Pace University News

Dyson Professor Melvin Williams appears in USA Today amid coverage of Kendall Jenner addressing speculation about her sexuality. Professor Williams situates the story within the broader dynamics of celebrity journalism, noting that while public curiosity is baked into fame, neither celebrities nor private individuals owe explanations about their sexual orientation. He emphasizes that disclosures should remain a matter of personal choice, not public pressure.

The Daily Princetonian cites Bennett Gershman, a professor at Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law, in reporting on newly released Epstein files, noting his prior consideration as a potential expert witness in related proceedings.

Faculty Director of the Environmental Law Program and Professor Katrina Fischer Kuh writes a piece in Times Union about how New York’s Green Amendment can be used to advance environmental protections when regulatory processes stall. Drawing on a recent decision involving agricultural runoff into Owasco Lake, Professor Kuh explains how constitutional environmental rights can help enforce existing laws that protect water quality and public health.

Dyson Professor Seong-Jae Min  pens an op-ed in The Korea Times examining shifting portrayals of Asian masculinity in media. He explores how representation—once dominated by Orientalist stereotypes—has evolved in ways that increasingly shape dating culture and social perception, demonstrating the media’s power to both reflect and influence society.

The American Jewish Committee reports Pace President Marvin Krislov has begun work as a Fulbright Specialist hosted by AJC Paris, leading a joint U.S.–France initiative to address rising antisemitism and strengthen democratic resilience in higher education. The effort brings together academic, government, and civic leaders to identify policy solutions aimed at preventing antisemitism from becoming normalized, particularly among young people.

Law Professor Todd Ommen provides a legal analysis to The Croton Chronicle following a judge’s dismissal of a lawsuit seeking to limit nighttime train noise at the Croton-Harmon rail yard. Professor Ommen says his team is disappointed with the ruling and plans to appeal.

The Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND) highlights Dyson Professor Anne Toomey, who has released open-access course materials for Research Methods for a Better World. The materials—developed for a course emphasizing real-world impact from the start of the research process—include a full syllabus, lectures, activities, and evaluations, expanding access to applied research training.

Professor Bennett L. Gershman of Pace Law School writes in Law.com on the enduring impact of racial discrimination in jury selection. In the op-ed “Race Discrimination Still Infects Jury Trials,” published in the New York Law Journal, Bennett L. Gershman examines how racial bias continues to shape capital jury trials and critiques courts’ willingness to excuse such practices, arguing that racial justice must not be sacrificed for procedural convenience.

Professor Bennett L. Gershman, distinguished professor at Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law, appears in Salon discussing why accountability for the January 6 insurrection ultimately collapsed. In the article “We Learned Nothing From Jan. 6,” Bennett L. Gershman explains that while the indictments against former President Trump were strong and supported by overwhelming evidence, the complexities and timing of the prosecution — coupled with Trump’s election — allowed him to evade accountability.

Professor Gershman also publishes several op-eds in amNewYork, including a critique of CBS News pulling a 60 Minutes segment on alleged abuses at El Salvador’s CECOT prison, raising concerns about journalistic independence. In another piece, he argues President Trump’s recent military actions violate U.S. and international law, and in a year-end reflection he reviews major criminal justice developments from 2025.