2014-8th Annual Eugene J. McCarthy Lecture – Dave Durenberger
Dave Durenberger, the son of SJU Athletic Director George Durenberger, grew up at Saint John’s. He attended the Prep School, and graduated from the University cum laude in 1955 with a Commission from its first Army ROTC program.
Dave graduated from University of Minnesota Law School, practiced law, served as Governor Harold LeVander’s Chief of Staff (1967-1970), and Counsel to CEO Elmer L. Anderson at HB Fuller (1970-78).
He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1978 to the seat held by the late Hubert Humphrey. He served three terms, the longest-serving Republican senator in Minnesota history. He has a record of bipartisan legislative accomplishments including civil rights, environmental protection, health, education, tax reform, and intergovernmental relations.
He served on the faculty of the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business, retiring this spring after 20 years.
Gary Eichten, MPR News Editor-At-Large, wore many hats during his 40-plus-year career at Minnesota Public Radio, including news director, special events producer, and station manager. He served as host for Minnesota Public Radio’s live, special events news coverage, and hosted for more than 20 years.
A graduate of Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, Eichten began his career at Minnesota Public Radio as a student announcer at Minnesota Public Radio as a student announcer at KSJR (Minnesota Public Radio’s first station).
Among the honors Eichten has received during his career is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting award for best local news program. In 2007, he was inducted into the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting’s Hall of Fame. Eichten was also awarded the prestigious 2011 Graven Award by the Premack Public Affairs Journalism Awards Board for his contribution to excellence in the journalism profession.
He currently serves on Westminster Town Hall Forum advisory board.