Robin Miller, a sophomore from Grand Rapids, will be the
first recipient of Eastern Michigan University's Father
Bernard J. O'Connor Scholarship in Civic Engagement.
Miller will receive a one-time $400 grant, which she will
use to pay for a summer internship program in Washington,
D.C.
 |
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: Robin Miller,
an EMU
sophomore from Grand
Rapids, works during the Build-A-
Bucks
event last year. Miller is the
first recipient
of the Father
Bernard J. O'Connor Scholarship
in
Civic Engagement. |
"Although I've never met Father O'Connor, from my
overseas e-mails with him and reactions from others, he
seems like quite an amazing individual," Miller said.
"Being honored with a scholarship named after him is a
great feeling."
Father Bernard J. O'Connor left Eastern Michigan University
in 2004 to assume a position in the Vatican in the administration
of Pope John Paul II. O'Connor and a number of his friends
and colleagues established the Father Bernard J. O'Connor
Endowed Scholarship in Civic Engagement, to be awarded
annually. The recipient must have an undergraduate GPA
of at least 3.2; have successfully completed at least 18
credit hours at EMU at the time of the award; may come
from any college and major; and must have a verifiable
record of excellence in civic engagement within the student's
program of study, as well as co-curricular and/or extracurricular
activities.
"Robin Miller's understanding of and commitment to
the principles of civil society were central to her selection
as the first recipient of the O'Connor Scholarship," said
Raymond Rosenfeld, coordinator of the selection committee
and head of the political science department at EMU. "Through
her many volunteer activities as well as her interest in
humane public policy, she reflects the basic concepts and
values that guide Father Bernie's life of service."
Miller, a public administration major with a double minor
in art history and conservation and resource use, is a
Presidential Scholar and a Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholar.
Her extracurricular activities at EMU include: being service
coordinator of Circle K International; recycling coordinator
of Residence Hall Government; a member of American Humanics;
and treasurer of the Public Administration Club. In addition,
she works as a Holman Learning Center Supplemental Instructor
in literature classes.
 |
A POPE DIALOGUE: Father Bernie O'Connor
has his
first audience with Pope Benedict XVI. O'Connor left
EMU in 2004 for a position with the Vatican. Robin
Miller, a sophomore from Grand Rapids, is the first
recipient of EMU's Father Bernard J. O'Connor
Scholarship in Civil Engagement. |
Miller's civic engagement includes: participating in the
Relay for Life to raise funds for the American Cancer Society;
serving as a First-Year Mentor at EMU; assisting in New
Student Orientation; and being a Play and Activity Leader
(PAL) at the Frederik Meijer Children's Garden in Grand
Rapids, Mich.
"'Civic engagement' is a phrase that gives me the
warm fuzzies. It gives me assurance that the
foundations of social capital and collective action that
our country is proud of will remain," Miller said. "On
a personal level, I have always been active and involved
in my community. Since coming to EMU, I've been able to
see how individual volunteer efforts fit in with the big
picture."
With all of her activities, Miller maintains a 3.88 grade
point average.
At EMU, O'Connor, or "Father Bernie" as most people knew
him, taught political science; served as assistant dean
of the College of Arts and Sciences; counseled EMU students
and staff; and was the ROTC chaplain. In Rome, O'Connor
initially served as a member or "adviser" to
the Eastern Churches, which include countries such as Egypt,
Syria, Iran and Jordan. His responsibilities included helping
the eastern regions of the Catholic Church communicate
with one another and working with various governments on
human rights concerns. He was later made liaision to India
for the Vatican. — Ron Podell contributed to this report.
