Author, TV host Alexander Heffner named UND’s inaugural Journalist in Residence
Host of ‘The Open Mind’ on PBS, ‘Breaking Bread with Alexander’ on Bloomberg TV to teach on campus Nov. 7-8
The University of North Dakota will host renowned national political journalist and interviewer Alexander Heffner as its UND Marketing & Communication’s inaugural Journalist in Residence.
Heffner, host of PBS’ “The Open Mind” and “Breaking Bread with Alexander” on Bloomberg TV, will be on campus to visit with students, staff and faculty Nov. 7-8, immediately following the national election. Heffner is also co-author of the bestselling anthology “A Documentary History of the United States” and will hold a special student workshop on broadcasting history and effective techniques in journalism.
On Nov. 7, a Meet & Greet Social in Heffner’s honor will be from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in Room 406 of the Chester Fritz Library (fourth floor near the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections). UND Vice President for Marketing & Communications Meloney Linder will introduce Heffner before he delivers a presentation and entertains questions from the audience. The Meet & Greet Social is open to the campus community.
“We are excited to host a nationally recognized journalist as our inaugural Journalist in Residence,” Linder said. “I look forward to hearing the insights he will share with our students and faculty during his time at UND — just days after Americans participate in our national election. And, in turn, I am sure Alexander will learn a great deal about the momentum taking place on our campus.”
The workshop for UND Communication and other interested students is slated to follow the Meet & Greet Social, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Room 406 of the Chester Fritz Library. Interested students can reach out to Soojung Kim, chair of the UND Communication Department, for information on how to earn an academic credit for attending Heffner’s workshop.
Heffner also is scheduled to present a lecture followed by an audience Q&A from Communication students from 10 to 11 a.m. Nov. 8 in the Henry Family Ballroom of the Memorial Union. This event is part of a UND Communication Course (Comm 313 Persuasion, which typically meets in Room 1 of O’Kelly Hall). Heffner’s presentation is open to all interested UND students.
More about Heffner:
As evidenced by his work on PBS and Bloomberg TV, Heffner is dedicated to examining the challenges and opportunities in American democracy. He has interviewed leaders from across the political spectrum, fostering balanced and respectful conversations on critical issues. His work emphasizes the crucial role of civility in bridging divides, making him a compelling advocate for thoughtful dialogue in today’s polarized climate. Heffner’s commitment to promoting constructive solutions-oriented conversations equips him to deliver an insightful and impactful presentation on how civil discourse can strengthen the nation.
