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."