by N. Doran Hunter
This academic year has been very busy and productive. Two new law enforcement professors have professionally and personally enriched the department, and our students continue to be a source of great pride for us. The usual bureaucratic challenges and the politics of state government continue to move the passions of the faculty. There are at least two circumstances, however, that have enhanced the life of the department this year.
For this academic year, it has been the department's pleasure to host a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence. Damodar P. Gautam, former Ambassador to the United States and Canada from the Kingdom of Nepal, has taught three courses for us and has conducted many seminars for both faculty and students. Ambassador Gautam came to us after a distinguished career as a civil servant in the Kingdom of Nepal. Among his many positions in the government were Chief Secretary of the Civil Service, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Finance, Director General - Department of Taxation, and many other top-level positions. His final formal position in the Nepalese Foreign Service was as Ambassador to the United States from 1998 to 2001. Ambassador Gautam has taught courses in South Asian development and politics, and international diplomacy to the delight of students and faculty alike. Of special interest to the faculty was a series of seminars that focused on the politics, commerce and trade among countries of the South Asian part of the world. His wife, Shanta Gautam, who added special interest and pleasure to the year, accompanied the Ambassador. We will miss Ambassador and Mrs. Gautam as they take up residency once more in their home country of Nepal.
The department just completed the program review process. Spring semester of 2002 the department formed a committee to establish a program review report design and to create a process for completing the project. This academic year the department has collected and analyzed data, written a report along with an impressive appendix, discussed the results of the report in department meetings, met with the Dean and the President of the University, and consulted with outside reviewers (one from Iowa State University and one from Northern Illinois University) who evaluated the report and visited the department. Out of this exercise the department has created 23 goals from which we will plan for the future. Beyond the difficult and time-consuming aspect of this project, the results suggest the department is progressing and the future looks bright.
Finally, we thank all of our graduates and friends who have supported us over the years.
by Tamara Tucker Wilkins
I hope this issue finds you and yours healthy and happy. I also hope you aren’t too busy, because I have an assignment for you. As the editor, I want to invite you to participate in next year’s newsletter. Wouldn’t it be really neat to read about your former classmates? If you would like to know about some of your old buddies, chances are they’d like to hear something about you too. Therefore, I strongly urge you to do your part to make this information sharing a reality!
You can consider “your part” to be a homework assignment. Even though you are no longer a student, sometimes “homework” is still mandated. This is the case today. You are hereby assigned the task of filling out the Personal Information section found on the last page of this newsletter and mailing it in!
Your classmates, former professors, and even current students, faculty, and staff would like to know what you are doing, where you are working, and where you live. They would also like to know a little something about your family, and it is always nice to hear tales about your time here at Minnesota State University, Mankato (even though it may not have been called that when you were here). If everyone who reads this year’s newsletter would send in their personal information, we could have a very informative edition for 2004.
Fill out the information section now! Put it in an envelope and get it ready to mail, then find something good to sip on, sit back in your favorite spot, and read about the 2002-2003 happenings in the Department of Political Science / Law Enforcement here at MSU. Now don’t read anything more, until you’ve completed your homework! And thanks in advance for completing the assignment in a timely and professional manner! I look forward to receiving lots of mail. Have a good year!
By Carol Perkins, Interim Dean
As our academic year closes, we reflect on the events and the people who made this an extraordinary year in our College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The Department of Political Science and Law Enforcement has, as always, contributed strong leadership to this college. They exercised that leadership by arranging the visit of Fulbright Scholar, Damodar Prasad Gautam from the Nepal. Under the leadership of Office Manager, Pat Davis, the department colleagues coordinated the Guatams’ very busy weekly schedules! Higher education at its best includes personal growth through outside-of-class learning. That has surely been the case for all students, faculty and community friends who came into contact with Damodar and Shanta, and we are grateful for the opportunity their residency afforded us.
On May 10, 2003, more than 400 people attended our College Commencement program and reception. Not bad for a Saturday morning! More than 300 Social and Behavioral Sciences undergraduate students received their degrees this spring, and Political Science/Law Enforcement graduated a record number of master’s degree students. In addition, a total of 1,600 students graduated from the university this spring.
We awarded many, many honors to the students of this college in the form of scholarships, fellowships, and academic honors. Approximately $289,214 in outside grants came into the college, which is strong testimony to the achievements of faculty and students. Approximately 800 students participated in internships, practicums, and service learning courses. Over 125 students made conference or other public presentations of their work during the year, and more than 1,100 students participated in field trips or study abroad programs to Great Britain and Iceland, Italy, and Mexico. The Kessel Peace Institute was very active in leading community forums on global peace issues, even though the year brought war and conflict.
We look ahead to the pace of summer when campus activities shift, road work and building remodeling projects are in full swing, institutes and camps come to the university, summer school is in session, and we all try to catch up on the work that has been on hold. On behalf of the College, I send you our best wishes.
Carol O. Perkins, Acting Dean
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
The Law Enforcement Program saw stable enrollments with about 400 majors. These students were fortunate to receive instruction from two new faculty members, as well as us “old” faculty. The two new faculty members bring a wealth of both law enforcement and teaching experience to the classroom. Since the MSU hockey team has had success in recruiting in Canada, the LE program thought it would be prudent to follow suit. Colleen Clarke comes to Mankato with teaching experience in Canada and police experience in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Jeff Bumgarner has taught at multiple universities (including MSU) and has federal, county and local law enforcement experience. We welcome them both to the MSU community.
During the year we have continued to look for funding to initiate a new on-line law enforcement management certificate program. Unfortunately, the funding still has not been found. We plan to seek approval for the program in the fall of 2003 and implement it incrementally as staffing permits. The program will consist of 18 credits and will better prepare officers for advancement in their careers. It will be open for officers with at least a two year degree. Hopefully, the approval process will proceed quickly and we can announce the first classes soon. We also hope this will be the first step toward putting the second two years of our law enforcement degree on-line, so that officers with two year degrees are better able to continue their education.
The job market for graduates has softened somewhat, but remains strong. In addition to law enforcement agencies hiring in large numbers throughout the country, we have also had private companies interested in hiring our graduates. The outlook remains bright and as the governmental budget woes subside, the hiring outlook will be even stronger.
This year I continued to direct the Law Enforcement Program and be Co-Director of the Center for Continuous Learning. This second assignment will end at the end of June. During the summer of 2003, I was fortunate enough to attend classes at Cambridge for two weeks. I took classes on the History of British Politics and Britain’s relationship to the European Union. While in England, I also worked out details for the study tour in 2003.
In January, 2003, we survived another study tour to the United Kingdom. This year Tami Wilkins and I led a group of 33 students. Plans are in place to go again in 2004 and this time we will partner with the Department of Theater and Dance. This year we will visit London with day trips to Bath/Stonehenge and Stratford. We will again stop for one night in Iceland when we return.
This spring, I worked with, for me, a record number of graduate students on alternate plan papers. Fourteen of my advisees completed all their requirements this spring for graduation.
I have also been working on a concept for a book. For some time, I have complained that many of the texts we use are not sufficiently applied in their approach. Therefore, Dr. Lewinski, Dr. Robbins and I recently sighed a contract that will allow us to write a book on patrol procedures.
I have had another good year. There isn’t anything that I have done at work that is more creative and fulfilling than teaching.
This is the same way that I started last years Newsletter. It still holds true, with the exception that this year, besides teaching, I would also add research to the list. I spent last summer with Los Angeles Police Department conducting research on the timing of twenty different officer actions in shooting situations. L.A. was great, the department was very helpful, and the training staff was amazingly professional and competent. The research results are really impressive. Dr. Wilkins assisted in the statistical analysis of the results. I presented this data plus the data from my two other studies at the annual conference of The American Society for Law Enforcement Trainers in California in January. Both Dr. Wilkins and I presented the research to the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Conference in Boston in March. The research was also published in an article in the Police Marksman, entitled, Biomechanics of Lethal Force Encounters, Officer Movement.
The news show, 48 Hours: Investigates, did a special on my research and how it was used in a high profile Hollywood shooting case. My research was used to clear the involved LAPD officer in the criminal investigation phase of the shooting and was then used to fend off a 5 million dollar lawsuit by Johnny Cochrane’s law firm. Being deposed for 6 hours in his office in LA was an “interesting” experience.
This coming summer I will be doing my research with Tempe, Arizona Police Department. It is a much more sophisticated research design, measuring the time it takes to visually assess a threatening situation, as well as how long it takes to stop a chain of behavior once the threatening situation has changed. I am working with the computer engineering department at Minnesota State to build a special stimulus board that is interfaced with a computer and a real Glock that can’t fire but the trigger automatically resets. This weapon allows us to build an external frame on the weapon and attach a pressure sensitive cylinder to the trigger so we can accurately measure every phase of a response to a particular stimulus or pattern of stimulus.
I continue my work with consumer groups in the mental health community and various professional groups in law enforcement and am chairing a committee to assist in developing learning objectives for the POST Board in this area.
As you can tell, life has been busy and fulfilling, but I am looking forward to the summer. I am really excited about this next research project. I will bring a graduate assistant out of computer engineering to run the equipment for me, so I anticipate having a little more personal time this summer than last. I am looking forward in particular to running in the desert in Tucson and Phoenix, as well as training karate in San Francisco.
I hope our graduates remember to keep in touch. Good luck and stay safe.
Well, it has been a fun and interesting year for me. After teaching at MSU on a one-year contract in 1998-1999, I had an opportunity this year to return to MSU with a tenure-track position. Naturally, I took advantage of this opportunity as I firmly believe that we have the best professional peace officer education program in the state. In addition to teaching my courses, which is a favorite part of my work, I’ve been busy with other endeavors as well. I continue to keep my Minnesota peace officer license active by policing part-time in Good Thunder, MN (and by paying my outrageously high license renewal fee). I also was recently appointed to the Training Advisory Board for the Upper Midwest Community Policing Institute. In the writing department, I have been finishing a book for ABC-CLIO entitled “Criminal Profiling in America.” After a couple of extensions generously granted from the publisher, it looks like I’m finally wrapping it up. Getting the profiling book off my plate comes not a moment too soon because I’ve begun researching (with significant assistance from graduate student Mike Dvorscak) a second book entitled “Federal Agents: The Growth of Federal Law Enforcement in America.” Now, this project too may be placed on hold as Dr. Wilkins and I are likely to soon start working on an introductory book in law enforcement for Wadsworth. I don’t yet have a publisher for the federal agent book; Wadsworth wants an intro book. A bird in the hand…As I’ve already mentioned, I’m a big believer in this program. It’s a genuine privilege to be a part of the faculty here once again. For those graduating this year, take care and be safe! For all others, I look forward to seeing you again in the coming semesters.
Sue Burum, for the past five years, has been using her interest in civil liberties to help MnSCU correct a statistical imbalance between male and female faculty salaries at MSU. The statistical imbalance was finally corrected this spring. Sue, along with the class representatives from the other schools, won the woman of the year award last spring from the faculty association for her efforts.
This past spring semester, Emeritus Guru Scott Shrewsbury taught International Law for the department as an adjunct professor. Next fall semester, he has agreed to teach a section of U.S. Government and in the spring of 2004 will teach a course on Asian Pacific Rim Politics. In spite of his continuing adjunct faculty work, Scott considers himself to be happily retired, dividing his time between Mankato and the Uptown area of Minneapolis. He still enjoys attending professional conferences. This year he was in Boston for the annual American Political Science Association meeting and attended the Minnesota Political Science Association meeting in St. Paul. He reads a lot of history and fiction, and has taken halting and tentative steps toward writing short fiction episodes of his own. This helps to take his mind away from deep concerns, dismay and disappointment about the direction the state and country has been taking during recent months.
A warm Southern “Hi, y’all” to friends, colleagues, present and former students! The 2002-03 academic year has been full of projects, challenges, excitement and travels. The year began on a traveling note from July 16 to 19, 2002, when I traveled to Berlin, Germany to present a paper at the annual meeting of the International Society of Political Psychology. While in Germany, I also met up with my brother, an Army captain stationed there, and we spent several days visiting and traveling after our stint in Berlin, with stops in Wittenberg and Nurnberg. During fall semester, I offered one of my signature courses, Public Opinion and Polling Methods, in which students participated in completing a survey for the Mankato Department of Public Safety. This project involved 255 telephone interviews, and was funded with a grant from the Center for Applied Social Science (Perry Wood, Director). Another highlight during fall semester was my November trip to Savannah, Georgia. There, I presented a paper on State Representation in the Electoral College, and served as discussant for the panel “Southern Politics in Comparative Perspective,” at the Southern Political Science Association annual conference. I also gave live election-night coverage on KEYC-TV, Channel 12, my first live TV appearance as a political analyst. For fall semester, my courses included Public Opinion and Polling Methods, Political Parties, and Political Psychology.
During spring semester, I gave more media interviews for newspapers in Massachusetts and Mississippi. I traveled with two Pi Sigma Alpha students to a student conference near Kansas City, MO (see the ‘Pi Sigma Alpha activities’ section for more details). Finally, I attended the Midwest Political Science Association conference in Chicago, where I served as chair and discussant for the panel “Political Contexts and Social Influence.” For spring semester, my courses included The Executive Process and Racial and Ethnic Politics.
The year has been exciting on the personal front, too, owing to the birth of Christopher Stephen, our second son. He came into the world June 7, 2002, weighing a healthy 8 pounds, 11 ounces. I continue as a singer and chief grant writer and administrator for Musicorum, a Mankato-area choral ensemble. I also have increasingly enjoyed a new hobby in wine tasting, and have continued my old hobby of running. I ran two 10-kilometer road races in 2002 and look to run more of them in 2003.
War, like other catastrophic events, affects the perceived passage of time. I look at my logbook and see that it was only last fall that Scott and I attended the APSA in Boston. It seems like another era. A highlight for me was a visit to the Kennedy Presidential Library. That was another era.
The latest edition of Perspectives on Minnesota Government and Politics will be out this May. I have an article on the changing demographics of the state. These changes were so dramatic over the last decade that I believe those of you who haven’t been in the state for a while would notice the change shortly after deplaning. An article on the intersection of aging and technology policy should be out any day in the Journal of Social Policy and Aging. Events have, however, passed much of that article by, since the journal’s turnaround time is quite long. That is an argument for moving entirely to electronic rather than paper journals. I also did the usual book reviews for Choice and for Perspectives on Political Science. My movie recommendation for the year is the award-winning anime Spirited Away. My book recommendation is Richard Florida’s The Rise of the Creative Class.
On the teaching front, I have tried a new venture in taking up Tom Inglot's Capitalism, Nationalism and Democracy course. It has been an interesting and challenging course, particularly as issues of democracy have been so prominent lately.
With regard to research and scholarly writing, I continue to work on “just war theory.” In April, I presented a paper entitled, "Is the 'War Against Terrorism' a Just War?" at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association in Chicago. I continue to work with our colleague, Hamed Sallam on our book project on Islamic and Christian teachings on war and peace.
I have been particularly involved this year with the Kessel Peace Institute and the Mankato Area Peace Coalition in peace-related activities and anti-war protest. I gave an interview to the Reporter in the fall, and gave a presentation at the New Ulm Public Library in March, 2003. I have also done two presentations on campus on war and Iraq, and one address on the current implications for civil liberties due to the 9-11 crisis. I am co-presenting with Wayne Allen on the Bush vision for U.S. foreign policy at the New Ulm Library on April 28, 2003, and am slated to give a short update on Iraq at the May 5th commemoration of Kent State.
One of my most memorable experiences occurred during June 2002, when Dick and Lois Wintersteen and I led a study group to South Africa. Fourteen students and three faculty colleagues traveled with us. We stayed in the country for three weeks, studying democracy and community development, visiting social work projects and Parliament, learning about history, culture and African nationalism. We saw wildlife in abundance, sampled some fine wines, and had a marvelous time. All of the students said that they had learned an amazing amount, and many want to return to Africa.
Like many of my colleagues, my teaching responsibilities are most fulfilling. My usual schedule of classes throughout the year included Introduction to Law Enforcement, Comparative Criminal Justice Systems, Police Response to Victims and Survivors, and Policing in a Diverse Society. In addition, this spring I taught a special topics course on drugs and gangs. I believe my students and I learned more than any of us planned, as we had some exceptional speakers present various topics of importance to us. I am also scheduled to teach Juvenile Justice Procedures, Policing in a Diverse Society, and Crime and Punishment this summer. The fun just never ends!
In January, I had the pleasure of taking 33 students to Europe. With the help of John Parham, we were able to spend time in Edinburgh, Scotland, London, England, and Reykjavik, Iceland. We are planning another trip for January, 2004. This trip will be somewhat different since law enforcement and political science students will be able to take the study tour for theatre credits as well as Comparative Criminal Justice Systems credits. Likewise, theatre students may take our Department’s Comparative CJS course. Needless to say, I can hardly wait for January. The students make the time so enjoyable and the memories I have of past trips fuel my desire to go again and again.
In the spring, I saw a reduced teaching load. I was offered a Research Reassignment by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences to study and write about Policing in a Diverse Society. My students know that I have been critical of our readings and that I have wanted to develop my own textbook for that course. The Research Reassignment gave me the opportunity to get started. In addition, I have been granted another reassignment for next fall. I anticipate having numerous chapters completed by the end of the fall term. I have also been working with Bill Lewinski, Jeff Bumgarner, and a few other top-notch scholars on a variety of projects. The best news of the year came to me from the President of the University. I was awarded a Summer Teaching Scholar Fellowship. This award will allow me to continue my textbook writing efforts throughout the summer months. Obviously, I feel strongly supported by the entire University. What a great place to work!
I also want to take just a moment to thank my newest colleagues, Jeff Bumgarner and Colleen Clarke. You have made our department stronger than ever. You are not only knowledgeable and creative, but you add a significant amount of humor and laughter to our department. Thanks for being you and thanks for being here. I look forward to working with both of you and the rest of my colleagues for years to come.
When I ponder what to write for this newsletter, I often think how fortunate I am to have a job I love. My colleagues are the best and everyone seems to make each day rewarding and entertaining. My students never cease to challenge and inspire me. This year’s graduation class was comprised of some truly amazing individuals, of whom many will be dearly missed. When I think of how special some of these folks are, I then turn my thoughts to former students. I wonder where you are and what you are doing. I wonder if you are happy or depressed, content with life or afraid of changes that lay ahead of you. I wonder if you feel capable and strong, and I wonder if you feel as fortunate as me. You are thought of often. Please know that we would love to hear from you. Have a good year!
This is my first year at MSU, allow me to introduce myself. Prior to my arrival at Mankato, I taught as a professor of law enforcement at a college in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Previously, I was employed for a number of years as a police officer for the Thunder Bay Police Department. My husband and three children moved here last summer, leaving our eldest and fourth in Canada to complete his schooling. We made this transition for more challenging and rewarding careers and have not been disappointed. What an exciting year this has been!
Interacting with my new colleagues (a unique group of personalities who blend scholastic quality and unique points of view) is proving to be a stimulating and dynamic occurrence. As a new faculty member, I have found the demand for high standards is coupled with support from both faculty and staff. It has been a tumultuous yet enjoyable year.
Interacting with young dedicated people, eager to succeed, is one of the joys of teaching, and the students at MSU have these qualities and more. The graduate assistants have been a great support helping me over the year and I thank them. However, to all students working to remove my Canadian vernacular…..I will resist, eh.
In March, I attended the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) conference in Boston and plan to present at the conference in Las Vegas next year. I have edited a book on Women in Law Enforcement that is presently utilized in the classroom. The focus on my future academic endeavors is the completion of my dissertation.
I am gradually meeting members of the law enforcement profession in Minnesota. I appreciate hearing from alumni and invite you to introduce yourselves to me either in person when visiting the University or via e-mail colleen.clarke@mnsu.edu.
By Abdalla Battah, Faculty Advisor
As in past years, we participated in the Arrowhead Model United Nations, which was hosted by Lake Superior State University, Sault St. Marie, MI, March 27-30. The model brings some 300 students from the Midwest and Canada to conduct a simulation on the work of the UN in the Security Council and in the main committees of the General Assembly. The Security Council debates international crises and conflicts, and takes action to enhance international peace and security. The GA debates a host of common international issues (human rights, development, debt crisis, pollution, child labor, status of women, refugee crisis, etc.). The idea is to give the students a glimpse of the important international issues and how they are dealt with; how the UN serves to promote international peace, security, welfare, and prosperity of the world society; and how diplomats go about their business of solving international problems while promoting the national interest of their own state. In preparing for this, students learn about the structure of the UN and functions of its various organs. They learn and practice “rules of parliamentary order.” They learn a great deal of information about the country they represent. And, they acquire skills in debating, negotiating, and strategizing to get their resolutions passed.
This year our countries were Colombia, Iran, and Syria. A total of eight students represented MSU at the conference: Jazmin Quiroga, Maria C. Ortega, Benjamin L. Zaffke, Michael J. Gieseke, Mustafa Abdallah, Aidar Amanbayev, Taku Kurashige, and Adam O. Jama. Jazmin and Maria (two graduate students), along with Benjamin were participating in the model for the second year. Aidar was an exchange student from Kazakhstan. All in all, our students were among the best prepared for the experience, and this showed in their effective participation. Student feedback documents how valuable this experience was for the students. Here are some of the student comments:
“The MUN was one of the most memorable events in my whole academic life at MSU.” (Kurashige)
“In my opinion the organization and support given to this conference is vital for us, students of International Relations and Political Science, because it gives us the opportunity to put into practice the knowledge we have acquired in the classrooms.” (Quiroga)
“There is no doubt that I had priceless opportunity” by participating in the model. (Amanbayev)
“Traveling with students from Japan, Kazakhstan, Somalia, and Colombia and learning about their home countries was a unique experience that I will treasure and remember for my entire life. I took away so much from the entire trip that I plan on attending again next year and will apply the skills I have acquired from this trip. I hope many more students from MSU will be able to take advantage of the same opportunity.” (Gieseke)
University and advisor membership in the model as well as student participation were made possible by the generosity of the Department of Political Science/Law Enforcement, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the International Student Office, and the Student Senate. We express our gratitude and thanks for this support. Doran Hunter, Political Science Chairperson, and Susan Coultrap-McQuin, SBS former Dean and now Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, deserve special mention and thanks for their steadfast support of this program over the years. We are as well thankful for the assistance of Beth Pollack, President of the UN-IR Club. The UN-IR Club is a sponsor of the model, and under the leadership of Beth, the club has had numerous discussions relating to current international affairs, including a major public forum moderated by Ambassador Damodar Gautam on November 24, 2002.
Pi Sigma Alpha is the nationwide honor society for students in political science, and MSU is home to the Upsilon Alpha chapter (Fred Slocum, Chapter Advisor). By any indicator, this has been the busiest year for Pi Sigma Alpha since its re-emergence as an active student organization four years ago. Our major project during fall semester was to write a grant proposal to the Pi Sigma Alpha national office, to support one of our spring projects, the speaker and banquet (see below). Our proposal met with success and we received $600 to support this activity. At the same time, the Pi Gamma chapter at Gustavus Adolphus College was writing for a separate activity grant to support a chapter trip to the Midwest Political Science Student Convention (see below); this proposal, too, was funded for $600. The MSU and Gustavus chapters agreed to join forces for each of the two grant proposals, and for both projects in the spring.
On March 28-29, the Midwest Political Science Student Convention took place at Park University, in Parkville, Missouri (just outside Kansas City). Two MSU students and Pi Sigma Alpha members, Joshua Jackson and Takehito Kamata, made the trip with Dr. Slocum. Both Josh and Take presented papers at the conference, and Dr. Slocum served as a discussant. While in Missouri, we met students and faculty from Gustavus Adolphus College, Creighton University, Coe College and other schools. The conference ended with Saturday lunch, and we took advantage of our free afternoon and evening to explore Kansas City, including stops at Country Club Plaza, Crown Center and the fashionable Westport district, where we dined on excellent Middle Eastern food at Jerusalem’s restaurant. This summer, we will place photos from our visit to Kansas City on the Pi Sigma Alpha web page. We already look forward to another chapter trip to Omaha, Nebraska for this conference next spring.
On April 11, students and faculty from Gustavus Adolphus College joined us for an initiation banquet, featuring as keynote speaker Justice Sam Hanson of the Minnesota Supreme Court. Following a buffet-style meal, Justice Hanson regaled audience members with stories of his recent trip to China, and commented on the need for an independent judiciary and an active legal profession there. The evening also included an initiation ceremony for 13 Gustavus students and nine MSU students, all being inducted as members of Pi Sigma Alpha. Again, watch the Pi Sigma Alpha page this summer for photos from this memorable evening, as well as the text of Justice Hanson’s address.
Pi Sigma Alpha is the nationwide honor society for students in political science, and MSU is home to the Upsilon Alpha chapter (Fred Slocum, Chapter Advisor). By any indicator, this has been the busiest year for Pi Sigma Alpha since its re-emergence as an active student organization four years ago. Our major project during fall semester was to write a grant proposal to the Pi Sigma Alpha national office, to support one of our spring projects, the speaker and banquet (see below). Our proposal met with success and we received $600 to support this activity. At the same time, the Pi Gamma chapter at Gustavus Adolphus College was writing for a separate activity grant to support a chapter trip to the Midwest Political Science Student Convention (see below); this proposal, too, was funded for $600. The MSU and Gustavus chapters agreed to join forces for each of the two grant proposals, and for both projects in the spring.
On March 28-29, the Midwest Political Science Student Convention took place at Park University, in Parkville, Missouri (just outside Kansas City). Two MSU students and Pi Sigma Alpha members, Joshua Jackson and Takehito Kamata, made the trip with Dr. Slocum. Both Josh and Take presented papers at the conference, and Dr. Slocum served as a discussant. While in Missouri, we met students and faculty from Gustavus Adolphus College, Creighton University, Coe College and other schools. The conference ended with Saturday lunch, and we took advantage of our free afternoon and evening to explore Kansas City, including stops at Country Club Plaza, Crown Center and the fashionable Westport district, where we dined on excellent Middle Eastern food at Jerusalem’s restaurant. This summer, we will place photos from our visit to Kansas City on the Pi Sigma Alpha web page. We already look forward to another chapter trip to Omaha, Nebraska for this conference next spring.
On April 11, students and faculty from Gustavus Adolphus College joined us for an initiation banquet, featuring as keynote speaker Justice Sam Hanson of the Minnesota Supreme Court. Following a buffet-style meal, Justice Hanson regaled audience members with stories of his recent trip to China, and commented on the need for an independent judiciary and an active legal profession there. The evening also included an initiation ceremony for 13 Gustavus students and nine MSU students, all being inducted as members of Pi Sigma Alpha. Again, watch the Pi Sigma Alpha page this summer for photos from this memorable evening, as well as the text of Justice Hanson’s address.
Teresa (Terri) J. Sahli (BA, Political Science) is the Director of Risk Management for MDU Resources Group Inc. in Bismarck, North Dakota. Her e-mail address is terri.sahli@mduresources.com. Her home address is 611 North Anderson Street and her business address is 918 East Divide Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58501. Terri writes, “I enjoy receiving and reading your publication as well as occasionally running into MSU alum in my travels around the country. Best wishes to all my Political Science professors!”
Debbie Boe (BS, Paralegal/Law Enforcement) is employed as a paralegal for the Hunter Law Firm, in Minnetonka, MN. Her primary work involves personal injury defense.
William Sandstrom (BA, Law Enforcement) and wife Wendy can be contacted at (218) 387-2467 or (219) 387-3030. Their address is PO Box 1421, Grand Marais, MN 55604 and the e-mail address is will.sandstrom@co.cook.mn.us. William writes, “I really enjoyed my time at MSU and want to thank all of my instructors for their high standards and knowledge. What I learned at MSU has helped me greatly in my job. I am a Deputy for the Cook County Sheriff’s Department and my wife, Wendy, is our Jail Administrator. We have two girls and enjoy working in Northern Minnesota. Just a reminder that it is always great to hear from and see former classmates and alumni. Feel free to stop in and say hello.”
Tony E. Vanatter (BA, Law Enforcement, MS Public Administration) is a Police Officer for the Iowa Falls Police Department, Iowa Falls, IA. He has served in this role since 1997 and can be reached at (641) 648-6750 or (641) 648-6464. His business address is 321 Stevens Street and his home address is 414 Manor Drive, Iowa Falls, IA 50126.
Anne O’Brien Herkenhoff (BS Political Science) is an attorney for Edina Realty Title. She resides in Monticello, MN.
Jason Stolt (BA, Law Enforcement) is employed as a Police Officer for the City of Seattle, in Seattle, Washington.
Brian Buck (BS, Law Enforcement) has worked for the State of Minnesota in Rochester, as a State Trooper since 1999.
Jamie Schillinger (BS, Law Enforcement) writes, “After working four years in the Patrol Division, I was promoted to one of the undercover detective slots in the DEA’s HIDTA Drug Unit. I am an FTO and state POST instructor in various topics working for the Billings Police Department. I am also currently working on my Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration through the University of Alaska - Fairbanks. I owe an enormous amount of gratitude to Bill Lewinski and John Parham, who helped me down the path of success.”
Jason Piccolo (BS, Law Enforcement) is currently employed as a Customs Special Agent at San Yisidro Port of Entry (San Diego, CA). He is working on his Master’s in Forensic Science at National University and is a 1st Lt. in the Army Reserves.
Eileen Piccolo (BA, International Relations) is currently attending California Western School of Law in San Diego. She anticipated her Juris Doctorate in April, 2003. She is a 1st Lt. in the California Army National Guard.
Kristin Giese Johnson (BS Law Enforcement) and Mark A. Johnson (2000) are residing in Storm Lake, Iowa. Their home address is 716 Barton Street, Storm Lake, IA 50588 and their phone number is (712) 732-0173. Kristin is a Probation/Parole Officer for the State of Iowa and Mark is the Lead Detective for the Storm Lake Police Department. Kristin writes, “Mark and I met in the Law Enforcement Program at MSU. We graduated and then married. Mark obtained employment at a police officer with the City of Cherokee and I, as a Supervisor at a Juvenile Facility. I later took the position with the State of Iowa and Mark became a Storm Lake officer, later being promoted to Detective. Mark was also named ‘Officer of the Year’ in 2002 by the City. We are now celebrating the birth of our first child, Ethan, who was born on March 13th. Life continues to grow and to change….”
Kyle Hubert (BS, Law Enforcement) is currently the Police Chief at Amboy / Vernon Center, Minnesota. He says, “I enjoyed being part of Alpha Phi Sigma, and the great staff in Law Enforcement at MSU helped me to make my dream of being a police officer come true. His address is: PO Box 246, Vernon Center, MN 56090. His e-mail address is topcop5673@yahoo.com.
