Political Science senior has paper published in PNAS
May 4, 2012
Project studies evolution of TV campaign ads
May 4, 2012
The University of Nebraska Campaign Ads Project Team (from left): Jessy Ohl, Dr. Damien Smith Pfister, Dr. Dana Griffin, Marty Nader.
Astronaut Mark Kelly Gives Hoagland Lecture, Meets POLS Students
Over 500 Nebraskans saw Astronaut, Navy Pilot and husband of former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords speak at the fourth annual Peter Hoagland Integrity in Public Service Lecture Series. The annual lecture series was created by Mack/Crounse Group Partner and UNL political science alum Jim Crounse to honor Congressman Peter Hoagland’s legacy and inspire young Nebraskans to dedicate themselves to public service and to serve with integrity. Congressman Hoagland passed away in 2007, Crounse had served as Hoagland’s Chief of Staff before moving on to his own company that does direct mail for Democratic political candidates such as President Barack Obama and Gabby Giffords.Kelly spoke about his wife's decision to leave Congress and about his four missions aboard the Space Shuttle, including one as commander to the International Space Station on its final mission. He said his wife's health has improved much in the past year.He shared a note from Giffords that said: "Be passionate. Be courageous. Be strong. Be your best."
Political science alum and Peter Hoagland Integrity in Public Service Lecture Series benefactor Jim Crounse (left) and College of Arts and Sciences Dean David Mandersheid (center) chat with Captain Kelly after his Q&A with UNL students.
Over 500 Nebraskans saw Astronaut, Navy Pilot and husband of former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords speak at the fourth annual Peter Hoagland Integrity in Public Service Lecture Series.
The annual lecture series was created by Mack/Crounse Group Partner and UNL political science alum Jim Crounse to honor Congressman Peter Hoagland’s legacy and inspire young Nebraskans to dedicate themselves to public service and to serve with integrity. Congressman Hoagland passed away in 2007, Crounse had served as Hoagland’s Chief of Staff before moving on to his own company that does direct mail for Democratic political candidates such as President Barack Obama and Gabby Giffords.
Mark Kelly gives a special pre-talk Q&A to POLS students
Kelly spoke about his wife's decision to leave Congress and about his four missions aboard the Space Shuttle, including one as commander to the International Space Station on its final mission. He said his wife's health has improved much in the past year.
He shared a note from Giffords that said: "Be passionate. Be courageous. Be strong. Be your best."
Political Science major Zachary Smith earns prestigious Marshall Scholarship
Political Science major Zach Smith has joined the ranks of Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, New York Times columnist Tom Friedman, and former Duke University President Nan Keohane as a winner of the Marshall Scholarship.
Marshalls are supported by the United Kingdom’s government to encourage young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the UK. Each year, up to 40 scholars are selected to receive these scholarships, which allow winners to spend two years at a British institution pursuing any area of study.
A senior political science and music double major from East Troy, Wis., Smith is not new to receiving scholarships. In May 2010, he received a Boren scholarship, which he used to travel to Jordan for six months to study Arabic language and international studies. “It was nothing short of amazing,” Smith said. “I expanded my Arabic skills and did original research-without the study abroad, I would not have been as good of a candidate for the Marshall. And if I hadn’t done UCARE with Dr. Wagner, I wouldn’t have been as good of a candidate for the Boren (Scholarship).”
He is currently president of the Young Democrats, the opinion section editor at the Daily Nebraskan, a teaching assistant in the Arabic department, and an Honors Program student adviser; he was also a finalist for a Truman Scholarship won by UNL political science major Emily Schlichting.
Smith has made the most of his time at UNL, double-majoring and even contracting courses for honors credit. “It isn’t easy to do an honors contract in a 400-level course, but that’s what I did with Professor (Sergio) Wals and I ended up producing a long paper about new media and politics that fit in really well with the UCARE stuff I am doing with Dr. Wagner. Political science makes it easy to double major, especially since so many courses are ACE courses; it allowed me to take two language (Russian and Arabic) and graduate in four years.”
What’s next for Smith, as he embarks on his Marshall Scholar journey? “I plan to study Middle East politics and Islamic societies and cultures in London to earn one or two Masters degrees and then dedicate my career to public service.” His dream job? “I’d like to be an ambassador,” Smith said, “I even put that in my application.”
Patrice McMahon wins the Dean's Award for Excellence in Graduate Education
Patrice McMahon won the 2011-12 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Education. This award honors “faculty members whose dedication to graduate students and commitment to excellence in graduate mentoring have made a significant contribution to graduate education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.” Patrice has done a great deal for graduate education at UNL, including serving as graduate chair in Political Science since 2008, being a top-notch teacher of graduate courses, and serving as advisor or supervisory committee member to many graduate students (25 at current count). She is also a tireless advocate of our program, saying that she is proudest of faculty-student research. “UNL faculty work extensively and intensively with graduate students,” McMahon said, “I’m proud that we realize that by treating our students well and valuing them as scholars and people makes our program strong.”
As her nomination letter said, “Patrice is one of those rare individuals who both has a vision of what needs to be done to make a program the best it can be and is willing to work many long hours to make that vision a reality.” McMahon herself says that, “Like I do life, it is a marathon and not a sprint. I try to remind students that they need to develop a plan, coping strategies, and good networks.” The award itself is very meaningful to her because “we have fantastic graduate students, great faculty, and wonderful staff. This award means that I was able to figure this out and just put the pieces together.” Congratulations, Patrice!
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