Bob Kustra
About Bob Kustra
Bob Kustra is the host of Reader's Corner, a weekly radio show that features lively conversations with some of the nation’s leading authors about issues and ideas that matter today.
Dr. Kustra stepped down as president of Boise State University in July 2018 after serving for 15 years at the helm of Boise State, the largest public university in Idaho. During his presidency, he led the university in a time of dynamic growth in student enrollment, graduate college and doctoral programs, new construction, fundraising and research. The creation of the College of Innovation and Design and ranking as a doctoral research university were notable achievements of his presidency.
With a long and distinguished career in public service in Illinois, Bob Kustra served two terms as Illinois lieutenant governor following 10 years in the legislature. He also chaired the Illinois Board of Higher Education, responsible for funding and oversight of the state’s nine public universities. Bob's background in radio includes four years as host of a talk show on WLS-AM in Chicago.
Dr. Kustra holds three degrees in Political Science, including a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, MA from Southern Illinois University and BA from Benedictine College, Atchison, Kansas.
In addition to hosting Readers Corner, Bob also writes a weekly column for the Idaho Statesman and serves on its editorial board.
About Boise State Public Radio
Boise State Public Radio is Idaho’s premiere connection to NPR news programming, classical music, and jazz. The station’s 18 transmitters and translators reach about one million listeners from Boise and Twin Falls to McCall and Sun Valley.
In the Treasure Valley, 91.5 FM is Boise State Public Radio News. Here, you’ll find NPR’s cornerstone programs like Morning Edition and All Things Considered , plus fan favorites like Fresh Air and This American Life. 91.5 FM is also home to local and regionally-produced in-depth news features and interviews.
This radio network has served the community for more than 40 years. With staff headquarters in Boise, the signals can be heard in parts of eastern Oregon, most of southern and central Idaho, and northern Nevada.
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An interview with Gilda R. Daniels, author of Uncounted: The Crisis of Voter Suppression in America. The book warns about a premeditated strategy of restrictive laws and deceptive practices that is eroding the very basis of American democracy. -
An interview with Blaine Harden, author of Murder at the Mission: A Frontier Killing, its Legacy of Lies, and the Taking of the American West. The book examines the cost of American expansionism, and the problems that arise when history is only told by the victors.
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Note: This is an encore edition of our program. The original episode aired July 2020. Daniel Okrent’s The Guarded Gate tells the chilling story of how…
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Note: This is an encore edition of our program. The original episode aired in July 2020.Daniel Okrent’s The Guarded Gate tells the chilling story of how…
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In 1992, the United States stood at the pinnacle of world power and Americans were confident that a new era of peace and prosperity was at hand. 25 years…
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Note: This is an encore edition of our program. This episode first aired in December 2019.In 1992, the United States stood at the pinnacle of world power…
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Imbolo Mbue's novel, How Beautiful We Were, follows a fearless young woman from a small African village as she starts a revolution against an American oil company.
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Note: This is an encore edition of Reader's Corner. The original episode first aired in May 2020.In “Tightrope,” authors Kristof and WuDunn issue a plea –…
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Note: This is an encore edition of Reader's Corner. The original episode first aired in May 2020.In “Tightrope,” authors Kristof and WuDunn issue a plea –…
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Note: This is an encore edition of our program that first aired in April 2020.In The Splendid and the Vile, Erik Larson shows, in cinematic detail, how…
