Top Story Additional Feature Faculty Authors Expertise
AU Newsmakers 2.22-3.1, 2019
Top Story
First-Ever U.S. Jewish Herstory to Hit Stores Ahead of International Women's Day
The Times of Israel interviewed Pamela Nadell, director of the Jewish Studies Program, about her new book, “America's Jewish Women: A History of Colonial Times to Today.” Nadell said, “I was aspiring to try and describe the lives of women- I don't like to use the word ‘ordinary'- there were American Jewish women who lived lives on smaller canvasses and their stories are known in their families, their communities and their neighborhood.” (2/27)

Additional Feature
Students From Hardy Middle School Sweep Medals at American University's Annual Optics Olympiad
Northwest Current covered the Optics Olympiad, a competition and STEM educational event hosted annually by AU's Department of Physics. “We're trying to get middle-school students interested in science —seeing it as fun, but also something practical that can be applied to things in their own lives,” said Gregory Harry, associate professor of physics. More than 100 middle-school students from Kramer Middle School, Hart Middle School, Hardy Middle School, Washington School for Girls, Stuart Hobson Middle School, Inspired Teaching Public Charter School, and the Lab School of Washington attended the event. (2/28)

Faculty Authors
The Ominous History Surrounding President Trump's Fourth of July Rally
Christopher Petrella, adjunct professorial lecturer at the School of International Service, wrote an opinion article for The Washington Post about President Trump's proposed Fourth of July rally. Petrella wrote, “Trump's planned Independence Day celebration must be viewed as part of this long lineage of white nationalist movements co-opting the language of independence and freedom on the Fourth of July to advance their causes.” (2/28)
Who Should Fund U.S. Research and Development?
Daniel M. Gernstein, adjunct professorial lecturer in the School of International Service, wrote an opinion article for The Hill about whether the government or the private sector should fund research and development for U.S. technological advancement. Gernstein wrote, “Ultimately, a balance should be struck that promotes science and technology development while recognizing the complementary roles of government and private-sector funding.” (2/22)

Expertise
Cubans Approve a Constitution, but Opponents Speak Out
William LeoGrande, professor of government, spoke to The New York Times about the recent Cuban referendum and opposition groups. LeoGrande said, “None of those issues threatened the basic structure of the single-party system.” LeoGrande also discussed the referendum with Reuters. SIS Professor Philip Brenner discussed the Cuban referendum with Al Jazeera English. (2/25, 2/26)
Reading, Writing and Resilience
David Jaffe, associate dean for student affairs at the Washington College of Law, spoke to The Chronicle of Higher Education about universities introducing wellness courses for students. Jaffe discussed that students can be hesitant to participate in optional wellness programs, and that law students especially worry that they'll fall behind after taking a quick break. (2/26)
U.S. Argues Momentum for Change in Venezuela Is Growing Despite Border Violence
Michael McCarthy, research fellow at the Center for Latin American & Latino Studies, spoke to CNN about Venezuela. McCarthy said, “If Washington grows frustrated with the lack of change or at least rapid change, the question becomes whether Trump reverts and takes unilateral action.” (2/22)
How Trump's Split-Screen Presidency Transfixes a Divided U.S.
Chris Edelson, assistant professor of public affairs, spoke to The Christian Science Monitor about the clashing narratives that have defined the Trump presidency. Edelson said, “That's been his entire presidency, and I expect it likely will be his presidency for the foreseeable future.” (2/27)
Frostpaw Still Can't Bear Climate Change
Bill Snape, professor at the Washington College of Law, spoke to CQ Roll Call about his work as ‘Frostpaw,' donning a polar bear costume to educate Americans on climate change. Snape said, “It seems silly, to dess up as a big animal. But what I discovered is that wearing this huge outfit is just a magnet. It inspires almost any person of any type to want to engage and talk.” (2/22)
Trump Arrives in Hanoi for Second Summit With Kim
Director of the Nuclear Studies Institute Peter Kuznick spoke to Voice of America about expectations for President Trump's second meeting with Kim Jong-Un. Kuznick said, “If nothing positive happens, the Democratic Party hawks and the media may mock Trump's pretensions and claims to be a master negotiator.” (2/26)
Diving Into Early Presidential History
Associate Professor of History Gautham Rao appeared on Federal News Network's FedTalk to discuss the American presidency. Rao said, “One reason why we see the presidency as an institution become so important in these founding era struggles is because of the need to have an executive power that is going to be responsible for things like finance and military affairs.” (2/22)
With Summit and Beyond, Trump Finds New Stride on Foreign Policy
Jordan Tama, associate professor at the School of International Service, spoke to AFP about President Trump's foreign policy record. Tama said, “There are major limits on what he can achieve on domestic issues, especially with the Democrats now controlling the House.” (2/26)
Seeing Red: Trump Opponents Say the MAGA Hat Is Much More Ominous Than a Show of Support
Joseph Young, associate professor in the School of Public Affairs and the School of International Service, spoke to The Washington Times about the symbolism of MAGA hats. Young said, “This hat clearly demarcates that you are on the other team.” (2/24)
The Jussie Smollett story showed America the danger of instant certainty. How can we slow all the hot takes?
University Chaplain Mark Schaefer spoke to the Deseret News about why people are quick to jump to conclusions. Schaefer said, “It's easier to say, ‘Oh, I know what's happening,' even if you don't know what's happening, than it is to stop and invest the time and energy in coming up with correct answer or a more nuanced picture.” (2/27)



''Online, consumer'' news refers to online news outlets and blogs such as HuffingtonPost, NY Times
"Online, consumer" news refers to online news outlets and blogs such as HuffingtonPost, 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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