Feedback on the Summer 2025 issue

I had to immediately write and shower your recent issue with accolades! Have to say, I usually briefly browse over the random selection of stories, but this issue was different.

First, the cover said volumes on the best story/summary of the University of Minnesota Press! Excellent! 

The article on Dale Kakkak [“We Are Real”] was enlightening to me that knew some of the history of the [American Indian] movement, but more beneficial to younger readers! Excellent, keep those coming!

Another article on clean energy, on combatting global warming, and another on agriculture ... excellent!

These are what the U is about and what President Cunningham wanted to know about. Forget elitism. It’s the commonsense information, commonsense leadership, and commonsense research to ground us and to help the local, state, and national and global community, especially now in times of USA leadership stress, times of greed, lack of empathy, and lack of strides to really help global warming/recycling!

Karen Seeling McInnis
M.A. ’95
Hastings, Minnesota

The article “Cool Buildings” in the Summer 2025 issue really caught my attention. I so appreciate Emily McGuinness and her interdisciplinary work involving textile science and chemical engineering.

Over 50 years ago I graduated from the University with a B.S. in textile science from the College of Home Economics. At the time, manmade fibers such as polyester and acrylic were gaining major usage in clothing. I hoped to work in the field by looking at textile performance and finishes using some of these fibers.

In reality, I would have needed a Ph.D. in chemistry for that, but my degree, once supplemented with broader coursework, still served me well in a long career with University of Minnesota Extension.

Ms. McGuinness has the unique background to really make an impact with building materials that can help heat and cool using less carbon-burning energy. It was fascinating to read about her approach integrating fiber and metal into something that has so much potential.

Colleen Hondl Gengler
B.S. ’73
Iona, Minnesota