AU Media Relations

Today's Experts...

Election 2008: Ask the Experts
After a long primary season, Barack Obama is finally the presumptive Democratic nominee and the campaign for the general election has quickly hit full stride. As this historic election draws closer, AU experts continue to provide insight into the process. American University experts can speak extensively about presidential elections, presidential campaigns, presidential history, voting behavior, polling, survey research, election management, election reform, campaign reform, public opinion, national conventions and many other important topics. To arrange an interview with an American University election expert, contact the Media Relations office at 202-885-5950. For more information visit our Election Experts webpage.

Around Campus...

Veteran Journalist, Television Host Nick Clooney Appointed Faculty Member at American University
Nick Clooney, veteran journalist and television host, joins the faculty at American University this fall as American University School of Communication and Newseum Distinguished Journalist in Residence.

AU Students Named "Most Politically Active" by 2009 Princeton Review Guide
American University students were ranked the "Most Politically Active" according to The Princeton Review in the newly released 2009 edition of its annual book, 'The Best 368 Colleges.'

2008 Primary Turnout Falls Just Short of Record Nationally
Despite record high turnout in many 2008 presidential primaries, the percentage of voters will fall just short of setting a national record, according to American University’s Center for the Study of the American Electorate (CSAE).

Primary School: American University Students Rub Elbows with Presidential Candidates, Media in New Hampshire
Thirty American University students enrolled in a new course offered by AU's School of Communication, rubbed elbows with the presidential candidates, their campaign staffs and the news media in Manchester, N.H., for the 2008 New Hampshire Presidential Primary.

American University's School of International Service Construction Underway on "Green" Building
American University's School of International Service (SIS), the nation's largest school of international affairs, has begun work on a new 70,000-square-foot environmentally-friendly building. The state-of-the-art, LEED certified building is scheduled to open to students and faculty in 2010.

AU Professor: Being “Always On” Impacts Interpersonal Relationships More Than Writing
These days, people can communicate with each other wherever, whenever. But have these online and mobile technologies widely impacted written language? Naomi Baron, a professor of linguistics at American University, says that surprisingly, this probably isn’t so.

AU MBA Students Revved Up To Attract Chinese Sponsorship to NASCAR
This spring, as the central component of the applied business practicum at American University’s Kogod School of Business, five MBA students are taking a look under the hood of NASCAR in hopes of helping the sport seek new sponsors in a largely untapped market—China.

AU Professor Documents the Documentary's Rise in Popularity, Identifies 100 "Must See" Films
Last year, the widely-distributed AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Patricia Aufderheide, an expert on documentary film at American University’s School of Communication, says this is a sign that the documentary has come into its own.

American University Study Finds Many Uses of Copyrighted Material Could Be Legal
A new, first-of-its-kind study conducted by American University Professors Pat Aufderheide and Peter Jaszi finds that many online videos are using copyrighted material legally. The study, Recut, Reframe, Recycle: Quoting Copyrighted Material in User-Generated Video identifies nine kinds of uses of copyrighted material.

Graphic Novels Reach Academia: American University Professor Teaches and Practices the Art of Graphic Novels
Graphic novels, comic books grown up counterpart, have found a place in academia. American University literature professor Michael Wenthe has brought the medium to the Department of Literature with a course titled, The Graphic Novel. “

Inauguration Newsroom...

The Inauguration of AU President Neil Kerwin
The American University community and friends are invited to attend a series of inaugural week events showcasing the university's commitment to teaching-learning; scholarship, professional contributions and creativity; service; and alumni. The formal Inauguration of Neil Kerwin as Fourteenth President of American University will be held, Friday, Feb. 8

For more details, including a complete listing of press releases, advisories, feature stories and additional details for all inauguration week events visit the inauguration newsroom.

To arrange an interview or for additional information, please contact AU Media Relations at 202-885-5950 or aumedia@american.edu.