UA Political Science Students Receive Congressional Recognition

Akron, Ohio, April 23, 2008 — U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula awarded certificates of special congressional recognition to several University of Akron political science students for their exemplary work as moderators during a recent mock congressional council for high school students at the university.

Student recognition recipients were: Diana Kingsbury of Canton; Frank J. Merendino of Cuyahoga Falls; Susanna Ratsavong of Akron; Joe Smith of Washington Twp., Mich.; Jen Thrasher of Cuyahoga Falls; and Yianni Varonis of North Canton.

Regula has helped high school students in his district, which includes portions or all of Ashland, Medina, Stark and Wayne Counties, learn about politics by hosting student congressional councils annually for more than 20 years. The UA students were well prepared to assist Regula and provided guidance to the high school students.

"This year, because the topic chosen was immigration reform, our UA political science students were delighted to be able to assist and support the congressman, serving as content experts and facilitators," says Dr. William Lyons, UA political science professor. "Our students focused on guiding the high school students, who were role playing being congressional representatives, in their efforts to engage seriously with a complex and real world problem, making sense of often incomplete and sometimes contradictory data, to remain goal-oriented and directed toward achieving agreements on tough policy questions where compromise can be difficult to negotiate."

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