While still a teen in 1992, Sandi Tan made one of Singapore’s first indie feature films, SHIRKERS, under the mentorship of a shady American teacher who vanished with the film stock before it could be finished and released.
Her same-titled 2018 documentary reflects on her shattered creative dreams, and explains what happened when the footage was unexpectedly returned two decades later. She sat down with Writers Institute Director Paul Grondahl prior to a screening and discussion of "Shirkers" on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019.

Sandi Tan, director of "Shirkers"

Robert Boyers is the author of "The Tyranny of Virtue (2019), a provocative collection of essays about the decline of civility and academic freedom promoted by excesses of political correctness at America’s universities.
Boyers, who defines himself as a liberal, decries the intolerance of his fellow liberals for political and intellectual diversity.
Boyers is the editor of Salmagundi, a professor of English at Skidmore College, and the director of the New York State Summer Writers Institute.  
He spoke with Paul Grondahl on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2019, prior to his public event at the University at Albany.

Robert Boyers, professor and author of "The Tyranny of Virtue"

Pamela Newkirk, professor of journalism at NYU, presents "Diversity, Inc.: The Failed Promise of a Billion-Dollar Business" (2019), a landmark survey of recent efforts to bring racial equality to America’s major corporations and institutions.
She spoke with NYS Writers Institute Director Paul Grondahl on Tuesday, November 12, in advance of her two events later that day.
Music provided courtesy of Bryan "Buggy Jive" Thomas. https://buggyjive.com

Pamela Newkirk, author of "Diversity Inc."

Edward Berenson, noted scholar of modern French history, presents his new book, "The Accusation: Blood Libel in an American Town" (2019), a chilling investigation of a remarkable incident of antisemitism in the upstate town of Massena, New York in 1928.
He spoke with NYS Writers Institute Director Paul Grondahl November 21, 2019, during his appearance at the University at Albany History Department’s annual Researching New York Conference.
Music provided courtesy of Bryan "Buggy Jive" Thomas. https://buggyjive.com

Edward Berenson, author of "The Accusation: Blood Libel in an American Town"

NYS Writers Institute DIrector interviews Rick Reilly, one of America’s preeminent sportswriters, a member of the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame, and author of the New York Times bestseller, "Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump" (2019).

 

Based on Reilly's own experiences with Trump as well as interviews with over 100 golf pros, amateurs, developers, and caddies, Commander in Cheat is a startling and at times hilarious indictment of Trump and his golf game. Reilly reveals how Trump cheats (sometimes with the help of his caddies and Secret Service agents), lies about his scores (the "Trump Bump"), tells whoppers about the rank of his courses and their worth (declaring that every one of them is worth $50 million), and tramples the etiquette of the game.

NYS Writers Institute

Popular tracks