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David Lapakko appears on AM 950 radio

David Lapakko, associate professor of communication studies, was interviewed on AM 950 radio on January 9. He discussed his competitive success at the Great American Think-Off, an annual exhibition of civil disagreement and argumentation.

Lapakko was crowned “America’s Greatest Thinker” at the 23rd Great American Think-Off held in New York Mills, Minnesota, in June 2015. The debate question was, “Does Technology Free Us or Trap Us?” and Lapakko argued for the liberating qualities of technology as he took home the prize.

David Lapakko wins Great American Think-Off

Screen Shot 2015-06-19 at 12.07.06 PMDavid Lapakko, associate professor of communication studies, was crowned “America’s Greatest Thinker” at the 23rd annual Great American Think-Off held in New York Mills, Minnesota, in mid-June.

This year’s debate question was, “Does Technology Free Us or Trap Us?” and Lapakko argued for the liberating qualities of technology as he took home the prize.

 

BringMeTheNews names David Lapakko among Great Thinkers

David Lapakko, associate professor of communication studies, has been named a finalist in the Great American Think-Off, an annual competition in which hundreds of thinkers from across the United States and around the world submit essay answers to a question posed by the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, according to BringMeTheNews. Lapakko is a veteran of the competition and this year responded to the prompt, “Does Technology Free Us or Trap Us?”

It’s W.O.W. — Week of Women

weekofwomenAugsburg communication studies students Susie Mechtel [right, with Paris Yarbrough center], Megan Kaiser, Kendra McClausland, Samantha Cantrall, Melissa Herrick [left], and Austin Erickson are hosting an activism project entitled “Week of Women” beginning Monday, March 5. The week’s activities will be dedicated to the empowerment of women and the engagement of men in conversations surrounding the issues of women’s social justice and representation in the media. Continue reading “It’s W.O.W. — Week of Women”

Strommen speaker series features Steve Wehrenberg ’78 of Campbell Mithun

strommen_wehrenbergThis Thursday, Augsburg welcomes Steve Wehrenberg ’78, CEO of the Minneapolis-based ad agency, Campbell Mithun. His lecture on finding truth in advertising, which will begin at 5 p.m. in Hoversten Chapel in Foss Center, is part of the Strommen Speaker Series.

Wehrenberg graduated magna cum laude from Augsburg with a bachelor’s degree in English and communication studies. While at Augsburg, he was editor of the Echo and the Murphy Square literary magazine. Continue reading “Strommen speaker series features Steve Wehrenberg ’78 of Campbell Mithun”

Faculty retirements: Dan Hanson

hansonAs part of our continuing series on faculty retirements, we share answers to our questions about the experiences of Dan Hanson.

In which departments/programs did you teach?

I taught in the Communication Studies Department and in the Masters of Arts in Leadership program.

How many years have you taught at Augsburg?

I started teaching as an adjunct in 1998 and a full time faculty member in 2000.

Tell us about a student who made an impression.

This is difficult to answer, since I have been impressed by so many students. Continue reading “Faculty retirements: Dan Hanson”

Forensics marks 23 years of achievement

forensicsThis week the Augsburg College Department of Communication Studies and the Augsburg forensics team installed a commemorative plaque to highlight the achievements of students who have participated on the team. The new “Forensics Honor Roll” is next to the speech team trophy case in the Foss Atrium.

Augsburg forensics director and professor of communication studies, David Lapakko, says people don’t usually know what is involved with “forensics” in this sense. “With shows like CSI on television these days, people often misunderstand the term. Yes, there is forensic medicine, but forensic rhetoric involves issues of attack and defense, as in a courtroom.” Continue reading “Forensics marks 23 years of achievement”