"Czech and Slovak Research" by Mike Kukral

"Czech and Slovak Research"

    presentation by   

Mike Kukral

Monday, September 14, 2015

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

   VCPL Rooms A, B & C

 6:00 p.m. - Refreshments & Socializing

Mike Kukral graduated from Ohio University with degrees in Geography, Environmental Science and Political Science.  Kukral received his Doctorate in Geography at the University of Kentucky. He is currently a Geography Professor at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

He was a Fulbright Scholar in Revolutionary Prague in 1998-90 and is a specialist in Czech Studies and Czech and Slovak genealogical research. Mike is a member of the Czech and Slovak Genealogical Society in Minnesota and the Secretary-General of the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Science.

Mike has written several books and articles, some among which are Fundamentals of the Human Mosaic; The Human Mosaic Student Study Guide; Prague 1989: Theatre of Revolution; and Czech Settlements in 19th Century Cleveland, Ohio: an article from: East European Quarterly.  In 2010 his account of the Velvet Revolution was published in the Czech Reader: History, Culture, Politics.

He has given 10 talks for OLLI at ISU and to the Vigo County Historical Society. 

Besides adventure travel, exploring the coast of Oregon or taking students to Kenya, Africa, Kukral is an authority on player piano restoration and their music and history, particularly the Welte-Mignon Reproducing Piano. He is an accomplished pianist and has some 1000 piano rolls in his collection as well as at east six different types of player pianos.

In the 1980's he appeared as an extra in the holiday classic A Christmas Story. Mike appears in the crowd outside when the main character's father receives the "Leg Lamp" award and puts it in the front window.