The Department of Political Science became an independent unit in 1966, and has maintained a long tradition of excellence. We are very proud of the accomplishments of our graduates, and for a number of reasons we are very interested in establishing continuing links between our alumni and the daily operations of the department. With the world made smaller in the Internet age, we believe we can foster a community of Political Science students and alumni who can be a source of guidance and support. Students need the mentoring both of their professors and their predecessors who have gone on to a number of professional pursuits. The department wants to foster the ability of alumni to connect with former classmates, friends, and former teachers. The department wants to maintain a vibrant program, and that demands that we continue to attract good students. We believe our alumni can help in this ongoing recruiting endeavor.

Please consider contacting us and adding your name to our email list. Your willingness to stay informed about the activity of the department, and perhaps to provide your thoughts, opinions and encouragement from time to time will be very helpful to us. You will be better able to make those connections with former classmates. We may be able to connect you to future employees! You can help us demonstrate the effectiveness of our program, as is periodically required in program evaluations.

We also need your financial support for activities that are chronically difficult to fund from other sources. Among other things, gifts to the department will allow us to build our scholarship funds, promote student travel to academic conferences and to such endeavors as Model United Nations and moot court competitions, and promote research opportunities in collaboration with the political science faculty. It is also possible to give to the department through the University’s online giving form. You can select the Political Science Department as a specific designation for your gift. Of course, we will gratefully acknowledge any gift.

Thanks for visiting the department web site. Please stay in touch, and if you’re in Orono please stop by. We would be happy to see you!