Maxwell School News and Commentary

The annual statewide New York Business Plan Competition offers the largest prizes of any student business competition in the world—a total of $160,000 was awarded at this year’s competition.

Geography students Jade Rhoads and Maizy Ludden were named Udall Scholars. The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to college sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service and commitment to issues related to Native American nations or to the environment. 

During his formal talk with the Maxwell community, Secretary General Luis Almagro Lemes of the Organization of American States spoke of his commitment to the study of public administration and international relations, noting that democracy "demands good governance and strong institutions."

Charles Willie '57 Ph.D. (soc), former chair of sociology, received the Chancellor’s Citation Lifetime Achievement Award at the One University Awards ceremony.

Prior to his current role with FEMA, from 2013-2017, Heighberger was deputy staff director for the House Homeland Security Committee. He has also held other roles at FEMA; during the George W. Bush Administration he served as deputy director for legislative affairs, and later as advisor to former administrator David Paulison and deputy administrator Harvey Johnson.

Jackie Orr, associate professor of sociology, was named Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence. The professorship was created to recognize and reward outstanding teaching at the University.