SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
APRIL 2012 POLITICAL SCIENCE NEWSLETTER
PENN STATE ERIE, THE BEHREND COLLEGE
THIS MONTH'S HEADLINES:
1. ANNUAL POLITICAL SCIENCE DINNER AT OLIVE GARDEN APRIL 26
2. PLANS OF GRADUATING SENIORS
3. STUDENT GROUP NEWS
4. FACULTY AND STUDENT NEWS
5. CONGRESS TO CAMPUS PROGRAM IN FALL 2012
6. PENNSYLVANIA PRIMARY ELECTION ON APRIL 24
7. POLITICSPA INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
8. FINAL NEWSLETTER OF ACADEMIC YEAR
1. ANNUAL POLITICAL SCIENCE DINNER AT OLIVE GARDEN APRIL 26
Our annual dinner will take place at The Olive Garden on Peach Street on Thursday, April 26, at 6:30 PM. All political science faculty will be in attendance.
All students are invited, including political science majors, political science minors, and any friends or significant others. We use the regular menu, and each person present pays for his or her own meal (except graduating political science majors). Dressing up is not necessary. A good time is generally had by all each year.
Please RSVP your planned attendance to Dr. Speel by April 24.
2. PLANS OF GRADUATING SENIORS
If they complete all degree requirements next month, 12 political science majors will be graduating from Penn State Behrend at the commencement ceremony on May 4. These 12 majors include Adam Fracassi, Ethan Hubbard, Steven Jewell, David Kazimierczak*, Sal Messina, Samantha Prenatt, David Robinson-Gault, Craig Sanders, Kacie Scheuer, Jessica Son, Amy Wagner, and Samantha Wilcox. In addition, if they complete all degree requirements next month, 6 political science minors will be graduating from Penn State Behrend - they are Renee Fanning, Nasib Hoxhaj-Latifi, Lisa Lehimdjian, Cameron Manchester, Robert Moeller, and Samantha Sturges.
*David will officially be graduating over the Summer.
Some graduating seniors have specific plans of where they plan to go or what they plan to do when they graduate. Others are currently exploring options, which is normal - many of your faculty members did not decide that they wanted to be college professors until taking some time off from school for a while. Here are some of the plans of our graduating political science majors:
Adam Fracassi will be attending law school at Michigan State University.
Steven Jewell may consider graduate school or may seek work relating to either his political science or history double major.
David Kazimierczak will be pursuing a master's degree in security policy studies at The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs.
Sal Messina intends to attend law school.
Craig Sanders plans to attend graduate school in the future and hopes to find a career where he can combine interests with his double major in political science and creative writing.
Jessica Son will be working for the Americorps City Year program in Chicago.
Amy Wagner plans to pursue a master's degree in international relations in England.
Samantha Wilcox plans to apply for the paralegal program at Duquesne University after graduation.
All of us on the political science faculty wish our future alumni the best with their plans and careers and congratulate the graduating seniors on their academic achievements.
3. STUDENT GROUP NEWS
The three student political groups at Behrend have chosen new officers for next year or are still seeking officers.
Ayodele Osibodu has been reelected as president for College Democrats next year. The vice president will be Sarah Veslany, the secretary will be Shannon Lawlor, and the treasurer will be Imade Osifo. For more information about College Democrats activities next year, contact Ayodele at aqo5025@psu.edu.
Nick Loukides has been elected president for College Republicans next year. Other officers will include Taylor Pokrant, Joe Westcott, and Ben Williams. For more information about College Republicans activities next year, contact Nick at njl5091@psu.edu.
Katrina Cowart will be the president of the Political Science Society next year. The PSS sponsors non-partisan or bipartisan political events and forums, candidate forums, discussion forums about current issues, and activities of interest to political science majors, such as law school admission counselor visits. or speaking with prospective students. The PSS is currently seeking other officers. If you are interested, please contact Katrina at kfc5040@psu.edu or Dr. Speel at rws15@psu.edu.
4. FACULTY AND STUDENT NEWS
Dr. Kilic Kanat attended two conferences in the past month. He presented a paper on "Evolution of Turkish-Israeli Relations in the Last Twenty Years through a Model on Foreign Policy Change," at the Midwest Political Science Association conference in Chicago, and a paper on "Personifying Minorities as Terrorists: Domestic Level Diversion in the People’s Republic of China," at the Association for the Study of Nationalities convention in New York City. Dr. Kanat also published three columns in Turkish newspapers: "The New Geopolitical Conflict Between Superpowers in Africa," in Zaman, "Being a Superpower in the Age of the Arab Spring," in Star, and "Iran and American Elections," in Sabah.
Dr. Robert Speel was interviewed for three articles in the Erie Times-News in April, two relating to previews of the Pennsylvania primary election, and one about the Pennsylvania ties of Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, and Ron Paul.
Adam Fracassi, a Behrend political science major, was one of five Penn State University students statewide to win the John W. Oswald award this year. The John W. Oswald Award, established in 1983, annually recognizes graduating seniors who have provided outstanding leadership in at least one of several areas of activity at the University. The award consists of a medallion honoring John W. Oswald, president of the University from 1970 to 1983. Adam has been president of the Political Science Society for the past two years and has also been editor-in-chief of the Beacon.
5. CONGRESS TO CAMPUS PROGRAM IN FALL 2012
Between September 16-18, two former members of Congress, one Democrat and one Republican, will be visiting the Behrend campus for three days. During their visit, they will be speaking to classes, having lunches and dinners with Behrend students, meeting community members and alumni, attending receptions, meeting student groups, meeting local high school students, and speaking at community events. Many of you who will be returning to Behrend in the Fall will likely be invited to one or more of these events or will get a chance to talk with the former members of Congress in a class.
The three days of events, which will focus on the topic of "Civility in Politics," and which will include discussions of this year's elections, will be sponsored by the political science program, the USA Former Members of Congress organization in Washington, and the Janet Neff Sample Center for Manners and Civility at Behrend. One event will likely be part of Behrend's Speaker Series program. The two former members of Congress who will visit Behrend will be determined over the Summer.
6. PENNSYLVANIA PRIMARY ELECTION ON APRIL 24
Pennsylvania's primary election is on Tuesday, April 24. Registered Republicans will get to vote for a presidential candidate, for delegates to the Republican National Convention, and for a US Senate candidate to face Bob Casey in the November general election. Republicans in certain areas will also get to vote for a candidate for State House of Representatives in Harrisburg. Registered Democrats will get to vote for a State Senate candidate to serve in Harrisburg and for a candidate for state attorney general. Registered independents cannot vote in the PA primary. Those who are not already registered PA voters also cannot vote.
The polling place for students who live on campus or at the University Gates apartments is the East Side Assembly of God Church at 2653 Saltsman Road in Harborcreek. If you need a ride to the polls, please email Political Science Society president Adam Fracassi at als5589@psu.edu as soon as possible.
7. POLITICSPA INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Internship Opening: Political Journalist Summer 2012. Interested in getting first-hand journalism experience covering Pennsylvania politics? PoliticsPA, Pennsylvania's longest-running political news website, is seeking talented individuals to contribute to our news coverage throughout the Commonwealth. This summer will be a busy one in Pa. Politics: presidential candidates are sure to visit; both parties are beginning to wrangle with newly redistricted legislative and congressional maps; and a number of federal races are heating up.
Interns will have the chance to gain journalism experience and a stronger understanding of Pennsylvania politics. Additionally, interns will have the opportunity to build a portfolio with published political writing. Internship openings are available for the Summer 2012 semester. The position is flexible, and applicants are welcome from all parts of PA. Intern duties include:
-Monitoring press releases, area news outlets, and political blogs for relevant source material.
-Covering political and government events.
-Conducting other research, including taking transcripts.
-Writing news stories.
Requirements:
-Applicants must have strong writing skills.
-Applicants must have working knowledge of Pennsylvania politics.
-Applicants must possess strong research skills.
-A minimum commitment of 15 hours per week, with specific times contingent upon news events.
The strongest applicants will have a background in politics or journalism. Positions are unpaid. Please send a resume, cover letter and a brief (1-2 page) writing sample to keegan@politicspa.com. Email Keegan Gibson keegan@politicspa.com with any questions.
8. FINAL NEWSLETTER OF ACADEMIC YEAR
This will be the last political science newsletter until September. We wish everyone good luck with final papers and final exams.
March 2012 Newsletter
February 2012 Newsletter
January 2012 Newsletter
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Program Chair: Dr. Robert Speel
814-898-6206; rws15@psu.edu