The Wilkinson Award was established to honor the memory of Professor Joe Wilkinson, who joined NIU's Political Science Department in 1968 after a distinguished career in the U.S. Department of State.  Following Professor Wilkinson's death in 1971 at the age of 39, his family and friends established this memorial award to honor the graduating senior majoring in Political Science with the highest cumulative grade point average. This year’s recipient of the Joe R. Wilkinson Memorial Award is MR. WILLIAM WHITE. William is from DeKalb.  For his political science major, William completed the International Politics emphasis and also majored in Sociology with an emphasis on criminology.  William maintained an impressive 3.92 GPA. While at NIU, William was a member of several clubs and honor societies, including the NIU Aikido Club, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and Golden Key International Honor Society.  Starting May 28th, William will attend the United States Marine Corp Officer Candidate School.  He would like to join the Military Police and work overseas and then return to the U.S. to join a federal agency such as the F.B.I. or C.I.A. As the Department’s 2008 recipient of the Joe R. Wilkinson Award, Mr. White will receive a certificate of achievement and a check for $700.  In addition, his name has been engraved on a permanent plaque that hangs in the Department’s main office.  Congratulations, William!

Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society Initiates Announced

Maryanov Award to LaFrance

This award has been given annually since 1976 in memory of Gerald Maryanov, a specialist in Southeast Asian politics. Professor Maryanov died in 1975 after an extremely distinguished career that was tragically cut short by cancer.  This award is designed to honor those characteristics that Professor Maryanov himself so clearly embodied: intellectual capacity, commitment, and character. This year’s recipient of the Gerald S. Maryanov Award is CASEY LaFRANCE.  Casey is currently a Ph.D. candidate in political science, specializing in public administration.  Prior to coming to NIU, Casey received a B.A. in Psychology from Piedmont College and a MPA from North Georgia College & State University.  Casey’s dissertation is titled “Stars and Shields:  Exploring Accountability Streams in the Decision-Making Processes of County Sheriffs and Municipal Police Chiefs.”  To help write his dissertation, Casey received the competitive National Association of Counties (NaCO) Dissertation Grant as well as an NIU Dissertation Completion Fellowship.  Casey has published articles in Politics and Policy and Judicature (with Professor Streb).  This past year he served as Graduate Student Representative to the Political Science Department and was President of the Political Science Graduate Student Association.  Casey is also quite popular with undergraduate students, receiving strong evaluations in his courses on American Government and Public Administration. As the 2008 recipient of the Maryanov Award, Mr. LaFrance will receive a certificate of achievement and a check for $500.  In addition, his name will be engraved on a permanent plaque that hangs in the Department’s main office.  Congratulations, Casey!

Mathie Named Graduate Teacher of the Year

During his 20 years of teaching international relations at NIU, Professor Lawrence Finkelstein, who retired in 1995, demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to his students.  In many ways, he helped instill in his students an understanding of international relations and a true love of learning.  Given Professor Finkelstein's effectiveness in undergraduate teaching, it is fitting that the Lawrence S. Finkelstein Graduate Teacher of the Year Award be granted to the graduate student instructor in political science who has best demonstrated excellence in undergraduate education. This year’s recipient is MS. ANDREA MESSING-MATHIE. Andrea earned a BA and MA in political science from Northern Illinois University.  She is currently a Ph.D. student with an emphasis on International Relations.  While at NIU, Andrea has taught Introduction to International Relations, Global Terrorism, and the United Nations.  In her short time in the classroom, Andrea has emerged as one of the most popular instructors in the department.  On teacher evaluations, her students consistently note her enthusiasm for teaching and dedication to her students.  This summer, Andrea will become the department’s undergraduate advisor. As the 2008 recipient of the Lawrence S. Finkelstein Graduate Teacher of the Year Award, Andrea will receive a certificate and a check for $100.  Her name will be engraved on a special plaque that hangs in the department office.  Congratulations, Andrea!

Patel Earns Wiegele Award

The Thomas C. Wiegele Dissertation Completion Award is given annually to a Ph.D. candidate who is writing an interdisciplinary dissertation that bridges the social and life sciences.  The award is given in honor of Thomas Wiegele, a long-time member of the department and university research professor who retired in 1991 and also passed away that year.  An innovative pioneer in interdisciplinary research, he was a founding member of the nationwide Association for Politics and the Life Sciences and the founding editor of the journal Politics and the Life Sciences.  The 2008 recipient of the Wiegele award is a Ph.D. candidate in physics, MR. UMESHKUMAR PATEL.  Mr. Patel’s dissertation is titled “Synthesis and Superconducting Properties of NbSe2 and NbN Nanowires and Nanoribbons.” He received his Bachelor of Science in Physics from Parikh Science College in India, and he received his Master of Science in Physics  from the University of Louisville. As the 2008 recipient of this award, Mr. Patel will receive a certificate and a check for $1,000.  In addition, his name will be engraved on a plaque in the department office.  Our congratulations to Mr. Patel.

Karen Schweitzer Delivers Yet Again

Undergraduate Secretary Karen Schweitzer once again did an amazing job organizing this year's event. Not only does she put in countless hours in the months leading up the ceremony--preparing and coordinating with faculty, students, and parents and friends--but she makes it all happen on the day of the event. Pictured above with Department Secretary April Davis, who also deserves our thanks for helping with the ceremony, Karen checks in students and faculty, organizes the processional, hands out the scripts and generally keeps us all together! Karen, you're one-in-a-million! Thanks!!!

Departmental Honors

This year there were four graduating seniors who completed our departmental honors program.  On the basis of their high cumulative grade point averages, each participated in a special departmental honors seminar held during his or her junior year and then wrote a honors thesis during his or her senior year. The first honors student is ELISE GRAY.  Elise wrote a senior thesis entitled, “The Israeli and Cuban Lobbies in U.S. Foreign Policy Making.”  The director of her thesis was Professor Christopher Jones.  On the basis of her cumulative grade point average and the quality of her senior thesis, Elise’s final transcript will bear the inscription of ‘Graduated with Honors in Political Science.’  Congratulations, Elise! BENJAMIN GROSS wrote a senior thesis entitled, “Curiosity Killed the Human: A Look at the Transformation of Curiosity from a Vice to Virtue.”  The director of Ben’s thesis was Professor Gary Glenn. On the basis of his cumulative grade point average and the quality of his senior thesis, Ben’s final transcript will bear the inscription of ‘Graduated with Honors in Political Science.’  Congratulations, Ben! JARED WILLIAMS wrote a senior thesis entitled, “From the Constitution to the Living Constitution: A Nation Redefined.”  His thesis director was Professor Gary Glenn. On the basis of his cumulative grade point average and the quality of his senior thesis, Jared’s final transcript will bear the inscription of ‘Graduated with Honors in Political Science.’  Congratulations, Jared! Our fourth honors student, MICHAEL KURT, wrote a senior thesis entitled, “The Establishment Clause and Supreme Court Turnover.”  The director of his thesis was Professor Art Ward.  On the basis of his cumulative grade point average and the quality of his senior thesis, Mike’s final transcript will bear the inscription of ‘Graduated with Honors in Political Science.’  Our congratulations to Mike.

Broughton and Streed Awarded Nelson Scholarships

Inez H. Nelson was born October 15, 1906, in DeKalb, Illinois.  She graduated from DeKalb High School in 1923 and later attended the University of Chicago and Northern Illinois University.  Through her generosity, the Inez H. Nelson Family Scholarship was recently established.  Its purpose is to assist worthy undergraduates who wish to study International Relations and to encourage research on the role of smaller nations in the international community.  Recipients receive a full tuition scholarship to help fund their studies during their Junior or Senior years. It our my pleasure to announce that there are two recipients of the Inez H. Nelson Scholarship for 2008. The first recipient is BRADLEY BROUGHTON. Brad will be a senior in the fall.  He is from Springfield, IL.  He will study the employment of natural resources by smaller nations.  The second recipient is DANIEL STREED.  Dan will be a junior in the fall.  He is a political science major with an emphasis in public administration and service.  Dan hails from Rockford, IL.  His paper topic is titled “Small Countries’ Contributions to the People of the World: Phosphate Mining in Nauru.”  As the Department’s 2008 recipients of the Inez H. Nelson Family Scholarship, each will receive a monetary award of $8,000.  Congratulations, Brad and Dan!

Peters' Scholarships Awarded

The Presidential Award for Outstanding Public Service was created four years ago by NIU President John Peters. It will henceforth be known as the John G. and Barbara C. Peters Scholarship for Outstanding Public Service, as President Peters has now made a large personal contribution toward the award which is currently building toward an endowed status.  These scholarships are given to students who “have made an outstanding contribution to public service through their work in a public service related internship, political campaign, government, or student government.”  This year we have six recipients (pictured above with Professor Barbara Burrell).  In addition to a certificate award signed by President Peters, the recipients will each receive a $1,000 scholarship. Edward Boula is a double major in history and political science.  His emphasis in political science is public law.  In the spring of 2006, Ed interned for IL 14th Congressional District candidate John Laesch.  This past year he was a member on the Political Science Student Advisory Committee. Ashley Bradley is majoring in political science with a politics emphasis.  She has been active in several philanthropic projects, including Meals on Wheels in Sycamore, and has participated in Relay for Life.  She also was involved in Phi Sigma Zeta’s Christmas Toy Drive.  Bradley Broughton is a triple major in political science, geography, and Spanish.  He has taken roles on numerous committees including the Political Science Student Advisory Committee and College Liberal Arts and Sciences Student Advisory Committee.  Brad is also a member of the Presidential Taskforce called the “Green Team,” which focuses on energy-conscious initiatives for the NIU campus. Emily Ebel is a political science major with a public law emphasis.  Emily has been an active participant in the NIU College Republicans, this past year serving as secretary.  As part of her involvement with the College Republicans, Emily has volunteered for several national and local Republican candidates, including Dennis Hastert. Stephanie Krause is majoring in political science with a politics emphasis, and minoring in history.  This past year, Stephanie interned for Democracy Matters, a national, nonprofit organization that is devoted to eliminating the corrupting influence of money in U.S. elections.  As part of her internship, Stephanie coordinated a Clean Elections initiative and voter engagement events related to the February 5th primary and the March 8th special election. The sixth recipient, Matthew Venaas, is a political science major with a politics emphasis.  Matt has been active in student government, recently being voted Speaker of the Student Senate.  Prior to his election as Speaker, Matt was the Administrative Vice-President for the Douglas Hall Council and served on the University Services Committee of the Student Senate. Our congratulations to all of the Peters’ Scholarship recipients.

Krausse Wins McKeough Award

During his 30 years of teaching in the department, the late Kevin McKeough inspired literally thousands of   students with his humor, dedication, and passion for politics. He had a story to illustrate every point, and many of those stories came from his own years of involvement in the political process. After his retirement, the department established the McKeough Award for Outstanding Participation in the Political Process to be awarded to a political science major or minor who has made an outstanding contribution through work in political campaigns, interest groups, governmental agencies, or election to public office. The department is pleased to announce that the 2008 recipient of this award is STEPHANIE KRAUSE.  Would Ms. Stephanie will be a senior in the fall and hails from DeKalb.  Stephanie was chosen as the McKeough Award recipient based on her involvement this past year in Democracy Matters and her stellar GPA.  She plans on going to law school after graduation. As the recipient of the Kevin McKeough Award, Ms. Krause will receive a certificate of achievement and a check for $200.00.  Congratulations, Stephanie!

Schaller Wins Undergraduate Paper Award

Twelve years ago the Department coordinated what has become a longstanding and popular competition.  We solicited entries for an undergraduate paper competition and three members of the Undergraduate Committee judged papers based on originality, clarity, analytical, or methodological rigor, strength of argumentation, and writing style.  This year the Outstanding Paper Award is presented to RICHARD SCHALLER.  Richard is from Deerfield, Illinois, and is a Political Science major with an emphasis in Public Law, and he has a minor in Economics.  In the spring semester of 2007, Mr. Schaller wrote an excellent paper for Professor Brendon Swedlow’s honors class entitled, “Fair Use, Free Speech, Innovation and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.”  Mr. Schaller will receive a monetary award of $50 for his accomplishment.  Our congratulations to Richard!