Public Service Awards '09

The annual Wilson Center Awards banquet and awards presentations was held on April 17, 2009. As in past years, this was a highlight of the year for the Wilson Center. This year the Wilson Center recognized and honored the distinguished public service careers of three alumni, and awarded certificates of competion to the seniors in both the Public Service and the Military Leadership/National Securities Studies Certificate Programs. Both leadership programs are now recognized as minors and are so noted on the transcript of graduating seniors.

The 2009 Public Service Program Certificate Recipients are pictured below, flanked by Wilson Center Director David E. Marion and H-SC President Walter M. Bortz III. Additional banquet pictures...

  
Left to right:(above)

David P. Breeden. a Political Science major (cum laude) completed his internship on Capitol Hill. His researched addressed the constitutionality of the McCain-Feingold Bill. He held the Richard Morton Venable Scholarship. David has accepted a teaching position with the Fishburne Military School.

Brandon J. Clapp, a Political Science major (cum laude), completed his internship at "Citizens Against Government Waste" in Washington, D.C. His research focused on Earmark Reform. He held the Patrick Henry Scholarship. After graduation, Brandon plans to attend law school.

  
Left to right: (above)

Devin G. Drumheller, a Economics and Political Science major (summa cum laude, Honors in Economics), interned in Washington, D.C at the Government Affairs office of Freedom Works, a grassroots watchdog organization founded by former TX Congressman Dick Armey. His research topic was "Ethanol in the United States." He held the D. Maurice Allan Scholarship. Devin will be a Koch Associate with the Institute for Energy Research.

George M. Heeschen, a Political Science major (summa cum laude, Second Honor), interned in the office of Gary O'Connell '73, City Manager in Charlottesville, VA. His research was on city/universitiy collaboration on community sustainability efforts. In addition to receiving the Wilson Center's Morgan Award, George received the James Madison Award at Final Convocation. He held the Patrick Henry Scholarship. Next year, he will enter the Masters of Public Administration Program at the Universty of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

  
Left to right: (above)

Matthew R. Hubbard, a Political Science and History major (summa cum laude) completed a General Assembly internship in 2007. His research addressed party leadership in the General Assembly (Delegate Ward Armstrong and the tensions between his party leadership and his conservative constituency). He held the Richard Morton Venable Scholarship. Through the Marshall University "Appalachians Abroad" program, Matt has been accepted to teach in Shanghai during the '09 - 10 academic year.

R. Christian Malott, a French and Religion major (cum laude, Interdisciplinary Honors in French & Religion), interned at the U.S. Department of Commence. His research was entitled, "S.2500/H./R. 4789: The Performance Rights Act." This bill aimed to grant performers of sound recordings equal rights to the compensation from terrestrial broadcasters. Christian received the Gemborys-Choate-Bouin-Swenson Award for International Studies at Final Convocation. He will be attending law school in Michigan in the fall.

  
Left to right: (above)

Spencer R. Mobley, a Political Science major with an additional minor in Rhetoric (summa cum laude, Honors in Government & Foreign Affairs), did his internship in the Governmental Affairs Office of the Virginia Manufacturers' Association. His research topic focused on climate change regulations in Virginia. Spencer received the John marshall Writing Award at Final Convocation. He held the Patrick Henry Scholarship. Next year he will be attending law school at the University of Richmond.

Zachary E. Smith, a History major, interned in the office of the County Manager in Louisa County. His research topic was, "The issue of Development in Fluvanna County." He has accepted a positon with BB&T.

Brennan W. Walter, a Political Science major, was an intern at the Maryland State Attorney's Office in Baltimore. He also did a Capitol Hill internship in 2007. His research focused on gun legislation and initiatives in the Richmond, Washington D.C., and Baltimore region. The title was "Gun Control in the Mid-Atlantic Urban Centers: Targeting the Offender Versus Targeting the Gun." Next fall, he plans to attend the School of Law at the University of Baltimore.

Not Pictured:

Adam M. Stephenson, a Political Science major, completed a summer internship in the Southside Region Office of the Young Life Association. His research paper explored the value of having ministries in democratic societies, as well as how to run an effecive Young Life area. After college he plans on teaching in Cary, NC for several years, then complete his MBA at UNC-Chapel HIll.

Links:

Annual Morgan Awards

Patrick Henry Awards

Public Service Certificate Program

Military Leadership/National Securities Studies Certificate Program