Lapakko was crowned “America’s Greatest Thinker” at the 23rd Great American Think-Off held in New York Mills, Minnesota, in June 2015. The debate question was, “Does Technology Free Us or Trap Us?” and Lapakko argued for the liberating qualities of technology as he took home the prize.

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David Lapakko

This year’s debate question was, “Does Technology Free Us or Trap Us?” and Lapakko argued for the liberating qualities of technology as he took home the prize.

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According to Mechtel, the purpose of the Week of Women is to empower women and engage men in conversations surrounding the ideas of how both women and men are portrayed in the media. But, she said, the group hopes their work can make a lasting impression with students.

“We can only do so much as a small group, and we can only reach so many people. We want to equip people with as much go to knowledge as possible so that they can challenge people who may enforce sexist stereotypes or make sexist jokes.”

She added that the group wants to learn more about using the media as a resource to counteract the messages presented by media. “I guess we’re all hoping to learn how to challenge the people who blame victims in cases of rape or challenge the guys that say objectifying things about women and even challenge women who say negative and degrading things towards other women. Media is a powerful thing and we have the rare opportunity that no one before us has had, and that is being able to use the media to fight back.”

Week of Women events:

March 5-6: Tabling in Christensen Center asking you to tell us why you are empowered and why you want to empower others. Stop by for a photo or pick up a button to show your support.

LOCATION: Christensen Center

TIME: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

March 6: Come see a screening of “Miss Representation,” a documentary film exploring how the media’s misrepresentations of women have led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence.

LOCATION: Science 123

TIME: 7 p.m.

March 7: The Road To Shameless: A survivor’s true story of rape and recovery. Nancy Donoval, an award-winning speaker, will speak about her experience and about rape prevention.

LOCATION: Sateren Auditorium, Music Building

TIME: 7 p.m.

March 8: LET IT OUT! Showcase your talent at an inspirational poetry slam and open mic. Food will be provided.

LOCATION: Student Lounge (Christensen Center)

TIME: 7 p.m.

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Wehrenberg graduated magna cum laude from Augsburg with a bachelor’s degree in English and communication studies. While at Augsburg, he was editor of the Echo and the Murphy Square literary magazine.

His first job in advertising was as a copywriter. Nearly 30 years later, Wehrenberg took the helm of Campbell Mithun in 2007 after serving in account and strategic leadership positions for clients across financial, packaged goods, retail, and telecommunications industries. Campbell Mithun is a nationally recognized flagship agency with a 75-year history of success and a long list of prestigious clients, including Mayo Clinic, Toro, Famous Footwear, General Mills, SuperValu and Land O’Lakes.

Wehrenberg has been a catalyst in creating and refining the agency’s “Everything Talks” positioning as well as developing several proprietary strategic planning tools. His work has won national awards for strategic thinking.

In addition to leading Campbell Mithun, he co-wrote the fourth edition of The Successful Marketing Plan, published in September 2011. He also serves on the board of the Greater Twin Cities United Way and teaches at the University of Minnesota.

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In which departments/programs did you teach?

I taught in the Communication Studies Department and in the Masters of Arts in Leadership program.

How many years have you taught at Augsburg?

I started teaching as an adjunct in 1998 and a full time faculty member in 2000.

Tell us about a student who made an impression.

This is difficult to answer, since I have been impressed by so many students. I have been especially impressed by the Weekend students who return after being away from formal education, afraid that they will not succeed. Watching them realize that they are capable of learning and contributing has been most rewarding.

Is there a classroom experience that you remember?

Again, this is hard to answer, since I have had so many powerful experiences in the classroom; however, I do remember one class in ML 539 (Communicating a Self in Modern Organizations, a class Hanson developed) that was almost magical. The conversations were so rich and powerful that I left each class session with renewed energy. It was amazing.

What have your students taught you?

Wow – so much! Most of all, I have learned the wisdom to know that I do not know and the humility to stand in awe in the presence of another human being. Watching students learn and grow has been a powerful experience. It’s hard to put it into words.

What are you planning to do in retirement?

I’m still answering that question, but I have started a list. I plan to continue teaching a couple of WEC courses as an adjunct. I also plan to write again, perhaps a sequel to Room for J. I definitely plan to play with my five grandchildren. And I look forward to volunteering when and where I can make a difference.

Is there anything else I want to share?

I would just like to thank the students at Augsburg who have made this chapter in my life so rewarding.

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Augsburg forensics director and professor of communication studies, David Lapakko, says people don’t usually know what is involved with “forensics” in this sense. “With shows like CSI on television these days, people often misunderstand the term. Yes, there is forensic medicine, but forensic rhetoric involves issues of attack and defense, as in a courtroom.”

Augsburg’s forensics program began in 1987. Currently Augsburg is the only ACTC school with an active contest speaking program. Augsburg students have qualified for final rounds at tournaments on 157 occasions—87 different students overall. To advance to a final round, speakers normally have to be among the top six contestants in their event.

Lapakko was director of the program from 1987-1997; Bob Groven was director from 1997-2006; Kristen Chamberlain was director from 2007-2009; and Lapakko returns this year after a 13-year absence from the position.

Augsburg is a member of the Twin Cities Forensic League and attends 6 TCFL tournaments every year, along with some weekend overnight trips. Members of TCFL include Bethel, Gustavus, MSU-Mankato, Normandale CC, Northwestern, University of Northern Iowa, Ripon, St. Cloud State, South Dakota State, Southwest Minnesota State, UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls, UW-Stout, South Central Tech, and St. Olaf.

Students compete in eleven different events—six are “public address” events (informative speaking, persuasive speaking, after dinner speaking, extemporaneous speaking, impromptu speaking, and communication analysis), and five are “interpretation” events (prose interpretation, poetry interpretation, dramatic interpretation, dramatic duo, and program oral interpretation).

The speech season starts in October and ends in March. It is still not too late to be involved; contact Prof. Lapakko at ext. 1722 if you are interested.

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