Three-Time Pulitzer Prize-Winning Alum Mike McIntire Returns to Hartwick

New York Times Investigative reporter and Hartwick College alumnus Mike McIntire ’85 P’13 P’21 returned to campus Sept. 4 for a public discussion of his new book, “Ricochet: Guns, Greed, and the American Way of Violence.” Hosted by the Hartwick Institute of Public Service, “An Evening with Mike McIntire ’85, P’13, P’21” was held in the Anderson Theatre. A reception and book signing followed.

McIntire, a member of the Hartwick Institute of Public Service Leadership Council, was joined in conversation by Hartwick students Addison Havens ’27 and Oiram Duenas-Valles ’27, along with Laurel Elder, professor of political science, department chair and co-director of the Hartwick Institute of Public Service, as part of the evening’s program.

Havens, a history and global studies major with a focus in secondary education and a minor in religious studies, and Duenas-Valles, a business administration, economics, political science and criminal justice major with a minor in legal studies, welcomed the audience and introduced the program.

For McIntire, having students actively participate in the discussion was an important part of the event.

“It’s really important to have students engaged in discussions about pressing public issues, and I can think of few topics more urgent — and relevant to young people — than gun violence in America,” McIntire said. “If there is to be any chance of positive change in the cultural and political landscape around this issue, it will likely come from the next generation of leaders, who, unfortunately, have had to grow up enduring lockdown drills and too many headlines about school shootings.”

Duenas-Valles said the opportunity to participate in the event helped build confidence and strengthened connections with faculty and classmates.

“I think opportunities like this are extremely helpful and beneficial for students like me,” Duenas-Valles said. “I would consider myself extremely shy, so being on stage with such a prominent alumnus was exhilarating.”

Havens said participating in the discussion provided an opportunity to grow professionally.