GV PS

PLS Alumnus Update: Thomas Bell

Political science alumnus and former Student Senate President Thomas Bell has been featured in one of GVSU's Success Stories for his work as a higher education consultant.

Batchelder Scholarship Winners

The GVSU Political Science department is pleased to announce that Josh Aldrich and Kaitlyn Kirouac have each been awarded a $1,000 John T. Batchelder Scholarship for 2009-10. Congratulations!

The John T. Batchelder Political Science Scholarship honors John Thayer Batchelder who served as a Grand Valley State University professor until his retirement in 1997.

 

Kaitlyn Kirouac

 

Josh Aldrich

U.S. Ambassador to Russia Speaks in Grand Rapids

U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Beyrle recently spoke at an event sponsored by the World Affairs Council of West Michigan. Dr. Polly Diven attended the event, along with some of our International Relations students.

Pictured from left to right are: Samantha Lemmert, Ambassador Beyrle, Dr. Diven, and Kamil Saddykov.

Logie Fellowship

The Logie Fellows deadline has been extended to June 5, 2009.

The fellowship is designed for any current undergraduate student of junior or senior year status or any graduate student from any discipline who would benefit from an in-depth understanding of the specific aspects of city governance. The Fellow receives tuition free course credit related to the experience for up to six hours, as appropriate to the student's academic program. The Fellow will also be awarded a stipend of $1,500. Past recipients have been majors in economics, accounting, finance, public administration, natural resources management, and political science.

Click on this link at the GVSU Provost's Office website for more information and an application.

Batchelder Scholarship for GVSU Political Science Majors

The political science department is very pleased to announce the Dr. John T. Batchelder scholarship, funded by a generous grant from the Batchelder family. The 2009-2010 recipient will be awarded $1,000 and the scholarship is eligible for renewal for a second year. The main requirements are:
-political science major
-3.3. overall and major GPA
-entering junior year carrying at least 55 credits
-submit a transcript and one page essay
-deadline is June 1, 2009

Please consult this application form for complete details:
Download BatchelderScholarshipForm0910

About Dr. Batchelder:

The John T. Batchelder Political Science Scholarship honors John Thayer Batchelder who served as a Grand Valley State University professor until his retirement in 1997.

Dr. Batchelder’s tenure with GVSU spanned nearly three decades, from 1969 to 1997. During this time he brought his student-focused teaching methods to courses in American Government, American Foreign Policy, Politics of Western Europe, Politics of the Soviet Union and Politics of Eastern Europe. He also occasionally taught freshman English classes. A course of his design, Great Decisions, combined a lecture series of the same name presented in Grand Rapids with lively classroom discussion and preparation of thoughtful student journals.

Dr. Batchelder’s interest in international cultures and political affairs, delight in adventure and belief that direct experience adds greatly to student learning led him to organize and lead several overseas study programs within the Political Science Department. He developed curriculum and facilitated the travel of more than 80 students to Russia and Poland from 1976-1990. The programs were coordinated with universities in the host countries and provided GVSU students an opportunity to interact with overseas peers and political and business leaders. Dr. Batchelder especially enjoyed these programs and the lasting friendships he developed with the students who participated.

In fact, Dr. Batchelder often pointed to his interactions with students within and outside of the classroom as the most satisfying part of his career. He served on the Newspaper Advisory Board to The Lanthorn, GVSU’s student-run newspaper from 1984-1994. Good writing, a life-long interest of Dr. Batchelder’s, spilled over into his classroom expectations of student term papers and extracurricular endeavors such as The Lanthorn. He also encouraged and assisted exceptional students in applying for prestigious awards, such as the Rhodes Scholar Awards and other post-graduate distinctions.

Until his death in April 2006, Dr. Batchelder continued to sing the praises of a GVSU education and regularly corresponded with former students who, through meaningful shared experiences, became his friends.

Dr. Batchelder’s family is proud of his accomplishments at GVSU and the devotion to political science education that they represent, and is pleased to have instituted this political science scholarship in his name. We believe Dr. Batchelder would be happy, as well, to help pave the way for more students’ adventures in learning.

Michigan Townships Association Scholarship

The Michigan Townships Association is proud to offer the Robert R. Robinson Memorial Scholarship for students pursuing a career in public administration.

This $1,000 scholarship is available to a junior, senior or graduate student in a Michigan college or university pursuing a career in public administration, public affairs management or some other field closely related to local government administration.

Click here to download the 2009 Application.

Candidate Workshop Free for GVSU Political Science Students

The Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a candidate workshop on April 29, 5-8:30 p.m.

Realities and Rewards - Hear from successful candidates who will share their personal experiences about public service.

Educate Yourself - Learn about community issues ranging from economic development to criminal justice from distinguished panelists.

Commitment - Learn how careful planning and execution makes for a successful campaign.  Is it your time to participate? Are you ready for the challenge?
Let us help you decide...

Visit the site for more information or to register.

Janessa Stroud, GVSU PLS alum and Vice-President of Government Affairs for the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce, has offered to waive the registration fee for political science students. Email her directly to register (jstroud@muskegon.org) or if you are registering online, note "pay at the door" via the online registration and she will waive the fee manually.

Article on New Kalamazoo Promise Book by Dr. Miller-Adams

Mlive is featuring an article about Dr. Miller-Adams' new book on the Kalamazoo Promise, The Power of a Promise: Education and Economic Renewal in Kalamazoo.

Summer and Fall Internship Opportunities

Some recent solicitations that have come to the Political Science Department for internships: Ottawa County Prosecutors Office GOP Internship Fair Scholars at Risk Network Carter Center The US Supreme Court The Grand Rapids Arena District And many more! Please check the "PLS and IR Internships Gateway" on Blackboard to read full descriptions and obtain contact information.

Assessng the Impacts of a Nuclear Iran

Erik Tucker, a former PLS minor who is currently seeking his M.Ed. at GVSU, has recently published an opinion piece entitled, "Weapons of Mass Deterrence: Assessing the Impacts of Nuclear Iran" in Fogged Clarity, which is a new arts review started by West Michigan natives.