New scholarship program for the politically savvy
A scholarship is now available for Utah State University students with an interest in politics.
The Merrill Scholars Program is a $750 scholarship opportunity now being offered to 6 to ten students a semester through the department of political science.
This spring is the first semester the scholarship is being offered, funded by the Merrill endowment initially created to help undergraduate education. The initial plan for the money was to hire a full-time political science professor. However the department found other ways to benefit their students, like bringing in guest speakers and national scholars.
”We found many innovative ways to benefit undergraduates with the endowment and have decided that these many invitations are more beneficial than simply hiring one person,” said Michael Lyons, associate professor in political science.
Lyons and Damon Cann, assistant professor in the political science department, decided it would be beneficial to have a group of undergraduate students dedicated to following the election process.
“It’s just a way of expanding the political science curriculum into a different realm and giving really superb students a unique kind of experience,” Lyons said.
The Merrill Scholars Program is an opportunity for students who demonstrate a strong future in politics.
“We want to give them something that they just wouldn’t get in a normal class room context,” Lyons said.
Any student can apply for this scholarship as long as they have an interest in politics and are willing to stay up to date on current events. It is required that all members attend a weekly discussion group that follows current events. This year the members are focusing on the upcoming election, following possible candidates for the presidency and discussing their strengths and weaknesses.
“We are not just interested in the horse race aspect of the election,” Lyons said. “We are interested in the future of the political parties and the political health of the nation.”
The program also brings in guest speakers, such as Jennifer M. Seelig, a former leader of the House of Representatives for the Democratic Party. They also plan to invite Brianna Bowen, a Truman Scholar who was USU’s valedictorian in 2014, to speak to the members of the program and become involved in their political discussions.
Neil Abercrombie, director of government relations at USU, said he hopes the program will provide a venue for students to participate with actual policy makers and professors.
The group currently has an even amount of Democratic and Republican members, but Lyons said there should be a stronger representation of women and minorities.
“We were very disappointed with the number of applicants; we didn’t have as many female applicants as we would have liked,” Lyons said.
Allison Fife, one of two female members, is a duel major in history and economics. She said that being a non-political science major allows her to bring a different perspective to the discussions.
“I think any degree of diversity would benefit,” Fife said. “I think it’s especially important to continue to include non-(political science) major students. We bring a different perspective to politics.”
Several current members are graduating this semester or in the fall, opening up slots for new applicants; they recommend that potential scholars become more involved in student government and be active students in Lyons’ political science classes.
—sara.albertson@aggiemail.usu.edu