Academic Minute Marks First Year, Names Superlatives

ALBANY, NY (09/01/2011)(readMedia)-- WAMC Northeast Public Radio, Mount Holyoke College and Newman's Own Foundation recently celebrated the first anniversary of the launching of The Academic Minute, the daily segment that has become a higher education staple by bringing the latest research from campuses around the world to listeners across the United States, Canada, and online at www.academicminute.org.

Featuring professors from a range of institutions across the globe, The Academic Minute provides a forum for leading experts to explain their research and discoveries to an engaged listening audience. It is made possible through the support of Mount Holyoke College and Newman's Own Foundation.

Since its launch in July 2010, The Academic Minute, which is hosted by Mount Holyoke College President Lynn Pasquerella, has featured professors from some 125 colleges and universities across myriad disciplines. Including the WAMC network, the daily segment airs on close to 60 stations across North America. It is also available to visitors to the Insider Higher Ed website.

"All of us at WAMC love The Academic Minute," says WAMC President and CEO Alan Chartock. 'We love our collaboration with Mount Holyoke and their remarkable president even more. It turns out that academics all over the country want to participate. That makes all of us very happy and proud to be part of this wonderful undertaking."

To celebrate a successful initial year on the air, The Academic Minute staff has named Senior Superlatives from the large field of participating academics and institutions, who received an Academic Minute reusable bag, Mount Holyoke College mug, WAMC T-shirt, and a package of Newman's Own cookies.

"We couldn't be happier with the response from the professors and institutions we work with on a daily basis," says WAMC Program and News Director Katie Britton. "The amount of work that goes into one two-minute and thirty second module is incredible, and it shows that when you invest in something like this, other stations are willing to have it on their airwaves, too."

Pasquerella, an accomplished scholar, medical ethicist, and global advocate for women's education and empowerment, was named the 18th president of Mount Holyoke College in October of 2009. As host, she introduces each segment.

"There are many reasons The Academic Minute has been successful," Pasquerella says. "Provocative ideas are always in demand. The Academic Minute is more than a daily dose of cutting-edge thoughts, however. Colleges and universities are central to generating new ideas that push us forward. If higher education is not a prime mover in generating the ideas - and fueling the debates - that keep our culture and democracy strong, then we aren't doing our job."

Member-supported WAMC Northeast Public Radio broadcasts news, informational and cultural programming to listeners in portions of seven northeastern states. WAMC is an award winning producer of regionally based programming and an affiliate of National Public Radio, American Public Media, and Public Radio International. To become a member go to: http://www.wamc.org/support.html

WAMC-FM 90.3 FM, Albany; WAMC, 1400 AM, Albany; WAMK 90.9 FM, Kingston; WOSR, 91.7 FM, Middletown; WCEL, 91.9 FM, Plattsburgh; WCAN, 93.3 FM, Canajoharie; WANC, 103.9 FM, Ticonderoga; WRUN, 90.3 FM, Remsen-Utica; WAMQ 105.1 FM, Great Barrington, MA; WWES 88.9 FM, Mt. Kisco; 90.1 WANZ Stamford, NY,93.1 FM, Troy; 99.3 FM, Oneonta; 97.1 FM, Hudson; 107.1 FM, Warwick; 107.7 FM, Newburgh; 103.9 FM, Beacon; 96.5 FM, Ellenville; 106.3, Middletown; 102.1, Highland, NY and 90.9 FM, Milford, PA.; 97.3 FM, Cooperstown and on-line at www.wamc.org; www.facebook.com/wamcradio; www.twitter.com/wamcradio

The Academic Minute Senior Superlatives:

Social Butterfly

Dr. Corey Angst, Notre Dame University

Dr. Angst's Academic Minute on using the iPad in the classroom got the most hits in the social media arena. Here's to a man who is certainly tweet-worthy.

Best Smile – 2 Winners

Dr. Nicholas Leadbeater, University of Connecticut

Dr. Leadbeater's presentation about the chemistry of bread crust brought a smile to listeners' faces as he enthusiastically explained the process, using a real-life example to explain hard science.

Dr. Randi Epstein, Columbia University

Dr. Epstein not only entertained listeners with her presentation on sperm and sperm donors, but engaged and enlightened them with an exploration of this interesting topic.

Miss(ter) Congeniality

Dr. Meagan Curtis, Purchase College, State University of New York

Through exemplary elocution in her segment about the voice and sadness, Dr. Curtis was able to convey her research in a manner which left the audience better informed about science and themselves.

Best Press

Robert Meckel, The University of Texas at Austin

Since joining The Academic Minute family, Robert Meckel and his team have provided timely responses to requests and presented listeners with wonderful ideas from his institution.

Most School Spirit

Lock Haven University, spearheaded by Mary White

Mary White and Lock Haven University have not only been proactive in putting out the call for professors to contribute, but they have also helped promote The Academic Minute to alumni and students online and in their school magazine.

Best Couple

Steve Bradt & Contribution Professors, Harvard University

Steve Bradt's enthusiasm for The Academic Minute brought the best of his university's research to an engaged audience across the nation.

Most Likely to Succeed

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, spearheaded by Mark Marchand & Michael Mullaney

RPI has been an integral part of the team since the segment's inception, and we foresee the institution remaining a part of the family for years to come.

The President's Award

Dr. Jennifer Hoyer, University of Arkansas

Dr. Hoyer's segment on Lady Gaga and Rilke combines serious scholarly work and mainstream pop culture. It is witty, thought-provoking, and completely unexpected.

All segments aired between 7/6/10 - 7/5/11 were considered.