STENNIS NOVICE TOURAMENT HAS RECORD ATTENDANCE

Over 340 students from 23 high schools came to Mississippi State University on September 14-15, 2012, for the John C. Stennis Novice Speech and Debate Tournament. The purpose of this tournament is to provide an opportunity for novice debaters to compete on a level playing field.  The annual tournament began in 1995 and is now organized by Scott Waldrop, director of forensics at Hattiesburg High School, and coordinator for speech and debate for the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA).

STENNIS INTERN PROGRAM CONCLUDES FOR SUMMER

The Stennis Congressional Intern Program concluded its 10th year on August 1, 2012. It is a bipartisan, bicameral leadership development program for summer interns of the United States Congress.  The six-week program is supported by the Senior Stennis Fellows as part of their ongoing effort to promote congressional public service.  The purpose is to enhance the experience of summer interns on Capitol Hill through networking with other interns and interaction with senior congressional staff.

USS BUSH AWARD WINNERS VISIT WASHINGTON, D.C.

The 2012 winners of the leadership awards on the USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH aircraft carrier visited the nation’s capital with their families on July 19-21, 2012.  The Stennis Center’s leadership awards programs on aircraft carriers recognize distinguished officers and senior-enlisted personnel who have demonstrated exceptional leadership on board their respective aircraft carriers.

CIVIL-MILITARY DINNER WITH SEC. OF DEFENSE LEON PANETTA

U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Roger Wicker have led a series of discussions bringing together military leaders and first-term Senators, as part of the Stennis Center’s Civil-Military Leadership Program.  On June 30, nine U.S. Senators discussed a variety of national security issues with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.

TRUMAN SCHOLARS DAY ON CAPITOL HILL

The Harry S. Truman Scholars in Washington, D.C. for their Summer Institute participated in Truman Scholars Day on Capitol Hill.  The purpose of the program is to help them appreciate the role of Congress and encourage them to consider public service work on Capitol Hill.  One highlight of the program is when the Truman Scholars are paired with Senior Stennis Fellows who host the young leaders in their congressional offices.

CAPTAIN JOSH SWARTSEL WINS HAROLD KELLER AWARD AT STUDENT CONGRESS

In 2006, the Stennis Center created the Harold Keller Public Service Leadership Award to honor Keller’s leadership in the growth and success of Student Congress.  Beginning in 2007, the Keller Award has been presented annually to a former Student Congress competitor who has made significant contributions to his or her community, state, or nation through public service leadership.  The 2012 winner is Captain Josh Swartsel, a native of Orlando, FL and a 2007 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point.  In addition to being a decorated soldier, as a Student Congress competitor from 1999 to 2003, Josh won championship rounds at Wake Forest, the Blue Key Invitational, and the 2003 NFL House National Championship.

STENNIS STUDENT CONGRESS HELD IN INDIANAPOLIS

Since 1991, the Stennis Center has sponsored the John C. Stennis National Student Congress as part of the National Forensic League’s (NFL) National Speech Tournament.  This year the country’s top high school debaters assembled June 10-15 in Indianapolis to compete for the honor of the nation’s best.

USS STENNIS AWARD WINNERS VISIT WASHINGTON, D.C.

The 2011 and 2012 winners of the leadership awards on the USS JOHN C. STENNIS aircraft carrier visited the nation’s capital with their families on June 20-23, 2012.  The Stennis Center’s leadership awards programs on aircraft carriers recognize distinguished officers and senior-enlisted personnel who have demonstrated exceptional leadership on board their respective aircraft carriers. The winners are selected through a ship-wide competition.

STENNIS FELLOWS HOLD SYNTHESIS RETREAT

The Stennis Congressional Staff Fellows of the 112th Congress met in Shepherdstown, West Virginia on June 1-2, 2012 for their synthesis retreat to review the group’s findings from previous sessions addressing the overall theme of "Moving Beyond Political Polarization."  Pictured above is one of the small discussion groups.

FORUM BRINGS CITIZENS TOGETHER TO DISCUSS INTERNET PRIVACY

The MSU Libraries, the Stennis Center for Public Service and the Stennis Institute of Government held their third National Issues Forum on June 5, 2012 on the campus of Mississippi State University.  The forum, What Should Go on the Internet? Privacy, Security and Freedom Online, was facilitated by Phil Hardwick of the Stennis Institute.  This forum is part of a nationwide effort by the Kettering Foundation and the Association of Centers for the Study of Congress to create pathways for citizens to engage with each other over public problems.