Quinn to take over as host of "Conversations from St. Norbert College" television show

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From St. Norbert College, August 21, 2010
by Mike Counter, mike.counter@snc.edu, (920) 403-4011

Look for changes to the television show "Conversations from St. Norbert College" this October: In addition to a newly designed set, the show will feature a new host.
Kevin Quinn, professor of economics at St. Norbert College, will take the baton from Michael Marsden, the host and originator of the program. Marsden stepped down as dean and academic vice president at St. Norbert last spring but remains teaching at the college. Marsden hosted "Conversations" for seven years.
"Conversations from St. Norbert College" is a weekly television show recorded, produced, edited and distributed by St. Norbert College. The show examines important social, political and educational issues.
Viewers from Wisconsin and Upper Michigan can tune in to discussions with leading experts from St. Norbert College and beyond. The purpose of the show is to share with the general public the special national guests visiting the college as well as the internal expertise and experiences of the college's faculty, staff and students.
Quinn, an expert in sports economics, has presented papers at numerous academic conferences, and has written a book about the relationship between sports and their fans. He is also widely published in professional journals and has contributed book chapters about sports economics and other related topics. Quinn is a frequent guest on Wisconsin Public Radio, where he shares his insight on state and national economic issues. He also does a live monthly call-in show on WPR, "Economics 101," hosted by Ben Merens and has been interviewed numerous times by local, regional and national media.
"Given Kevin's experience with the call-in show on WPR, his areas of expertise in a time of economic challenge, as well as his wit and personality, we couldn't think of a better person to be the next host of the program," said Bridget Krage O'Connor, Vice President for Enrollment and Communications. "Paired with our producer, Mike Counter, and director Jason Wright, this is going to be a fantastic team delivering top-notch programming for our region."
Past guests on "Conversations from St. Norbert College"have included David Cay Johnston, investigative reporter, author and Pulitzer Prize winner; Haynes Johnson, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, best-selling author and television commentator; and Gwen Ifill, moderator and managing editor of "Washington Week with Gwen Ifill" and senior correspondent of the PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, to name just a few.

"We really want to thank Mike Marsden for having the original vision for this show. He hosted similar programs prior to joining St. Norbert and helped guide us in the right direction. Since then, we have produced close to 100 programs that have aired on cable throughout Wisconsin and Michigan, and around the world via YouTube," said Krage O'Connor.

Quinn's research experience includes a special term appointment at Argonne National Laboratory, studying global climate change and the use of market-based instruments for environmental policy. In 1997 and 1998, Quinn taught environmental economics and political economics at the University of Tuzla in Bosnia. He served as a consultant in 1993 for the East-West Center (Hawaii), Argonne National Laboratory and the Asian Development Bank of the People's Republic of China for the report, "National Response Strategy for Global Climate Change: People's Republic of China."
He has been a member of the St. Norbert College economics faculty since 1994 and has been honored with the college's outstanding teacher award. Quinn also received the Donald King Scholarship award and the Educator Award chosen by Student Life.
Quinn also has more than seven years' experience working for corporations.
To view past programs or to learn more about "Conversations from St. Norbert College," go to http://www.snc.edu/communications/conversations/.