In Demand

From local elections to ongoing issues related to the federal government, Seattle University was a go-to source for information and news recently.

KING 5, in particular, highlighted SU faculty and stories numerous times. Political Science Associate Teaching Professor Patrick Schoettmer appeared on KING along with other networks to provide analysis on both the local Seattle elections and election results across the country. Assistant Professor of Law Erin Carr discussed the legality of the U.S. government targeting boats potentially smuggling drugs. Communications and Media Professor Chris Paul provided perspective on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) using the popular video game Halo in recruiting efforts, while Computer Science Program Director Burkhard Englert joined KING 5 to discuss how the recent large-scale IT outages affected Alaska Airlines.

Counseling adjunct faculty Jerry Blackburn appeared on New Day Northwest to talk about mental health challenges related to social media use by young people. Finally, KING 5 headed to SU’s First Hill campus to cover the unveiling of the F.X. McRory clock.

Professor Jackie Helfgott, director of the Crime and Justice Research Center, spoke with the Seattle Times on what she’s seen from a decade of administering the Seattle Public Safety Survey. The Seattle Times also covered the Seattle City Attorney election, which was won by SU Law graduate Erika Evans. On KIRO, Assistant Law Professor Chryssa Delganis offered advice on researching the right doctor before getting a procedure.

Communication and Media Professor Sonora Jha is wrapping up a national tour in support of her new novel Intemperance and the Spokane Spokesman Review called it an “outstanding conversation starter.” Seattle magazine featured a story on local sites honoring Indigenous history, including Seattle University’s Taqwsheblu Vi Hilbert Ethnobotanical Garden.

In the sports world, Seattle University Hall of Famer Tarik Skubal, ’18, of the Detroit Tigers was named a finalist for the 2025 American League Cy Young Award, covered by many publications including the Detroit Free Press. Skubal would be the first American League player to win the award in back-to-back years since Pedro Martinez in 1999-2000. With the basketball season underway, Northwest Asian Weekly profiled men’s basketball player Junseok Yao, a transfer from Gonzaga believed to be the only Korean playing Division I men’s college basketball.

SU in the News is a bi-weekly roundup of the latest news featuring the university, faculty, staff and alumni.