Welcome Dr. Stephanie "Sam" Martin
Dr. Stephanie “Sam” Martin has been selected as the next Frank and Bethine Church Endowed Chair of Public Affairs in the School of Public Service at Boise State University.
Dr. Martin fills the position vacated by Steve Feldstein, who left the university in 2019. Dr. Martin comes to us as an Associate Professor with tenure, most recently from Southern Methodist University in the Department of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs. Prior to her position at SMU, Dr. Martin was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Mary, and a Lecturer at the University of California, San Diego, where she received her Ph.D. in 2013.
Dr. Martin specializes in American democracy, and also researches the relationship between freedom of speech and freedom of religion in the public sphere. Dr. Martin’s latest book, Decoding the Digital Church: Megachurch Storytelling and the Election of Donald J. Trump, was named 2021 Book of the Year by Word & Way.
Skip Oppenheimer, President of the Frank Church Institute’s Board of Directors, shared the following statement: “On behalf of the Frank Church Institute, we welcome Dr. Martin to Boise State as one of our own, and we look forward to working with her as the Frank and Bethine Church Chair for many years to come.”
Andrew Giacomazzi, Interim Dean of the School of Public Service, was particularly impressed by Dr. Martin’s research, as well as by her commitment to public engagement. “Dr. Sam Martin is an excellent fit for the School of Public Service and the position of Church Chair. She brings to us many years of public scholarship and media appearances, and her research will help further the Frank Church Institute’s democracy initiatives.”
Dr. Martin grew up in Boise, and received her undergraduate degree from Boise State University: “Frank Church’s life and legacy animated my graduate work – part of what drew me to studying conservative voters was my wish to understand how the politics of my home state had changed so much.”
Dr. Martin will begin her role as Associate Professor in the School of Public Service and Frank and Bethine Church Endowed Chair of Public Affairs in August.
The Frank and Bethine Church Award for Public Service Presented to Presidential Historian Dr. Douglas Brinkley
Presidential historian Dr. Douglas Brinkley received the Frank and Bethine Church Award for Public Service at a dinner in the Stueckle Sky Center April 25th where he addressed the audience on “Silent Spring Revolution: Why Environmentalism is a Winning Issue for Democracy.”
Douglas Brinkley has been hailed “America’s new past master,” and “the best of the new generation of American historians.” He is the author of a number of award-winning books including The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America; Rightful Heritage: Franklin D. Roosevelt and the American Conservation Movement; and the forthcoming Silent Spring Revolution on the environmental movement in the 1960s and 1970s including Senator Church’s conservation legislation.
The Award honors the achievements of two of Idaho’s stellar leaders. Born into pioneer families, Frank and Bethine Church represent America’s greatest generation who devoted their lives to public service.
Frank Church was one of the nation’s leading conservationists in preserving vast areas of wilderness, protecting wild and scenic rivers, and establishing national parks and recreation areas. Bethine Church carried on his vision in protecting the nation’s environment.
Watch Part 1 of Douglas Brinkley’s presentation
Thank you to our sponsors:
M.U.N. at Boise State
On May 19-22, some 60 high school students from across Idaho came to Boise State’s campus to compete in the first annual High School Model United Nations conference sponsored by the Frank Church Institute thanks to the generous support of FCI Board member Fred Cornforth. The theme of the inaugural conference was “Climate Change.”
Students discussed and debated the issue in three Model UN committees: Human Security, Trade and Commerce, and Technology and Innovation. A mock U.N. Security Council with student delegates also worked through a crisis simulation of a climate-driven conflict in the Horn of Africa. Congratulations to Idaho Falls High School, winner for best delegation, and Kellogg High School, awarded honorable mention.
Frank Church Scholarships Awarded
Four School of Public Service students, Madeline Patterson, Samantha Mulvihill, Lia Harelson and Ivy Smith, have been awarded Frank Church Scholarships for 2022-2023. In addition, two students, Grace Hall and Liam Carter were awarded funding for summer internships with Project Hope in Palestine.
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Frank Church Scholar Lia Harelson
With the generous scholarship from the Frank Church Institute, I am able to continue my education as a Global Studies and Spanish major at Boise State University. This funding will assist me in studying abroad in Montevideo, Uruguay where I can improve my Spanish learning as well as increase my intercultural competency. I am looking forward to continuing my education and pursuing a career within the realm of public service.
With the generous scholarship from the Frank Church Institute, I am able to continue my education as a Global Studies and Spanish major at Boise State University. This funding will assist me in studying abroad in Montevideo, Uruguay where I can improve my Spanish learning as well as increase my intercultural competency. I am looking forward to continuing my education and pursuing a career within the realm of public service.
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Frank Church Scholar Samantha Mulvihill
Throughout my educational career, I have wanted to learn about US international relations, explore other parts of the world, and pursue a career in national security. By studying Political Science at Boise State University, I have taken advantage of the phenomenal faculty with expertise in international relations and comparative politics. The Frank Church Institute’s support of my education will help me spend my senior year interning in Washington DC surrounding foreign policy, studying abroad, and taking my last few political science classes. I am grateful for the opportunity that the institute has provided me and hope to use this opportunity to move forward with my goals. Thank you very much.
Throughout my educational career, I have wanted to learn about US international relations, explore other parts of the world, and pursue a career in national security. By studying Political Science at Boise State University, I have taken advantage of the phenomenal faculty with expertise in international relations and comparative politics. The Frank Church Institute’s support of my education will help me spend my senior year interning in Washington DC surrounding foreign policy, studying abroad, and taking my last few political science classes. I am grateful for the opportunity that the institute has provided me and hope to use this opportunity to move forward with my goals. Thank you very much.
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Frank Church Scholar Ivy Smith
Thank you to the Frank Church institute for investing in me, and my future in public service. During my studies in the Masters of Public Administration Program, I’ve had the extreme pleasure of working in the City of Boise Mayor’s Office. It’s been so incredible to experience how seamlessly my career and courses blend together to not only further my professional career but deepen my passion for learning. As I head into my final year in my program, I feel confident that my education has equipped me with the tools and skills I need to make a real impact in my community and beyond. I can’t think of a better way to finish off my educational career than being selected as a Frank Church Scholar! Thank you!
Thank you to the Frank Church institute for investing in me, and my future in public service. During my studies in the Masters of Public Administration Program, I’ve had the extreme pleasure of working in the City of Boise Mayor’s Office. It’s been so incredible to experience how seamlessly my career and courses blend together to not only further my professional career but deepen my passion for learning. As I head into my final year in my program, I feel confident that my education has equipped me with the tools and skills I need to make a real impact in my community and beyond. I can’t think of a better way to finish off my educational career than being selected as a Frank Church Scholar! Thank you!
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Frank Church Scholar Madeline Patterson
I am extremely honored to be a recipient of the Frank Church Scholarship. I have always valued education, and am beyond appreciative of the support the Frank Church Institute provides to students like myself. I am excited to continue my degree of Political Science, Social Science, Secondary Education with plans to become a high school government teacher and emphasize civic engagement’s importance. With the support of this scholarship, I will continue to pursue opportunities in the Boise community that will enrich my government understanding, which enriches my future classroom.
I am extremely honored to be a recipient of the Frank Church Scholarship. I have always valued education, and am beyond appreciative of the support the Frank Church Institute provides to students like myself. I am excited to continue my degree of Political Science, Social Science, Secondary Education with plans to become a high school government teacher and emphasize civic engagement’s importance. With the support of this scholarship, I will continue to pursue opportunities in the Boise community that will enrich my government understanding, which enriches my future classroom.
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Project Hope Scholarship Recipient Liam Carter
I’m so honored to receive this scholarship from the Frank Church Institute! With this scholarship, I will be able to travel to Palestine and teach with a local nonprofit in Nablus. Studying Global Studies and Arabic, I am so thrilled to have this opportunity to create real change pertaining to my degree and improve my Arabic while abroad.
I’m so honored to receive this scholarship from the Frank Church Institute! With this scholarship, I will be able to travel to Palestine and teach with a local nonprofit in Nablus. Studying Global Studies and Arabic, I am so thrilled to have this opportunity to create real change pertaining to my degree and improve my Arabic while abroad.
Congress to Campus
At the end of March, the Frank Church Institute sponsored its fifth Congress to Campus program in partnership with the U.S. Former Members of Congress Association. Pictured above are former Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA) and former Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) with students at Boise High School where the Congressmen spoke to the senior class.
Boise State University Television Interview of the CongressmenFrank Church Institute welcomes Monica Carol Church
Monica Carol Church is the incoming Executive Director of the Frank Church Institute. Monica is a long time educator and advocate for youth voices, democratic values, and the environment. Monica spent the last decade teaching US and Comparative government and concurrent research courses at Boise High School. She sits on the boards of both the Frank Church Institute and the Andrus Center at Boise State.
Monica is also a member of the Sawtooth Society Board and the United States Global Leadership Coalition Idaho Delegation. As well, she is an Ethics Commissioner for the City of Boise where she lives with her husband Chad and their daughter Casey.
Monica and her family are avid cyclists and skiers. As the granddaughter of Frank and Bethine Church and Cecil and Carol Andrus, Monica is passionate and committed to the Great State of Idaho.