In year-end Ideas and Voices pieces for the Dayton Daily News, Fr. Jim Fitz explains why UD students bring him hope and members of UD's Muslim Student Association call for peace. UD political scientists discussed issues looming in the new year.

Students I serve at the University of Dayton bring me hope
Dayton Daily News
The Rev. James Fitz, Office for Mission and Rector

Let's pray for peace and prosperity within our communities
Dayton Daily News
Janna Azzam, UD Muslim Student Association
Khadija Fatima, UD Muslim Student Association

Trump set to take office with tighter grip on GOP and less resistance
The National Desk
Christopher Devine, political science

Has Ohio lost its battleground state status?
Public News Service
Bob Taft, political science

Who will fill Ohio's vacant U.S. Senate seat?
WLWT-TV (Cincinnati)
Daniel Birdsong, political science

5 lessons that could enhance school safety in Ohio
Dayton Daily News
Charles Russo, School of Law and School of Education and Health Sciences

100K Utah high schoolers go to seminary. The legality was settled decades ago
KUER-FM (Salt Lake City)
Charles Russo, School of Law and School of Education and Health Sciences

Dayton Research Institute seeks solution in U.S. Air Force fleets power demands
Dayton Business Journal
David Dunn, University of Dayton Research Institute