UWSP Department of Political Science

05/15/2026

Congratulations Brayden Banks, recipient of the 2026 Dave Obey Young Adult Civic Engagement Award 🎉👏

The award is named in honor of former Wisconsin Congressman David R. Obey, who served central and northern Wisconsin as a representative from 1969 to 2011. It is awarded annually to a young person who demonstrates leadership abilities including initiative, integrity, and service to others. Recipients also demonstrate a commitment to civic engagement through building relationships throughout the community and working toward positive change 👍

For a full announcement, please visit https://wipps.org/awards/yace/brayden-banks-doyacea-recipient-2026/

05/08/2026

📢 Department Spotlight - 3/3

🍔What a fun Political Science picnic! 🌭

It was a great gathering among students, faculty, and their families as we came together to celebrate the end of the semester. Even though it was very cold (yes, it has become a tradition that Political Science Picnic Day is always cold 😂), but still fun!

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the day so memorable. See you next year! 🎉

05/08/2026

📢 Department Spotlight - 2/3

As we wrap up the Spring semester, we are excited to celebrate our Political Science scholarship recipients and share memories from last week’s special department ceremony. 🥳

🏆 Political Science Award Ceremony 🏆

We are proud of our students for their hard work, leadership, and academic achievements. Their success would not be possible without the continued support of our alumni, friends, and donors. We are deeply grateful for our generous donors and their continued support of our department and students 🙏

During the ceremony, Prof. Collins found an Excellence in Teaching Award that had been awarded to Prof. Christofferson in the past and presented it to his son, Mr. Rick Christofferson.

Congratulations again to all of our scholarship recipients! 🎉

MARK CATES POLITICAL SCIENCE AWARD
✦Amelia Kallembach
✦Katelyn Gauger
✦Madison Arrowood
✦Rejani Raveendran

HELEN SIGMUND VAN PROOYEN AWARD
✦Sophia Russi-Amador

POLITICAL SCIENCE CHRISTOFFERSON AWARD
✦Savannah Allikas

WISCONSIN ELKS SCHOLARSHIP
✦Bobbie Churkey

PROFESSOR CATES ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP
✦Connor Pingel

COLS DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
✦Drew Olejnik
✦Anna Franzen

CHANCELLOR'S LEADERSHIP AWARD
✦Brayden Banks (also Albertson Medallion Award)
✦Caden Morschauser

🙏

05/08/2026

📢 Department Spotlight - 1/3

As the last day of the Spring semester comes to a close, we would like to celebrate by sharing some memories from one of our department’s important events that took place just a week ago — the Poli Sci Award Ceremony & Pi Sigma Alpha Induction, plus Department Picnic 🥳

🎓 Pi Sigma Alpha 🎓

It was an evening filled with recognition, achievement, and community as we welcomed our newest members into the honor society and celebrated their hard work and dedication to the study of political science. We are proud of all of our inductees and grateful to everyone who joined us to make the event so special.

Congratulations again to our newest members, and best wishes to everyone as we wrap up another successful semester 👏

✦Bobbie Churkey
✦Courtney Deppe
✦Katelynn Gauger
✦Elijah Geske
✦Ryleigh Guelig
✦Ashlee Kallas Amelia Kallembach
✦Sam Krummel
✦Tara Zanon

05/04/2026

📣Political Science Students & Faculty Spotlight

Students in Political Science and Peace Studies Minor proudly represented their program at the 2026 Annual Student-Faculty Conference on Peace and Conflict Studies in April at Edgewood University (Madison, WI) 👏 Eleven students participated, showcasing their research, collaboration, and commitment to global issues.

✨Some highlights of the event ✨

A panel led by four students from Prof. Collins’s International Law and Human Rights class, focusing on international law and women’s rights. Presenters included Tara Zanon, Amelia Kallembach, Caitlyn Rochester, and Sofia Russi-Amador, who delivered thoughtful and engaging insights.

Other participating students included Brayden Banks, Brian Larson, Andrew Kruszka, Sebastian Ollmann, Elijah Geske, Liam Kaplan, and Elizabeth Tremeling. Their involvement reflects the strength of student scholarship and dedication to advancing peace, justice, and human rights worldwide.

Eric Yonke, retired UWSP History Professor and former COLS Dean, was awarded the Dick Ringler Distinguished Peace Educator Award by WIPCS Executive Director, Jennifer Collins.

04/22/2026

🎊 Student Spotlight 🎉

Join us in congratulating Drew Olejnik (graduating senior) and Anna Franzen (continuing student), who are the recipients of the 2026 COLS Distinguished Achievement Award 🏆

Each year one continuing student and one senior from each academic department is selected to receive the Distinguished Achievement Award for their outstanding accomplishments 👍

Congratulations, Drew and Anna 👏

04/22/2026

🎊 Student Spotlight 🎉

Congratulations, Caden and Brayden on receiving the 2026 Chancellor's Leadership Award 🏆

Chancellor's Leadership Award is given to honor graduating students who throughout their careers at our university have contributed significant leadership, demonstrated campus and/or community service and shown a commitment to personal growth 👍

Brayden also receives Albertson Medallion Award, which is given to no more than 1% of those graduating each year 👏

04/22/2026

💜💛The newest Chancellor's Leadership Award recipients include 2 of our majors! Congrats to Brayden and Caden!

We honor graduating students who throughout their careers at our university have contributed significant leadership.

💜💛 These 18 students from the College of Letters and Science are the newest Chancellor's Leadership Award recipients! Well done, Pointers!

04/20/2026

📣 After a long hiatus, we are thrilled to bring back our favorite end-of-year tradition. Whether you're a current student, faculty member, or friend of the department, we can't wait to see you!

➡️ When: Friday, May 1 | 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
➡️ Where: Boy Scout Lodge in Iverson Park, Stevens Point
➡️ Food: We’re providing burgers, brats, veggie options, and soda!
➡️ We welcome your contribution for a side dish, snack, or dessert to share. 🥗🍪
➡️ Drinks: This is a BYOB event.

😊 Bring Your People! Family, friends, and "plus-ones" are all welcome.

📢 Calling All Alumni! If you're in town, please stop by and say hello—we’ve missed you!

04/16/2026

We are excited to announce the new members of Pi Sigma Alpha - Political Science Honor Society - for the upcoming academic year 🎉

Before its official induction ceremony, we had a first get-together over Zoom 🖥️ Today, the largest cohort of UWSP Chi Omicron's history chose the new leaders, too 👍

New Members for 2026-Beyond

➡️ Bobbie Churkey
➡️ Courtney Deppe
➡️ Katelynn Gauger
➡️ Elijah Geske
➡️ Ryleigh Guelig
➡️ Ashlee Kallas (New Treasurer)
➡️ Amelia Kallembach (New Secretary)
➡️ Sam Krummel
➡️ Tara Zanon (New President)

We also celebrated the current members' hard work and their graduation:

➡️ Drew Olejnik
➡️ Brayden Banks
➡️ Cedric Heffernan

Congratulations, all of you 👏

04/08/2026

📣 Student Spotlight 📣

We are proud of you, Anna 👏

We are now able to release the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge student honorees! Students from across the U.S. were selected for their work in boosting nonpartisan civic engagement on their campuses.

Congratulations to political science and history major Anna Franzen. 🥳

🗳