Students win Public Service Fellowships

The Kennedy School of Government (KSG) is awarding 10 outstanding students with fellowship money to pay for one or two years of tution, according to recent news release.

Nine students are receiving the Robert G.Wilmers State and local Public Service Fellowship: Brett W. Barri, katherine D. Collignon, John Q.Doan, Heidi T. Glunz, Slavatore D. Monteleone, Joseph I.Mulligan III and maks S.Wise.

Aileen M.mcNamra is the recipient of the Western New York Public Service Fellowship

The awards go to the students who have "demonstrated leadership, innovation and commitment to public service," according to the release.

This year 30 students applied for the Wilmers felowship, which is funded by Robert G. Wilmers'56. The Western New York Public Service Fellowship is funded by M&T Bank, where serves as chief excutive officer.

The Wilmers fellowship requires students to work in state or local government for three years following graduation, according to maritza S.Henandez, assistant director of finacial aid at the KSG. Under the rules of her fellowship, Mcnamara is not obligated to work in the government, Hernandez said.

The students who received the felowships have already participated in a variety of public servvice experience. They said the education they are receving at the KSG will be valuable in their future work.

A Mastr's in Public Policy (MPP) candidate, Wise received 14,000 votes--or one percent of the vote--in a campaign for a New Jersey U.S. Senate seat in 1996. Wise a high school teacher, worked with his students on the campaign, allowing them to create his pltform and strategy.

Maggiore, who excerpts to receive a Master's in Public Administration in June 2000, has worked as an assistant to former New York Governor Mario Cuomo and a chief of staff for New state legislator Sam HOyt. He is currently excecutive vice president of the KSG student government.

"I came here to sharpen my skills and for reflection.... to broaden my horizons," Maggiore said. "It's very stimulating atmosphere."

McNamara has worked as a staff attorney for the Mental Hyfgiene Legal Service, an organization asssting the mentally ill. she also serves on the police/Mental Health Coordination project in Buffalo.

"It's turned out to be a very energizing experience," she said."It's really been an amazing year."

Wilmers said that the education students receive at the KSG is important, but their ublic service work is what counts most.

"That degree is only second in importance to the skills, ideas, and enthusiasm with which they will return to serve our community," Wilmers said in the press release.

Two of the students, Maggiore and McNmara, are from the Buffalo area, where Wilmers also lives. Wilmers said he is opleased that these students will have the chance to make an impact in his local community.

"I hope Buffalo will join me in welcoming Aileen and John when they return a little over a year from now to apply what they have learned for the benefit of all", he said in the release.