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AU in the News

Showcasing AU programs, professors, students and alumni in the news
Week of February 23 - 29

Selling Potential
Landmark Theaters in Washington and Maryland is known in the area for its foreign films and documentaries. That's why, Patricia Aufderheide, an expert on documentary film at American University’s School of Communication, is selling her recently published book, “Documentary Film: A Very Short Introduction” at Landmark Theaters in Washington and Maryland, Inside HigherEd reports. Aufderheide was also featured on NewsChannel 8 to discuss documentary filmmaking and its present-day appeal.(2/19/08)

Eagles Soar
The American University men’s and women’s basketball teams have a lot to celebrate as they stand poised to clinch the Patriot League season titles, reports the Associated Press. "We're trying to be the best show in town right now," said women’s coach Melissa McFerrin. "We're going to see if we can both pull it off." AU junior guard Garrison Carr was also featured in the Morning Call as a leading candidate for the Patriot League's player of the year award.(2/27/08)

Technology, Drugs and the Court System
American University professor Kathryn Montgomery from the School of Communication appeared on WAMU’s Kojo Nnamdi Show on Tuesday to discuss adolescents and technology of today. Caroline Cooper, Director, U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Drug Court Clearinghouse and Technical Assistance Project at American University appeared on the show the following day as part of a radio segment on the validity of drug courts as Virginia moves to erase the division in light of economic problems.

McCain Fights Back
After spending much of a week defending allegations of inappropriate conduct with a female lobbyist, Sen. John McCain may have to fight more to save his credibility if further information from the lobbyist surfaces, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. “If more information comes out, particularly from credible, named sources that suggest McCain was not telling the truth, then I think he's in serious trouble,” said Allan Lichtman, a professor of history at American University in Washington. “Right now you have to give him the presumption of innocence, but there is a lot of digging that is going to be done.” (2/27/08)

U.S.-Pakistan Relations Recovery
Recent elections in Pakistan will not ruin the nation's ties with the United States, but given the U.S.'s relationship with President and ex-military dictator Pervez Musharraf, the U.S. may have to work harder to regain trust, Kiplinger reports. “I don't think the situation with Musharraf will parallel the situation with the Shah,” says Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at American University, referring to Iran’s violent anti-American turn after 1979. “But it's not for lack of trying.”(2/26/08)

Mars Project Problems
NASA's flagship mission to land a modernized, nuclear-powered rover on Mars is facing development problems and risings costs, adding a possible $30 million to the $1.8 billion price tag, reports the Associated Press. “The repercussions are more pronounced for the future of the space program,” said Howard McCurdy, an American University public policy professor. “Are robots really that much more superior to human beings for going to the planets? Or are robots harder than we thought to manage?” This article appeared in more than 70 news outlets. (2/28/08)

College Credit Protection
Without the proper precautions, college students who apply for credit cards end up in more debt than they expected, WUSA-TV reports. Robin Carr, a law student at American University, said she keeps her debt down by not accepting every credit card offer and practicing smart credit practices. “You have to make the choice between what you need and what you want,” she told WUSA-TV. “Track your spending and use cash.” (2/27/08)

AU in the News Archives