News about Stennis Center

USS EISENHOWER LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNERS VISIT WASHINGTON, D.C.

On November 29, Chief of Naval Operation (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead met with the leadership award winners from the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER during their visit to Washington, D.C. Each year, the Stennis Center for Public Service sponsors leadership awards for outstanding officers and sailors on board the USS EISENHOWER aircraft carrier.  Click here to learn more about the Leadership Awards Programs sponsored by the Stennis Center.  

JOHN C. STENNIS NOVICE SPEECH AND DEBATE TOURNAMENT HELD

On October 8-9, 2010, high school students from Mississippi and Tennessee gathered at Mississippi State University for the annual John C. Stennis Novice Speech and Debate Tournament, which was established in 1995. The Stennis Center supports competition in speech and debate at the high school level in order to encourage young leaders to develop the skills necessary to be successful in a career in public service. Click here to learn more about the John C. Stennis Speech and Debate Tournament sponsored by the Stennis Center.  

USS STENNIS LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNERS VISIT WASHINGTON, D.C.

USS JOHN C. STENNIS Leadership award winners CDR Matthew Feehan and OSCS Steven Faltysek and their spouses enjoyed lunch with U.S. Senator Thad Cochran from Mississippi and USS STENNIS Commanding Officer CAPT Joe and Mrs. Kuzmick. Each year, the Stennis Center for Public Service sponsors leadership awards for outstanding officers and sailors on board the USS JOHN C STENNIS aircraft carrier. The award winners travel to Washington, D.C. to interact with policy makers. The latest winners visited the nation’s capital on October 3-6, 2010.  Click here to learn more about the Leadership Awards Programs sponsored by the Stennis Center.  

LIFTING LEADERS PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS

Lifting Leaders, a pilot mentoring program for college women, was launched in Little Rock, Arkansas on September 26-27, 2010. The program pairs college women with established women political leaders. Click here to learn more about the Lifting Leaders Program.  

CELEBRATION DINNER HELD HONORING 111TH CONGRESS STENNIS FELLOWS

The Stennis Fellows of the 111th Congress, all senior level staff members on Capitol Hill, held their graduation ceremony on September 20, 2010 at the Newseum in Washington, DC. The Fellows released their final report, Reflections on Governing Responsibility and Campaign Politics, which examined three questions: How have personal relationships and partisanship changed over time within Congress? Can governing responsibility and campaign demands co-exist productively? How can Congress strengthen two-way communication with the public and improve governing in the new media environment?

STENNIS CONGRESSIONAL INTERNS VISIT U.S. SENATE FLOOR

Congressional interns participating in the Stennis intern program visited the U.S. Senate Reception Room on Monday, July 26, 2010, prior to touring the Senate floor with Ms. Lula Davis, Secretary for the Majority. 

USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77) SAILORS HONORED WITH STENNIS AWARDS

Former President George H.W. Bush presented two sailors with The Stennis Center's Honorable George H.W. Bush Leadership Award and the Stennis Center's Senior Chief Storekeeper (SW/AW) Charles G. Zwierzynski Leadership Award for outstanding leadership during his visit on board USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77), July 15, 2010.

The Stennis Center's Honorable George H.W. Bush Leadership Award recipient was Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Morris, who serves as the Air Department V-2 Division Officer. The Stennis Center's Senior Chief Storekeeper (SW/AW) Charles G. Zwierzynski Leadership Award recipient was Chief Electrician's Mate (SW/AW) Ernest Cruz, a GEORGE H.W. BUSH plankowner and currently the Reactor Training Division Officer, who was also recently selected for advancement to Senior Chief Petty Officer. 

Cruz's award honors the memory of Senior Chief Storekeeper Charles G. Zwierzynski, who passed away in 2008. During his two years aboard GEORGE H.W. BUSH, Zwierzynski exemplified the Navy's core values of honor, courage and commitment and motivated those around him to excel.  Cruz, who was mentored by Zwierzynski upon selection as a Chief Petty Officer, said Zwierzynski was an outstanding leader and a great mentor.  "It was a great honor to receive an award in honor of such a great leader. He is greatly missed, and I hope to continue to live up to the standard that he has set," Cruz said.

Both recipients said it was an outstanding honor to be presented their award by former President George H.W. Bush.

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND USS NIMITZ LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNERS VISIT WASHINGTON, D.C.

Admiral Jonathan Greenert, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, meets with the commanding officers and the leadership award winners from the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) and the USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) during their visit to Washington, D.C. on June 21-23, 2010. 

 

KANSAS GOVERNOR MARK PARKINSON RECEIVED THE 2010 HAROLD KELLER AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP

Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson is 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 was presented during the National Forensic League's 2010 National Speech Tournament held June 13-18, 2010, in Kansas City, Missouri.

STENNIS STUDENT CONGRESS HELD IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

These finalists in the House and Senate competed in the Stennis Congressional Debate on June 13-18, 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Stennis Center sponsors the Student Congress portion of the National Forensic League's National Speech & Debate Tournament.

 

 

 

TRUMAN SCHOLARS DAY ON CAPITOL HILL HELD ON JUNE 18, 2010

Bob Holste (left), a 1983 Truman Scholar and 108th Congress Stennis Fellow, and Peg McGlinch (right), a 1994 Truman Scholar and 109th Congress Stennis Fellow, address current Truman Scholars on June 18, 2010 about careers on Capitol Hill. The Truman Scholars, in Washington for summer internships, also heard from U.S. Senator Mark Begich of Alaska, Judy Schneider of the Library of Congress, and Dr. Donald Ritchie, Historian of the U.S. Senate.  In addition, the Truman Scholars were paired with Senior Stennis Fellows, who hosted visits in their offices.

 

 

STENNIS FELLOWS SYNTHESIS RETREAT IN SHEPHERDSTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA

The 111th Congress Stennis Fellows met May 21-22, 2010 in Shepherdstown, West Virginia to finalize their findings at the completion of their fellowship. Stennis Fellows are high ranking congressional staff, such as chiefs of staff, committee staff directors, legislative directors, and others, who are committed to improving the effectiveness of Congress.

 

SOUTHERN WOMEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT HELD IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, leads a panel of college women in a discussion about attracting young women leaders to public service. The panel was part of the summit called Southern Women in Public Service Leadership: Bridging the Partisan Divide on May 2-3, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

USS HARRY S. TRUMAN LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNERS VISIT WASHINGTON, D.C.

 

USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier leadership award winners toured the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on April 27, 2010.

111th STENNIS CONGRESSIONAL FELLOWS HOLD ROUNDTABLES IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

Stennis Fellows met at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia on April 18-19, 2010, to hear from David Eisenhower, Marjorie Margolies, and John Lapinski on balancing governing responsibility with campaign demands.

 

 

CONGRESS TO CAMPUS PROGRAM VISITS BUTLER COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN KANSAS

Former Congressmen Ken Hechler of West Virginia (with microphone) and Peter Torkildsen of Massachusetts address students at Butler Community College in Kansas on April 16, 2010 as part of the Congress to Campus program.

SOUTHERN WOMEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE

Women leaders from North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia gathered in Charlotte on March 28-29 for a regional roundtable discussion to examine the current status of women in public service leadership and to determine how we can most effectively increase the involvement of women in leadership at the local, state and national levels.








STENNIS FELLOWS VISIT THE USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN74) AIRCRAFT CARRIER IN SAN DIEGO

Members of the 111th Congressional Stennis Fellows visited the USS JOHN C. STENNIS at sea to tour the carrier and interact with sailors on March 20. The experience the Fellows take from being aboard the ship gives them the chance to see firsthand what exactly is required to staff the Navy and Marines Corps with equipment they are supporting. The ship is underway off the coast of southern California in support of fleet replacement squadron carrier qualifications.

MSU DISTINGUISHED SCHOLARS LEARN ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICE AT THE CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL CENTER

On March 12th, a group of Distinguished Scholars from Mississippi State University (MSU) had the opportunity to attend a day-long program with several Arkansas leaders at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock.  The group heard remarks from Skip Rutherford, William J. Clinton Professor and Dean of the Clinton School of Public Service; Mary Anne Salmon, Arkansas State Senator; and Terri Garner, Clinton Presidential Library Director.  The program is a part of the Stennis Center's ongoing commitment to reach out to exceptional MSU students and encourage them to consider public service careers. 

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.