GSPIA congratulates our 2008 graduates
On Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26 GSPIA celebrated the accomplishments of the 2008 graduating class.
Graduating students, faculty, and staff attended a luncheon in the William Pitt Union Lower Lounge on Friday, April 25. Congressman Jim Moran (MPA '73) delivered the keynote address, and told students that "if you have a passion for something, for the career you have envisioned, don't let it die." He remarked that he is "proud to be a GSPIA graduate," and offered advice and words of encouragement for the world graduates are about to enter. "You're entering a period of great transformation and transition," and urged students to do their part to make a positive impact. Before delivering his address, Dean John T.S. Keeler presented Moran with the Distinguished Alumnus Award, noting that only a select few of GSPIA graduates have earned such a distinction.
On Saturday, April 26 GSPIA held the annual Honors and Graduation Celebration at the Twentieth Century Club. Class representative Aya Okada (MID '08) spoke to the "exciting diversity of [her] fellow students" when deciding to come to GSPIA. She noted that "working in a diverse environment can be challenging, but GSPIA allowed [her and her classmates] to overcome that challenge." She noted that she now feels "empowered" to take chances, and asked her fellow graduates to remember that there "will always be a GSPIA family, no matter where life takes you."
E.J. Dionne Jr., columnist for The Washington Post, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and University Professor in the Foundation of Democracy and Culture and Georgetown University, delivered the commencement address to a packed auditorium. In light of the Pittsburgh Penguins' success in the 2008 NHL Playoffs, Dionne began his speech by comparing the graduates to the professional hockey team when he said they are "a lot like the Pittsburgh Penguins: young, talented, and determined to win."
Dionne noted that the challenge of an education in public service is to "teach students to dream big, but learn how to deal with the here and now." He warned graduates that "making public policy is hard work that goes unrewarded. It's a field in which success is taken for granted," but also said that while "there are no final victories," there are also "no final defeats."
He wanted students to "cultivate a sense of humor" as they progress through their careers, and wanted students to remember that they have a great opportunity to renew faith in government and public policy, referring to the Class of 2008 (and their generation) as "one of the great reforming generations," and "exceptional in [their] devotion to public service." "You have a chance that few other generations are afforded," he told the graduates. In closing, he imparted final words of wisdom to graduating students: "Dare to change the world."
In addition to special guest E.J. Dionne Jr., Mrs. Charlene Flaherty was present to accept the posthumous Distinguished Alumni Award on behalf of the late Mayor Pete Flaherty (MPA '67). In receiving the award, Mrs. Flaherty recalled her husband's kind-hearted nature and devotion to public service. Flaherty is only the 26th alumnus to receive the award.
Faculty and staff were also recognized for their commitment to the school. The Staff Member of the Year Award went to Renee Kidney in the Office of Student Services. The Teacher of the Year Award was given to Kevin Kearns, and the Annual Teaching Awards were given to the following faculty members:
- Siddharth Chandra
- David Y. Miller
- Donald Goldstein
- Nuno Themudo
- Anthony Giunta
- Ernest Fullerton
- David Cercone
- David Korman
- William T. Valenta Jr.
- Michael Sealy
- Michael Hummell
- Martha Terry
- Edward Strimlan
Student academic recognitions include:
Advanced Civil Schooling Select for the U.S. Military, U.S. Department of Defense
Captain Ryan P. Boyle, Captain Edward R. Hermann
Alumni Fellowship, a highly competitive merit scholarship for entering masters and continuing doctoral students
Rebecca Wall
Horace Mann Bond-Leslie Pinckney Hill Scholarship, in recognition of academic achievement
Jameel M. White
DeZafra Leadership Fellow, to support the development of leadership skills in women in public and international affairs
Allison M. DiSenso, Penelope E. Nelson-Bissett, Patricia H. Puskar
Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship, to support outstanding graduate students in the study of other languages and regions
Samantha A. Hryciuk
Fulbright Fellowship, U.S. Department of State, for international students pursuing graduate study in the United States
Muhammad K. Butt, Anabel F. Castillo, Gala A. Gomez-Minujin, Monica L. Jacobo-Suarez, Cecelia F. Lavena, Maricel Leon-Coto, Suleiman T. Mohammad
K. Leroy Irvis Fellowship (University of Pittsburgh and GSPIA), for students from historically underrepresented groups preparing for careers in public or international affairs
David A. Bell Sr.
Nationality Room and Intercultural Exchange Program, Summer Study Abroad Scholarship Program, The African Heritage Room Committee Room Scholarship, to research security systems within Buduburam Refugee Camp, Ghana
Penelope E. Nelson-Bissett
Pi Alpha Alpha, a national honor society recognizing outstanding scholars in the field of public affairs and administration
Jennifer E. Easton, Elinor T. Fisher, Lori M. Howard, Hee Seung Lee, Meaveen M. Malinowski, Briana N. Mihok, Heather M. Ryan
Presidential Management Fellowship, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, a highly competitive national fellowship program for outstanding students who have an interest and commitment to a career in the analysis and management of public policies and programs in the federal government
Lance Hampton
Matthew B. Ridgway Center Awards, GSPIA and the University Center for International Studies, for scholarship and service in advancing the center’s goals of international security
Evgeny Postnikov
Sergeant James “Rip” Taylor Public Service Award, for an outstanding student who exemplifies a deep commitment to public service and academic achievement
Joan C. Eichner
Carl Ware Fellowship, for African and African-American students with high academic achievement and demonstrated need
Gyldas-Allen Ofoulhast-Othamot, Nnennaya N. Okoro
Alex Weilenmann Doctoral Research Award
Thomas Hasse
Wolfson Fellowship in Public Personnel Management, for students pursuing careers in personnel management in the public sector
John C. Kline, Jessica R. Kopsic
STUDENT ACADEMIC HONORS
David E. Oeler Award, for excellence in the field of information service management
Namkyung Oh
Dean’s Award, for academic achievement and distinguished service the school and university
Eric Richard Donson
Doctoral Program Award, for academic excellence in the advancement of knowledge in public and international affairs
Michael D. Siciliano
Faculty Award, for academic distinction in international development
Andrew S. Bryson, Aya Okada
Faculty Award, for academic distinction in international affairs
Aaron T. Young
Faculty Award, for academic distinction in public and urban affairs
Carly J. Urban
Faculty Award, for academic distinction in public policy and management
Craig D. Douglass
Gloria Fitzgibbons Memorial Award, for GSPIA women who have demonstrated scholastic achievement and potential for leadership related to public administration or planning
Abir Matar
Lawrence Cabot Howard Doctoral Research Award, for high scholarly qualities and a commitment to a just society
Eric Hartman
Taraknath Das Award, for an outstanding paper on a subject related to Asia
Aya Okada
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**Photos to come. Check back soon!**
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