Pacelli grad brings Harley tales home

Published 12:00 am Thursday, February 27, 2003

The public is invited to hear author Thomas G. Endres speak Monday at Austin High School.

Endres, a former Austin resident, will be the guest lecturer at a special "Read Across America" event, beginning 2:30 pm. Monday in Knowlton Auditorium.

His latest book is an account of an American classic: the annual motorcycle rally at Sturgis, S.D. by Harley-Davidson owners.

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Endres wrote "Sturgis Stories" published by Kirk House Publishers, $24, in 2002.

The book is a collection of photographs and interviews with bikers and others who visit the small South Dakota town each summer to celebrate motorcycling.

Endres attended the rally, riding there on his own classic Harley-Davidson motorcycle and returned with a close-up view of bikers -- hardcore and others -- plus their stories, as well as the photographs taken by the college professor himself.

Endres is a 1978 graduate of Pacelli High School and the son of the late V. Joseph Endres (founder of Gerard Schools) and Patricia Wahl of Colorado Springs, Colo.

He earned a bachelor of science degree from St. Cloud State University, a master of arts degree from the University of Illinois and another master of arts degree from St. Paul Seminary, as well as his Ph.D. from University of Minnesota.

Currently, Endres is a professor, chair of the communication studies department and acting chair of modern and classical languages at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.

He is the author of numerous articles and book chapters in the area of communication studies, and has presented his research nationwide.

He is also a professional speaker and has delivered keynote addresses and seminars to a variety of organizations including 3M, Honeywell, and Medtronic.

In 2000, he was named an Outstanding Individual by the Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota and, in 2001, he received the Jeanne Robertson Outstanding Professor award from the National Speakers Association.

He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and three daughters.

Endres will be at Knowlton Auditorium after 1:30 p.m. Monday to sign books. "Sturgis Stories," which is sold at Lil Professor Book Store in Austin, will be available for purchase in the Commons at AHS before and after the lecture.

Seating will be reserved for about 60 people in the auditorium during the Read Across America event.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com