‘On Campus with Gary Eichten’ launches with discussion on the state of Russia

A conversation on the turbulent state of affairs in Russia will launch a new campus program, "On Campus with Gary Eichten."

Nick Hayes, professor of history and the University Chair in Critical Thinking at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University, joins host Gary Eichten for a discussion on Russia from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Art Center room 102, Saint John's University. The event is free and open to the public, with light hors d'oeuvres served at 11:30 a.m.

Hayes lived in Moscow during the 1980s as a writer, professor and media commentator, and recently returned from a Christmas visit to the country. He and Eichten, a 1969 SJU graduate who hosted the "Midday" program on Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) for 20 years, will discuss events such as the crisis in Ukraine, the sagging Russian economy and the future of Russia under President Vladimir Putin.

"Last year, Putin stunned the international community by annexing the Crimea, de-stabilizing Ukraine and effectively nullifying the settlement that had governed Russian and Europe since the end of communism and the Cold War," Hayes said. "While Washington and its allies fumed, contemplated a counter-move and imposed economic sanctions, Putin enlarged his popular support at home which overwhelmingly rallied beyond his Russian nationalist and anti-western rhetoric.

"As the year came to an end, Putin came to recognize that the global economy and oil pricing was a far more formidable opponent than Washington and its European allies. A truly turbulent year lies ahead (for Russia) in 2015," Hayes said.

"On Campus with Gary Eichten" enlists the talents of the award-winning host with nationally known speakers and the best of faculty members from CSB and SJU. The goal is to engage the public in key issues of our time approximately four to eight times a year.

Eichten has worn many hats during his 40-plus-year career at MPR, including news director, special events producer and station manager. He began his career at MPR as a student announcer at KSJR (MPR's first station).

Among the honors Eichten has received during his career is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting award for best local news program. He also assisted in the development of two Peabody award-winning documentaries. In 2007, he was inducted into the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting's Hall of Fame. Eichten has also been awarded the prestigious 2011 Graven Award by the Premack of Public Affairs Journalism Awards Board for his contribution to excellence in the journalism profession.

The event is co-sponsored by the Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement, serving students of CSB and SJU, and the University Chair in Critical Thinking.