Dr. John Quinn, Professor of Political Science, and Dr. Mike Rudy, Assistant Professor of Political Science, presented their paper “Hierarchies, Foreign Aid and Conflict Among Major Powers” at the Midwest Political Science Association Conference in Chicago from April 11-14. Quinn also presented a paper with former colleagues Dr. John Ishiyama and Dr. Marijke Breuning entitled “Aid, Development, and Foreign Policy Under the Meles Regime.” Quinn also served as discussant at this latter panel.

Robert Markie has won a “Best Paper Award” for his presentation of “Masters of Misdirection: Diversionary Conflict and Contested Rivals” at the Illinois State Conference for Students of Political Science. Markie’s paper will be published in the journal Critique and he will receive a $200 monetary gift.

Three Political Science majors presented their work on April 16th at Truman State’s Student Research Conference. Amanda Shetler, mentored by Dr. Candy Young, presented “Combating the Counterfeits: The Agenda-Setting Process of the Anticounterfeiting Consumer Protection Act of 1996.” Stephen Ground, mentored by Dr. Mike Rudy, presented his paper entitled “Trouble in the Middle East: More Than Just a Catchphrase?”. Jordan Hunt, also mentored by Dr. Rudy, presented “Effective Parties and Voter Turnout.”

Three Truman Political Science majors presented their research at the 21st annual Illinois State University Conference for Students of Political Science in Normal, Illinois on April 12. Damian Chavez presented his paper entitled “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: An Analysis of the Formulation of the 2009 Stimulus.” Wyatt Hoffman presented his paper “Cultures of War,” while Robert Markie presented his work “Masters of Misdirection: Diversionary Conflict and Contested Rivals.” Chavez also served as a discussant for the panel on “United States Public Policy,” while Markie served as a discussant on the panel “U.S. Intergovernmental Relations.”

Pi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor society for the liberal arts, has inducted five new Political Science majors into its Truman chapter. The new inductees are Michael Baharaeen, Wyatt Hoffman, Michael Polwort, Amanda Shetler, and Abigail Twenter.

Amanda Shetler has been named Outstanding Senior in Political Science for Academic Year 2012-13. Shetler has distinguished herself through a number of activities, including serving as President of the Politcal Science Students Association, presenting her research at the Truman Student Research Conference, and interning at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy while she studied abroad in Berlin.

Political Science Senior Wyatt Hoffman has been named a Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Junior Fellow. Hoffman is one of 10 fellows accepted into the program from across the country. His research during the fellowship will focus on nuclear policy.

Six graduating seniors have been awarded Department Honors for the May, 2013 Commencement. The Honorees are Michael Baharaeen, Alex Feurer, Cody Hagan, Wyatt Hoffman, Julie Quinn and Amanda Shetler. To receive Department Honors a student must have an overall GPA of 3.65, a Political Science GPA of 3.75 and demonstrate excellence in 2 of 3 categories relationing to research, study abroad or internship, or significant leadership to the university or broader community. Honorees are noted in the commencement program and the award is noted on their permanent transcripts.

The Truman State Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha inducted 15 new members into the organization at its April 4th Banquet. Pi Sigma Alpha is the national honorary society of Political Science. To qualify members must have completed at least four political science courses, rank in the top thirty percent of students at the university in their overall GPA, and have a Political Science GPA of 3.5. The new members for 2013 are Christopher Camie, David Clark, Ted Clemens, Clara Dahmer, Alexander Eichstadt, Calla Kingery, Kyle Maggi, Dylan Phillips, Caitlyn Potter, Tailor Robertson, Katherine Scheidt, Allison Schleisman, Katie Walkie, Alexandria Witt, and Abigal Wood.

The Department’s Pols 251 Model UN class participated in American Model United Nations (AMUN) International in Chicago from November 17-20. A group of 25 students represented two delegations, Kazakhstan and Panama, over this four-day conference. Truman State was recognized with an outstanding delegation Award for exceptional representation of Panama, as an “Overall Best Delegation.” Also, Truman received an Outstanding Delegation Award for exceptional representation of Panama in the General Assembley Plenary, recognizing the outstanding participation of Stephen Gott and George Allan.