Washington Center Gala

Denis Jansen

David Greene of NPR and alumna Rose Previte

 Several members of HPJ attended the annual Washington Center Gala, which raises money for the Washington Center Internship Program.  Among the attendees that helped raise money for the program were John Curiel, David Greene and Rose Previtte (alumna), Ryan Amato, Denise jansen (alumna and president of the DC alumni association), Dr. Ellen Wilson, and Dr. Alexander. 

The president of the Washington Center, Mike Smith, is also a graduate of ONU.  Dana Bash of CNN was the Master of Ceremonies.

Hayride

On Sunday of Homecoming weekend, several members of the department journeyed to the Brown Family Farm where Dorothy and her husband Rob hosted a bonfire and hayride.  There were many thrills, as the hay sled went down steep hills, not to mention over the river and through the woods, but no chills, as the weather turned out to be perfect.

Thanks to Dorothy and Rob for providing such an entertaining afternoon!

Model UN Fundraiser

The Model United Nations group used Homecoming activities to raise funds for their season.  It was no pie-in-the sky activity, but rather a pie in the face.  As can be seen from the photo, business was brisk.  The MUN students will take to the field in the spring to warm up for and then attend the MUN National Competition at the actual United Nations in New York City.

Even the profs got involved and Professor Kilgallen, and Crawford took one for the team.

Also coming soon, HPJ, Modern Languages, and ONU will sponsor a high school simulation on November 2nd.  A record number of 180 students from 13 high schools will take part this year.

Well done MUNers!

John Curiel at the Washington Center

John Curiel, seen here at the annual Washington Center Gala, is currently interning with the International Economic Development Council.  John is engaged in writing briefs, doing research, and other typical lobbying activities.  As is evident with John, Washington Center internships do not send students out to gofer coffie, and do other menial tasks, but places them in positions where they can actually do work that will give them a headstart on their career.  John has had a great year so far.  He won a Nancy McManus internship scholarship from Pi Sigma Alpha, and participated in a research program at Texas A&M University.

Well done John!

Triumph of the Alumnae: Panel Discussion

A special treat for Homecoming Week was the return to campus of three of our distinguished graduates who held a panel session on work, finding, jobs, and the value of an ONU education. 

Members of the panel included , from left to right in the top photo, are Dan Lee (Social Studies and History), Mark Schloemer (Political Science), and Kelly Morman (Political Science and Spanish).  Lee taught social studies for several years in the Cincinnati area before becoming the Assistant Principal at Ada High School.  Schloemer parlayed a Washington Center internship into a position as a personal assistant to then U.S. Senator George Voinovich, and is now working as a Regional Government Relations Manager for the Westfield Group, an insurance and financial services firm.  Morman, also an alum of the Washington Center where she interned with the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, left ONU to work with students in the Teach for America Program, and is now attending graduate school working on her MA in Public Administration at the University of Indiana.

To see what Kelly has to say about her experiences as an HPJ major click here.

Triumph of the Alumnae: Homecoming

A fearless foursome of recent graduates attended the Homecoming Parade at ONU, despite the rainy conditions.  Beginning from the left: Megan Piersol (History) is working for a lobbying firm in Washington DC while attending graduate school.  Lisa Bradley (History) is studying law at the Petit College of Law at ONU.  Kelly Morman (Political Science) is working on a Master of Public Administration at the University of Indiana.  Patti Stiger (Political Science) is working in the medical care field in Cincinatti.

It was great to see all of our distinguished grads again.  Way to not let a little rain spoil your parade!

Professor Alexander Article Published On CNN Opinion Website

 

Dr. Alexander's OpEd article "Washington (George) Got it Right" is currently available on the CNN Opinion page.  Alexander wrote that the words that Washington wrote in his farewell address when leaving the presidency, including warnings over the dangers of political parties and debt, still resonate.  The recent impasse in Congress that shut down the government, according to Alexander, demonstrates the applicablity of his assertions written more than two hundred years ago.

Well done Dr. Alexander!

Studia Socialia Americae Holds Fall Pizza Extravaganza

Student majoring in Social Studies and History met in Hill last night for the Fall Pizza Extravaganza.  These sessions provide a chance for current students to discuss common issues in moving through the major.  At this semester's meeting, hosted by Studia Socialia Americae, the honorary for Social Studies candidates and practicing teachers, attendees heard from Aaron Craft and Tom Walton, who are out doing their student teaching this semester.  Both reported enjoying themselves immensely and shared tips with those who will be heading out next semester. 

A special guest was Joe Fisher, (wearing yellow in the photo below) who graduated last year and was hired by the Bath, OH Schools.  Joe told the gathered potential teachers that he is loving his new job.  He reported that he had sent out more than one hundred applications, but it all paid off when he landed the Bath position.  A wrestler for the Polar Bears, Fisher will also coach the Bath wresting team.

A good time was had by all!

Phi Beta Delta: Crises in the Middle East: A Panel Discussion

Ohio Northern University’s Phi Beta Delta honorary society for international scholars presented “Crises in the Middle East: A Panel Discussion” in the Dicke Forum on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m.

The panel was comprised of four professors from the ONU Department of History, Political Science and Justice who shared their insights on the Middle East crises and the ongoing civil war in Syria.

Michael Loughlin, professor of history, served as the moderator of the event. The panelists were Andrew Ludanyi, professor emeritus of political science; Dr. David R. Smith, associate professor of geography; Kofi Nsia-Pepra, assistant professor of history; and Umar Sulayman, director of the English for a Specific Purpose and the Prison Management Certificate programs.

After and introduction to the topic by Loughlin, presentations by Smith on the Geography of the crises, Ludanyi on the historical background,  Nsia-Pepra on the necessity for collective action in cases such as Syria, and Sulayman who gave a perspective of a person who has lived through such crises, the forum was opened for questions.  A standing room only audience provided several questions and comments for the presenters to respond to.  A lively interchange followed.  Students in attendance were laudatory of the session reporting that they now knew a great deal more about Syria and the Middle East and one student even reported having his view on Syrian intervention changed.

Well done all!

Professor Smith Presents in Russia

Continuing HPJ faculty's world tour, Dr. Smith traveled to Moscow to deliver his paper "Opportunities and Constraints in Russian Environmental Policy Towards the Central Asian States" as part of the New Directions in Russian Public Policy: A Forum on Russia's Future.  The conference was sponsored by the School of Public Policy located in the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.

Professor Loughlin Presents Paper

Dr. Loughlin also attended the Midwest World History Association Annual Meeting with the students and presented his paper "The Journalism of Gustave Herve During La Grande Guerre: An Ironic Witness to War and Revolution."

HPJ Students Present Papers at Midwest World History Association Annual Conference

Three HPJ Social Studies majors presented their work to the Midwest World History Association Annual Conference held at Wittenberg University last weekend. 

Erin Kerger presented "Tomorrow Belongs to Me: Nazi Efforts to Brainwash the Minds of German Children Using Anti-Semtic Propaganda."

Sadie Wiley presented "Response to Nazi Policies in the American Press."

Amarilla Fair presented "The Fecal Fortune Failure."

The students were part of a panel chaired by Dr. Waters, and Dr. Crawford offered his comments on their papers.

The MWWHA is a professional conference, and the opportunity for students to present in such a setting is invaluable for their careers as students and will improve their chances for employment after ONU.  They had a true academic experience as they were peppered with questions following their presentations.  They each handled the Q&A well, and also had the chance to interact with professional historians in social settings.

Well done all!

Professor Alexander Attends Pi Sigma Alpha National Executive Council Meeting

Dr. Alexander traveled to Chicago for the American Political Science Association meeting where he helped the national organization of PSA conduct their business.  Alexander is a member of the national executive council and also the chair of the Best Undergraduate Thesis Committee.  Alexander reported that ONU was well represented at the conference, and won a best chapter award for the fifth time in eight years.  HPJ student John Curiel was awarded with the Nancy McManus Internship Award to help offset expenses during his Washington Center internship.

Alexander also used the time to catch up with his graduate professors, including his mentor and co-author of “Organized Interests and Campaign Professionals: Insights from the States.” published in the Journal of Political Marketing in 2008, and Lillard Richardson, who is now an Associate Dean at Indiana University/Purdue University - Indianapolis.

John Curiel Participated in Summer Research Academy at Texas A&M

From the ONU website: "Ohio Northern University senior John Curiel, a political science major from Crystal Lake, Ill., participated in a Summer Research Academy at Texas A&M University over the summer.

Curiel was just one of 15 undergraduate students to be selected for the program, which is aimed at improving students’ chances of succeeding in competitive graduate programs as well as highly selective careers. The Summer Research Academy is a five-week, research-intensive pilot Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, aimed at expanding and enhancing the undergraduate research experience of students in political science through analysis and research methods training.

Curiel’s research focused on “How does military conscription affect incumbent voter share when casualties mount in conflicts?” In his research paper, Curiel hypothesized that incumbents of nations with military conscription would lose voter share as casualties increase. Over the five weeks, Curiel wrote the paper and presented his research to peers, graduate students, Texas A&M faculty and others at the end of the program.        

“The Texas A&M program was an excellent chance to prepare for graduate school, perfect research methods, meet giants in the field of political science and more,” Curiel said."

HPJ Pi Sigma Alpha Chapter Honored as Best Chapter

From the ONU webpage: "Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, has awarded ONU’s Pi Iota Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, with a Best Chapter Award for the 2012-13 academic year.

ONU was one of just six schools with enrollments of fewer than 5,000 students to be honored with the Best Chapter award that is given to only a select few in each of the four size categories. Robert Alexander, professor of political science and chairman of the Department of History, Politics and Justice Department, is the chapter advisor and serves on the national executive council of Pi Sigma Alpha.  Alexander noted that “recognition as an outstanding chapter is a real testament to the high caliber students we have at ONU.  Recipients of this award are truly in exclusive company.”   

The award carries a cash prize of $250 and the winners will be announced in both the fall 2013 issue of the Pi Sigma Alpha Newsletter and in the American Political Science Association’s quarterly journal PS: Political Science and Politics.

The award recognizes local chapters that are particularly active in their departments and exhibit high levels of energy and creativity in furthering the goals of the honor society.

The Pi Iota chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha at Ohio Northern University was quite active in the 2012-13 school year.  Members procured a Civic Engagement Grant ($800) from Ohio Campus Compact to help stimulate interest and involvement in the 2012 election. The Pi Iota chapter sponsored three campus-wide debates that focused on the presidential candidates’ stances on the economy, foreign policy, and health care; sponsored political activities associated with the C-SPAN bus visit to campus and voter registration night; and sponsored three debate watch parties and an election night watch party.

Members also conducted a survey of the 2012 Electoral College by gathering addresses of presidential electors, refining the survey instrument, and mailing two waves of surveys to members of the 2012 Electoral College. The survey was funded by a Pi Sigma Alpha Activity grant."