STENNIS FELLOWS SYNTHESIS RETREAT IN SHEPHERDSTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA

The 111th Congress Stennis Fellows met May 21-22, 2010 in Shepherdstown, West Virginia to finalize their findings at the completion of their fellowship. Stennis Fellows are high ranking congressional staff, such as chiefs of staff, committee staff directors, legislative directors, and others, who are committed to improving the effectiveness of Congress.

TRUMAN SCHOLARS DAY ON CAPITOL HILL HELD ON JUNE 18, 2010

STENNIS STUDENT CONGRESS HELD IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

These finalists in the House and Senate competed in the Stennis Congressional Debate on June 13-18, 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Stennis Center sponsors the Student Congress portion of the National Forensic League's National Speech & Debate Tournament.

KANSAS GOVERNOR MARK PARKINSON RECEIVED THE 2010 HAROLD KELLER AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP

Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson is the 2010 recipient of theHarold Keller Award for Public Service Leadership.

The award honors an individual who has successfully applied lessons learned through National Forensic League (NFL) Student Congress to become an effective leader in public service.

Governor Parkinson participated in the 1975 National Forensic League House of Representatives in Indianapolis, Indiana, elected as presiding officer for his chamber. He graduated with 633 merit points accumulated for participation and success, reaching a degree of Special Distinction in the NFL honorary society.

A successful businessman and attorney, Governor Parkinson has previously served Kansas as Lieutenant Governor and completed terms in both the State Senate and House of Representatives. He assumed his post as Governor of Kansas on April 28, 2009. Click here to learn more about the 2010 Keller Award winner. The award was presented during the National Forensic League's 2010 National Speech Tournament held June 13-18, 2010, in Kansas City, Missouri.

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND USS NIMITZ LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNERS VISIT WASHINGTON, D.C.

Admiral Jonathan Greenert, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, meets with the commanding officers and the leadership award winners from the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) and the USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) during their visit to Washington, D.C. on June 21-23, 2010.

JOHN C. STENNIS NOVICE SPEECH AND DEBATE TOURNAMENT HELD

On October 8-9, 2010, high school students from Mississippi and Tennessee gathered at Mississippi State University for the annual John C. Stennis Novice Speech and Debate Tournament, which was established in 1995. The Stennis Center supports competition in speech and debate at the high school level in order to encourage young leaders to develop the skills necessary to be successful in a career in public service. Click here to learn more about the John C. Stennis Speech and Debate Tournament sponsored by the Stennis Center.

USS STENNIS LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNERS VISIT WASHINGTON, D.C.

USS JOHN C. STENNIS Leadership award winners CDR Matthew Feehan and OSCS Steven Faltysek and their spouses enjoyed lunch with U.S. Senator Thad Cochran from Mississippi and USS STENNIS Commanding Officer CAPT Joe and Mrs. Kuzmick. Each year, the Stennis Center for Public Service sponsors leadership awards for outstanding officers and sailors on board the USS JOHN C STENNIS aircraft carrier. The award winners travel to Washington, D.C. to interact with policy makers. The latest winners visited the nation’s capital on October 3-6, 2010. Click here to learn more about the Leadership Awards Programs sponsored by the Stennis Center.

LIFTING LEADERS PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS

Lifting Leaders, a pilot mentoring program for college women, was launched in Little Rock, Arkansas on September 26-27, 2010. The program pairs college women with established women political leaders. Click here to learn more about the Lifting Leaders Program.

CELEBRATION DINNER HELD HONORING 111TH CONGRESS STENNIS FELLOWS

The Stennis Fellows of the 111th Congress, all senior level staff members on Capitol Hill, held their graduation ceremony on September 20, 2010 at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. The Fellows released their final report, Reflections on Governing Responsibility and Campaign Politics, which examined three questions: How have personal relationships and partisanship changed over time within Congress? Can governing responsibility and campaign demands co-exist productively? How can Congress strengthen two-way communication with the public and improve governing in the new media environment?

USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77) SAILORS HONORED WITH STENNIS AWARDS

Former President George H.W. Bush presented two sailors with The Stennis Center's Honorable George H.W. Bush Leadership Award and the Stennis Center's Senior Chief Storekeeper (SW/AW) Charles G. Zwierzynski Leadership Award for outstanding leadership during his visit on board USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77), July 15, 2010.

The Stennis Center's Honorable George H.W. Bush Leadership Award recipient was Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Morris, who serves as the Air Department V-2 Division Officer. The Stennis Center's Senior Chief Storekeeper (SW/AW) Charles G. Zwierzynski Leadership Award recipient was Chief Electrician's Mate (SW/AW) Ernest Cruz, a GEORGE H.W. BUSH plankowner and currently the Reactor Training Division Officer, who was also recently selected for advancement to Senior Chief Petty Officer.

Cruz's award honors the memory of Senior Chief Storekeeper Charles G. Zwierzynski, who passed away in 2008. During his two years aboard GEORGE H.W. BUSH, Zwierzynski exemplified the Navy's core values of honor, courage and commitment and motivated those around him to excel. Cruz, who was mentored by Zwierzynski upon selection as a Chief Petty Officer, said Zwierzynski was an outstanding leader and a great mentor. "It was a great honor to receive an award in honor of such a great leader. He is greatly missed, and I hope to continue to live up to the standard that he has set," Cruz said.

Both recipients said it was an outstanding honor to be presented their award by former President George H.W. Bush.