Mary Harris Steps Down as
MPA Secretary

Notes from the Undergraduate Program

MPA Program News

The Master of Arts in 
International Studies

Model United Nations

Alumni News

Faculty Pursuits

Newly-Designed Alumni 
Website

Study Growth at Pi Sigma 
Alpha

Bryan Tuten: Team Member of Materials Management

Arevik Saribekyan
Newsletter Editor 

Cindy Smith
Office Assistant

The beginning of a new academic year is always an exciting time, but hurricanes Dennis and Floyd took us to a new level this year. Alumni and friends of the department have no doubt seen Greenville and ECU in national and local media as the great storms battered the eastern part of the state and left vast areas flooded and many residents homeless. Damage to the university has been estimated at more than $7 million. The emotional and psychological costs are incalculable. Some students, faculty, and staff lost all their possessions. At least one student lost his life.

Although full recovery will be measured in terms of years, the political science family is doing its part to assist in the recovery process. Many have volunteered through the university, government and nonprofit agencies, and churches. Many others have helped those in need through individual acts of kindness and compassion. The nature of relief activities is astonishingly varied. One of the department's outstanding students flew Army Black Hawk helicopters in the relief effort. Staff administrative assistant Cindy Smith is believed to have purchased all the available underwear in Greenville department stores to distribute to the needy in Bethel and nearby communities.

We anticipate minimal disruption in our academic programs as we strive to deal with the unfolding events flexibly and compassionately. The academic calendar has been adjusted, the Model UN will go on as planned, and graduation will be held on time. The department aims to match the resiliency of the brave people Down East as all of us continue to recover from the greatest environmental disaster in North Carolina history.

We trust that our alumni and their families are safe and secure. Please, let us hear from you.