U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana
|
U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana is known world-wide for his expertise in international affairs and Andrew Downs, director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics on the IPFW campus, introduced the first Lugar Scholars of International Affairs at a news conference earlier this week.
James Lutz, chair of the Department of Political Science, was named the first Lugar Faculty Scholar, and Lisa Grier, a senior from New Haven majoring in political science and French, was named the first Lugar Student Scholar
Downs said that in tribute to Lugar, each academic year one or more IPFW students and one IPFW faculty member will be named as Lugar Scholars. The faculty scholar will work to improve our understanding of international affairs through research and serve as a mentor to the Lugar Student Scholars. During the fall semester, the Lugar Student Scholars will work as interns in Sen. Lugar’s office or for any committee chaired by the Senator. The students will also work for one week each in the senator’s Indianapolis and Fort Wayne offices. They will earn a total of nine credit hours for the semester. During the spring semester, the student scholars will serve as paid research assistants for the Lugar Faculty Scholar.
"Sen. Richard Lugar has been one of the most informed members of the Senate with his knowledge of international issues," said Lutz, "and he is widely respected by his senate colleagues of both parties. It is a special honor, therefore, to be the first Lugar Faculty Scholar." Grier said she has never experienced government up-close and expects her time as an intern to give her a more well-rounded education. "Plus, who wouldn’t want to be in our nation’s capitol during a presidential election year?"
"I am pleased that IPFW and the Downs Center are undertaking this program in international scholarship and am honored to have my name associated with it," said Lugar. "When Chancellor Wartell approached me with this idea, I was excited about the possibility of strong international scholarship advancing at IPFW through the work of the Lugar Faculty Scholar. I also look forward to meeting with Lisa when she begins her internship, as well as all future Lugar Student Scholars."
As part of the program, the Lugar Lecture on International Affairs is expected to become an annual event on the IPFW campus.
|
