Investigative Journalist Speaks, Internet Service Revamped, New Master's Program Announced

Investigative Journalist Portrayed in Movie Speaks

Adam Penenberg, the Forbes.com reporter who exposed Stephen Glass for fabricating stories in 1998, told an auditorium full of students about the experience on Tuesday night.

Penenberg said he initially questioned his own competence when his editor admonished him for missing a story on computer hackers that appeared in The New Republic. The embarrassment turned to triumph as Penenberg uncovered one of the most infamous media scandals in recent years.

Painstaking fact-checking revealed that Glass had concocted the entire scoop, Penenberg said, and it was soon discovered that the 23-year-old reporter had made up facts in many of his other stories as well.

The scandal was portrayed in the 2003 film "Shattered Glass," in which Penenberg was played by Steve Zahn.

Penenberg said he became "almost famous" with the release of the movie.

"It's the kind of fame that doesn't change your life," said the writer, who called himself a "screw-up" in college who eventually stumbled upon journalism.

New Master's Program in Ocean Conservation

The university is announcing its fifth new graduate program this year, an M.A. in Marine Conservation and Policy.

The program is open for enrollment for the fall 2011 academic year, and is being offered through the university's School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS). It is the first of its kind in the state and one of only a few that exist in the rest of the country, according to the university.

"This is a deliberate plan to develop an area that was underdeveloped," said Deputy Provost Brent Lindquist of the five new master's degrees.

New Wireless Connection Replaces Old

The campus' wireless AirNet service is being phased out in all academic buildings, replaced by the WolfieNet-Secure connection that was installed in the dormitories last year, according to the school's residential networking division, ResNet.

The new network offers improved access, ResNet said in an email.

Exclusive Seawolves Sale at Setauket Best Buy

Best Buy on Pond Path will host a special sale from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 5, available only to customers wearing red in support of Stony Brook's teams.

The school's mascot, Wolfie, will be at the event.

The store's management could not be reached for comment.

Upcoming Events

• Dec. 7-11 - Exhibition: Humanitas: Images of India by Frederic Roberts - Staller Center for the Arts - 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
• Dec. 8 - Eye on the Ball: Magician Mark Mitton lectures on what magic says about trust and emotions - Humanities building - 4 p.m.
• Dec. 8 - Alumni and student networking mixer - Wang Center - 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.