New Students Join The Ranks Of Alumni May 2010
Joleen Billman, Justin Moen, Kelsey Nelson, Justin Norris (Summa Cum Laude), Rose Nyangezi, Alexandra Robertson (Magna Cum Laude), William Rohla and Shawn Swenson were awarded Bachelors Degrees at the May 14, 2010 Commencement.  In addition, Ashley Jordet, Courtney Koch (Summa Cum Laude) and Nicolas Rapacz received degrees with a minor in Political Science. Justin Moen (left) and Justin Norris (right) are pictured with Dr. Andrew Conteh, Professor of Political Science.

MSUM Grad Receives Penny Program Award
William Rohla, May 2010 Political Science graduate, has received a $5,000 Federal Public Service Fellowship from the Timothy J. Penny Program for Minnesota State College and University students participating in public service internships and for those committed to community service.  Rohla will be working with N.D. Senator Kent Conrad in Washington DC. As Rohla noted in his application, "... I also hope to gain important insight into the legislative process and experience first hand the impact that key legislation has on my community and country."

Rwandan Refuge Receives Political Science Degree
Rose Muka Nyangezi fulfilled her lifetime dream at MSUM's May 14th commencement ceremonies.  Her interest in politics started as a teen when Rwanda gained independence and she saw how the decisions of a few politicians affected millions of lives.  The 61 year old, left Rwanda in 1994 after civil war broke out and lived in a Kenyan refugee camp before coming to the U.S.  The mother of 8 grown children finished her degree in three years. She hopes to continue her education and get a Master's Degree.  She serves the region as the director of the Diversity Development Institute of Fargo-Moorhead, an organization she helped to found in 2005 to help new Americans.  She works with young immigrants encouraging them to pursue a college degree.

Oxford University Welcomed Political Science Major
Troy Olson spent fall semester 2009 at Oxford University in England continuing his studies

Nine new members were inducted into the Phi Sigma Alpha National Honor Society at April banquet.

Justin Moen and Justin Norris received the Curtis Amlund Outstanding Political Science Student Award.

Alumni Presents Minnesota State Community and Technical College 2010 Commencement Address
Trisha Dewar '08 (on left pictured with Dr. Paul Kramer, Department Chair) took time out from her studies at Harvard Law School to present the commencement address at MN State Community and Technical College's May 2010 graduation.  This mother of two small sons overcame the effects of a devastating stroke and went on to earn her Bachelor's degree at MSUM and a full scholarship to Harvard Law School. She will be working as an intern at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (one of the top law firms in the U.S.) in New York City fall 2010.

Political Science Graduate Honored As Student Academic Conference Keynote Speaker
Moorhead Mayor Mark Voxland '72 presented the keynote address at MSUM's  12th Annual Student Academic Conference.  In addition to serving as Moorhead's mayor, Voxland is the past president of the League of MN Cities, a member of the Greater Fargo-Moorhead Economic Development Corporation, a member of the Red River Basin Commission and owner of Voxland Electric.  He is a former member of the Moorhead City Council, served on the Board of Directors in the League of MN Cities, chaired the Metropolitan Council of Governments and Oakport Joint Powers Committee, and served on the Federal Commission on Railroad Relocation Issues. 

Political Science Students
Showcase 29 Research Projects at 2010 Student Academic Conference

Nathan Mack, The Importance of Global Remittances to Human Development
Amy Schutt, The Legacy of the Nuremberg Trials
Kyle Kidder, Healthcare Reform Through the Legislative Process
James Sieben, Abolishing the Capital Gains Tax
Sahra Hashim & Buba Kanagi (Int Studies), China and Africa
Kyle Evens, An Uneasy Relationship: The International Court of Justice and the U.S.
David Fischbach, Federal Hate Crime Prevention
Kyle Stieg, Federal Regulation of Tobacco
Sahra Hashim & Buba Kanagi (Int Studies), Who Benefited and Who is Benefiting: An Assessment of the Sino-Africa RElationship
Megan Gette, Holding Our Tongues: Immigrants, Language Death and Linguistic Human Rights
Nicolas Rapacz, Dont' Ask Don't Tell
Rose Lodu (Int Studies), Sex Trafficking of Women in Europe
Kaitlin Kelley, Capital Punishment Policy
Kelsey Nelson, Canadian Border Policy
Justin Bohrer, The No Child Left Behind Act
Sunil Paudel (Int Studies), Forgotten Slaves: Child Laborers Around The World
Min Joo Chae & Haina Kang, Territorial Disputs Over Dokdo Takeshima Between Japan & South Korea
Darren Johnson, An Assessment of Suicide Terror
Sarah Butrum, Indian Gaming Regulation
Andrea Cook (Int Studies), Britain's Attack on Asylum: A Critical Analysis of the Impact Asylum has had on Xenophobia and the Rest of the Political Right in Britain
Carson Starkey, Mercenary Malice: Dangerous Defence Contractors
Suzanne Al-Kayali, Politics of the American Climate Security Act
Amanda Cappelle, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Marissa Peterson, Don't Ask Don't Tell
Leia Fogel, The Role of Human Rights in International Extradition
Nathan Benson, The Smoking Lamp is Out; The Possibility of Statewide Smoking Ban in ND
Amanda Capelle, The American Recovery Act of 2009
Amanda Osborn, No Child Left Behind
Heath Butrum, Policy Formation in MN
Jin Ah Choi, About New Heath Care Reform
Linda Nelson, The Cap and Trade Bill
Imade Omonuwa, No Child Left Behind
Alexeander Boche, Politics Behind NASA's Flagship Budgetary Projects
Zuleykha Asadova, Nagorni-Karabakh: Cornerstone in South Caucaus Peace