Alexander Presents at Conference on Teaching and Learning

Professor Rob Alexander (seen here with wife Shelliegh during the "snowmegeddon" that blanketed the East Coast) attended a recent conference in Philadelphia on Teaching and Learning sponsored by American Political Science Association and presented his ideas on how honorary societies such as Pi Sigma Alpha can integrate its efforts with student learning.

Along with Alexander's session, the conference featured speakers such as former U.S. Senator and Governor of Florida Bob Graham and Rogers M. Smith from the University of Pennsylvania. Graham, who now directs the Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida, delivered the opening address entitled "Salvaging Citizenship: A Partnership for Pols and Scholars." Professor Smith is the Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor and was a former Vice President of the APSA Council. His Keynote Address was entitled "Teaching as Redemption."

Alexander's gave his talk during the Pi Sigma Alpha session on "The Honor Society's Role in Student Education and Professional Development," which focused on topics such as increasing submissions to PSA's scholarship programs; encouraging inactive chapters to resume initiating students and encouraging chapter activity and student learning.

Alexander was able to tell attendees about the many activities that ONU's chapter has been involved in under his guidance. Students here have taken part in surveys of presidential electors, some have co-published articles with him and have presented their own papers at conferences, including the prestigious Midwest Political Science Association. Last year, the ONU chapter was awarded with a Model Chapter award by PSA's national organization for all of their efforts.