Janus Forum Spring 2019
Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Dr. Tom Price were featured in the Spring 2019 Janus Forum, “Drowning in Drugs: The Opioid Crisis in America," moderated by junior Megan Cremeans
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Welcome from the Chair
Bryan Marshall
Dear Alumni and Friends:
True to the season, this spring semester has been about renewal. I could not be happier and more excited for our Miami graduates. They will carry Miami’s values and work ethic in order to have a tremendous impact in their communities and across the globe. We no sooner say goodbye to a very accomplished class of seniors at commencement, and before you know it we’ll be welcoming another extraordinary incoming class of first-year students. I tell friends I’m always on the wrong side of this cycle—it's such an honor to be around youthful minds but every new year they’re eighteen again and I’m a year older! That said, we’re very happy to share some great news about Miami’s incoming students. The incoming class is the largest ever (as of May 1st) with more than 4500 confirmed students representing about a 10 percent increase over last year’s class. Our first-year students are drawn from one of the most highly talented pools we’ve had, with average ACTs over 28 and GPAs at 3.78. Even more, this group is one of the most diverse incoming classes in Miami’s 210 year history. Read more about the incoming class.
This year we also have a lot of change in the Department of Political Science. Dr. Abdoulaye Saine is retiring after a wonderful career serving Miami for over two decades. Abdoulaye has been with us teaching courses like African Politics, International Political Economy, and World Politics and doing research in the area of International Relations since 1998. We will miss Abdoulaye greatly and wish him all the happiness in his retirement.
We also had another important member of our departmental family retire, Betsy Burger. Betsy was the Department’s program associate in the main office of Harrison Hall for over 15 years.  Betsy ran a tight ship in the main office—but always with a smile and always putting our students first. We will miss her deeply and wish her a happy retirement as well. And we welcome Mrs. Gail King to the Political Science family to take on Betsy’s role in keeping the main office afloat.
We also have three new tenure-track faculty joining the department: Benjamin Bartlett (PhD University of California at Berkeley) in International Relations/Cybersecurity, Elizabeth Bell (PhD The University of Oklahoma) in Public Administration, and Lisa Frazier (PhD The Ohio State University) also in Public Administration. All three are incredibly talented and we’re so excited to have them as new members in the department and Miami Community.
There are so many exciting things going on with the department, especially with students and our alums, we can only scratch the surface here. We’re so fortunate to have alums that care about the futures of our students and are willing to help open doors for them or share wisdom. I can’t thank all of you enough, whether it's returning to campus to spend time with our students, mentor, or help us find internships, fellowships, careers, and/or other ways you’ve helped our students be successful. I see the impact from our alums every day and how your efforts shape their lives and the future of the Miami family. Please keep us in mind and I hope you enjoy the stories here, on our website, and that you consider sending us your stories too.   
Here’s more to give you an idea of what we’ve been up to this Spring. 
Bryan Marshall
Professor and Chair

marshabw@miamioh.edu
"Drowning in Drugs: The Opioid Crisis in America"
In the spring of 2019, Loretta Lynch, Attorney General under President Obama, and Tom Price, former Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Trump, spoke about America's national opioid crisis.
Loretta Lynch was the 83rd attorney general of the United States (2015-2017) and the first African American female appointed to that role. The AG was described by President Obama as “the only lawyer in America who battles mobsters, drug lords and terrorists, and still has the reputation for being a charming 'people person.’” Tom Price is an orthopedic surgeon who served as 23rd U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (2017) and was an elected member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Georgia (2005–2017).
Darrell West
Darrell West '76
Cherise Fanno Burdeen with Dr. Phil Russo
Cherise Fanno Burdeen with Dr. Philip Russo
Darrell West ‘76 on “Divided Politics, Divided Nation”
In March, Darrell West ‘76, is Vice President and Director of Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution, delivered a talk in the Department of Political Science on the topic of his new book “Divided Politics, Divided Nation: Hyperconflict in the Trump Era.”
2019 O’Hara Lecture in Law and Politics: Cherise Fanno Burdeen
In March, the Department of Political Science hosted Cherise Fanno Burdeen (Miami ’93 Public Administration) for the 2019 O’Hara Lecture in Law and Politics. Ms. Burdeen delivered her lecture on “Shut the Front Door: Why Bail Is the Biggest Justice Problem You’ve Never Heard Of” to an audience of students and faculty followed by an extended question and answer session that made for an interesting and informative exchange. [Cherise is pictured above with her former professor, Dr. Philip Russo.] 
A 1993 Miami graduate (Public Administration), Cherise Fanno Burdeen, CEO of Pretrial Justice Institute (PJI), has spent more than 20 years working to improve public safety policies and practices across the country. Cherise serves as an issue expert for legal and correctional professionals, national and community advocates, the media, influencers, and artists.
Betsy Burger's retirement party
Celebrating at Betsy Burger’s Retirement Party
We had great food and a crowd on hand to enjoy some conversation and memories with Betsy. We joined in to thank Betsy for all she’s done over the years for faculty, students, parents, and the Miami Community.
Betsy is pictured here with husband, Ed, and waiting for the Chair’s roast—all in good fun of course!
Student Spotlights
Emily Tatum
New Student-Centered Podcast, Major Insight
Hosted by Miami political science student Jacob Bruggeman, each episode gives listeners an insightful look into how students are navigating 21st-century academic life. Bruggeman’s interviews highlight the personal journeys of each guest, as well as their contributions to a variety of fields.
The first episode features political science student Emily Tatum, who describes how her university experiences helped transform her personal interests into internships with the Pentagon and the U.S. Department of State, her research on U.S. foreign policy, and more.
Congratulations to the Department of Political Science award and scholarship recipients for the 2018-19 academic year
Political Science student awards Political Science student awards
On April 24, the Department celebrated top students at its annual awards banquet. Dozens of students and family members attended the dinner. Michael K. Morrow (84 American Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs) was this year’s keynote banquet speaker. Michael Morrow served in the Foreign Service since 1986 achieving the rank of Minister-Counselor, and is now the Senior Diplomatic Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Africa Program.
Students received the Engel Prize in Political Science, the Howard White Award, the Cyril Kofie Daddieh Award, the Sara C. Glosik Scholarship, the Irma Karmol Memorial Scholarship, the Gary Best Memorial Scholarship, the Atlee Pomerene Prize, the Augustus J. "Gus" Jones, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, and the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.
The Department also recognized its Ohio Public Leader Fellows, Pi Sigma Alpha and Phi Beta Kappa initiates, its Seasongood Good Government Foundation Fellowship nominees and recipients, its Departmental Honors recipients, the JANUS executive committee, Departmental Assistants, Center for Public Management and Regional Affairs Interns, and other award nominees and recipients.
Students offered Fulbright awards to teach overseas
Six of Miami University’s Fulbright semifinalists have been offered 2019-2020 grants and another has been named an alternate. Of these six, Political Science had three awardees: Madison Cook, a senior studying diplomacy and global politics who will teach English in Ecuador; Cyrus Green, 18’, who studied international studies and will teach English in Argentina; and Lauren Voegtle, a senior studying international studies and will teach English in Brazil.
Political Science student wins Joanna Jackson Goldman Memorial Prize

Political Science junior Megan Cremeans won the Prize, which will fund her research on K-12 school funding inequities. Cremeans’ project is titled “Combating Injustice in School Funding: Stories of Democracy and Education in Rural and Appalachian Ohio.”
In her proposal, she wrote that “With this award, I will record and write the stories of individuals affected most deeply by school funding injustices.”
Aleah Holley
Study Abroad in Peru
Public administration senior Aleah Holley (at right) studies in Peru over the winter term. In her own words:
“Studying abroad in Peru was a phenomenal learning experience about the barriers to access to government services that minority groups face in a different region of the world. We also dissected the inequalities that the Afro-Peruvians face in the education system, wealth gap, and medical system.
Outside of the classroom, this was a great opportunity to teach English to native Spanish speakers while also creating cross-cultural conversation. Thank you so much for your support.”
Three Political Science students receive Miami’s President's Distinguished Service Award

Seniors Jacob Bruggeman, Victoria Carvalho-Salles, and Charles Kennick received the President's Distinguished Service Award, which is presented to a select group of students, whose service through campus life, community service, intellectual and cultural leadership, or as a university employee, demonstrates the spirit of being a citizen leader of uncommon quality.
One World Gala
2019 One World Gala

In the early months of the spring semester, the Department was represented by Dr. Erica Edwards, Emily Tatum, Annika Fowler, Lucas VanArsdalen, Hana Hall, and Sara Rosomoff at the One World Gala & Global Trivia Game, sponsored by the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky World Affairs Council.
Those who attended (their team name was Harrison's Henchmen) enjoyed great food and great company while competing in the international trivia competition.
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