Russian cyberattack and the 2016 election topic of interview

A foreign power hacks computers to possibly influence U.S. elections, including that of the presidency. The actions were apparently ordered by the president of that foreign power, a former Cold War adversary of the U.S.

Sounds a little like a James Bond movie, right?

But it's reality. Russian expert Nick Hayes, professor of history at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University and the University Chair in Critical Thinking, will be interviewed by award-winning Minnesota Public Radio journalist Gary Eichten to examine the role of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the 2016 U.S. election.

"Russia's Visible Hand: Putin, Trump and Cybermischief in the 2016 Election," will take place from 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, at the Founders Room (room 170), Quadrangle Building, SJU (please note the room change), as part of the "On Campus with Gary Eichten" series. The event is free and open to the public.

The interview will be taped and broadcast at noon and 9 p.m. Jan. 19 on MPR.

Students are invited to submit questions in advance for discussion in the program. Please email questions to Morgan Durbin, research assistant for the University Chair in Critical Thinking.

Hayes lived in Moscow during the 1980s as a writer, professor and media commentator. He has visited Russia many times since, most recently during semester break.

"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.

Eichten, a 1969 SJU graduate, has worn many hats during his 40-plus-year career at MPR, most notably as host of the "Midday" program on MPR for 20 years. 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.