Top Story Additional Feature Faculty Authors Expertise Bonus Clip
AU Newsmakers 2.17 - 2.24, 2017
Top Story
AU Student Triumphs with Barefoot Finish
The Washington Post, The Today Show, WUSA9, WJLA7, WTTG, and ESPN SportsCenter featured American University junior and track and field athlete Liam Purdy and his “barefoot finish.” Purdy won the 800m race at the recent Patriot League Track & Field Championship at Boston University. Despite his right shoe coming off halfway through the race, he continued running. (2/19)

Additional Feature
Trump's Outspoken Demeanor is Abrasive
Capri Cafaro, executive in residence at the School of Public Affairs, appeared on Fox News to discuss President Trump's outspoken demeanor. Cafaro said, “What people are remembering right now is that the President of the United States when he or she speaks, things actually happen. … The President of the United States has never spoken like this before.” (2/18)

Faculty Authors
Yellen Rightly Defends Wall Street Reform Against House GOP Criticism
Economics Professor Evan Kraft authored an article for The Hill about Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen's testimony on Capitol Hill. He noted, “She pointed to recent increases in inflation and the growth rate of wages as signs that the economy cannot be pushed a great deal further.” (2/18)
Your Company's CEO Is a Strong Check on Trump's Power
Kogod Business in the Capital Initiative Director Erran Carmel and Professor of Public Affairs Chris Edelson authored an article for Morningstar about corporations supporting Republican policymakers. Carmel and Edelson noted, “When corporate executives support Republicans, they do so in part because they expect to see policies that will help their company make money.” (2/21)
Russia, Trump & the 2016 Polls: The Best Way for Congress to Investigate?
For The Conversation, Jordan Tama, professor in the School of International Service, authored an article about how the U.S. should handle an investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 Presidential election. Tama wrote, “A congressional investigation into Russian activities and ties to Trump's advisers is likely to be riven by partisan discord. An independent commission has greater potential to generate a widely agreed-upon understanding of Russian misbehavior.” (2/17)

Expertise
The Evolution of U.S. Immigration Policy
History Professor Alan Kraut conducted a q-and-a with The Atlantic about immigration policy. Kraut said, “The United States has always had a kind of love-hate relationship with immigration.” (2/19)
American University Professor and Two-Time Academy Award Winner, Russell Williams II, Talks Upcoming Oscars 2017
Communications Professor Russell Williams II spoke with DCW50 about Oscar-nominated films this year that include Hidden Figures, Manchester by the Sea, and Fences. Williams said, “It really is an impressive year across the board for nominations.” (2/21)
Pence Has Clout in Trump White House, but for How Long?
Nora Bensahel, distinguished scholar-in-residence at the School of International Service, spoke to McClatchy about vice president Mike Pence's political experience and his influence on the Trump administration. Speaking about Michael Flynn's firing, Bensahel said, “Whether or not this was Pence's call, I'm sure that the vice president had a great deal to do with this.” (2/21)
Trump's First Four Weeks in White House
Journalism Professor Richard Benedetto appeared on WTOP to discuss the Trump administration's first days in the White House. Benedetto said, “We really don't have anything that matches this first four weeks in any of the most recent presidents. This is turbulence no question about it, mainly because we have a president who is not a politician.” (2/17)
An 'Unelected Bureaucrat' Talks Regulatory Reform
Law Professor Neil Eisner spoke to Government Executive about how bureaucrats are playing a tremendous part in the current Congress and how their opinions and decisions can shape future laws and regulations. Eisner said, “Lawmakers too often, like to issue a requirement for the environment or a safety area to fix a problem and then say they passed a law, but then they make it impossible to get the rule out by adding so many steps.” (2/21)
Melania Trump's First Speech as First Lady
Anita McBride, executive-in-residence at the School of Public Affairs, spoke to Good Morning America about First Lady Melania Trump's speech at a rally in Florida. McBride said, “I think this is one example that we should not underestimate Ms. Trump at all. …She is showing a comfort level of what to do and when to do it.” (2/22)
No Honeymoon: One Month in, Trump's Approval Ratings are Lagging
Patrick Griffin, professor of public affairs, spoke to USA Today about President Trump's first month in office and his approval ratings. Speaking of Trump's ratings, Griffin said, "He's not expanding at all, and that should give them some pause." (2/20)

Bonus Clip
Freedom Rider Inspires the Next Generation
Public Communication Professor Leonard Steinhorn invited veteran civil rights activist Dorie Ladner to speak to his The Sixties in America class. WUSA-9 covered Ladner's talk where she discussed the rigid segregation of the 1960s and 70s in America. She also expressed a sense of pride for young people involved in activism today. (2/22)



''Online, consumer'' news refers to online news outlets and blogs such as Huffington post, NY Times
"Online, consumer" news refers to online news outlets and blogs such as Huffington post, NY Times
Both charts are based on the week's Newsmakers highlights only, not total AU mentions for the week
Both charts are based on the week's Newsmakers highlights only, not total AU mentions for the week

Prepared by University Communications

American University's faculty, staff, students and programs appear in regional, national and international print, online and broadcast media regularly. Each week, AU Newsmakers provides highlights of AU in the news. For prior weeks, go to: http://www.american.edu/media/inthemedia.cfm

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