Of Note: Center Recognizes Students’ Achievements

CATEGORIES: May 2012, Voices

The Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics is pleased to recognize the accomplishments and activities of its supporters, students and staff:

Sawyer Baker and Madeline Becker, Legacy of Heroines intern and scholar, were among 35 students selected to participate in the 2012 Iowa N.E.W. Leadership Summer Institute May 21-25 at the University of Iowa. Presented by the Women’s Resource and Action Center, the intensive residential institute is designed to develop women’s leadership skills, support their engagement in civic life, and create opportunities for them to build relationships with leaders on the local, state and national level. The 2012 participants were chosen by a diverse panel of university and community leaders and represent eight different Iowa colleges and universities.

Molly Bryant, Legacy of Heroines scholar, was awarded the 3rd House Memorial Scholarship at the Department of Political Science Awards Luncheon on April 11. The scholarship recognizes student leadership ability and excellence in campus activities.

Jared Knight, leadership certificate student, was elected in March as president of the Government of the Student Body (GSB) at Iowa State University. The GSB president is responsible for setting the direction and initiatives for the student government each year. He previously served as GSB vice president, residence hall senator and as a Supreme Court justice. Knight also was awarded the Serge Garrison Memorial Scholarship at the Department of Political Science Awards Luncheon on April 11. The scholarship recognizes student leadership ability and excellence in campus activities.

Chandra Peterson, Legacy of Heroines scholar, was presented the Alda and Weldon Brown Award at the Department of Political Science Awards Luncheon on April 11 as the graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade point average. She also was selected as a co-recipient of the Ross Talbot Outstanding Graduating Senior Award, which recognizes academic and personal achievements.

Clinton M. Stephens, postdoctoral teaching assistant, successfully defended his dissertation on April 30 and graduated on May 4 with a Ph.D. in education with an emphasis in higher education administration. Titled “Examining Higher Education Institutions’ Finances to Understand Their Priorities,” he used three research projects to analyze how public universities absorb cuts in state funding. Stephens will continue with this line of inquiry to assist state legislatures and their public institutions in making funding decisions to better educate students.

Stephens also received the Iowa State University Greek Community’s Outstanding Faculty Award in March. The award is designated for faculty “who excel in relating to their students while effectively teaching the subject material.” He was nominated by three chapters – Sigma Pi, Pi Kappa Phi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Students nominating Stephens were members of his LAS 222 class, “Leadership Styles and Strategies in a Diverse Society.”