History & Political Science Success Stories

Reaching Higher and Going Far

Our students come from all walks of life with a variety of interests, points-of-view and passions. Regardless of where they come from and where they want to go, our students have found many opportunities to reach higher and go far in the classroom, through extra-curricular or co-curricular activities on campus, through internships as close as Ebensburg, PA and as far away as Washington, DC, and through study abroad in France, Italy, Germany, Mexico, Guatemala and elsewhere. Here are just a few of their success stories. Come to SFU and add your story.

Drew Greenwald

About

Class of 2013

Drew is a Political Science/International Studies major and Honors Program student. Drew has achieved numerous leadership positions on campus: as an officer in the Current Affairs Club and the Philosophy Club; as a Peer Minister in his freshman year; as a Senator in the Student Government Association; and as the Chairman of the 2012 Mock Republican Party Convention. He has traveled to France, participating in the Ambialet Summer program, and presented a research paper on U.S.-Iranian relations at the 2012 Washington & Jefferson College Undergraduate Philosophy Conference.

Testimonial

"Saint Francis offers a first-rate degree program taught by excellent faculty that challenges students and prepares them for the work force.  The small class size is conducive to hands on learning that challenges students to become active in the learning process.  The Saint Francis experience is completely unique and truly one of a kind.  It really is just different up here."

Emily Patterson

About

Class of 2012

Emily was a Political Science/Pre-Law major, Honors Program student, and a member of the SFU Women's Lacrosse Team. Emily has accomplished a lot while at SFU: as a member of the Gamma Sigma Sigma National Sorority; Vice-President of Finance for the Inter-Sorority Council; Treasurer of the Class of 2013 three years in a row; two internships, one in business and one in legal affairs; a study abroad in Germany; and the recipient of the Richard Dorsey Muller Memorial Scholarship Senior Award. Emily was so industrious that she completed her undergraduate degree in three years! She will be staying on at SFU to complete an MBA, before going to law school. What an over-achiever!

Testimonial

"My teachers are the greatest feature of my major by far. I have no problems staying interested in my major and I know that if I have a question the Saint Francis Political Science Faculty has detailed answers waiting for me. Since the classroom sizes are smaller than at larger schools, it is easier for a student to get to know their professor. Getting to know my professors helped my education. It was easier for me to ask questions during class, and to get help outside of class. I felt that since the classroom sizes were smaller the professors were able to focus on each student individually to help them succeed. Additionally, the advising at the university is amazing. There are no better words to describe it. No matter what direction I wanted to take my education I was always given multiple choices for what would work best for me. Being a Political Science major here at SFU has opened many doors for me that I couldn't have ever imagined."

Andrew Collier

About

Class of 2011

Andrew was a History major with a Political Science minor. Andrew was quite the go-getter while at SFU. Andrew was the Executive Vice President of the Student Government Association, a Psi Upsilon Fraternity Brother, and Best Buddies Midnight Madness Director of Recruitment and Relations. Andrew completed two internships in Washington, DC, through the Washington Internship Institute. He interned for the National Federation of Federal Employees in summer 2010. He also interned for Senator Tom Harkin's Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee in the Labor and Pensions Policy Office of the United States Senate in the spring 2011. Andrew is currently serving as the Political & Legislative Advocacy Coordinator at the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees in Cincinnati, OH.

Testimonial

"The best feature of my education has been actually getting involved in student government.  There is no better feeling than seeing students happy when you announce different proposals you are pushing for or have successfully completed.  I would have to say my most exciting experience was actually receiving my internship in DC.  Working for a labor union has been my dream as well as living in DC.  It was the best summer of my life. If History or Political Science interests you, go for it!  One of the biggest complaints I received from my family and friends were there are not any jobs, which is completely false.  There are opportunities all across the country for you to work in fields such as law, politics, and history.  There are plenty of jobs; you just have to find them."

Katherine Dacanay

About

Class of 2012

Katherine Dacanay was a double major in History and Mathematics/Secondary Education, an Honors Program student and Captain of the SFU Women's Lacrosse Team. Katherine made an impressive record for herself while at SFU: as Editor-in-Chief of the Red Flash Newsletter; Vice President of the Kappa Mu Epsilon Honor Society; the recipient of the Margaret M. Tobin Award for Outstanding Library Research (twice!); and the recipient of the very first School of Arts & Letters Intrepid Research Grant to fund her travel to Britain to conduct research at the British Library for her Honors Thesis on "Women, Marriage, and Inheritance Laws in 19th Century Britain." Katherine was recently accepted into the Graduate School of the University of Hawaii to study Southeast Asian history, receiving a graduate fellowship to study the Filipino language.

Testimonial

"For years, I had dreamed of visiting England. I wanted to see all the places and things that I had learned in my history classes. The two weeks I spent in England being immersed in what I was studying was one of the most enjoyable times of my life. It really took the "chore" feeling out of doing research. Receiving the Intrepid Grant was a-dream-come true because I was able to further my research AND have an awesome, life-changing experience in another country that I otherwise would have never been able to have without the grant. It's also an experience that will look great on resumes and grad school applications. Saint Francis is a flexible school that has not narrowed my education, as many schools do, but has expanded upon my interests to help me toward achieving my goals."

Allison Tomkowski

About

Class of 2010

Allison was a History/Secondary Education major. Allison has been teaching at the Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School since 2010. In 2010 she was the recipient of the Pennsylvania Council of the Social Studies award for Student Teacher of the Year! Visit her School home page.

Testimonial

"Recently, I found out I won an award from the Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies for student teacher of the year! It was a great honor and I got the chance to travel to Lancaster to accept my award at the statewide conference. I really had a good time. I must say though, I could not have done it without help from all of you at SFU." Allison Tomkowski, on first hearing about her 2010 award.