President's Blog: From the Heart

By Eric F. Spina

The magnificent Ohio Statehouse atrium buzzed with youthful energy and purpose as former Governor Bob Taft and former Senate President Dick Finan ’54 mingled with student interns and alumni of the University of Dayton’s Statehouse Civic Scholars (SCS) program at a networking reception and celebration this week.

Who better to learn about the inner workings of state government from than these two quintessential public figures both deeply connected to UD?

For our students in the Statehouse Civic Scholars program, all roads lead to Columbus and, beyond that, to careers in public service. I witnessed the full force of the program when Eileen Austria ‘81, who helped start the initiative with Governor Taft in 2011, asked SCS alumni to join this year’s 15 interns on stage for what turned out to be an unwieldy group photo because of its size.

“Get closer,” suggested photographer Julie Noeth from her perch on a ladder.

“It’s great to see all these kids grown up. They’re doing amazing things,” said Eileen, who worked with the political science department to model the effort after the highly competitive Ohio Legislative Fellowship Program that launched her early career in politics as a legislative aide and, later, district director for U.S. Congressman Dave Hobson.

“I am truly thankful for our senior UD alumni advisers on Cap Square who have been with us since day one in providing great role models for the students to learn from as well as assist with job hunting connections,” she said. “Our younger UD alum mentors are equally engaging with the students.”

This is a signature experiential learning program, and its impact cannot be underestimated. Our 165 alumni are making their mark as policy analysts, legislative aides, community organizers, economic development managers, lawyers, and more. A dozen are working in Congress or a federal agency. Another 20 are employed by advocacy and trade organizations stretching from the Midwest to Istanbul.

“Public service is littered with smart, intelligent, talented, and here-for-the-right-reason people. I wouldn’t be here without this program,” said Ian Dollenmayer ’16, a former government relations intern in the UD President’s Office who began his career as a legislative aide for Ohio Senator Bob Hackett, earned a law degree, and is now the executive director of the legislature’s influential Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review.

Thanks to the collective efforts of Eileen, Governor Taft, and internship coordinator Dan Birdsong, the Statehouse Civic Scholars this summer are interning across the spectrum of state government from the governor’s office and the Ohio Supreme Court to the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and Office of Budget and Management.

And thanks to funding from the state legislature, AES Foundation and a growing endowment, interns receive a $3,000 fellowship stipend, accommodations near the Statehouse, and a wealth of networking and mentorship opportunities.

“These opportunities help them recognize the impact they have as public servants and inspire many of them to pursue that path after graduation,” said Nancy Martorano Miller, chair of the political science department, a key and effective engine for the Statehouse Civic Scholars Program.

“The program really has inspired students to pursue the common good.”

Just like Governor Taft, who’s opening doors in government for students as he teaches legislative politics on campus, and Mayor Finan. Yes, mayor. After logging six terms in the state legislature, Dick returned to politics nearly a decade ago as mayor of Evendale, a village outside Cincinnati. Public service is in their blood. Who better to instill a desire to serve in a new generation of leaders?

And there’s no better program to foster that passion than the Statehouse Civic Scholars.

(Photo by Julie Walling Noeth)