Graduate Fellowships

Criteria:  Preference is given to students who major in political science.

History: Paul C. Anderson graduated from WSU with both a BA in general studies (1955) and a MA in political science (1960).  He had a 33-year career as a political science professor at Yakima Valley Community College where he taught courses in comparative government. Through his gift he sought to honor several of his professors at WSU: Daniel Ortega, Paul Castleberry, Thor Swanson, and Claudius O. Johnson.

Criteria: Graduate students concentrating in public administration.

History: Paul L. Beckett was a professor of political science from 1947 to 1977, serving as the first chair of the political science department when it was established in 1956. He was considered the “founding father” of the department by his colleagues.

The Paul L. Beckett Fellowship is intended to encourage study, research, and active contribution to public service in the spirit of Dr. Beckett’s own career.

In conjunction with recognition as the Paul L. Beckett Graduate Fellow in Public Administration, each recipient may be further distinguished as a Foley Fellow, gaining additional exposure to priority needs in government and public service through programs offered by the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service.

Criteria: Open to political science graduate students enrolled at WSU Pullman with preference given to students whose scholarly focus is on cultural diversity.

History: H. Paul Castleberry was a professor of political science from 1950 to 1983 and served as department chair three times (1957, 1961–1962, and 1964–1968). Castleberry was a member of the American Political Science Association, the Western Political Science Association, the American Society of Public Administration, Pi Sigma Alpha, and served on the Washington Constitutional Advisory Commission. He played a major role in the creation of the Pacific Northwest Political Science Association.

Criteria: Graduate student(s) working in the public administration/policy area.

History: Regent Professor Emeritus Nicholas P. Lovrich joined the Washington State University faculty in 1977 and served as the director of the Division of Governmental Studies & Services for more than 30 years. Nicholas supervised 30 PhD dissertations, half in political science (public policy/administration) and half in criminal justice. His scholarship includes 13 books and over 200 peer-reviewed journal articles co-authored with colleagues in political science and criminal justice.

He retired to emeritus status in 2011. In 2013 he was recognized by the University with the V. Lane Rawlins Faculty Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor reserved for faculty who have devoted a substantial part of their career to advancing WSU through excellence in administration, teaching, research, extension, or a professional field. Outside of WSU, the president of the American Society for Public Administration appointed him as a member of the Hall of Champions in recognition of lifetime service to the ASPA.  Similarly, the American Political Science Association (Public Policy Section) gave him the Outstanding Mentoring Award in 2008 for his support of doctoral students in the public policy field.

Criteria: Graduate student(s) in political science.

Fellowships are awarded annually by the school with input from the director of the Foley Institute. The recipient(s) may be distinguished as a Foley Fellow, gaining additional exposure to priority needs in government and public service through programs offered by the Foley Institute.

History: Claudius O. Johnson joined the faculty of then-Washington State College in 1928 as the department chair of history and political science. With a career spanning four decades, Johnson was considered by many students to be the most influential role model of their college experience. He was described as “one of the most stimulating people who ever entered a classroom at WSU.” Professor Johnson authored several books that were widely adopted nationwide. Government in the United States, American National Government, and American State and Local Government have all appeared in several editions.

Mary W. Johnson joined the faculty in 1923 as a physical education instructor. In response to a nepotism rule, she resigned in 1929 when she and Claudius married. Nevertheless, she remained involved as an advisor to the physical education department and as a civic leader in the Pullman community.

Claudius and Mary Johnson influenced WSU students in countless ways through their teaching, guidance, and scholarship. Gifts from their estates created distinguished professorships, fellowships, and scholarships in both political science and history.

Criteria: Graduate student(s) in political science who have demonstrated financial need.

History: Professor Emeritus Charles H. Sheldon was a nationally recognized scholar in the areas of judicial behavior and state judicial politics and considered one of the foremost authority on the history of the Washington state judicial system.

Charles joined the Washington State University faculty in 1970 and served as the department chair in political science. He authored 11 books and provided expert testimony before state and legislative committees on the judiciary. He was also a member of the Washington State Commission on Minorities and Justice and served as a consultant to the Advisory Committee on Civil Reform of the U.S. District Court for Eastern Washington.