2007-2008

Chris Fetterman, a Political Science/Mass Communications double major, was the winner of the 2008 Sunshine Week essay contest in the BU student category. He was awarded a prize of $250. His essay will be published in The Press Enterprise during Sunshine Week and will be posted to the Sunshine Week website, for possible use in any Pennsylvania newspaper.

Laura Dubin, a recent graduate from the Department of Political Science, finds her job at CBS in New York challenging but exciting. She enjoys it very much. She has recently been promoted to the Administrative Assistant to the VP of CBS News.

The Bloomsburg University Forensics Team won 3rd place (Excellent Certificate) out of 7 schools at the Pi Kappa Delta Province of the Greater Northeast tournament held at Ohio University, February 9-10, 2008. Kristy Westbrook, Amanda Geschwindt, Kaitlin O’Brien, Amanda Geschwindt and Jeremy Gesualdo wond awards or special recognition.

The Bloomsburg University Forensics Team won 6th place at the CFA Winter Weekend Speech Tournament in Montreal, Canada over the weekend of January 25-26, 2008. Every member of the BU team won speaking awards. The team members include: Ashley Fuoco, Amanda Geschwindt, Emily Kinkead, Patrick Velliky, and Matt Mehalick.

After 37 years of service to the University, Professor Richard Micheri will retire as of the end of the Fall 2007 semester.

Dr. James Yoho will gove a complete preparation course for the LSAT in four weeknights: April 15, 17, 22 and 24, 2008 from 6-9:30 each night. For detailes, please check here.

Emily Kinkead, a junior majoring in Political Science and Marine Biology, was listed in the Rising Stars web page at BU website. She is a graduate of Red River High School in Grand Forks, North Dakota, whose family recently moved to Williamsport. Originally interested in marine biology, she's become a political activist and president of Democracy Matters, a campus organization encouraging political involvement and especially voting. Her career objective: work for Common Cause, a national nonprofit, nonpartisan citizen's lobbying organization promoting open, honest and accountable government. She chose BU because of the strength of its academic programs.

Sakinah Tillman, a junior majoring in political science with a concentration in public administration and human resources and minor in communication studies, was listed in the Rising Stars web page at BU website. She is a graduate of Lankenau High School, Philadelphia, and volunteers as a math tutor on campus to keep her hand in a favorite subject area. She is a Board of Governors scholar, is active in the Legal Studies Association, and plans to go on to law school and a career in government. She chose BU because she liked the atmosphere and the guidance and support of the admissions staff.

Shannon Waterman, a recent alumnus of Political Science Department at Bloomsburg Univeristy, started her new job at the state's Department of Agriculture as an assistant to Secretary Wolff and as an assistant to the Policy and Legislative Directors. On August 1, she sent an email to the political science faculty: "I absolutely love my job, and I have been in it officially now for over a month. I travel all over PA with the Secretary and also get to do a lot of work with Legislators as the Legislative Director’s basically right hand man... I have learned a lot of material that I never would have had the opportunity to learn without this position. It is also providing me with great hands on experience and knowledge of how the Legislature works and the ins and outs of state government... Anyway, I just wanted you to know how much I appreciated everything you did for me while I was in college and I am hoping to get up to see you guys soon!"

John Latini Jr., a recent alumnus of Political Science Department at Bloomsburg University, will start his new job working for the US Representative Paul Kanjorski (PA 11th Congressional District). After graduation in May 2007, he joined in Public Campaign, a nonprofit organization in Washington, DC. He is also a Campaign Consultant for several Democratic members of the Virginia Legislature, the Co-Capitan of Arlington County, Crystal City Voting District and Voting Member of the Virginia State Democratic Party. On August 29, he sent an email to the political science faculty at Bloomsburg: "I wanted to take a few minutes to let you know how I am doing since graduation and thank all of you for the education you provided me... Each of you has taught me so many things that have prepared me for working full time... I will begin working for the Congressman the day after Labor Day... Once again I want to thank all of you for challenging me. I know I have received a top notch education that has helped me land one of the greatest jobs in the entire country."




2006-2007

Erin Gunter, a alumnus of Political Science Department at Bloomsburg University who graduated five years ago, sent an appreciation letter to the department chair in August 2006. "......I have thought about you very often and it is always with the deepest appreciation, respect, and admiration (without you I am not sure I would have ever graduated form college and had this amazing life)....." After graduation, Erin has helped to found a non-profit organization (Experiential Environmental Education, Inc.) and got involved in establishing a new charter school in Baltimore – The Green School of Baltimore, which is the only charter school in Maryland. (http://www.greenschoolofbaltimore.org/)

Dr. George Agbango, Professor of Political Science, continues to serve as the Interim Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Bloomsburg Univeristy in 2006-2007 year.

Dr. Sheng Ding joined the Department of Political Science this fall semester as an Assistant Professor. He received both his Doctoral degree and Master's degree from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, with specializations in international relations and comparative politics.

The Bloomsburg University Forensics team captured 5th place out of 7 schools at the Shenandoah Classic Novice Tournament on September 23rd at Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

Kelly N. Johnstone, a alumni of Political Science Department at Bloomsburg University, is attending Dickinson Law School. She graduated in May, 2004.

Richard Blass, a alumni of Political Science Department at Bloomsburg University, is teaching Political Science at Gloucester Community College. He graduated in May, 2003.

The Bloomsburg University Forensics Team finished in 10th Place at the Collegiate Forensic Association’s Fall speech tournament held at Cedar Crest College, October 21-22, 2006.

State Representative Phyllis Mundy spoke to Dr. Zoelle's political science class Friday, Jan. 25. Mundy, who represents the 120th district in Luzerne County and who has 16 years seniority in the state legislature, spoke about her unexpected entrance into politics.

The Bloomsburg University Forensics Team won Fifth Place this past weekend at the Collegiate Forensic Association's Annual Winter Tournament held in Montreal, Quebec.

After completing an internship, a BU student knows she wants a career in government service. Monica Walker, Philadelphia, is a senior with a major in political science. She competed for the Harrisburg Internship Semester and landed a job earlier this year working in the Harrisburg office of State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D., Philadelphia).

The students of BU Political Science Student Association traveled to Washington, D.C. on March 30-31, 2007. They visited the Congressman Paul Kanjorski’s office in the Rayburn Office Building.