A JUDICIOUS PATH
Last year was a tough one for Judge Stuart Berger '81 (economics). He heard murder case after murder case — 32 of them, all told. At the time, Berger was a circuit court judge for Baltimore City, and it was his rotation on criminal court.
In 13 years as a circuit court judge, Berger has judged all types of cases: criminal, family law, traffic accidents, business, science and technology matters, issues like handgun charges, child abuse and the class action suit brought by parents of children with autism against the manufacturers and distributors of vaccine preservatives (he dismissed that case). For Berger, the hardest part of any criminal case is the sentencing. "It is an awesome responsibility because it allows for so much discretion," he says. "I take it very seriously."
Berger was among the younger judges in the state when he was named to the circuit court at age 39. Now, he is one of the younger judges on the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland, to which he was named in January. His new position, he says, is both more "cerebral and solitary" and also more "significant." Berger is one of 13 judges on the state's Court of Special Appeals, which by law must hear any and every appeal brought by appellants from lower courts. With 1,300 cases a year to be handled by the court, Berger himself will be responsible for 80 to 120 opinions annually.
Berger says he feels privileged to be a judge. "It's the height of public service. You can have a huge effect on people's lives." That fact was driven home last year when he was approached by a man at an Orioles game. "You gave me five years," the man said, "and it was the best thing for me. I was a drug addict, and it made me clean up my life. I really want to thank you."
—Theresa Gawlas Medoff '85, P'13
Sawhill to offer fiscal advice April 24
Nationally known budget expert Isabel Sawhill will give the talk, "Avoiding fiscal shoals in troubled political waters," April 24 at 7 p.m. in the Trout Auditorium of the Vaughan Literature Building.
Wolaver gives Class of 1956 lecture March 26
Amy Wolaver, associate professor of economics at Bucknell, will give the Annual Class of 1956 Lecture March 26 at 7 p.m. in the Gallery Theatre of the Elaine Langone Center.
Samek Art Gallery Nov. 15: the Art of the Meal
The Samek Art Gallery at Bucknell University will present "Excito Excito: A Veritable Feast," Nov. 15. The event includes a panel discussion and an art installation with food referencing the past, present and future.
Ask the Experts: Medicare, health care and the presidential election
With the election just days away, Amy Wolaver, associate professor of economics, analyzes the debate over Medicare, health care costs and the $716 billion figure that keeps popping up.
Meet our new associate professors
Sixteen recently tenured or promoted associate professors talk about what led them to pursue their fields and what inspires them as teacher-scholars.- Ask the Experts: It's the economy, stupid
Chris Magee, professor of economics, discusses how economic factors can help predict the next president of the United States. - Bucknell faculty panel Sept. 17: 'Election Matters'
A panel of Bucknell University faculty will discuss "Election Matters" Monday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. in Trout Auditorium of the Vaughan Literature Building at Bucknell University. 
Shale group explores independent research
Dozens of economist and scientists gathered at Bucknell to focus on the economic and community impacts of shale energy production.
Bucknell students April 26: 'A solution to the Federal Budget Problem'
A panel of Bucknell University students will present "America is Drowning in Debt: A Solution to the Federal Budget Problem," April 26 at 7 p.m. in Trout Auditorium of the Vaughan Literature Building.
Beautiful Mind author April 25: 'Grand Pursuit of Economic Thinkers'
Sylvia Nasar, author of A Beautiful Mind, will give the talk, "Big Government, Small Government and the Grand Pursuit of Economic Thinkers," April 25 at 7 p.m. in Trout Auditorium.- Young Bucks
Meet a group of recent graduates with opposing politics who manage to remain dedicated friends - and even roommates - in a contentious election year.
Hiro Maeda '09Coming of age in the age of social media, Hiro Maeda '09 has long been fascinated by the intersection of technology, commerce and social interaction in which online businesses operate.
Alumnus to discuss international trade policy March 26
Bucknell University will host the talk, "Whither International Cooperation? Optimism and Lessons from Trade Policy: A Scholar-Practitioner's View," with alumnus Chad Bown on March 26 at 7 p.m. in the Gallery Theatre.- For the Love of the Game
Baseball legend Monte Irvin heads the lineup in Negro Leagues Baseball series.
Students contribute to report on Pa. diabetes hospitalizations
A group of Bucknell University students has conducted crucial data analyses and helped to prepare a report on Pennsylvania's diabetes- related hospitalizations.
Journalist: food waste in America Oct. 26
Journalist Jonathan Bloom will give the talk, "The Food Not Eaten," Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. in Trout Auditorium of the Vaughan Literature Building at Bucknell University.
'Renewal' film Oct. 13 examines work of religious-environmental activists
Bucknell University will host a screening of the film, "Renewal," on Thursday, Oct. 13, at 5:30 p.m. in the Forum of the Elaine Langone Center.
Ask the Experts: Amy Wolaver on the economics of healthcare
Amy Wolaver, associate professor of economics, talks about how changes in Medicaid coverage influence family planning and the relationship between binge drinking and college grade point averages.- Scholar: importance of Asia to America Oct. 17
Satu Limaye will give the talk, "The Rise of Asia and America's Anxieties," Monday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the Gallery Theatre of the Elaine Langone Center at Bucknell University.
