Latest Stories

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist Joins IRW, WaPo

John Sullivan's new role is part of an upcoming graduate education project to combine academia with journalism industry. Read more

AU Teams Up on International Sustainable Home Competition

American University has joined two other D.C. schools to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. Read more

Meet the AU Alumni Behind Ke$ha's Upcoming MTV Series

When Lagan Sebert began to document his sister Ke$ha’s rise to fame in 2010, he had no idea it would become a series on MTV.
Read more

In the News

Brown Wins a Gracie

Journalism professor Carolyn Brown won a Gracie award for Outstanding Director- News/Non-Fiction for her documentary From the Fields. The Gracies, created by the Alliance for Women in Media (formerly AWRT) has served as the voice and resource for women in the media. They strive to encourage the realistic and faceted portrayal of women in entertainment, commercials, news, features and other programs. Learn more or learn more about From the Fields

Oscar Winner Tells All

FMA professor Russell Williams appeared on Washington Post's The Fold discussing his career and this year’s Oscar picks. The piece was shot by SOC Dean's Intern Rachel Jacobs. Watch video

Neil deGrasse Tyson Tweets for Science Literacy

Journalism professor Declan Fahy talked to USA Today about high-profile scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson’s advocacy for scientific thinking. Read more

Crippled Cruise Draws Major Coverage

Journalism professor Jane Hall appeared on CNN’s Reliable Sources to discuss whether CNN's extensive cruise ship coverage was appropriate. Watch video

Controversial Names: Redskins

Journalism professor Angie Chuang appeared live on NewsChannel8’s News Talk for a roundtable discussion about the controversial names of professional sports teams. Watch video

Sequester Debate Distorted By Media

In a USA Today op-ed, adjunct professor Richard Benedetto wrote about the mainstream news media’s exaggeration of sequester cuts. More than 15 outlets republished the op-ed. Read more

AU Wonks on BookTV’s College Series

For its college series, C-SPAN’s Book TV interviewed ten AU professors about their books. FMA professor Pat Aufderheide discussed her book, Reclaiming Fair Use: How to Put Balance Back in Copyright. Read more

Anonymous Sources, Take Five!

Journalism professor Joe Campbell spoke to The Washington Post about using anonymous sources in investigative journalism. Read more

Student Highlights

D.C. College Students Build Home for Wounded Veteran

WRC-NBC4 highlighted the SOC's partnership with two D.C. universities as the students kicked off the construction of their energy-efficient home—designed to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. Watch video

Overlooked Colleges and Programs: AU’s School of Communication

Newsweek’s The Daily Beast invited readers to tell them which schools or programs they overlooked in their best colleges ranking. Master’s student Shannan Bowen nominated AU’s School of Communication for the innovative Master’s in Media Entrepreneurship program, which combines business with an entrepreneurial focus and media. Read more

Upcoming Events

American Women: A Special Lecture Series Highlighting the Inspirational Women of AU moderated by Professor Iris Krasnow

Alumna Betsy Fischer: Women in Broadcasting
March 6: 7:30, Battelle Thompkins Atrium

AU alumna Betsy Fischer, SPA/BA '92, SOC/MA '96, presents backstage insights from her tenure as Executive Producer of Meet the Press, NBC's number one rated Sunday morning public affairs program. Fischer has produced interviews with U.S. Presidents, key Cabinet officials, heads of state, and presidential candidates. She will share stories from her work with leaders from the Beltway and beyond, as well as discuss her own own extraordinary career ascent - from NBC intern to producing the longest running television program in the world. Register for this event

SOC Student-Alumni Networking Reception
March 5 - 7:00 p.m., MGC 4, Learn more

Visiting Filmmakers Bernardo Ruiz
Screening "Reportero"
March 7 - 5:30 p.m., Wechsler Theater, Learn more

Visiting Filmmakers Byron Hurt
Screening "Soul Food Junkies"
March 7 - 5:30 p.m., Wechsler Theater, Learn more

DC Startup Forum: Jim Bankoff
March 18 - 7:00 p.m., Ward 2, Learn more

An Evening with Chris Palmer and Shooting in the Wild Premiere
March 19 - 7:00 p.m., Wechsler Theater, Learn more

The Art and Craft of Speechwriting Panel
March 20 - 7:00 p.m., Ward 1, Learn more

Student Environmental Short Film Festival
March 20 - 7:00 p.m., Wechsler Theater, Learn more

The Life and Times of Adrian Cowell
March 22 - 7:00 p.m., Wechsler Theater, Learn more

True Wolf: The Amazing Story of a Wolf called Koani
March 23 - 7:00 p.m., Wechsler Theater, Learn more

SOC/SIS Dean's Screening: Dr. Strangelove
March 26 - 7:00 p.m., Wechsler Theater, Learn more

Untold History of the US: JFK to the Brink
March 28 - 8:00 p.m., Ward 2, Learn more

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Please send your suggestions for Dean's Picks to Michael Wargo.