Political Science CyberNewsletter

Number 5 - November 26, 1999

All Gregorian technicalities aside, this is the last newsletter of the millennium. I'm going to exercise my editorial and professorial 
prerogative to profess for a minute, so please forgive my "Morgenthau-like" long sentences. Five weeks from today is New Year's 
Eve, and the morning after that we begin a decade no one knows what to call (the two thousands? the zero's? the aughts? the
 naughts?) that promises to continue (ever-more rapidly) to challenge our wisdom, intellectual capabilities, and political and social 
structures as technological advancements and their consequences (e.g. in economics, medicine, warfare, and information gathering/
sharing/etc.), combine with the (related) globalization phenomenon, to outpace the political and social development of our country and 
our race (the human race). That's scary.

The evidence of success that our alumni's stories provide strongly demonstrates that those of you who have graduated -- remember 
many current majors and minors also receive this -- left our department well-prepared to succeed in law school, graduate school, and the
work world (both private and public sectors). I hope the Liberal Arts education you received at Mercyhurst, particularly in our department, 
also has prepared you (as well as is possible) for grappling with the ever-changing moral and political decisions you will be faced with.

The Mercyhurst Mission Statement calls for us to challenge students "to think critically", to produce students who "comprehend the riches 
of our global community", and who will "work for positive change."  It also speaks of the need to promote "the values of truth, individual 
integrity, human dignity, mercy, and justice." Whether through your vocations, your avocations, your donations, your votes, or your 
personal lives led, our department hopes that your lives have been positively affected by your time here in a way that will affect:the 
misery and injustice, the violence and ignorance, the hunger and lack of freedom, and the hatred and intolerance that are parts of too
many lives in a world that now has over six billion people on it. 

As you continue to give thanks for all you do have, as we all move into a season where -- whatever your beliefs -- we are often reminded
that giving is better than receiving, and as we begin a new decade, century, and millennium, I want to do two things. First, I simply wish 
you all well. Secondly, I offer thanks to past majors and minors, to current students, and to my two colleagues, for helping me face the
 new horizon with enough confidence to get out of bed on Jan. 1. I hope your holiday season, new year, new century, and new 


WHO'S DOING WHAT: (Alumni)  Note: more of you could help me out here, by keeping me better informed about changes in your lives.
Also, if anything is incorrect please let me know and I'll "make it right" in the next edition. My Fall term was my most exhausting ever, so I
apologize ahead of time for any and all errors and omissions. In alphabetical order.......

Megan Bullotta '99 (Major) - Moved to Cleveland and was promptly hired by Ernst and Young as a Client Service Coordinator assisting the 
Litigation Financial Advisory team. She started August 6. No reports yet on how she's enjoying her job.

Emilio Colaiacovo '98 (Minor) - is now in his second year of law school. Last summer he clerked for the District Attorney's Office.  Working 
with the Grand Jury, he prepared legal memo's for the Assistant District Attorney's on relevant areas of the penal code. Also, he was 
named the Graduate Assistant for the Dean of the Law school.  This means no tuition. He work with the Dean on various legal problems 
usually revolving around federal civil practice. The Dean honored Emilio with the opportunity to work a federal habeas corpus appeal with 
him. Emilio reports that the Dean is as liberal as he is conservative... but that they get along famously. Emilio was also named Associate 
Editor of the Buffalo Criminal Law Review. And, in his spare time has worked as a writer for a political campaign. Here's Emilio's description
of what the independent study will entail: "This independent study requires that I read through the record and prepare a brief requesting
 the release of this defendant.  Here, the defendant was tried and convicted for 1st and 2nd degree possession of a controlled substance.  
Our Rockefeller drug laws are so draconian.  The sentence was 20 years to life.  While no advocate of drugs, this forces me to defend 
someone I normally would not assist. To sweeten the pot, I get to argue the motion before a federal district court judge.  The dean, 
who I assume is pleased with my work, said he would give me that opportunity and experience.  For that I am very grateful.  I just hope 
I hold my ground and my lunch down." 

Brian Eichstadt '98 (Minor) - Has changed jobs. He now works for the Primark Corporation, located in Bethesda, Md.  The company is 
involved in the financial services industry and provides proprietary databases regarding SEC filings.  Brian told Dr. Federici that "his decision
not to immediately attend graduate school was a good move because I can't decide what subject to study.  Besides my interest in 
political science, I have now found an interest in attending business school or getting some computer programming experience.  Well, I 
am now planning to take the GMAT and will decide what to do later in the year. Primark also has tuition reimbursement so I still have a 
good chance to get some help paying for my classes." He added that the job market is really good in Washington, that there are a good 
number of entry-level positions available. And, he has found that often the entry-level Bachelor degree opportunities are paying as much
or more than advertised jobs that require a Masters degree.

Jule Gardner '95 (Major) - Is surviving and thriving in New York and at Columbia University's School of Journalism. Despite the encephalitis 
outbreak, Hurricane Floyd, and the most covered Senate race ever between two undeclared candidates, the biggest news in New York 
(okay - perhaps I exaggerate) is that Jule is planning on switching her career focus from newspaper writing to radio reporting. She hopes 
to do an internship at WNYC (the largest public radio station in the U.S.) and switch her course work concentration to radio next 
semester. So far Jule is giving the program good marks (and vice versa); considering its reputation the fact that she is not disappointed 
(nor overwhelmed) speaks well for both.

Ray Johnson '99 (Major) - Moved home to New York and opened a business, and reports that all is well. He is also considering pursuing a 
Masters degree in Public Administration. 

Amy Kovach '96 (Minor) - Has not much been heard from, but did suggest STRONGLY that people reading this newsletter consider 
reading the acclaimed non-fiction novel, "A Hope in the Unseen" by Ron Susskind. She found it to be one of the "most revealing and 
inspirational" books she has ever read and compared it to Kozol's "Amazing Grace."

Ed McIntyre '98 (Major) - Is in his second year at the University of Akron Law School and reports that his class on International Law 
frequently revisits topics he learned about as a political science major, particularly in Geopolitics. Ed also made sure I was aware of the new
TNT version of Animal Farm - thanks. Ed says all is going well....and I'm sure it is, but Ed's always happy during basketball season. By the 
way Ed, the Men's team here started 3-0 (against pretty weak competition) and the women are 2-1 so far.  

Bill Melville '99 (Minor) - Visited with me one Saturday this fall and has been staying quite busy. He writes for a suburban news publication 
group in the Columbus area (10-15 articles per week). Their stories are picked up by 21 different papers in the area. He got to cover 
Presidential hopeful Bill Bradley's campaign visit (even got a copy of his book autographed) and was surprisingly impressed by the former 
Senator. He also covered Former President Ford's speech at Ohio State University and found him quite articulate. Ford is now 86 years
old. His experience has been enjoyable enough that he is rethinking his career and graduate school plans.

Denise Miller '98 (Major) - Also visited this Fall, bringing a potential student to campus who sat in on a couple of Poli Sci classes. Things are 
going well at Duquesne Law School, where she recently helped put together a forum (currently showing on C-Span) about President 
Ford's pardon of former President Nixon. She also reported that her Constitutional Law class with Dr. Federici and her Environmental Class 
with Atty. Wall both had been excellent preparation for law school.

Christie Stratthaus '98 (Major) - Left the business world last summer and joined the law firm of Egler, Garrett, and Egler (downtown
Pittsburgh) as a Legal Assistant. She reports that she is enjoying it, doing well, and that her education definitely prepared her for her 
responsibilities. Particularly, she mentioned that her job requires her to summarize large documents and to answer interrogatories in a 
precise manner. In other words, it wasn't any particular information she gained, but the overall skills she gained in writing and analysis.

Gretchen Ulery '95 (Major) reports that whoever (twarn't I) stated that graduate school was easier than undergraduate school was 
"misrepresenting the facts" (not a direct quote). Her classes in Case Western's accelerated Master of Science Management of Information 
Systems program have been very good, but demanding. Haven't heard much from her lately, but at last report on top of her graduate 
school, she was still working two days a week at Merrill Lynch.

Rob Vescio '96 (Major) - Left Senator Murphy's office (who he had worked for virtually since graduation) and in August began working for 
State Representative Tom Stevenson. He also was recently accepted into Graduate School at the University of Pittsburgh. 

Rich Wagner '96 (Major) - Completed his MA in International Relations from American University in May 1998. He worked for the Federal 
Election Commission but found the work neither financially nor professionally rewarding. In late 1998 he left the public sector for work in a
venture capital/private equity firm located near DC.  His primary responsibilities involve country analysis and competitive intelligence. He also
was going to begin an MBA program in the Fall of 1999. 

Sherrie Weldon '97 (Major) - Details are rather sketchy, but after a phone interview with me and several others, the person checking 
Sherrie out said that I had confirmed what everybody else told him, and that they would apparently be lucky to hire her. No details on 
whether she accepted a new position or not. At last report, she was still working in a Senior Management position for the County Government in Tallahassee, FL.

  
WHO'S DOING WHAT: (Current Students)

Tammy Duke '00 (Major) - Had a great experience this summer interning (paid) at the EPA. While in DC (she also traveled for them) she 
worked on a project called the NationalPollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Electronic Report. In an early report she told me 
that "this involves Discharge Monitoring Reports for people who are considered permitees or those that hold permits to discharge their 
waste. They are being sent in by paper but because the government is going "paperless," EPA wants to move to electronic reporting.  
Some of the permitees have been sending their DMRs in electronically already but the EPA cannot verify who sent them and whether or 
not the E-mail is authentic.  So the EPA is creating a proposal for either one of two options: an electronic signature or a digitized 
signature. The electronic signature will be done by a computer pen just as an individual would sign their name for their purchase by credit
card/debit card at a department store like Sears.  The digitized signature is an asymmetric encryption code sent through the Internet that
the EPA would be able to verify when it is received.  It's all a little more complicated than that but I think you can get the picture.  They
are also working on either some type of software the permitees can install or a web page form that the permittee can upload its 
information to send things electronically."I won't share her final report, because even in cyberspace there are page limits. But, suffice it to
say that by the time she was done, she had earned a great deal, accomplished a great deal, and made a great impression on the people 
she worked with. 

Election Night 1999 - In early November, eight majors and one minor went down to the County Courthouse where they worked election
night as volunteers for the local newspaper. The compensation included the experience and $50, and they were well-treated by their 
hosts. Those experiencing the election night ambiance were: Kristen Brown, Billy Byrnes, Tammy Duke, Andrea Ellison, Carlo Garofalo, 
Mike Jones, Casey Kilroy, Michael Nesbella, and Maria Perinetti. I found it very encouraging that four first year students were involved. We 
have a strong cadre in the class of '04.

Liz Kolojek '00 (Major) - Spent Summer and Fall in DC doing an internship arranged through her other major (R/IAP) with the CIA. She 
iwilll return for Winter and Spring term, but will be unable to tell us anything to report in this newsletter. Nonetheless, we offer an 
unclassified congratulations.


Model UN - Speaking of congratulations, Dr. Ripley (and Dr. Clark from History) continue their excellent work with the Model UN Club - as 
do many students. They have their own budget now, and have been going to a local competition in the Fall and a major competition in 
the Winter or Spring. This Fall they once again participated in the Kent State - Ashtabula Model UN competition, and once again several 
Majors/Minors received individual awards. As a team they were one team too small to be in the "big school" category and too large to be 
in the "small school" category, but still placed well among the big schools.  

Melissa Poliseno '04 (Major)- Also is due kudos. She received significant playing time on the Women's Soccer team that made the Elite 
Eight this year before losing last Sunday.

Janet Stachelek and Perry Wood '01 (Majors) - Both seized the opportunity I had worked out with Gannon professor Dr. David Kozak, to 
take a special class on the Ridge Governorship.

Student Government - A large number of our majors (and at least one minor) are heavily involved (quite appropriately I might add) in 
student government. Two, Billy Byrnes and Perry Wood were also appointed to a Presidential Task Force to consider the future 
governance structure of Mercyhurst College (Dr. Ripley and Dr. Clemons are also on this task force). Billy is also a member of a task force 
considering changes in to address alcohol related behavioral problems on campus. Because the Student Union is locked, and the college's 
internet site less than excellent, I am going to have to try to remember everyone involved in student government from memory. Errors 
seem likely. Nonetheless, those I believe are involved are : Perry Wood, Frank Kostic, and Bruce Snead; Stacey Tate, Patrick Fore, and Billy 
Byrnes; Carlo Garofalo and Casey Kilroy. I stand ready to be corrected (actually I sit, ready to be corrected).

DEPARTMENT NEWS:

Fall highlights included:

Ripley versus Federici versus Clemons. A well-attended debate on the role of the United States in terms of military intervention in the 
world, on behalf of humanitarian causes served as the Fall Faculty Colloquium. Students and Faculty in attendance enjoyed the evening 
(in fact, I had to cut-off faculty questions to allow students to join the fray. The most frequent feedback received was that in addition to
being thought-provoking and entertaining, the debate showed off both the camaraderie and caliber of the Poli. Sci. department. 

Faith Based Advocacy: Rev. Joy Kaufman came down from Harrisburg (where she is a lobbyist for a large group of churches), and David 
Robinson (an alumni of the Mercyhurst Political Science Dept. and one of the top people from the national headquarters of Pax Christi) 
made presentations and fielded questions. This event was also well-attended. Later that night, Rev. Kaufman did a workshop on the 
ABC's of Advocacy to a group mostly made up of Dr. Clemons's graduate students and a group of students from a Social Work class.

John Haer: We also combined with the Social Work Department to bring in the Staff Director for Local 585 (a union with over 15,000 
members in Western PA). This well-attended talk focused on unions, organizing, and negotiation.

Dr. Kevin Sullivan led our only Fall Ad-hoc. His brief presentation on the complicated web of important issues surrounding euthanasia 
helped frame a thoughtful discussion that eventually turned (as usual) into a discussion of all sorts of other issues, including campus life. 

Both Dr. Ripley and Dr. Clemons led discussions as part of a new Global Issues Discussion Group. 

Dr. Federici presented a paper on Voeglin at the American Political Science Association annual meeting in early September.


OTHER: 

A son (Pierce) was born to Dr. Federici and his wife (Frances) near the end of the Fall term. However, he was born with major medical 
problems, barely survived, and is now in a coma. It is extremely unlikely that his condition will change and he faces other medical 
difficulties as well. I'm sure Dr. Federici, Pierce, Elizabeth (2 and a half), and Frances have your thoughts and prayers. 

This tragedy has made eminently clear the fragility, mystery, difficulty and pain, and wonders and joy of life. David Schuman's book which 
my American Government students have long read, has three suggestions in the last chapter, as part of "Way Four".... Do your best, 
enjoy life, and be with people. I hope that is what we all do in the year 2000. 
rc