 |
Grinnell College is pleased to announce two newly endowed prizes awarded to Grinnell seniors for the first time this spring:
The Young W. Kihl '59 Political Science Prize
Young Kihl established the Young W. Kihl '59 Political Science Prize to thank Grinnell College for providing him with a solid undergraduate education—one that inspired him, supported him, and motivated him to pursue his interest in international politics.
This prize recognizes an outstanding political science major who has demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to the ideals of a liberal arts education.
Rachel Moskowitz '06, a political science major from Wooster, Ohio, is the inaugural recipient of the Young W. Kihl '59 Political Science Prize.
In the summer and fall of 2004, Moskowitz undertook a Mentored Advance Project (MAP) with the assistance of her adviser Barbara Trish, associate professor of political science.
Trish states, "Rachel designed a research project which explored state funding of education in the U.S. This was a very successful project, from start to finish. She explored with a sophisticated eye the existing scholarship in the area, and then developed a project that examined Iowa and Ohio as case studies. Her data collection relied on personal and telephone interviews with a variety of policy-making actors, mostly at the state level. I recall sitting in our regular sessions, listening to Rachel talk about her experiences and thinking that this young woman had turned herself into a credible expert in a very short amount of time."
Moskowitz's involvement with campus life goes beyond what is typical. She actively participated in the Rosenfield Program in Public Affairs, Mortar Board, and the Davis Buddies program. She also co-founded and served as co-coordinator of the Student Campaign for Increased Political Engagement, a student group focused on increasing civic and political participation, education, and dialogue on campus. Her involvement and commitment is impressive, as demonstrated by her election to the Political Science Student Educational Policy Committee and as a senator on student government's Joint Board.
Moskowitz's success on the soccer field is just as impressive. This fall, ESPN The Magazine selected her for its Academic All-American College Division First Team and the Jewish Sports Review selected her for their 2005 Women's College All-America Soccer First Team. In addition, Grinnell's women's soccer team won the conference championship in 2003 and 2005 and qualified for NCAA national tournament in 2004 and 2005.
The John H. Worley Endowed Prize in Philosophy
Graduates Mike Kump '74 and Robert Leventhal '75 initiated the John H. Worley Endowed Prize in Philosophy. Kump and Leventhal secured contributions from 50 alumni and friends of Jack Worley to make this prize a reality.
This prize recognizes an outstanding senior philosophy student who has demonstrated excellence in philosophy and a commitment to the ideals of a liberal arts education, and who intends to continue formal education after graduation from Grinnell.
Ben Johannsen '06, a double major in philosophy and economics from Muscatine, Iowa, is the first recipient of the John H. Worley Endowed Prize in Philosophy.
In the summer of 2005, Johannsen undertook a Mentored Advance Project (MAP) with the assistance of Bradley W. Bateman, associate dean of the college and the Gertrude B. Austin Professor of Economics. Johannsen's MAP is titled "Rethinking the Monetarist Experience."
In addition, Johannsen worked as a researcher for the Department of Economics, where he examined the influence of Milton Friedman and the tenure of Paul Volcker as chair of the Federal Reserve. Departmental professors recognized Johannsen's talents and recruited him to help grade assignments for the macroeconomic classes.
Johannsen's philosophy adviser, Johanna Meehan, associate professor of philosophy, writes, "Ben embodies the virtues so often invoked in the context of the liberal arts. He is one of the brightest students I have ever had the pleasure of teaching. He reads widely, sympathetically, and critically. His writing skills are top-notch, he writes clearly, is analytically inclined and capable, and delivers skillful analyses and thoughtful critiques."
Meehan has gotten to know Johannsen outside of the classroom as well. "Ben is a person of fine character, steady, reliable, capable of initiative and leadership," she says, "As I have come to know him over the last three years, I have been as impressed by his integrity, his humor, and his devotion to his family as I have been by his intelligence and academic achievements."
Johannsen's involvement with campus life is impressive, and includes his appointment to the Student Government Finance Committee and the Commencement Committee, as well as his election to the Economics Educational Policy Committee. Johannsen also served as a volunteer student adviser and a lab instructor at the University of Iowa's institute in debate. Johannsen was elected to Mortar Board in 2005.
Johannsen's success on the athletic field is just as remarkable. He is a standout on the golf team—he was awarded the Freshman Student Athlete of the Year award in 2003, captained the men's varsity golf team for 4 years, and was named to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America, 2nd Team.
|
|
