV rays and damage; post -summer skincare tips to ensure health; tips for skin health during summer travels and vacation; secrets for the healthiest, best-looking skin for people of all ages and people of all different skin tones; preventative measures and steps to take to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer; Q&A of common sun and skin care questions; recent studies and research about skin care, skin health, the sun, and more.
Blog: bit.ly/YxiwNl
Media Contact: Carlee Pett, cpett@randjpr.com

Dr. Elizabeth Hale
Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology
New York University School of Medicine
Hale, also a spokesperson for the Skin Cancer Foundation, is available to discuss how the elements can challenge the health of your skin, and -- as we embrace the summer season -- why it’s important to ensure that skin is protected all year, as rigorous outdoor activity, combined with heat, humidity and sweat, can make skin more vulnerable to the sun’s rays.
Media Contact: Mariam Quadri, MQuadri@padillaspeer.com

Health

Christian Davis Furman, M.D., M.S.P.H.
Geriatrician
“Older adults have a hard time sensing when they are getting dehydrated. They also have fewer sweat glands, so the possibility is greater they will get overheated easily because they do not sweat as much. Therefore, it is very important that they consciously drink extra fluids on warm days. Also, some older adults are unable to communicate that they need water because of dementia or other conditions. If an older adult has these barriers, their caregivers need to make sure they drink often and are appropriately hydrated.”
Furman is vice chair for geriatrics at the University of Louisville and is board-certified in geriatric medicine and hospice and palliative medicine. She is the only Kentuckian among geriatric medicine experts from 27 states and the District of Columbia selected to participate in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Innovation Advisors Program.
Media Contact: Jill Scoggins, jill.scoggins@louisville.edu

Jeff Salter
CEO and Founder
Caring Senior Service
“The summer poses a special risk for the elderly community.  With extreme temperatures, hurricanes and other weather conditions, seniors should take extra caution to prepare themselves for the season. I would be happy to offer up a few tips we give aging clients to stay safe through the summer.”
Caring Senior Service is a national in-home care franchise that specializes in caring for aging seniors.  Salter has worked in the homecare industry for over 21 years and has extensive experience in managing emergency situations for the elderly.  He is available to discuss summer safety concerns for the elderly.
Website: www.caringseniorservice.com
Media Contact: Bridget Strickland, Bstrickland@konnect-pr.com

Carolyn Dean, MD, ND
Dr. Dean is a medical doctor, nutritionist and author of "Homeopathic Remedies for Children’s Common Ailments." She is a health pioneer, with over 25 years of experience in children's nutrition, diet and health issues. She has authored 30 books, including "Future Health Now Encyclopedia," "365 Ways to Boost Your Brain Power: Tips, Exercise, Advice," "The Yeast Connection," "IBS for Dummies" and "The Magnesium Miracle." She has been interviewed regularly on radio and TV shows and in magazines, including ABC’s “The View,” NBC and CBS. She is an advisory board member of  the Nutritional Magnesium Association.
Dr. Dean is available for interviews on summer safety topics, such as allergies, keeping cool including proper hydration and electrolyte balance, muscle soreness due to summer activities, recovery from summer physical activities, etc. She is available to answer questions via email and/or by phone interview as necessary.
www.nutritionalmagnesium.org
Media Contact: Boris Levitsky, boris@netimprovements.com

Jim Fortenberry M.D., F.A.A.P., F.C.C.M.
Pediatrician-in-Chief
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Fortenberry is pediatrician-in-chief of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, a hospital system that has more than 740,000 patient visits annually. He is also professor of pediatric critical care in Emory University School of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics. He is board-certified in pediatric critical care by the American Board of Pediatrics, and is a member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics, American College of Critical Care Medicine, and Extracorporeal Life Support Organization. He has authored or co-authored 107 publications, 70 journal articles and 65 journal abstracts; has participated in 67 national presentations and 53 local presentations; and has presented at 63 research conferences.
Tip Sheet: tinyurl.com/clbb2pt
Blog: www.dedicatedtoallbetter.org
Media Contact: Chrissie (Eckhardt) Gallentine, chrissie.gallentine@choa.org

Young-jin Sue, M.D.
Pediatric Emergency Medicine Specialist
Montefiore Medical Center
Dr. Sue is an expert on summer safety for children, with particular expertise in the area of fireworks safety and tips for coping with summer heat waves. Dr. Sue is a graduate of the Medical School of Brown University. She did residencies at Harvard University Medical School in Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Toxicology.
Media Contact: Mike Quane, mquane@montefiore.org

Home/Auto Safety

Pat Clancy
Vice President, LoJack Law Enforcement
LoJack, Inc. Stolen Recovery Systems
“It’s important to remind the public to protect their vehicles from theft, especially during the summer months. July has continually shown high rates of auto theft, as people become more relaxed and spend more time on the road.  Today’s thieves are highly skilled professionals, and it is important to both prevent and protect your vehicle from becoming a theft target for experienced criminals.”
Clancy oversees LoJack's staff of law enforcement liaisons, all former police officers who work directly with law enforcement officials, supporting them in their fight against car theft. With 16 years of experience as a sergeant with a Boston-area police department and more than 23 years of law enforcement service at LoJack, Clancy is an expert on the subject of vehicle theft and protection. Clancy has been frequently quoted in print, online and broadcast media, and has published numerous articles on theft protection. He has been a member and presenter with the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI) since 1986 and holds a bachelor of science in criminal justice from Northeastern University.
Media Contact: Maria Brown, lojack@matternow.com

Troy Latuff
Clockwork Home Services
“Injury is the leading cause of death among children and young adults, and nearly half of these accidents occur in the home. With kids out of school and spending more time in the home this summer, it’s important to understand potential hazards. Surprisingly, your electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems could be the culprit of accidents, but there are simple preventative measures you can take. For example, falls are one of the leading causes of injuries around the home, so secure electrical cords out of traffic areas and ensure there’s adequate lighting in tricky spots like stairs. Poor indoor air quality can cause serious respiratory reactions, so swapping out air filters and cleaning air ducts to remove dust, allergens and toxins is a smart idea, particularly for those with severe allergies. The number of injuries caused each year by hot water is always pretty surprising. Scalding causes hundreds of injuries each year that could be prevented simply by setting the maximum temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.”
Latuff has been in the home services industry for 12 years, specializing in plumbing, electrical systems and HVAC. As a co-owner of a tri-branded plumbing, electrical and HVAC business in Minneapolis from 2002-2007, Latuff saw firsthand the importance of safety in the workplace and in the home. After selling the business to Clockwork Home Services, a Direct Energy Company, Latuff was recruited as part of the corporate Clockwork team and has been heavily involved with all aspects of the business. In his current role, Latuff works with an extremely wide network of local certified technicians across the country should you need localized information on plumbing, electrical and HVAC safety tips and issues.
Media Contact: Kimberly Bratton, kbratton@fkmagency.com

Scott Spencer
Worldwide Appraisal and Loss Prevention Manager
Chubb Personal Insurance
Spencer, an expert on securing homes while families are on vacation this summer, shares his thoughts regarding home safety this summer: “It’s likely you have an alarm system, but have you thought about its components? Making sure the alarm is fitted with motion detectors, door and window magnetic contacts are in place, stress sensors are installed under the carpet or floor in front of a safe or valuable artwork, and the home has a closed circuit TV installed for remote viewing will be the best defense against buglers.  Fire and water can also cause extensive damage to homes, especially if nobody is there to recognize there is a problem. Install both ionization and photoelectronic fire detectors, and check their batteries before jetting off. Consider turning off the water valve-- a small leak that is unattended for an extended period of time could lead to major water damage. Also, do a thorough check to make sure all the doors and windows are locked. If possible, keep a car in the driveway. Turn the telephone ringer down so it isn’t audible from the exterior of the house, and arrange for a trusted neighbor to pick up your mail, newspapers and parcels and check your house.”
Spencer has been with Chubb for 28 years and has experience with all kinds of personal insurance losses, from water damage to wildfires. He is currently a columnist with Best’s Review.
Media Contact: Megan Tuck, Megan@Blissintegrated.com

Jim Gustin
Senior Property Specialist, Risk Control Department
Travelers
Gustin has experience offering consumers and homeowners tips and advice all year. He is available to offer tips on: 1) safe travel: tips for safely packing a car for a road trip and safely navigating the roads; 2) home security: advice for homeowners to secure their property while they are away on vacation, with a focus on preparation tips to avoid potential weather damage; 3) backyard safety: how homeowners can ensure their backyard entertainment areas are safe ; 4) summer property maintenance: tips on how to prepare homes for the summer season and the proper way to close homes for the fall.
Home Maintenance Tips: tinyurl.com/cfy9z6z
Website: www.travelers.com
Media Contact: Kyle Tildsley, ktildsley@pancomm.com

Cheryl Luptowski
Public Information Officer, Home Safety Expert
NSF International
NSF International is an independent public health and safety organization that writes standards and certifies products for the food, water and consumer goods industries to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment. Certified products include home kitchen products and appliances, drinking water treatment, dietary supplement safety and sustainability. Luptowski handles more than 10,000 consumer inquiries annually on a wide range of consumer health and safety-related issues. She has been interviewed as a home expert in national print, online and radiom, and has authored many articles and fact sheets with tips for healthier living. She is the face behind “Ask NSF,” NSF’s online Q&A portal, and chairs the NSF Consumer Advisory Panel. Before joining NSH, Luptowski worked as a certified water treatment plant operator, strengthening her passion for drinking water safety. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cleary University in Ann Arbor and has completed several graduate courses in food science through Michigan State University. She is available to discuss pool safety, water safety, food safety, and dietary supplement safety.
Website: www.nsf.org/consumer
Media Contact: Paula DeGangi, paula.degangi@ketchum.com

Outdoors/Wilderness Safety

Dave Mizejewski
Naturalist
National Wildlife Federation
Mizejewski, an expert on wildlife, our environment and green lifestyles, is available to talk about being safe around animals (when hiking, etc.), as well as how to avoid being bitten by bees, flies, wasps, ticks, etc.. A lifelong naturalist, he spent his youth romping in the woods, fields and wetlands, observing and learning about the surprising diversity of wildlife that inhabits these areas. He hosted and co-produced “Backyard Habitat,” on Animal Planet from 2005-2008, showing people how to transform their yards and gardens into thriving habitats for birds and other local wildlife. He also appeared in an Animal Planet mini-series in April of 2007 called “Springwatch U.S.A.,” which looked at the effect seasonal change has on wildlife from salamanders and flying squirrels to great horned owls and black bears. He blogs on animal oddities for Animal Planet, and contributes to Huffington Post and NWF’s blog, Wildlife Promise. He makes monthly appearances on NBC’s “Today” show and is a regular guest on “The Martha Stewart Show” and ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
Bio: www.nwf.org/david-mizejewski/full-bio.as...
Media Contact: Diane Shader Smith, dianeshadersmith@gmail.com

Henderson McGinnis, M.D.
Emergency Medicine
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
Dr. McGinnis can speak in depth about wilderness medicine, which covers the gamut of emergency medicine/first aid in natural conditions/elements, especially good for extreme athletes, outdoor adventurers, families who like to hit a walking/hiking/biking trail together on the weekends, etc. He can also provide information on how to compete in extreme sports, like Tough Mudder runs, and avoid injury or address what you can do if you do get hurt.
Media Contact: Bonnie Davis, bdavis@wakehealth.edu

Stan Cope Jr., Ph.D.
Manager, Technical Services
Terminix
Cope graduated in 1976 from Swarthmore College with a bachelor of arts degree in biology. In 1980, he completed a master’s in entomology at the University of Delaware, with emphasis on medical entomology. In 1988, he was awarded a Ph.D. in public health from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he focuses on entomology, tropical medicine and infectious disease. That same year, he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the United States Navy, where he served as a medical entomologist for the next 23+ years, retiring with the rank of captain. Most recently, he served as director, Armed Forces Pest Management Board of Director, Defense Pest Management, in Washington, D.C., where he had oversight of all aspects of pest management for the Department of Defense. After his retirement from the Armed Forces, Cope became the manager of technical services for Terminix. He is available to discuss how to enjoy the outdoors without the threat of mosquitoes.
Media Contact: Caroline Harris, charris@arhcermalmo.com

Pet Safety

Dr. Marilyn Gotbeter
Chief Veterinarian
City of San Antonio Animal Care Services
“Keeping pets happy and healthy in the summer may seem like a hurdle, but pet owners shouldn’t sweat it. It’s easy to keep your companion animals safe with a bit of common sense and a little preparation.”
Dr. Gotbeter is available to offer tips on keeping pets safe from the summer swelter. She can also detail what every pet owner must have for their pet this summer, as well as dispel the myths surrounding traveling with your dog or cat (e.g., cracking the window “just a bit” really doesn’t help). A graduate of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Gotbeter has worked in private practice, emergency clinic settings, and shelter medicine.
Media Contact: Lisa Norwood, lisa.norwood@sanantonio.gov

Dr. Liz Hanson
Veterinarian
Corona Del Mar Animal Hospital
Hanson attended Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed a B.S. degree at the University of California, Davis. She has been practicing veterinary medicine in Orange County since 1995. In her practice, she particularly enjoys internal medicine, dermatology, soft tissue surgery and wellness. She is able to speak to summer safety for pet owners and their furry friends.
Website: www.cdmah.com
Media Contact: Alyssa Meissner, Meissner@formulapr.com

Dr. Tina Wismer
Senior Toxicologist, Medical Director
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
Dr. Wismer is a senior toxicologist and is currently the medical director at the ASPCA’s Poison Control Center (APCC). She consults with veterinarians and pet parents about veterinary toxicology, and manages the veterinary toxicologists and veterinarians to provide guidance and consistency of medical recommendations. Dr. Wismer can speak to all topics relating to pets, including, but not limited to, items that can be toxic to pets, general summer safety tips, warm-weather advice, and veterinary concerns.
Media Contact: Mallory Kerley,mallory.kerley@aspca.org

Water/Boating Safety

Willan Johnson
CEO
VivoPools
“A safety pool cover is essential, especially during the off-season, to prevent any issues like your child wandering into the pool area unbeknownst to you. Pool safety fences are critical to ensure that children cannot access the pool area unsupervised. The Consumer Product and Safety Commission recommends installing a pool fence that is at least 48 inches high and has a self-closing, self-latching, child-resistant gate. Installing an alarm will detect movement in the pool area, alerting you to any potential problems. Every pool should have a lifesaver and a shepherds hook. These pool items will help in pulling distressed swimmers to safety. But the best alarm is adult eyes -- there is no substitute!”
VivoPools, a pool care franchise, maintains and cleans an array of commercial and residential pools around the country, including such prestigious pools as the W Hotels and The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Emmys). As a seasoned and knowledgeable pool care expert, Johnson is available to comment on pool safety and other topics involving the industry.
Website: www.vivopools.com
Erin Morrissey, emorrissey@konnect-pr.com

Tom Lochhaas
Writer, About Sailing
Author, “Suddenly Overboard: True Stories of Sailors in Fatal Trouble”
“The most dangerous time for sailors is the least dangerous time -- that is, the sailors about to become victims perceived no significant danger or risk at the time.  Life was going well, the sailing was good, it was just another day on the water. Staying safe on a sailboat or any kind of boat begins with an attitude of thinking ahead about anything that can happen at any time on the water. This doesn’t mean being ready for storms and having lots of gear on the boat for emergencies, and not just the traditional seamanship skills of navigation and boat operation, but always thinking ahead and asking yourself ‘what if.’”
Website: sailing.about.com
Media Contact: Ann Pryor, Ann.pryor@mheducation.com

Ginny Ferguson
Owner and Founder
Watersafe Swim School
"Summer is a time when we need to be more mindful than ever of children around water. It's easy to get caught up visiting and enjoying the sunshine and not notice that a toddler or baby has walked or crawled into an unsafe area. Fish ponds, duck ponds, unattended swimming pools, beaches are all environments where children need to be heavily supervised. It only takes a moment for a child to slip away. Start ‘water safety’ lessons as soon as possible. Toddlers get trained to roll over and float until help gets to them. We start training babies as young as 3 months to be watersafe -- it's never too early."
Ferguson is the developer of the award-winning “Smart Fish” curriculum. Since 1971, this comprehensive method has successfully taught water survival skills and advanced techniques to students ranging in age from 10 days to adult. Over the years, the method has evolved through the inspiration and expertise of industry luminaries, including USA Olympic swim coaches. An internationally recognized expert with a focus on stroke technique and infant instruction, Ferguson is tapped by organizations around the globe to share her knowledge with swim instructors and industry experts. She recently shared stroke techniques for children and infant/toddler learn-to-swim progressions at New Zealand Swim Coaches and Association. She has presented at numerous United States Swim School Association conferences on topics ranging from introducing a 4-month-old infant to lessons, to advanced stroke technique for competitive swimmers, and everything in between. She is a founding member of the United States Swim School Association (the largest swim school association in the country) and has held numerous positions on its board over the years.
Website: www.Watersafe.com
Media Contact: Elaine Marshall, Elaine@empoweredpr.com

Franceen Gonzales
Vice President, Risk Management and Aquatics
Great Wolf Lodge
Gonzales is currently vice president, risk management and aquatics at Great Wolf Resorts, based in Madison, Wis. Prior to accepting her current role in 2006, she was park director at Hurricane Harbor, located at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, N.J. With Great Wolf Resorts, Gonzales has helped further the expansion of the brand, overseeing the opening of four new properties. While her goal at Great Wolf Resorts has been to develop the waterparks as family-friendly anchors at each property, a big portion of that work has involved establishing a centralized risk management program. The goal is to ensure that employees have uniform safety protocols and a set of standards to protect the well-being of all guests. That goes hand in hand with ensuring that all corporate assets and shareholders are protected via a proper insurance program. Gonzales’ focus on risk management stems partially from having to face a tragic incident early in her career. While employed at an Arizona waterpark, she had to manage a devastating water slide accident. Investigations found that the employees were well-trained, documentation was in place and the ride met all standards. Ultimately, no conclusive reason for the accident was determined, but Gonzales says the experience taught her that operators need to be prepared to deal with an incident “whether it’s under our control or not.” That motivation led to her involvement with the World Waterpark Association, for which she served as chairwoman from October 2006 to October 2008. Gonzales also is active in creating new industry standards. As a member of ASTM, she has helped draft standards for water slides and aquatic play structures. And as chairwoman of the Ventilation Technical Committee for the Model Aquatic Health Code project, she’s working to create optimum air quality standards for aquatics facilities. She is available to discuss water safety.
Website: www.greatwolf.com
Susie Storey, sstorey@greatwolf.com

Mario Vittone
MarioVittone.com
Vittone, a former U.S. Coast Guard helicopter rescue swimmer and instructor, is a nationally recognized water safety expert. His writing on aquatic risk and drowning prevention has appeared in magazines, websites, and newspapers around the world.  He has lectured on boating and water safety across the United States, and currently serves on the board of directors of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance and the Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation. He is able to provide important water safety tips for children and adults timed to National Learn to Swim Day, Memorial Day and more.
Media Contact: Gillian Small, gsmall@litzkypr.com

Technology Safety Tips

Marian Merritt
Internet Safety Advocate
Norton by Symantec
“As our mobile devices become more and more of a lifeline to work and play, especially in the summer when we spend a lot of time outdoors, it’s more important than ever to make sure you keep them protected. From online travel scams offering free flights, to smartphone seeking pickpockets, keeping yourself protected means more than just wearing sunscreen this summer. If you’re going to be playing in the water with your kids or spending time doing an activity, leave your phone at home for the day. Not only is it likely to be a distraction from the fun, but it also increases your risk of loss or theft. If you do decide to bring your phone or tablet, make sure to install security software before you head out to catch some rays so, in case your mobile device is lost or stolen, you can remotely locate and temporarily lock it to prevent anyone from accessing it, or remotely wipe it clean if you don’t think you’ll get it back.”
A tech-savvy mother of three, Merritt serves as an advisor to Symantec, maker of the Norton brand of computer security products. She offers consumers everywhere easy-to-understand advice on Internet safety -- from how to avoid being a victim of identity theft to what parents need to know about cyber bullying. She is the author of Norton’s “Family Online Safety Guide,” a free guide for parents and educators that focuses on age-specific solutions for protecting children online. She is also editor-in-chief of Norton’s Family Resource website, which offers free tips, resources and information on a broad array of Internet security topics. She has appeared on “Good Morning America” and in Family Circle and Parenting magazines to discuss Internet safety issues relevant to families. Additionally, when a virus or other cybercrime makes headlines, she contributes to national and regional TV, radio, and print outlets covering the story to explain the threat and offer consumers practical advice. She lives and works in Los Angeles.
Website: http://www.norton.com/familyresource
Media Contact: Mariel Sylvis, Mariel.Sylvis@edelman.com

With all of the information and data available online,  it’s more important than ever for journalists to filter through the noise. For our next #ConnectChat, Linda Bernstein will discuss social curation for journalists, including some of the available tools.

To participate in the chat, just join us on Twitter on Tuesday, April 30, 3 to 4:30 p.m., and follow the #ConnectChat hashtag to view all updates from @wordwhacker, @ProfNet and the rest of the chat participants. We'll start off the chat with a few questions to get the conversation going, but feel free to jump in with your own questions at any point.

If you do not have a Twitter account or won’t be able to make it to the chat, you can find a recap on ProfNet Connect the following day. To view past #ConnectChat recaps, click here.

About Linda Bernstein

Linda Bernstein teaches social media in the continuing education program at Columbia University’s School of Journalism. A writer and editor with over 35 years of experience in all corners of journalism and publishing, Bernstein received a Ph.D. in English from Columbia University and had a career in academia before she moved to journalism. She was editor of Sesame Street Parents, Scholastic Parent and Child and Modern Bride Connection magazines, and has published hundreds of articles on dozens of national and international magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times. Bernstein currently is a contributor to PBS’ Next Avenue. In addition, she is a speaker, social media consultant and conference organizer. Her own blog, GenerationBSquared, is an active voice for the baby boomer generation.

I used to write for the Huffington Post back when it first launched. I quickly realized that blogging on such a public platform was not for me. I just do not have a thick-enough skin. (Commenters can be MEAN!)

So, after three columns, I packed up my opinions and launched my own blog, which I haven’t really kept up with, mostly because I’m lazy. True story.

Anyway, I really enjoyed writer Jean Fain’s article in The Word, ASJA’s member blog, which amusingly details what it's like to blog for HuffPo:  The Seven Stages of Blogging for the Huffington Post.

"Like dealing with grief, blogging for the Huffington Post happens in stages," writes Fain. "If you want to be a HuffPo blogger, learning about the seven stages will help you proceed with caution and self-compassion."

It's an entertaining read, and you might just recognize a little of yourself in it.

Have you blogged for HuffPo? What was your experience like? Are you still doing it? I’d love to hear your story.

We’re all creating content today, but how do we do it right?

Jon Miller, co-founder of Marketo, joined Michael Pranikoff, PR Newswire’s director of emerging media, to answer that question.

Miller and Pranikoff were the featured speakers at a recent webinar, "Connecting the Content Dots: How to Increase Content and Messaging Visibility With a Multi-Channel Distribution Strategy," hosted by PR Newswire.

In it, they talked about how marketing has changed in recent years, and how content marketing is impacting marketers.

If you missed the webinar, you can access a recording here, or view highlights by Jillian Courtright, senior customer content specialist at PR Newswire, here.

You can also view a slideshow of the presentation: