Charlie Terrell Wins Batchelder Scholarship

Political Science major Charlie Terrell has been awarded the John T. Batchelder scholarship. 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.

Upon receiving the award, Charlie stated, "I would like to thank the Batchelder family for their generosity in supporting this scholarship, I feel very honored to be recognized for my achievements. This scholarship gives me the opportunity to continue with my passion for public policy."

The scholarship provides $1,000 for the 2007-08 academic year, and is renewable for a second year.

About Dr. Batchelder

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.