inside the public 2 servant
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FSN: The ins and outs of interviewing
The official student publication of the Bush School of Government and Public Service V o l u m e
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I S S UE
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Students explore, serve during break
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Opinion: Why Iran won't go nuclear
Opinion: Mexico, U.S. need to talk
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Bush School students were part of a record turnout in The Big Event 2012 on March 24. More than 60 students signed up to participate.
Making a Big Impact Jessica Yeo MPIA '12
This year’s 30th anniversary of The Big Event proved to be the biggest one ever for Texas A&M University, with over 17,500 students participating. It may have also been the biggest turnout for the Bush School, with 67 students registered. Bush School students
displayed their Aggie spirit by helping residents of the Bryan/College Station community with tasks such as weeding gardens, trimming hedges, washing windows and painting. After finishing their own respective sites, many students demonstrated their goodwill and team-player ethos by lendSee Event on Page 2
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T he Radish
An eye-opening night with Bryan PD
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Students honoring 41's legacy
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Lorax waxes too political
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Step up to The Soapbox
New Kids on the Block: Class of 2014Taking Shape Naaman Akinola MPSA '14
Anticipation. Apprehension. Excitement. A torrent of emotions stirred within me as I made my ascent towards the Allen Building, not exactly sure what lay ahead on the other side of those doors labeled
“The Bush School.” Back in February, 50 students, including myself, gathered to participate in the Bush School’s annual MPSA Interview Conference. During the whirlwind twoday event, we were treated to a wonderful lecture series featuring James Carville and Mary Matalin – which was also attended The Public Servant | 1
by Mr. and Mrs. Bush – and introduced to faculty and students, all while taking part in a wide array of other activities, including a writing assessment, faculty interviews, and panels consisting of former and current Bush School students. See 2014 on Page 9
STUDENT LIFE The Public Servant 2011-2012 Staff List
Casey Braswell, Editor-in-Chief Thomas Buchanan, Copy Editor Jeremy Twitchell, Layout Editor Section Editors: Student Life: Kristin Simpson and Paige Ericson Local: Alyssa Johnson and Courtney Burge Opinion: Courtney Rottman and Jessica Yeo The Radish: Calen Caple and Rachael Young Entertainment: Victoria Link Staff: Joe Aguiar, Andrew Bobo, Casi Buch, Chase Carter, Ashley Herron, Nicola Mallik, Debe Nwanze, Rustin Rhone, Michael Sobolik, Ashley Spradlin, Lindsay Taylor, Katie White The views expressed in this publication are those of Bush School students, not necessarily those of the George Bush School of Government and Public Service.
Event
From Page 1
ing a hand to their fellow Bushies still laboring away. The work accomplished in just a few hours was impressive; if one were to compare the ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures, it’d be a sight to behold. My hope is that with each passing year more Bush School students will heed President Bush’s statement that “public service is a noble calling” and will answer that call to service. While serving one’s state or nation is indeed a noble cause, we have the opportunity to make an impact right here in our community. All of the residents we assisted were very appreciative of the fact that we took time out of our Saturday to help make their lives a little bit easier. I implore you to never forget that you do not have to travel far to make a difference.
FSN: Interviewing 601 By the Bush School FSN Executive Board
Spring break may be over, but that can only mean one thing: Summer is on its way! This summer, whether you’re on an internship or relocating for a new job, be sure to let the FSN know where you are headed! That way, the regional representative will know to include you in their emails that will inform you of local events, housing opportunities, and FSN gatherings. If you are still looking for a job or internship, allow us to help you out. We’ve heard from many of you through the Dialogue Program, and have enjoyed sharing our experiences with you, but from those that have been too shy to reach out, we want you to go into your interviews with your best foot forward. Below, we’ve included some sound advice for the interview process. DO: Ask questions. Questions are a must, but spend some time thinking about these. Unique questions will get the interviewers to think, and let’s be honest – they love to talk about their organization. They have the job, so they’ll be pressed to answer as well as you have. Be specific. Similar to above, generic personality traits or answers aren’t convincing. This doesn’t mean getting out the thesaurus, but getting a better understanding of your own resume. Which means… Use examples. Each question answered should be referenced by a specific event or activity that can be verified by your resume. If it was important enough to list, it’s important enough to talk about. The Public Servant | 2
DO NOT: Slouch. Body language is worth a thousand words. Sit up straight and your posture will reflect interest and engagement. Look like you want to be there! Go in blind. Taking a cursory glance over the job description isn’t enough anymore. Make sure you spend some time on the organization’s website and external materials, obtaining knowledge of the current projects and organizational structure. Tips and Tricks: People remember conversations, not formulas. Don’t read off your resume, but add to it. Give them stories that go along with your experiences. Listing what you did is your resume’s job. Your job is to make them remember it. Be enthusiastic. It may not be your dream job, but rather a step in the right direction. Be sincere in your appreciation for the possible future opportunity. Follow up. Write a note of thanks! E-mails are great in a pinch, but if you have a longer time period before an applicant is selected for the position, hand-written notecards are the way to go. It shows how appreciative you are to have been granted an interview, gives the interviewer confidence that you’ll complete each task fully, and it keeps you in touch with the organization. Also, it’s polite. You may not stay at one position throughout your career, but impressions will always stick. Be sure that you are representing your character (and the Bush School!) in the best manner possible. Employers may not remember your resume, but they will remember your attitude - make it a good one!
STUDENT LIFE
Springtime in the Great Frozen North Courtney Burge
Seventeen Bush School students forsook the traditional environs of Spring Break to take a trip to Canada, where they studied Canadian culture and talked U.S.-Canada relations with policymakers.
MPIA '13
For Spring Break, 17 of us had the opportunity to travel to northern lands filled with white, powdery stuff and people who say, “Eh,” – also known as Canada. With Dr. Eden, Dr. Hermann, and Ambassador Napper leading the way, we filled our week with Parliamentary visits, a reception for former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, and a trip to our border. We were rewarded with prized connections, overwhelming information for research papers, and the best dang iced cider to ever grace our lips. As a directed study abroad, each of us was tasked with a research topic that we would present in pre-trip briefings and to which we would tailor our questions upon meeting ambassadors, colonels, and other governmental personalities. For five days, we discussed such pressing topics as the Keystone
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See Canada on Page 10
A WorkingVacation — Laredo Style Finding a way through the brushy jungles around the Rio Grande was just another day's work for Jack Huguley, one of three Bush School students to spend Spring Break with the Rio Grande International Study Center. While there, the students learned about issues confronting the river and helped the center devise new surveys.
Dinorah Sanchez MPSA '12
While most students caught ‘some’ extra zzz’s or worked on midterms, three Bush School students made their way down to Laredo for Spring Break. The Public Service Organization planned the first service trip in conjunction with the Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC) from Saturday, March 10th through Tuesday, March 13th. First-year MPIA student Jack Huguley and secondyear MPSA students Ramon Gonzalez and Dinorah Sanchez represented PSO and the Bush School. The students had the opportunity to meet RGISC board members, learn about the Rio Grande watershed, meet with the 406th District State Judge, discuss the City of Laredo’s water needs, gain an understanding of colonias and tour a few of them. Huguley, Gonzalez and Sanchez toured the Vergara See Rio Grande on Page 11
Dinorah Sanchez
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STUDENT OPINION
Four Reasons Why Iran Won't Go Nuclear I
ran will choose not to build a nuclear weapon because it understands that doing so will not improve its ability to project power in the region. In fact, building a nuclear weapon will shift the balance of power in the region against Iran in favor of its adversaries. While we cannot ascertain what the regime’s motives are, it can be fairly assumed that Iran will not Ashley Faddis build a nuclear weapon for four reasons. MPIA '13 First, Iran’s most immediate enemy had always been the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq. The Iran-Iraq war, during which Iraq invaded Iran in 1980, demonstrates this power struggle between both regimes. The U.S. elimination of the Saddam Hussein regime eliminates this hostile regional foe and ensures Iran’s dominance over Iraq. Since Saddam was forcefully removed from power, Iran has no need to build a nuclear weapon because its greatest external threat no longer exists. Second, the power vacuum in the region resulting from Saddam Hussein’s overthrow has left Iran as the only state capable of promoting its influence outside of its border. Around 40 percent of the world’s oil leaves through the Iran-controlled Strait of Hormuz. The high oil prices in the 21st century have greatly increased Iran’s financial assets. Even without nuclear weapons, Iran has established primacy within the Middle East. Because of Iran’s extensive influence in the Persian Gulf, building a nuclear weapon is not necessary for its continued maintenance of control in the region. Third, Iran already financially and materially supports terrorist groups in the region that can be used to subvert
its enemies. It is estimated that Iran provides around $300 million a year to Hezbollah in the way of supplies and other military provisions. With heavy influence from Iran, Hezbollah has launched multiple campaigns against Israel, including a successful war in 2006. Since Iran already supports regional terrorist groups who can subvert Israel while furthering the revolution, Iran has no need to build a nuclear weapon because it is well-positioned to project power without one. Finally, the arming of Iran with a nuclear weapon would adversely affect the balance of power. Even if Iran builds a nuclear weapon solely for defensive purposes, the message it sends to the rest of the world is that these nuclear weapons are being created for offensive purposes. Iran understands that when it increases its powers, it becomes an existential threat to other nations. This intensifies the potential for other nations, including many Western countries and Russia, to balance against Iran. The threat of other nations coalescing against Iran is not worth the potential loss of power it has achieved in the Persian Gulf region, especially since it can already achieve its objectives without a nuclear weapon. Thus, Iran will not create a nuclear weapon because it is not in its interest to do so. Iran is more powerful today than ever before and is still gaining power, even without a nuclear weapon. Iran does not want to risk disrupting the balance of power in favor of its adversaries. Instead, Iran will perform what is known as “surge capacity.” This means that although Iran possesses all of the components necessary to assemble a nuclear weapon within a short time frame, it will intentionally keep them apart to maintain its status as a non-nuclear weapons state, while maintaining the option to quickly assemble one if the situation arises. Therefore, Iran will not fully create a nuclear weapon because a nuclear weapon will not help Iran gain power in the region and Iran does not want to risk shifting the balance of power towards its adversaries.
The Worst Career Choice You'll Never Make O
Kethia Chheng MPSA '12
ver the past weekend, a cavalcade of Aggies donned matching t-shirts for The Big Event, a day in which the students devote themselves to selflessness and service. But for those of us in the nonprofit sector, every day is The Big Event. I’m certainly not a veteran of the nonprofit field, but I’ve been working in it for a couple of years now and I’ll likely return upon graduation. I’ll spare you the details of my resume, but I’ve fit every stereotype: overworked, underpaid and underappreciated. This wasn’t just from the The Public Servant | 4
places that I’ve worked, but from the outside, from people that don’t understand the sector. I’ve met critics and cynics who say things like, “You shouldn’t get paid to work in nonprofits.” They don’t find benevolence in people that devote their lives and careers to public service, but consider it altruistic to volunteer once a year during Christmas at a soup kitchen. Well, as it turns out, homeless people are hungry the entire year. See Nonprofit on Page 5
STUDENT OPINION
Mexico and the United States: Intimate Strangers E
very year, thouCooperation, however, sands of Ameriis difficult to achieve as cans mistakenly refer long as ignorance is ramto Cinco de Mayo as pant in either country. Mexico's Independence It has been said that the Day. While brewing problem of U.S.-Mexico companies should be relations is that one cares partially blamed, it is too much (Mexico) and astonishing that most the other one cares too Americans, Texans in little (the U.S.). I prefer particular, have such a what Mexican Nobel mediocre knowledge Laureate Octavio Paz of their neighbor to the Adrian Calcaneo once said: “The problem south. MPSA '12 is that Mexico does not While misinformation know how to talk and campaigns about Mexico the United States does not know how have been in place since the days of to listen.” Stephen F. Austin and the old northern As someone who lived in Mexico state of Coahuila y Tejas, long gone are for 19 years and in the United States the days where American and Mexican for 15 years, this is painfully evident. interests are misaligned. Since 1994 Few people are aware of the mutual and the implementation of NAFTA, dependency of these nations on one both nations have coordinated strategies to achieve mutual goals of prosper- another. I would argue that there is no ity, economic growth and the provicountry in the world that affects the sion of a better quality of life for their lives of American citizens more than citizens. John F. Kennedy often said Mexico (and vice versa). Mexico is “a rising tide lifts all the boats.” This the third largest trade partner of the was true then as it is now, especially in United States. According to the latest North America. Census numbers, every year 300 bilCooperation, however, will remain lion dollars’ worth of goods crosses elusive and difficult as long as politithe border. More importantly, Mexico cians in both countries continue to buys almost twice as many U.S. prodappeal to antiquated notions of mistrust ucts as China. This translates as more and an outdated sense of rivalry. American jobs depend upon Mexican In recent years, the bilateral agenda consumers than any other country has been hijacked by two main issues: in the world (with the exception of immigration and the War on Drugs. Canada). Unilateral action to try to contain eiPerceptions matter, and as long as ther the demand or the supply of these the population of the United States mostly economic issues will not work fails to take full advantage of the in the long run. These are two issues potential of their relationship with that neither country can solve alone; their neighbor to the south, we will rather, a solution requires building a continue to miss opportunities to immutual understanding and strategy to face these difficult challenges. In other prove the lives of the people on both sides of the border. Until then, we are words, politicians on both sides must condemned to celebrate Mexican Inset aside any damaging rhetoric and dependence Day on a day that means join forces to solve what is, no matter little to the average Mexican. how they slice it, a mutual problem. The Public Servant | 5
Nonprofit From Page 5
Now don’t get me wrong, volunteering for The Big Event or during Christmas time is a wonderful act. It is indeed rewarding to help others, which is why those of us in the nonprofit sector make a career out of it. I once had a kid I mentored tell me I was the closest thing he ever had to a brother. You can’t buy that feeling with a paycheck. You can’t include that in a benefits package. Whenever I introduce myself to someone new, I may talk about my hobbies or what music I like. But when I talk about my job, I don’t want to say, “This is where I work”; I want to say, “This is what I do.” But even with all the warm fuzzy feelings we get from helping others, it seems that it doesn’t outweigh the abuse that we take. So why do we do it? Because we don’t have a choice. Because we don’t just feel good about helping; we survive off of it. We use that feeling like we use food and water, nourishing all of the cells in our bodies. And that feeling transcends all sectors, not the just the nonprofits, to all of those in public service. Buddhism calls it “Metta,” Confucianism calls it “Ren.” Whatever you may call it, you’ll know it when it happens. The halls of the Bush School are painted with our namesake’s famous quote, “Public Service is a noble calling.” It is a calling, but it is also a burden. It is a burden to care about the lives and well-being of people you’ve never met or may never meet. It is a burden to know that we are just as smart and capable as our counterparts in business school, yet they will be making three times our salaries. But most of all, it is a burden to know that we will never really change that world, that there will always be more to be done. It is a career path built on failure and shortcomings. If you’ve ever second-guessed your decision, it was never a decision to begin with. You’ll end up stressed, broke and misunderstood. And yet somehow, you’ll love it.
Top 10 Reasons You Should Have Gone to the Bush Ball Travis C. Stalcup MPIA '13
10. Katy Perry Katy Perry wrote a song called “Firework.” Fireworks originated in China in the 10th Century. President George H.W. Bush served as Chief of the Liaison Office to the People's Republic of China from 1974 to 1975. Also, in her song she posits the question, “Do you ever feel already buried deep?” The Bush School provides the answer: “Yes.” 9. The Hilton The Hilton College Station (which is pretty much in Bryan) has come to embody the “Dust bowl chic” style common in the Brazos Valley. Seth Kugel, the New York Times’ Frugal Traveler, once called it, “a hotel with many rooms.” It is a hotel laden with such finery that it’s too opulent even for the former president and first lady, who are forced to rent a spartan apartment on campus. 8. Beer Wasn’t $6 a Bottle This year, beer was $4.50 a bottle. This 25 percent decrease in price lead to what this reporter estimates as a 10 percent decrease in the amount of bourbon consumed covertly in the men’s room. Cutting costs is a great way to prepare for dealing with federal budget constraints. 7. Swing Dancing Demonstrating that he was the champion dancer of the evening, Bill Munns successfully toed the line between acrobatics and domestic abuse. That line is swing dancing. 6. Lax Security High ticket prices deterred all but the most endowed of graduate students at the Bush Ball. To keep the riff raff out, event
planners made the wise decision to hire extra security. One lonely guard who gave his name as simply “Gus” ensured that only those invited could enter … and that they would never escape … 5. AggieCon The treat of the evening was the co-mingling of Bush Ball attendees in their finery and AggieCon attendees in their … costumes. According to its website, “AggieCon is the main tradition of Cepheid Variable.” If you know what that means, then the Bush Ball was not the droid you were looking for. 4. It Was a Great Pre-party It was a great pre-party for the after-party. After an evening of dancing, dinner, and drinks, attendees made their way to Northgate for a quiet round of digestifs. 3. Dr. Lori Taylor If the Bush Ball hosted a raffle that only professors could enter, then Dr. Taylor would win. She entered the lion’s den and survived. In other news, when asked if he attended, Professor Olson gave no comment. 2. The Wobble In the tradition of the Electric Slide and the Macarena, Bush Ball participants did what musicologist Victor Grimmy has termed “the Wobble.” According to the YouTube video “Learn How to Wobble,” dancers back it up and then drop it down. This maneuver is followed by getting low 'n scrubbing the ground. Indeed, the “shawtys” were at the Hilton. 1. It’s Named for Patrick Baetjer Commonly known as the “Bush Ball” or according to our Army Fellows, “B2,” the fete is actually named for Patrick Baetjer … a person no current Bush School student has ever heard of. The Public Servant | 6
T he Ra
The Smithson A House Thanks & Howdy Upon the authors’ previous excursion to our nation’s capital, we decided to take in one of our nation’s finest institutions, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. We were greatly disturbed. To discover what our fellow citizens are now being exposed to shocked and dismayed our senses. In recent years, the Smithsonian Museum has come to demonstrate the moral bankruptcy of the modern liberal movement. The authors were particularly perturbed to discover that the Smithsonian was teaching the two greatest lies of the 21st century: evolution and climate change. Amongst the exhibits, the authors encountered imaginary creatures they have not once encountered in their suburban environments. While the squirrels were believable enough, there were never cats that looked like partial dogs, as one curator would like us to believe. Not only was it a lie, but no effort was made to make the lies believable. This represents a degradation of the once-storied Protestant work ethic that our Founding Fathers so cherished and exuded. Furthermore, we were presented with an ancestral tree which showed that two modern mammals were linked through an “unidentified ancient ancestor.” While the authors, too, believe that the mammals
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nian Museum: e of Lies are related through an unidentified ancient ancestor, because they have no proof for this, they believe it and therefore it must be true. Having been the shooting location for the major motion picture Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, the authors believe that progressive Hollywood and the liberal media have come to tarnish a once-great American ideal. One would not be surprised to discover that the major contributors to this vile movement are none other than George Clooney, Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. While the authors did not have the opportunity to visit Newt Gringich’s preferred National Air and Space Museum, we can only imagine the enjoyment children of all ages would receive from an interactive Mars-based exhibit. It should be noted, however, that Rush Limbaugh has recently been barred from visiting the Amelia Earhart exhibit. After drowning our sorrows in several overpriced cocktails in the shadow of the Washington Monument, we were overjoyed to return to the simple pleasures of the historic Brazos Valley landmarks, like the venerable Dixie Chicken. It reminds us of America’s youthful innocence, once lost, never to be reclaimed. It is a step backwards in time to a more jovial, productive, and prosperous America.
The Parable of the Ice Cream Socials Anonymous Contributor
While most graduate schools do an intensive, solitary yearlong research project, the Bush School distinguishes itself with a group project that simulates working in an actual policy environment – specifically, ice cream social simulations. Ice cream socials promote group work and are designed to teach students real-world skills about working together in an organization. Although the Bush School advertises its ice cream social with Blue Bell™ samplers, when students actually participate in ice cream socials, the ice cream provided by the school tends to be the cheap Wal-Mart™ knockoff ice cream with glass shards. There are certain groups who will do their best to deal with this situation by dazzling the student populace with the best sprinkles and toppings that ice cream socials could boast, while hiding the fact that there is not actually any ice cream. These socials tend to go over the best with the student body, because while it seems actionable, the substance is lacking – and no one wants those calories! In rare instances, the school doesn’t even bother to give the stu-
dents ice cream, or even the materials to make ice cream. In these instances, students were forced to frantically buy materials on their own, two weeks before deadline, and attempted to churn the ice cream on their own. Unfortunately, due to financial and time restrictions, this student group ultimately had to settle for making sno-cones. The goods were not as advertised, either for those consuming the ice cream, or those who were forced to make do with a shoddy churn and a few buckets of ice. As a result, this student group was ultimately lambasted by everyone upset about the lack of ice cream. This is not to say that all ice cream socials perform below par. There are those who are lucky enough to be placed in more prestigious ice-cream socials, where students get to frolic daily in a multitude of ice cream flavors. On occasion, these students even go above and beyond and make gelato! These students prove that despite some hurdles to cross in organizing a well-prepared ice cream social, it is possible to make an excellent one happen – provided the school gives the students the proper materials to make ice cream in the first place.
10Things that Should Be on Every Second-Year's Bucket List Anonymous Second-Year Students 1. Describe COIN in 10 words or less without using complete sentences 2. Create petri dish for biological and chemical warfare utilizing student lounge refrigerator 3. Assist Kimberly and Janeen in taking over the world, starting with the Bush School 4. Play hide the backpack The Public Servant | 7
5. Revise your Individual Leadership Plan 6. Steal pizza rolls from the SGA meeting, without attending 7. Steal the staplers out of the student work room 8. Exceed your print quota with 1 month to go 9. Start a fan club 10. Ride the horses outside Annenberg
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LOCAL LIVING
Working the Late Shift with Bryan PD Ian Hansen and Thomas Buchanan MPIA '13
Going out on patrol with the Bryan City Police Department provided an opportunity for us to re-evaluate our surroundings, our role in the community, and our commitment to public service. Here at the Bush School, it seems that we all can lose sight of not just the rest of Texas A&M, but the rest of the community as a whole. Our night with the ride-along program completely shattered this bubble for us both. It forced us to confront the nearby dystopia of drug addiction, alcohol abuse, widespread criminality and poverty. As a positive, we were able to witness firsthand the front lines of those most committed to improving our society. When we arrived at the police station for the Friday shift meeting, one of the first things we noticed was the casualness with which crimes and suspects were discussed. The sergeant and five patrol officers exchanged details of suspects and prior crimes as if they were discussing the weather. But this monotonous mood ceased with the meeting’s final message: complacency in the line of duty is part of the reason 24 police officers have died so far this
year in the United States. Heading out on patrol fueled a mixture of adrenaline and questions. Immediately we became familiar with the degree of multitasking required as officers handled radios, computers, phones, and cameras, all while driving and filling out paperwork. We also quickly learned how disturbances are thought to be the most dangerous, whereas everything about a traffic stop can be hit or miss. Similarly, it was stunning to see how a trained police officer sizes up a situation – in the time it takes an average person to notice the make and model of a car, a cop has already run the license plate, checked their inspection status, counted the number of people inside, and noticed that their left tail light is busted. That said, the night’s specific incidents were not a sign of
uniqueness, but rather a sign of how depressingly repetitive the problems are. While it was amusing to come across someone with the same name as a famous pop singer (no need to disclose names, but it can be said there was no Fire and Rain in his arrest), it was not so amusing to deliver him to county jail with his third public intoxication of the year. Likewise, a couple sitting in their vehicle in front of a gas station, strung out on drugs and enjoying Burger King and lotto tickets for a full hour almost seems like the start to a bad joke, but dealing with the very real addition of the baby in their back seat quickly brought the situation back to a very somber reality. Overall, the night allowed us to be witnesses to the heights of public service in our community and to the ills that stricken an overlooked minority. Simply put, the problems and their scale leave an indelible impression on any participant. Driving back home at 6:00 a.m. was a time to exchange stories, but also to remind ourselves that as students of the Bush School, our goal is to make positive impacts in the communities to which we belong. Crucially, as one of the police officers frequently mentioned, talking about making a positive impact is one thing; actually doing it is something entirely different.
PSO Update: Opportunities to Get Involved Grace Norman MPSA '13
PSO has two general meetings remaining this semester. Come to our meetings April 4 and May 2 to contribute to our remaining projects this semester and discover how you can become more involved in the fall. The work for our final service project has already begun. Relay for Life fundraising started around the Bush School several weeks ago and continues until the event on April 20. Contact Courtney Baker (cbaker03@tamu.edu) for
more information. We hope to see you at Relay on the 20th! If you are interested in shadowing a board of directors for a local non-profit, be on the lookout for Shadow Board Applications. If you are interested in serving as PSO’s Executive Chair or Vice Chair next year, complete an application in April. Finally, in a joint effort between PSO and SGA, students are fundraising to dedicate a Habitat for Humanity house to President and Mrs. Bush. Fundraising activities involving the student body start before school adjourns for the summer. The build starts in Fall 2012, so get your hard hats ready!
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LOCAL LIVING
Students to Help Build Bush's Legacy Calen Caple MPSA '13
Presidential endorsement of Habitat for Humanity has boosted the program’s national reputation beyond that of the average nonprofit, allowing it to branch out into hundreds of cities and over 50 countries. Here in Bryan/College Station, the Habitat chapter has built more than 200 homes in the community, many with the help and support of Aggie students and faculty. As President Bush has chosen to adopt Aggieland as his legacy’s home, his commitment to public service and encouragement of it here at the Bush School have inevitably led to a coming together of the two programs. This year, the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Public Service Organization (PSO) have jointly committed to lead the fundraising and building efforts of a Habitat house in honor of President Bush and his commitment to our school and the local community. Though the project is just beginning, the student fundraising committee is reaching out to friends of President Bush, the former student network, faculty, and current students to raise the $40,000 necessary to sponsor a house.
The project is entirely student-led, with the direction of Dean Card and Dr. Arnie Vedlitz, and seeks to utilize the entire student body throughout its duration. To start off student fundraising, the Bush School will be hosting a student versus faculty (or faculty-sponsored members for those afraid of a little competition) kickball game on April 13th at 4 p.m. Each student player will be asked to raise a $25 sponsorship to join the team, and each faculty member $30, and all of the money raised will go directly to the Bush School Habitat House project. Fan support is encouraged and additional donations will be accepted! The fundraising element of the project, which is already in motion, will be completed by the beginning of the fall semester. The actual construction of the house will then begin in mid-October, and will utilize Bush School students, faculty and former students for all of the Saturday volunteer days until completion in December. There will be plenty of opportunities for involvement in this project in honor of President Bush! Stay tuned for continued announcements via email and contact Calen Caple for any questions
2014
From Page 1
Dr. Mumpower entertained at Friday’s dinner by retelling the story of how his name was once mistaken as ‘Meryl Jumpower’ (which I am sure was completely extemporaneous – maybe). I am sure my fellow candidates would agree that throughout the entire weekend we were constantly exposed to the Bush School’s most endearing trait - family. Although we had yet to be accepted as students, the faculty, staff, and student-volunteers made it their utmost priority to vigorously engage us on an intimate and personal level. Having the opportunity to directly interact with an amazing group of enthusiastic and intelligent individuals not simply dedicated to their own success, but being equally dedicated to the success of the peers around them – all in the name of serving others – made all the difference in the world.
Travis Stalcup
Luis Alvarado, right, signs the documents for his newly constructed Habitat for Humanity home in March. Several Bush School students volunteered in the construction of his home.
regarding the project or the Habitat program in general. This is a great opportunity for the students and faculty at the Bush School to honor and give back to President Bush for the community he has created here in our program, and to dedicate a Habitat house in his name and the “noble calling” of public service.
Once the weekend’s festivities concluded, we each went our separate ways and waited, sometimes with bated breath, for the final decisions of the admissions committee. Since then I have been formally accepted into the Master of Public Service and Administration program. Speaking with some of my future first-year classmates, it is clear to me that the 2014 MPSA class wants to, alongside our MPIA brothers and sisters, set a standard that will see the Bush School elevated to new and unprecedented heights in its second decade of existence. On behalf of my class, I extend a hand of friendship to all current Bush School students and faculty and earnestly ask you for your help. Working together, this will certainly be one of the most gratifying experiences of our lives. Whether you are a soon-to-be first year, a veteran second year, or a prospective candidate, I leave you with the words my new friend Warren Chalklen expressed to me, “Kena Ka Kgotso kaFunda nakaKhulile!” (Welcome to the place of learning and growth!)
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ENTERTAINMENT
Lorax's Message Lost in Political Posturing Andrew Bobo MPSA '13
Dr. Seuss’s newest film, The Lorax, released a few weeks ago, features a young boy (Ted) whose love interest (Audrey) wants to see something she’s never seen before – a tree. Encouraged by his grandmother, Ted seeks out the Once-ler, the one responsible for the complete absence of trees in Thneedville. The Once-ler spends the latter part of the movie explaining how his own selfish actions led to the extinction of trees. Feeling inspired, Ted is able to plant the last-surviving seed, all the while securing the affections of Audrey and evading the dastardly Mr. O’Hare. The Lorax strikes a decidedly positive tone in advocacy for the environment. The film’s namesake, the Lorax, speaks for the trees. He voices concern for their plight after the young Once-ler, much to the horror of the forest’s inhabitants, cuts down his first tree. In the opening scenes of the movie, we see that all of current life in Thneedville is rather superficial and processed. The scenery is fake, the food is like flavored Jello, and the entire town exists inside an artificial, controlled environment. This is shown to be a strange, sad sort of existence. Here I must say that I agree with the film’s observation that life
disconnected from nature is rather miserable. I think of the hours in grad school spent under fake, fluorescent lights, either in the PSEL or the window-lacking Bush School study rooms. It’s refreshing to spend a Saturday outside in downtown Bryan, or even to take a quick break to walk around the pond behind the Allen building. Care for the environment, as well as enjoyment of its fruits, is an important part of human flourishing – to be sure. However, I disagree with how the film chose to make its point. We discover that the true instigators of the Once-ler’s tree-destroying plan
Canada
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pipeline, the Beyond the Border initiative, joint forces in Afghanistan, and the sovereignty issue of the Northwest Passage. The men and women with whom we spoke were continually impressed with our breadth of knowledge on the topics and our desire to understand U.S.-Canada relations. It was a great opportunity to see how a close friend and ally
were his country bumpkin, ignorant relatives. All have strong Southern accents, and his two brothers are the biggest idiots in the movie (picture overalls and missing teeth). Both the Once-ler’s family and Mr. O’Hare, the movie’s antagonists, are transparently pro-business and, therefore, greedy and uncaring. On the other hand, the film’s protagonists, Ted’s family and Audrey, have Northeastern accents and an artsy bent, respectively. These are, obviously, well-known regional and political stereotypes. Southern, pro-business Republicans are the greedy people who are destroying the environment to make a few bucks. Northeastern, artsy intellectuals are the ones trying to salvage the environment. The film employs and encourages these stereotypes throughout. Using stereotypes in this way made me leave the movie feeling like I’d just seen a piece of propaganda, rather than a children’s movie about enjoying and protecting nature. Stereotyping is an ineffective form of argument that has unhelpful consequences. Instead of persuading others to take up one’s cause and see the importance of protecting nature, stereotyping demonizes and alienates the opposition. Those who already agreed with the movie’s political views will leave feeling satisfied, while those who disagree will be further solidified in their disagreement.
views its own relation with us. Of course, nothing would have been possible without the help of our new friend Maureen from the Canadian consulate in Dallas. She was absolutely wonderful and effortlessly guided us from College Station to Ottawa to Montreal and back. We feasted on poutine, imbibed pure Canadian cider, dipped pancakes in authentic maple syrup, and enjoyed the Canadian atmosphere, all with the truly spectacular Maureen!
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ENTERTAINMENT
Jack Huguley (far left) and members of the Rio Grande International Study Center overlook the Rio Grande Watershed during the Spring Break volunteer trip that three Bush School students made to lend their services to the center and learn more about its mission to improve environmental quality in and around the Rio Grande.
Dinorah Sanchez
Rio Grande From Page 3
Environmental Science Center at the Laredo Community College, which culminated in Huguley’s handling of the exhibit's snakes. Bush School students potted some native plants and ventured on the Paso del Indio Trail and the ‘Border Road’ along the Rio Grande. As master’s students, our skill sets can make a difference in communities and organizations. Therefore, students brainstormed and developed two survey instruments with RGISC founder Dr. Jim Earhart and Executive Director Tricia Cortez. The surveys will help RGISC gather public opinion about a plastic bag reduction initiative with surveys targeting local merchants/ businesses, as well as the general population. Lastly, Cortez and RGISC board member Meg Guerra guided the students on a visit to the Eagle Ford Shale oilfield waste dumps in Zapata. The Bush School trio not only experienced the Laredo culture, food (Mariachi tacos!), and environmental concerns plaguing the community, but also the local and bi-national governmental interests. As I looked across the Rio Grande and waved at a man standing on the Mexican banks, I thought how a simple river separates two countries, sets international relationships, and influences domestic policy. The Public Servant | 11
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Bush Ball Brought the House Down Whitney Broughton MPSA '12
Whether you remember K Chheng pulling a Michael Jackson move or Casey Braswell and Bill Munns tearing up the dance floor, March 24’s Bush Ball was epic. In total, 130 members of the Bush School family came together to celebrate the year and acknowledge the accomplishments that we have all achieved. The Hilton College Station provided a wonderful atmosphere and phenomenal food for the event. Two highlights include Dr. Lori Taylor and her husband joining students to dance the night away and one big announcement: Ms. Torey McDaniel was awarded the privilege of chairing the social committee for the 2012-2013 school year. On behalf of the Social Committee, I would like to thank everyone that volunteered to help put on the event and all those who joined us. It was truly my pleasure to organize this event! Please share your pictures, and remember second years: less than 50 days left!
Saw 'em Off! Dillo Cup Scheduled You are invited to Dillo Cup 2012! Date: Saturday, April 28, 2012 Location: Austin (Travis County East Metropolitan Park) Time(s): Alumni/Faculty Game: 1:30 p.m.; Student Game: 2:30 p.m. Check out the Facebook event page for more information or contact Britnee Warmerdam (bjwarmer@tamu.edu). The Public Servant | 12