Midmorning Weekend

College graduates
Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images

Midmorning Weekend revisits some of the best recent conversations from the daily call-in program.

Segment 1: Scientific Brain Drain
U.S. colleges are graduating as many scientists and engineers as ever, yet employers say they are facing a shortage. Midmorning looks into the motives behind their migration into other fields like finance and what incentives are necessary to keep scientists doing the work they were trained for.

Guests Shirley Malcom: Head of the Directorate for Education and Human Resources Programs of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Hal Salzman: Public policy professor at Rutgers.

(Original Program)

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.


Segment 2: College in Three Years

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander proposes that a 3-year undergraduate track would save money for students, universities, and the U.S. government alike. Some critics are concerned that shortening college will limit exploration, and leave no room for error.

Guests Margaret Drugovich: President of Hartwick College. They launched their 3-year bachelor's program this Fall. Neil Weissman: Provost and Dean of Dickinson College.

(Original Program)


Segment 3: Beating the Odds
Tommy Watson overcame a childhood of poverty and instability to graduate from college and receive a master's degree in education. As an elementary school principle, he uses the lessons of his experience to help a new generation of low income kids close the achievement gap.

Guests Tommy Watson: Principal of Palmer Lake Elementary School in Brooklyn Park and author of "A Face of Courage." Robert Barr: Education consultant, former dean of the Boise State University College of Education and co-author of "The Kids Left Behind: Teaching the Underachieving Children of Poverty."

(Original Program)