June 2022 Newsletter
Greetings!
I write today for the last time as chair of the Department of Political Science. For the past six years, it has been my pleasure to serve our students, colleagues, staff, and you. While we have faced some extraordinary challenges in that time, I have been amazed by the resiliency and adaptability of our students, and by the extraordinary efforts my fellow teachers and administrators have made to keep going through these difficult times.
If you weren’t able to attend the inaugural Mulford Q. Sibley Public Lecture featuring a discussion with Professor Nadine Strossen, you can watch it on our YouTube channel. This conversation was thought-provoking and pertinent as we confront the question of free speech rights on campus and in our broader community. Our first major in-person event was a resounding success. Thanks to everyone who helped to make this event possible and who attended the lecture.
Below you can read about the tremendous accomplishments of our alumni, students, and faculty.
A profile of Amy Zhou, a recent alumna of our program, shows that hard work and ingenuity, combined with the opportunities and resources available from our department and the College of Liberal Arts, is a recipe for success. Sabrina Egal, a brilliant undergraduate student, has secured a two-year research fellowship at Perry World House, a major center for discussion of international relations scholarship. Congratulations to both of you!
I am proud to share that Professor Jane Sumner has been awarded the Arthur “Red” Motley Exemplary Teaching Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the education of graduate and undergraduate students. In addition, Professor Sumner has a new book that examines the political influence of corporations and misconceptions about consumer boycotts. Where she finds the time to do all this, I’ll never know!
If you attended the Mulford Q. Sibley Public Lecture or are watching it for the first time, gifts from alumni like you make events like this possible. Please consider contributing to the Mulford Q. Sibley Memorial Fund.
Sincerely,
Paul Goren
Professor and Chair
Starting at the MN state capitol as an undergrad and now working in the US capitol with Senator Tina Smith, Amy Zhou (BA’ 21) reflects on the various ways campus resources helped her achieve professional success. “Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Go and get it,” she advises students.
Read "From the State to the Capitol: If You Want it, Go Get it"
"No professor has provided me with better academic experiences both in and out of the classroom than Dr. Sumner," says undergraduate student Jack Sewpersaud.
Undergraduate Sabrina Egal recently won a prestigious fellowship with Perry World House. A first-generation student, Egal wants to work in foreign policy and bring her perspective to the field. “Sabrina impresses everyone she meets,” says her professor and mentor Tanisha Fazal.
Read "Undergraduate Sabrina Egal Wins Perry World House Fellowship"
