RIT faculty to share expertise on national radio show

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“The Academic Minute,” which will periodically feature RIT experts, airs twice daily on WITR-FM (89.7). The program is produced by WAMC Northeast Public Radio, based in Albany.

The knowledge and expertise of RIT academics is being showcased in a new place.

RIT University News has been invited by WAMC Northeast Public Radio, based in Albany, to contribute audio news segments featuring RIT experts to occasionally run on “The Academic Minute,” a daily 2.5-minute show airing on radio stations across the nation.

The program, hosted by Lynn Pasquerella, president of Mount Holyoke College, features professors from top U.S. institutions “delving into topics ranging from the serious to the light-hearted,” according to the show’s website. For example, episodes have tackled the national debt, delved into the history of Valentine’s Day and explored the effect of Super Bowl winners on the stock market.

RIT experts—reading short essays targeting lay people—will be featured periodically depending upon topics and openings, according to Katie Britton, the show’s senior producer.

“The innovative topics that the RIT professors have pitched us are exactly what we’re looking for,” Britton says. “They understand the importance of bringing the listeners into their areas of study. RIT’s researchers are adding their voices to what has become a segment with national scope.”

John Capps, associate professor of philosophy in RIT’s College of Liberal Arts, was the first RIT expert featured on the program. He discussed jokes—appropriately, on April Fool’s Day—and what they reveal about our values. (Listen to the episode here.)

In addition to airing twice daily on WAMC, the program airs on public-radio affiliates around the country. Episodes are also available on the WAMC website, and they recently began airing, twice daily (just before 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.), on WITR-FM (89.7), RIT’s student-run radio station (online at witr.rit.edu).

Anyone interested in being a guest on the show should contact the RIT University News beat reporter covering their college or Michael Saffran, associate director for new media, at mjsuns@rit.edu.

“The Academic Minute” is supported by Newman’s Own Foundation in partnership with Mount Holyoke College. For more information, go to the Academic Minute website. Become a fan of “The Academic Minute” on Facebook at the Academic Minute Facebook page and follow the program on Twitter at the Academic Minute Twitter page.