More Task Oriented

More Task Oriented
3/28/08 at 10:41:14 AM

—Rose Miskowiec, Academic Adviser
Department of Political Science

It seems to me that fall semester is dedicated to helping students adjust to campus life and maneuver through the seemingly endless rules and regulations, as well as opportunities available on a campus this size. In spring semester, we tend to shift gears in our department and become more task oriented as we focus on selecting scholarship recipients, a student representative, congressional interns, and an outstanding writer. At the moment, we’ve completed about half of our spring tasks.

Congratulations to…

Scholarship Winners
The Poli Sci Department met just before spring break to review its 2008-2009 scholarship applications and select recipients for next year. Congratulations to these outstanding poli sci majors: Aaron Cotkin, Kenzie Johnson, Angelina Nguyen, Stephanie Payne, Patrick Reinikainen and Emily Thuening. Each of these students will receive scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,550 to support their proposed research projects, honors theses, internships, and study abroad programs. In addition to the poli sci scholarship recipients, three students will receive A. I. Johnson Scholarships for their demonstrated commitment to public service. They are Jessica Arett (Poli Sci/History majors & Econ minor), Robert Goldaris (Poli Sci major, Management minor), and Angelina Nguyen (Poli Sci/Econ major, Math minor). The A. I. Johnson Scholarship winners will receive scholarships ranging from $6,000 to $10,000. They will also complete 400 hours of internship with a public service agency or organization next school year.

North American European Summer Academy Representative
Patrick Reinikainen will be representing the Poli Sci Department and the U of M at this summer’s North American European Summer Academy in Schloss Hofen, Austria. For the third time, the Poli Sci Department has extended an invitation to a poli sci major to attend this three-week summer workshop. The purpose of the program is to promote better understanding and strengthen the relationship between Europe and North America. About 20 students, mostly graduate students from Europe, hear lectures by international scholars and participate in working groups. Each work group makes a presentation at the end of the session. The Poli Sci Department covers the travel costs and registration fees for the selected student. Congratulations, Patrick.

Before Year’s End…

Congressional Internships
On April 11, the Poli Sci Department will host its annual interview day for its PAID Congressional Internship Program. Over the years, Congressman Jim Ramstad and Congressman Martin Sabo have been enormous supporters of this program. Congressman Sabo retired in 2006 and Congressman Ramstad will be retiring at the end of this year. Congressional internships in both the district and Washington, D.C. offices will continue to be abundant; however, few of these internships are paid. The Poli Sci Department continues to work with elected officials and to investigate other funding options for making internships, especially those in D.C., affordable to ALL undergraduates.

William Jennings Bryan Prize
In 1898, William Jennings Bryan gave the University a gift of $250. The interest that accumulated from this gift was to be used for an annual prize awarded to the student who wrote the best essay on the science of government. One of the last assignments the Poli Sci Department has this school year is to select the WJB Prize winner. Out of the thousands of papers written in poli sci courses each year, it’s a great honor to even be nominated for this award. One recipient is selected each year. That recipient receives a check for $500 for writing an outstanding paper in a poli sci course. Stay tuned for a future issue of CLASS Action to find out who this year’s recipient will be.

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