Support Political and Global Affairs

Our students and the Department benefit tremendously from donations from alumni, friends, and supporters. Such support helps students defray the costs of a college education, participate in intercollegiate competitions, simulations or study abroad programs, or gain needed internship experience. Donations also help the Department offer guest lectures, enriching the academic life of the Department, or host events that unite students with alumni, friends and supporters.

When you give, you designate to a specific scholarship or activity fund. Department funds are listed below grouped under SCHOLARSHIPS and OTHER FUNDS. From time to time alumni ask about establishing scholarships other than those designated below. This can be done through the Development Office. The Department recognizes that not everyone is able to provide this kind of support but would encourage anyone who is interested in helping students or otherwise contributing to the Department to contact the MTSU Development Office.

To make a gift online, click on Donate to MTSU. We accept MasterCard, VISA and American Express. When you visit the link you are given a chance to make a “Gift Designation.” You MUST specifically designate that the funds go to particular scholarship or activity fund in order for the Department of Political Science to access these funds.

For more information or to make a donation contact: Meredith Kerr, Development Director, College of Liberal Arts, Middle Tennessee State University, MTSU P.O. Box 109, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132. (615) 898-5223, meredith.kerr@mtsu.edu. 

---

Scholarship Funds

Joann Arnold Memorial Scholarship

The Joann Arnold Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Joann Arnold by the Rutherford/Cannon County Bar Association for the purpose of providing a scholarship for students who intend to go to law school.

Jane Duke Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Jane Henegar Duke Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Jane Henegar Duke by the Rutherford County Legal Professionals for the purpose of providing a scholarship for students in Political Science at MTSU.

Harry Horne International Relations Scholarship

The Harry Horne International Relations Scholarship was established in honor of the former Canadian diplomat and specialist in international relations who taught at Middle Tennessee State University from 1983 to 1990. The purpose of the scholarship is to promote and encourage the study of foreign affairs.

Norman Parks Scholarship

The Norman L. Parks Scholarship was established to honour the founding chair of the Department of Political Science who taught and served in the position at MTSU from 1953 to 1974. He inspired a generation of political science and pre-law students including Charles R. Ray. The purpose of the scholarship is to promote and encourage the study of law.

Charles R. Ray Pre-Law Scholarship

The Charles R. Ray Pre-Law Scholarship is funded by a prominent graduate of Franklin-Simpson High School in Franklin, Kentucky. Mr. Ray completed a pre-law degree at MTSU, a law degree at Vanderbilt University, and went on to distinguish himself in legal practice in Nashville, Tennessee. The purpose of the scholarship is to promote and encourage the study of law.

Anne Twining Sloan Scholarship

Established by the friends and family of Anne Twining Sloan and Steve Saunders in their memory for the purpose of providing financial assistance to students of Middle Tennessee State University who participate in endeavors relating to any aspect of international education. 

George, Cynthia, and Roxanne Vernardakis Scholarship

Awarded to an International Student whose field of study is in the Political Science Department. Preference is given to majors of Public Policy and Management and Political Science. First preference given to a student from the Republic of Cyprus.

Drs. Clyde and Irina Willis Memorial Scholarship

A scholarship was established in honor of Dr. Clyde Willis upon his retirement in 2015. Clyde was a well-loved member of the faculty from 1999-2015, teaching courses in the pre-law program, serving as the pre-law advisor, and coaching the mediation teams. He passed away in 2017. In March 2018, Room 211 in Peck Hall was rededicated as the Dr. Clyde Willis Symposium Room.

The Jack Justin Turner Scholarship

A scholarship was established by friends and family of the late Jack Justin Turner (former IR professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations) for the purpose of providing scholarships to students majoring in International Relations at Middle Tennessee State University.

---

Other Departmental Activity Funds

Mediation Fund

To support the activities of the Mediation Team, including travel to intercollegiate competitions.

MTSU Mock Trial

Most alumni have probably heard about the success of MTSU’s Mock Trial Teams. They have placed in the top 10 schools in national competition for each of the last five consecutive years and have won numerous team and individual awards. All coaching and judging is donated free of charge, but trips require support, and it is sometimes necessary to supplement funds contributed by the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and the Student Government Association. The mock trial team has been established as a special non-profit activity, and an account has been set up in the MTSU development office for contributions to this fund.

The team is always looking for local attorneys who might be able to volunteer some time to listen to scrimmages. The Department will host a major invitational tournament each November and will needs judges judges for this event. Any attorneys who are able to help judge are asked to contact: Dr. John Vile or Dr. Clyde Willis, Department of Political Science, P.O. Box 29, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132.

Political and Global Affairs Enrichment Fund

To help with the costs of departmental receptions, to purchase special awards, to reimburse the costs of speakers or faculty travel or to pay for the other costs associated directly with the Department.

Society for International Affairs

To support poverty reduction, local and international charities, support student organization service projects, microcredit lending projects.