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CAS alumna is Marshall Scholarship finalist

November 14, 2013

Alumna Roxanne Reese has made it to the final round of the Marshall Scholarship selection process and is traveling this week for a personal interview at the British Consulate-General in San Francisco. She graduated with honors in May 2012 with BA degrees in philosophy and political science, minors in ethics and criminal justice, and a certificate of completion from the WSU Honors College. She held a WSU Distinguished Regents Scholarship throughout her undergraduate program.

“The entire WSU community is very pleased that Roxanne is but one step away from becoming the first WSU graduate to receive a Marshall Scholarship,” said Mary F. Wack, WSU vice provost for undergraduate education. “She is an accomplished scholar with well-defined career goals and she will be an excellent representative of our university and nation.”

The Marshall is one of a set of prestigious awards commonly known as “distinguished scholarships.” It was established in 1953 by the United Kingdom Parliament to provide funding for up to 40 exceptional American students each year who seek to pursue graduate education in the U.K.

Washington state GMO labeling may be decided by relatively few voters

October 31, 2013

Voting strictly by absentee ballots, citizens of Washington state soon will decide, among other, lower-profile issues, whether the state will adopt Initiative 522 to label foods that contain genetically modified organisms (GMO). The theory behind the state’s unique, all-absentee-ballot system is that more people will participate if it’s more convenient.

However, it hasn’t entirely worked out that way, says Travis Ridout, WSU professor of political science.

“Most studies show that vote by mail increases turnout a little bit just because of the convenience factors but maybe not as much as supporters of it would hope,” Ridout said. In an off-cycle election with little on the statewide ballot, like the one this year, about 30 percent of the state’s residents are likely to vote, he predicted. Thus, the decision of whether to become the first state in the country to require GMO labeling on food, which could encourage other states to do the same, might come down to roughly 1.2 million votes.

Former House Speaker Thomas Foley leaves profound public service legacy

October 18, 2013

After three decades of distinguished public service, former Washington State Congressman and 57th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Thomas S. Foley leaves a powerful legacy in public policy and education throughout Washington and nationwide. Widely admired for his quiet commitment to respectful leadership, Foley died Oct. 18 at age 84 at his home on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Foley’s extensive work history and dedication to political and educational ideals are embodied in two resources at WSU: the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service and a collection of his Congressional papers (1964-1995) housed in the WSU Libraries’ Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections, both available to the public on the WSU Pullman campus.

“He was an inspirational politician whose commitment to civility and to honor in politics and public service underpins the philosophy of the institute that bears his name here, in the College of Arts and Sciences at WSU,” said Cornell Clayton, director of the Foley Institute.

Foley Institute director to discuss civility, democracy Oct. 1

October 1, 2013

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) hollers “You Lie!” at President Barack Obama during his health-care speech to Congress. Conservative talk-radio showman Rush Limbaugh labels a caller a “slut” because she advocates insurance coverage for contraceptive care. Occupy Wall Street protesters portray bankers as criminals. Is American democracy in the midst of an “incivility crisis”?

Cornell Clayton, political science professor and director of the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service, will discuss “Being Wrong about Democracy: Political Incivility in a Polarized Society” at 7 p.m. today, Oct. 1, in the Smith Center for Undergraduate Education, Room 203. Hosted by the Common Reading Program, this presentation is free and open to the public.

Washington State lawmakers not subject to tickets?

September 19, 2013

Carolyn Long

The Washington State Patrol says lawmakers should be shielded from arrest or civil process during the session, except for serious offenses.

But Carolyn Long, associate professor of politics, philosophy, and public affairs, disagrees. “I think it’s a terrible idea in this time when the public has a lot of mistrust in politicians and believe they get favored treatment,” she said. “So we ought to re-evaluate the application of the law and make sure it’s consistent.”