WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2007 | NEWS | WWW.KANSAN.COM THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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ENTERTAINMENT
'Evil Business' on the shelves
KU alumnus offers perspectives on evils of society along with suspense formula
By Sam Carlson
scarlson@kansan.com
The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center infuriated one KU alumnus so much that he wrote a book.
John Nienstedt, a 1961 KU graduate from Emporia, spends his days writing and leading management seminars for corporations and government agencies. A former U.S. Navy captain, Nienstedt returned from service in the Gulf War and began his career as a public speaker. Then came his life as an author.
It wasn't just the attacks that influenced his latest novel, "Evil Business," it was people's responses to them. Nienstedt said the event brought the words of Mahatma Gandhi to his mind, "The only devils in the world are those that are running around in our hearts, and that's where the battle needs to be fought - within ourselves," he said.
Nienstedt said he thought Americans acted as if some "evil force" were after them, although the terrorists believed their actions were justified.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
One such example of evil in the
book is seen when Nienstedt mentions his alma mater. One of the characters is an overly competitive KU basketball player who is willing to do anything to win. Parts of the book take place in Kansas City, where Nienstedt lived for 17 years.
"You've got to write about what you know about," he said.
After he penned a pair of self-help books, he turned his focus to fiction writing, "See the Monkey: A Tale of Two Evils," published in 2002, is the prequel to "Evil Business." Both works center on mediocre newspaper columnist Norman Fuller, who often encounters the "Voice of Evil," an invisible character that exposes Fuller to various evils in society, such as greed.
John Nienstedt, a 1961 University of Kansas graduate, recently published his latest novel, "Evil Business." Nienstedt said he has fond memories of his time on campus.
ers in suspense. And to prove his confidence, he said he tells his readers that he'll reimburse them for the book if they figure out the ending before reaching it.
"That's my objective, to entertain in a way that causes people to think," he said.
Nienstedt said he spent two years writing "Evil Business," and completing it was only part of the satisfaction he got from writing it. He said that in fiction writing, the characters begin to take on lives of their own, and seeing how the story turns out is the most exciting part. The last bit of satisfaction depends on the reader.
Edited by Ben Smith
Nienstedt said he is confident the book will entertain and kept the read-
CAMPUS
KU to offer masters in interactive design
By Maggie VanBuskirk
mvanbuskirk@kansan.com
Starting in the spring, the University of Kansas will be the first to offer masters degrees in both interactive design and design management.
"The programs in themselves are very sought after," Thomas said. "With KU being a state school it will offer a more affordable education than the other two."
In the past, there were only two universities in the country that offered separate masters programs for each.
The ITT Institute of Design in Chicago offers design management and Stanford Institute of Design offers interactive design.
The Board of Regents approved the two new masters in its June meeting. Greg Thomas, chairperson and professor for the department of design, said that the University will offer key classes in the fall semester for the degrees that will count as credit for the spring semester.
According to their proposal, interactive design is defining and creating how consumers interact with a product. Students will learn how to enhance the usability, usefulness and desirability of a product for consumers and businesses. Design management teaches students management and design skills, which
will enhance innovation and product value according to the proposal.
Thomas said the two-year programs are geared toward people who have been in the work force and want to advance in their careers.
"You can only go so far with a B.A. before you want to go up another tier," Thomas said. "Direct management will allow you to move up another ladder as a working professional."
As for interaction, Thomas said it was one of the most sought after areas of study today.
"Everything you come in contact with has most likely had the input from an interactive designer," Thomas said, citing the example of the new iPhone. "If you watch the commercial, the way you use the phone has actually reinvented it."
Currently, the department of design is trying to collaborate with Zollverein School of Design and Management in Essen, Germany. Thomas said it was one of the first schools entirely dedicated to design management. He also said that businesses in Kansas City, like Sprint and Hallmark, had inquired about the program and wanted to be a part of it.
- Edited by Joe Caponio
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