Two international relations students will be participating in internships this summer. Noelle Gornik will be working with with the Orphanage of San Miguel in San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. Derek Atkinson will intern with U.S. Representative Pete Hoekstra in his Holland office.
If you are participating in an internship and would like to share your story, please let any of your professors know.
GVSU Political Science course PLS 205 The Policy Process was featured on WZZM news on April 24, and the video is currently at the top of the most popular videos list at WZZM.com. Students from the class prepared a policy report and presented it to M & M Energy. which is planning the Great Lakes Energy and Research Park.
The political science department has chosen Ryan Rogowski as the recipient of the Paul B. Henry Congressional Internship. This summer Ryan will be interning in the Washington office of Senator Levin.
Political Science and International Relations students were recognized at the recent GVSU Awards Banquet. Edward Kastelz received the International Relations Outstanding Student Award. Andrea Dickson received the Political Science Outstanding Student Award.
International Relations major Dorothy Sewe has received a number of accolades recently. She is the recipient of a Local Hero in Philanthrophy Award from the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthrophy and Nonprofit Leadership.
She also received the International Humanitarian Award from the Red Cross.
Dorothy was also featured in a story about her humanitarian accomplishments and her participation in the Switzerland: International Organizations and Social Justice program sponsored by the nonprofit group World Learning. She plans to attend the SIT Graduate Institute to obtain a master's degree in sustainable development.
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.
Where is your classroom?
The GVSU Fall Study Abroad Fair is in Kirkhof 250, 10-4 on Wednesday, 10/17
Stop by for prizes, snacks and INFORMATION about Study Abroad!
There is information about GVSU and non-GVSU programs, study abroad and internships abroad, financial aid for study abroad, and more!
Did you know that more than 25 PLS and IR majors studied abroad in the summer of 2007? Come find out about the opportunities the internationalize your education.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program Competition Opens
The Institute of International Education, in cooperation with the U.S.
Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship
Board, is pleased to announce the launch of the 2008-2009 Fulbright U.S.
Student Program competition.
For more than 60 years, the federal government-sponsored Fulbright U.S.
Student Program has provided future American leaders with an
unparalleled opportunity to study, conduct research, and teach in other
countries. Fulbright student grants aim to increase mutual
understanding among nations through educational and cultural exchange
while serving as a catalyst for long-term leadership development.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards approximately 1,300 grants
annually and currently operates in over 140 countries worldwide.
Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships are now available to 26
countries. Fulbright full grants generally provide funding for
round-trip travel, maintenance for one academic year, health and
accident coverage and full or partial tuition.
Applicants to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program must be U.S. citizens
at the time of application and hold a bachelor*s degree or the
equivalent by the beginning of the grant. In the creative and
performing arts, four years of professional training and/or experience
meets this basic eligibility requirement. The Fulbright U.S. Student
Program does not require applicants to be currently enrolled in a
college or university. Applications from young professionals interested
in an international experience are also encouraged.
For more information, interested individuals should visit the Fulbright
U.S. Student Program website at www.us.fulbrightonline.org . Students
currently enrolled at Grand Valley should contact their campus Fulbright
Program Adviser Mary Albrecht for more information. Applications must
be submitted both electronically and in hard copy to the Provost*s
Office at 24 JHZ by the September 30, 2007 in order to be received by
IIE electronically by October 19, 2007 and in hard copy by the October
22, 2007 national deadline.
Record numbers of IR and PLS students are studying overseas this summer. A partial list follows:
Australia - 1
China - 3
France - 3
Jordan - 6
Mexico - 3
Egypt - 1
Argentina - 1
Switzerland - 1
Ghana - 2
England - 1
Poland - 1
Japan - 1
There are also two students earning internship credits while working in Paris and New Delhi this summer.
We are really excited that so many students are taking advantage of the many opportunities to work and study overseas as part of their education. If you are considering study abroad for next year, please visit the Padnos International Center or speak with Professor Diven.
GVSU students excel at the Midwest Model European Union
While other students were busy preparing for final exams during the last week of classes, fourteen Grand Valley students took on the additional roles of EU officials and European government ministers at the Midwest Model European Union. About 150 students from twelve universities attended the international political simulation, which is held annually at Indiana University/Purdue University in Indianapolis. GVSU's Belgium and Portugal delegations were voted the second and fifth best-prepared of the twenty-two delegations. Brad Hunter represented EU Commission president José Barroso, while Mike Muns chaired the Directors-General. Pete Ellis won, and Jeff Criteser was the runner-up for, the Best Agriculture Minister award. Emily Westaby was the runner-up for the Best Foreign Minister. Students participated in the simulation as part of PLS321, The European Union, taught by Prof. John Constantelos.
Front row (left to right): Mike Muns, Kyle McGregor, Emily Westaby, Endrit Yzeiraj, Andy Tevlin
Second row: Jason Puscus, Courtney Koen, Brad Hunter, Chris Gerlica, Miranda Mannard
Back row: Casey Boase, Jeff Criteser, Caitlin Hettinga, Pete Ellis
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