News about Stennis Center

KANSAS GOVERNOR MARK PARKINSON ANNOUNCED AS THE 2010 WINNER OF THE HAROLD KELLER AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP

The Stennis Center recently selected Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson as the 2010 recipient of the Harold Keller Award for Public Service Leadership.  The award honors an individual who has successfully applied lessons learned through National Forensic League (NFL) Student Congress to become an effective leader in public service.

Governor Parkinson participated in the 1975 National Forensic League House of Representatives in Indianapolis, Indiana, elected as presiding officer for his chamber. He graduated with 633 merit points accumulated for participation and success, reaching a degree of Special Distinction in the NFL honorary society.

A successful businessman and attorney, Governor Parkinson has previously served Kansas as Lieutenant Governor and completed terms in both the State Senate and House of Representatives.  He assumed his post as Governor of Kansas on April 28, 2009.  Click here to learn more about the 2010 Keller Award winner.  The award will be presented during the National Forensic League's 2010 National Speech Tournament held June 13-18, 2010, in Kansas City, Missouri.

STENNIS FELLOWS DISCUSS HISTORY OF PARTISANSHIP IN CONGRESS WITH PANEL OF EXPERTS

On December 7, 2009, Stennis Fellows from the 111th Congress held a roundtable discussion at the National Archives with former Congressman Mickey Edwards, Sarah Binder, professor at George Washington University and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Pat Griffin, former congressional staff member, Administration official, and lobbyist to explore the historical development of partisanship in Congress.  This roundtable was the first in a series of discussions the Fellows will have over the coming year as they examine the broad theme of their fellowship: Balancing Governing Responsibility and Campaign Politics.  Read more on the Stennis Fellows program.

SOUTHERN WOMEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE IN STONE MOUNTAIN, GEORGIA 

Power, personality and potential were on display as the Stennis Center convened more than 30 women leaders from Florida, Georgia and South Carolina to discuss ways to encourage, promote and strengthen women's leadership in the South. The Southern Women in Public Service Regional Roundtable was an intensive 24-hour program on October 29-30, 2009 in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Florida, Georgia and South Carolina rank 25, 38 and 50 respectively in the percentage of women in state legislatures, a key barometer of women's political leadership.

Led by professional facilitator Carole Leland, participants worked in small groups to determine where we have come from regarding women's political leadership, where we are now, where should we go and finally how do we get there with purpose, planning and action.  Former West Virginia Secretary of State Betty Ireland and Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, set the tone with opening remarks on the importance of women's leadership.  Participants included mostly women serving as state legislators, along with a mixture of others in public service.  In addition, female college students with an interest in becoming leaders also were involved in the discussions.

USS STENNIS AND USS EISENHOWER LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNERS VISIT D.C.

On October 19 & 20, the USS STENNIS and USS EISENHOWER leadership award winners toured Washington, D.C., where they met with Members of Congress, congressional staff and other civilian leaders.  The trip is a part of the Stennis Center's continuing effort to strengthen understanding and relationships between civilian leaders and the military.  As the leadership award winners are honored and learn about how policy is made in Washington, the civilian leaders have an opportunity to learn about the life, values, culture and institutions of the military through visits with the leadership award winners and their family members.  Including family members in discussions with leaders in Washington helps further understanding of contributions made by the family members of those who serve in the American military.

Click here to read more about the Stennis Center's Leadership Award Program with eight of the Navy's aircraft carriers.

111th CONGRESSIONAL STENNIS FELLOWS RETREAT IN SHEPHERDSTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA

The 111th Congressional Stennis Fellows gathered in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, for a workshop on "Dialogue Essentials" and to finalize their learning agenda for the coming year.  The workshop focused on providing interactive efforts to apply dialogue to practical problem solving and a powerful way to find common ground.  Before the retreat concluded, the Fellows finalized their learning agenda that will be used as a basis to organize a number of roundtables with outside experts between December and April. 

2009 STENNIS NOVICE SPEECH & DEBATE TOURNAMENT HELD ON MSU CAMPUS

Over 250 high school students came together September 11-12, 2009, on the campus of Mississippi State University to compete in the Stennis Novice Speech & Debate Tournament.  The tournament provides a level playing field
for students who are just beginning to compete in speech and debate.  The participants from Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee build confidence and hone their speaking skills before they compete against more experienced
students later in the school year.  Students who master debate skills are more likely to consider public office as adults.  The Stennis Center is proud to sponsor this annual tournament for the 14th year.

2009 USS STENNIS FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Erin Walker and Aimee Gray, both of Bremerton, Washington, are the 2009 recipients of the USS STENNIS Family Scholarship.  John C. Stennis Center for Public Service awards the scholarships on an annual basis to children and spouses of crewmembers of the USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) aircraft carrier.  Recipients of the award are students planning to dedicate themselves to a life of public service.

Currently a student at Chapman University, Walker is majoring in the field of psychology.  She is actively involved in the USS John C. Stennis Family Readiness Group and Officer Spouse Group.  After graduation, Walker plans to pursue a master's degree and enter the field of counseling.  Her career ambition is to work intimately with military families and currently gains valuable experience as a volunteer with the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society.

Walker is the wife of Lieutenant Nicholas Walker of Bremerton, Washington.  LT Walker currently serves on the USS Stennis in the Aircraft Integrated Maintenance Operations (AIMO) IM4 division.

A leader at Klahowya Secondary School, Gray served as cheerleading captain, National Honor Society public relations officer, and Pep Club treasurer.  In addition to her 4.0 GPA, she received many academic awards including the AP Scholar Award, Rotary Student of the Month, and five academic letters.  This fall, Gray will continue her education at the University of Evansville in Indiana where she will pursue a secondary education degree in science.

Gray is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Warren Gray of Bremerton, Washington.  MCPO Gray currently serves in the USS Stennis' Combat Systems department as a Master Chief Petty Officer.