American University Annual Report 2016-2017

IN BRIEF
ACTION
Theory Meets
Reality at National
Research Conference
The School of Public Affairs again sent
six students to the National Conference on
Undergraduate Research, hosted by the University
of Memphis, to present their diverse research
studies. “Being surrounded by fellow undergraduates
who are also passionate about research was an
incredible experience,” said Matthew Wilson, BA ’17.
“I really enjoyed seeing the application of some of
the theories and knowledge I learned in my classes.”
New Museum Evokes
American Experience
Since its opening, the National Museum of
African American History and Culture has seen
unparalleled “dwell time” among visitors, who
average six-plus hours in the 400,000-squarefoot
facility on weekends. For the decade
of groundwork he devoted to readying the
museum for its debut, founding director
Lonnie Bunch, CAS/BA ’74, MA ’76, received
the NAACP President’s Award.
Professor Comes
Full Circle
Priya Doshi credits the
Washington Semester
Program (WSP) in the
School of Professional
and Extended Studies
with launching her
career in international
communications. While she
earned her bachelor’s and
master’s elsewhere, it was
through WSP that she landed her first internship
with a policy think tank. The rest is history: 15
years later, she returned to AU—and DC—as a
lecturer in the School of Communication.
Future Journalists’ Night Out
with the Titans
Four top journalism
students scored
seats at the
White House
Correspondents’
Dinner as guests of
CNN. Selected by
faculty and School
of Communication
staff for their
academic and professional achievements and service, they
concurred that the experience of meeting and hearing industry
titans invigorated their enthusiasm to pursue careers in the
field. It was a great opportunity for them to hear about
“the continued importance of the journalism profession in
our democracy,” said Justin Bernstine, assistant dean for
undergraduate academic services.
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