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Political Science
PO Box 1510
Pembroke, NC 28372
Phone: 910.521.6363
Fax: 910.521.6446
Email: ps@uncp.edu
Location: Oxendine Science Building, Room 1300
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season year newsletter
A Newsletter
For UNCP Political Science & Public
Administration Alumni
| Fall 1996 | Vol.
1 No.1 |
POLITICAL SCIENCE TODAY AT
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT PEMBROKE
From The Chair
Chair-Department of Political Science
A new academic year begins with a new name and a new project. Pembroke State University is now The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. As we celebrate the new name, the department of political science has chosen to establish a newsletter for its alumni. This we do to celebrate the many years of excellence and achievement by this department, its faculty, and its students. We especially wish to include our departmental alumni in the exciting future we know the department will experience as it continues to grow.
The much celebrated name change signifies that the university has changed, in a very positive way we believe, and that the future is more promising than ever. The new UNCP name acknowledges much in the way of past and ongoing accomplishment, but it also represents exciting challenges for the future. As the chair of the department of political science, I am proud to say that I believe this department has contributed significantly to the positive changes which have led this institution to its present status. I am equally convinced that it will help lead the way to an even more accomplished future.
To begin, we have an outstanding and productive faculty. As recent graduates well know, the quality of classroom instruction has never been higher. We can honestly say that this department provides each student the opportunity to work under the guidance of a highly qualified and distinguished faculty which provides an educational experience equal to any in the state or the nation. Our faculty, all Ph.D.s, are active researchers in their fields and highly respected within the discipline. Former students of some years past may be surprised to learn that the current faculty has achieved an outstanding record of academic publication. In addition, UNCP political science faculty are regular presenters at regional and national conferences in the discipline. Faculty service activities, within the university, within the region, and within the state, have also been very impressive to me. It really is a whole new ball game at UNCP!
Distinguished Faculty are only a part of our story. Student accomplishments are soaring to new heights as well. The pre-law program continues to enjoy great success. Our graduates have gone on to enjoy great success in law school and in the legal profession. The UNC-Chapel Hill Law School is especially happy with our program and our students. This means our graduates have performed well and earned a solid reputation for us. In addition to law students, we have had many successes in the field of public administration. We have had several excellent students going on for graduate degrees and others right into public or not-for-profit agencies. In addition, we have more exciting internship opportunities for current students. The international and comparative students continue to participate successfully in The Model Arab League and Model UN competitions. Finally, undergraduate students have had the opportunity to work as research assistants to selected faculty. This experience is of great value to them and to the faculty involved. I can say that, without question, our current student majors are among the best we have ever had. I believe our students can say that both the quality of their education and the opportunity for professional development are greater than at any time in the history of this department.
As you can see, I have much to be proud of as the chair of this department. I am so delighted and pleased with the department that I am eager to share news of it with you, our ALUMNI, on a regular basis. This newsletter will update you on faculty activities, student activities, program news, and other items of general interest. We also hope to include alumni news in future newsletters. Toward that end, drop us a line or fill out the "alumni news" form attached to this newsletter. We'd like to hear from as many of you as possible.
The department and the university have indeed changed. The department of political science has rapidly progressed and achieved much. As I hope you will see, we are also ready and able to achieve much more.
NEW FACULTY....
The department of political science is happy to welcome Dr. Keith A. Boeckelman as its newest member. Born in Mexico, Missouri and raised in Quincy, Illinois, Dr. Boeckelman earned his Ph.D. at the University of Illinois. He did his undergraduate study at Drake University. He comes to UNCP after teaching for several years at Louisiana State University.
Dr. Boeckelman's expertise is in Public Policy and Public Administration. His most recent publications and conference presentations stem from his interests in economic development policy.
Students are already warming up to Dr. Boeckelman and his low keyed Midwestern humor. Faculty colleagues are delighted to have him aboard. His only flaw is that he is a Chicago Bears fan.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES--
Last year was a busy one for the Political Science Club and Pi Sigma Alpha. In addition to guest speakers and fund-raising activities, these student groups provided several workshops for political science students. With the help of faculty, they organized LSAT and GRE exam workshops. They also organized a computer workshop and a resume writing workshop. Each of these workshops were very successful. A new round of workshops is being planned for the current academic year.
The International Studies Club is planning on a Model UN competition for the current academic year.
Several students accompanied departmental faculty (Drs. Trapp, Hawthorne, and Schneider) to the North Carolina Political Science Association meeting last spring at Elon College. Students attended panels, observed research presentations by political scientists from throughout the state and region, and participated in discussion sessions. To put it mildly, it was an educational, interesting, and "different" experience. Note: The department now has a student workroom equipped with computers which provide Network and Internet access.
Special Congratulations to Curtis "Trey" Allen III. Trey, a political science major from Lumberton, is the new student body president at UNCP. An outstanding student, but that goes without saying because he is a political science major, we wish him well in the year ahead. He will do a great job!
FACULTY ACTIVITIES--
The following listing of departmental faculty is provided for those of you who may not be up to date on our current membership.
- Daniel G. Barbee (Ph.D., University of Tennessee). Public Administration and American National Government. Dr. Barbee is also Director of the graduate program in Organizational Leadership and Management.
- Keith A. Boeckelman (Ph.D., University of Illinois). Public Administration and Public Policy.
- Michael R. Hawthorne (Ph.D., University of Michigan). American National Government, Theory and Methodology.
- Elizabeth L. Normandy (Ph.D., University of South Carolina). International Studies and Comparative Politics.
- Robert O. Schneider (Ph.D., Miami University). Department Chair: Public Law, Public Policy, and Political Theory.
- Frank J. Trapp (Ph.D., Florida State University). Comparative Politics and Foreign Policy.
The department faculty, as a group over the past seven years, has presented over forty papers at regional and national conferences, achieved twenty academic publications, and performed community service on a statewide and national level.
Current activities include two new publications for Bob Schneider. "Schenck v. U.S.: The Clear and Present Danger Ruling" in Censorship, a reference book published (1996) by Salem Press and "The Democratic Party," in The Encyclopedia of Propaganda to be published (1997) by M.E. Sharpe. Liz Normandy, who last year published three book reviews, is working on a book manuscript. Mike Hawthorne, who presented last spring at the Midwestern Political Science Association in Chicago, is revising work for journal submission. Keith Boeckelman has a new publication. "Federal Systems in the Global Economy" in Publius: The Journal of Federalism (1996). Dan Barbee continues to do consulting for FEMA. Frank Trapp, in addition to enjoying a new daughter with wife Amy, is also busy revising conference papers for journal submission. Most of the faculty are also busy preparing papers for upcoming conferences including the Southern Political Science Association meeting in Atlanta in November. A "favorite" spare time activity enjoyed by department faculty this fall is "cleanup after Fran." All faculty and their families survived the Hurricane just fine. Their homes and yards survived also, although Mike Hawthorne and family are now virtually treeless. The good news is Mike had an excuse to purchase a chain saw. The bad news is he will have ample opportunity to use it.
PROGRAM NOTES--
INTERESTED IN A MASTERS DEGREE? If you work for a public agency, a not-for-profit organization, or would like to, a masters degree is probably something you have thought about. Consider UNCP's masters in ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT. An interdisciplinary program designed to accommodate the needs of public and not-for-profit administrators, the OLM can meet your needs. Dr. Dan Barbee is the director of the program. Political Science faculty teach a large portion of the program. For information concerning this graduate school opportunity, and for a more detailed description of the program, call Dr. Barbee at (910-521-6531).
ALUMNI NOTES--
None...but we would like to hear from you. Drop us a line.
OUR MAILING ADDRESS IS:
Department of Political Science
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke
P.O. Box 1510
Pembroke, NC 28372-1510
Updated: Monday, June 30, 2008
- Coming soon!
© The University of North Carolina at Pembroke
PO Box 1510 Pembroke, NC 28372-1510 • 910.521.6000