|
|
The Department of Political Science
December 2017 Alumni Newsletter
|
|
|
|
|  |
Dave Walker and Alice Rivlin were featured in the Fall 2017 Janus Forum, “Is the National Debt the New Road to Serfdom?” | |
| | |
|
| The generous support of our donors provides our students and faculty with the resources to take part in a variety of activities that would otherwise be impossible. Scholarships, special lectures, and support for student and faculty research projects enhance the academic mission of the Department of Political Science and the student experience.
This support is a vital component in our mission. Please take a few minutes and consider making an investment in the Department of Political Science.
| |
|
|
Welcome from the New Chair
| |
| Dear Alumni and Friends:
This fall our campus took on its characteristic seasonal beauty, but with the change of seasons comes so much more. We welcomed the Class of 2021 to Miami totaling 3864 students—another incredible group filled with promise, excitement, and curiosity. The class is one of our most accomplished, with an average ACT of 28.4 and average GPA of 3.75. The Class of 2021 is also one of our most diverse in terms of multicultural and first generation students, 16.9% and 15.1% respectively.
All indications point to plenty of interest in politics among the new arrivals. In Harrison Hall, we continue to grow at a healthy pace, recently tallying about 840 total majors. As a new chair, I can’t imagine a better gig. It is just a delight to sit down with our new majors and hear how their interest in political science developed and their aspirations to impact change through politics and public service. And just in time to welcome our students back to campus, we cleared out all the construction dust in Harrison Hall to christen some fresh new classroom space.
We also opened the doors to the newly renovated homes for the Center for Public Management and Regional Affairs and the Havighurst Center for Russian & Post-Soviet Studies on the third floor of Harrison. Our continuing students returned to classes after a very busy summer of internships, fellowships, and mentoring opportunities.
So many of these life-changing experiences are made possible by our wonderful alumni—thank you for all your willingness to help our students. We hope you continue to keep our students in mind as they take their Miami values, learning, and determination across the globe seeking to make a difference. It is my pleasure to serve as the new chair and my role is all the more rewarding because of alumni like you. Thank you for giving your time and support to Miami University, the Department of Political Science, and most of all to our students—they’re our future.
| |
|
| Fall 2017 Janus Forum: "Is the National Debt the New Road to Serfdom?"
| |
|
Each semester, the Department of Political Science (in partnership with the Thomas W. Smith Institute for Political Economy) hosts the Janus Forum, a chance for the Miami community to engage in a high-level discourse on a salient public issue.
This fall, the Janus Forum was focused on the national debt. The speakers were former U.S. Comptroller General Dave Walker and former CBO Director Alice Rivlin in an event entitled, “Is the National Debt the New Road to Serfdom?” Read more about the Fall 2017 Janus Forum.
| |
| Constitution Day Lecture: Dr. Allen Guezlo
This fall, the Department of Political Science welcomed Dr. Allen Guezlo to campus for the annual Constitution Day Lecture. Dr. Guezlo is a historian from Gettysburg College with expertise in the Civil War and the life of President Abraham Lincoln. His Constitution Day lecture focused on a different institution, though one that is deeply rooted in American history, the Electoral College. Read more about the Constitution Day Lecture.
| |
| Visiting Scholar in Public Leadership: Mike Dittoe
This past Fall Semester, the CPMRA (Center for Public Management and Regional Affairs welcomed Michael R. Dittoe as the 2017 Visiting Fellow in Public Leadership.
A 2005 graduate of Miami University with a major in Public Administration, Mike is currently Chief of Staff, Ohio House of Representatives, Office of the Speaker of the House/Majority Caucus. As Chief of Staff, he develops, manages and executes an annual House operating budget exceeding $23 million, including payroll, and he serves as principal advisor to Speaker Cliff Rosenberger and House Majority leadership on legislative policy.
During his career, Mike served as Director of Communications for the Ohio House of Representatives Majority Caucus and organized news conferences, media briefings, and teleconferences for the Ohio General Assembly. Mike also served as a host for statewide televised public affairs news program. Mike has broad experience in state political party organization, campaign management, and is an expert in legislative affairs.
| |
| Political Science 18 of the Last 9 Alumnae
| |
| Miami University and the Political Science Department were proud to welcome back three alumnae of the Department for the University’s 18 of the last 9 series. The program honors Miami graduates who matriculated in the last 9 years and have gone on to early success in their careers. Political Science welcomed two political science majors, Christina Rue ’11 and Marisa Schnaith ’09, and one public administration major, Bethany Bowyer Khan ’10.
| |
| The University’s introductory course, UNV 101, offers first year students an introduction to Miami’s campus. Part of that course involves bringing alumni back to campus for panels in which students can learn more about Miami graduates in the workforce. This year, four political science graduates were a part of the panels: Brian Bensman ’96, Kelli Benning ’91, Patrick Ryan ’14, and Nick Kanoza ’08. Brian is currently Senior Director of Transportation, Fleet, and Regulatory Compliance at Cintas. Kelli is a Senior HR Specialist at P&G. Patrick is the District Manager at Gallo/Breakthru Beverage Group. Nick is a Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist at CareSource.
| |
| In a busy semester for alumni visits to campus, the Department of Political Science was proud to welcome back to campus CDR Jeff Betz, who is an active duty officer in the U.S. Navy. CDR Betz is a 2001 graduate of Miami and its Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps. He is currently based in Norfolk, Virginia, where he works at the NATO Allied Command Transformation. CDR Betz visited a variety of classes and was able to share his experience in the Navy with students.
| |
|
Student Spotlights
Patrick O'Malley: SCUSA
Patrick O’Malley, a senior Political Science and History major, recently attended the Student Conference on U.S. Affairs at the United States Military Academy (West Point) with sponsorship from the Department of Political Science.
Pat, who also serves on the executive boards of the Janus Forum and Miami’s AEI council, was able to engage in intensive discussions with other college students and West Point cadets about the future challenges facing the country. He noted this experience only emboldened his desire for future work in public service.
| |
|
Hannah Shepherd: AEI Policy Competition Winner
The AEI policy competition provided an opportunity for students to focus on creative solutions to the daunting policy problems facing modern society. Hannah Shepherd, the competition winner, spoke about the need for a holistic approach when it comes to mental health care. In particular, she advocated for mental health screenings in grade school and mental health evaluations and care for prison inmates.
Allie Berding and Chris Mattress were runners-up. Chris spoke on investing in at-risk youth while in school, and Allie spoke on how we might better ensure the safety of students when it comes to speaker protests on college campuses. Read more about Hannah Shepherd.
| |
| College of Arts and Science at Miami University
© 2017 Miami University.
| |
|
|
|
|
