For the past 50 years, the university's Minnesota Centennial Showboat has been educating students first-hand to the professional world of theatre while providing audiences with outstanding performances within the unique venue. Sherry Wagner-Henry, managing director of university theatre and the Minnesota Centennial Showboat programs, explains what the Showboat has been offering students and audiences for a half-century.

The following audio clips are available for all media use:

Download full sound bites package MP3 (2:16)

1. Intro (0:00)
2. One of oldest theatres in Minnesota (0:07)
3. Accomplishments in educating theatre students (0:42)
4. First professional experience for students (1:04)
5. Showboat's signature "Oleos" (1:19)
6. Celebrating 50 years (1:44)

Posted by Andrew Swain at 10:21 PM | Permalink

Minnesota will be a busy place this fall. Hosting the Republican National Convention, possibly seeing one of its own as a vice presidential candidate and home to not only a contentious Senate race, but three Congressional contests, as well. Not to mention, experts predict it will be one of November's "swing states." To analyze all this is University of Minnesota political science assistant professor, and frequent national and local media commentator, Kathryn Pearson.

The following audio clips are available for all media use:

Download full sound bites package MP3 (2:16)

1. Minnesota will be a swing state (0:00)
2. Competitive Senate race, playing field, strengths and weaknesses (0:16)
3. What Gov. Pawlenty as vice presidential candidate brings to ticket (0:32)
4. What to look for in a VP candidate (0:52)
5. Negative campaigning unavoidable (1:12)
6. RNC will bring excitement and attention to Minnesota (1:27)
7. The House race to watch (1:53)

Posted by Andrew Swain at 03:18 PM | Permalink

After creating the "Bible" for women's exercise a decade ago, researchers at the University of Minnesota Tucker Center have released an updated report outlining the latest findings about the current state of girls, sports and physical activity.

The following audio clips are available for all media use:

Professor Mary Jo Kane, director of the U of M Tucker Center:

Download full sound bites package MP3 (1:31)

1. Intro (0:00)
2. Benefits (0:12)
3. Prioritize women's sports and physical activity (0:27)
4. Acting on the results (0:56)
5. Sports allow girls to reach their fullest (1:20)

Nicole LaVoi, associate director of the U of M Tucker Center:

Download full sound bites package MP3 (1:09)

1. Intro (0:00)
2. What girls have to gain (0:07)
3. Benefits (0:22)
4. Stigma of girls and sports (0:39)

Posted by Andrew Swain at 10:50 PM | Permalink

Throughout April, the University of Minnesota will be helping the state celebrate its 150th anniversary by hosting a series of panel discussions that address the challenges ahead for all of Minnesota. University historian Ann Pflaum is running the event and says, in the world of state sponsored higher education, Minnesota and the U of M have had a unique and productive relationship the past century and a half.

Download full sound bites package MP3 (1:33)

1. Intro (0:00)
2. U of M and Minnesota vital to each other (0:06)
3. 150 years celebration discussions (0:20)
4. Unique premium placed on education in Minnesota (0:36)
5. Land grant advantage (0:59)
6. Strong feelings for education in Minnesota according to former president Peter Magrath (1:11)

Posted by Andrew Swain at 10:30 PM | Permalink

A subprime mortgage mess, the dollar in a free fall and oil on the way up -- there's little good news when it comes to today's American economy. University of Minnesota associate professor of applied economics Joe Ritter helps explain the economic climate the nation is experiencing.

Download full sound bites package MP3 (2:23)

1. Intro (0:00)
2. Drivers of the current situation (0:06)
3. Unemployment numbers (0:48)
4. Ripple effect of downfall of financial institutions (1:24)
5. Why cut interest rates? (2:03)

Posted by Andrew Swain at 10:47 PM | Permalink