Political Science News

Ohio Northern University's Pi Iota chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, was recently chosen to receive one of the honorary's Best Chapter Awards for 2008-09.

Each year, Pi Sigma Alpha selects four schools with enrollments less than 6,000 to win the award. Winning schools must exhibit exemplary activity in their departments and universities. According to Pi Sigma Alpha's national office, the award recognizes chapters that "exhibit high levels of energy and creativity in furthering the goals of the honor society."

Umar A. Sulayman, the ESL (English as a second language) instructor for Ohio Northern University's prison management certificate program, will speak in ONU's Dicke Forum on Nov. 3, at 7 p.m.

Sponsored by the Phi Beta Delta International Forum, Sylayman's presentation is called "Baghdad and Iraq: Past, Present, and Future."

U.S. high school students will have the opportunity to learn Japanese, experience Japanese culture and earn college credit at the U.S.-Japan Summer Camp, scheduled from July 19 through Aug. 1 on the Ohio Northern University campus in Ada.

Limited to 20 students (high school freshmen through seniors), the camp is dedicated to fostering scholarship, enhancing language skills and promoting cross-cultural understanding. In addition to academic coursework, students will take part in cultural dinners, discussions and field trips.

The ONU Model United Nations Team represented the country of Zimbabwe at the National Model United Nations Conference in New York City from April 7 until April 12.

Ten students from Ohio Northern's History, Politics and Justice Department presented papers on March 21 at the Phi Alpha Theta Ohio Regional Conference in Dayton.

When ONU senior Abe Jacob was approached by his boss, State Senator Steve Buehrer, to testify in favor of the Ohio Grants for Grads Program, he knew it would be a great opportunity to garner relevant experience for his future.

A political science major, Jacob has been working with Senator Buehrer since his first run for State Senate in 2006. Jacob also job shadowed Senate Buehrer while in high school and has kept in touch throughout the years.

Dr. Robert Waters, visiting assistant professor of history at Ohio Northern University, will lecture on "U.S. Relations with Africa: History, Policy, Future" during the Phi Beta Delta International Forum in The James F. Dicke College of Business Administration, room 230, on Tuesday, March 24, from 7-8 p.m.

Waters will examine the often-surprising story of U.S. relations with Africa, with a focus on the years since World War II. He also will discuss the future of Africa, as well as the United States' experience with its first African-American president.

ONU's Mock Trial Team 448 has qualified for the National Mock Trial Tournament by finishing in a tie for seventh place at the Cincinnati Regional Qualifying Tournament.