Student Fellows Program

At the conclusion of an annual competitive application process, the Center awards stipends to 12 talented students to serve as student fellows. Six students serve as research fellows while the other six serve as marketing fellows helping the Center to market its faith and freedom educational events and scholarship. Mentoring and making employment and graduate school connections for its student fellows, the Center is a farm team of sorts that prepares promising young leaders to serve in the country’s premier national and state-based think tanks. In addition to working with student fellows, the Center served an additional 341 students last year via various educational initiatives including a three-day networking trip in Washington, D.C.

Ethan Bannister ’13 is a junior at Grove City College majoring in political science with a minor in legal studies. In the spring of 2011, Ethan was appointed as chairman of Mock Trial and is responsible for developing the newly formed club. After completing his undergraduate studies, Ethan plans to pursue a career in law. Specifically, Ethan hopes to study military law and enter into the Judge Advocate General’s Corps.

Ethan was born and raised on a small family farm in Kent, N.Y. Throughout his upbringing he has assisted the family operation in a number of capacities, such as: animal (beef) herdsman, fruit (apple/peaches) manager, heavy equipment operator, trucker, etc. Outside of his agricultural experience, Ethan interned for his county district attorney where he assisted with a landlord/tenant protection initiative, a drug awareness program and a homicide case in addition to everyday office functions. In the fall of 2010, Ethan also had a brief internship with Congressman Mike Kelly’s grassroots campaign.

In addition to his legal and agriculture experience, Ethan is interested in investigating the future of transportation.

Arielle Boyle ’12, a student at Grove City College dual majoring in psychology and sociology, is a native of Harrisburg, Pa. While at Grove City, Arielle has strived to become involved in an array of extracurricular activities, including Homecoming Executive Committee, iLead Core, Crimson and White Society, Relay for Life and Pan-Hellenic Council. Arielle is also an active member of the Sigma Theta Chi sorority, where she currently holds the position of vice president. After graduation, Arielle hopes to either pursue a master’s in counseling or secure a two-year position with Teach for America before applying to law school.

Before entering Grove City College in the summer of 2008, Arielle held an internship with Court of Common Pleas Judge John F. Cherry, whose primary focus for the past four years has been split between criminal, civil and juvenile cases. Although Arielle’s primary responsibility in this internship was to simply observe ongoing cases, this experience expanded her interest in law. Since the summer of 2010, Arielle has worked full-time in the summers for her father, an attorney who owns three law firms in central Pennsylvania. This past summer, Arielle narrowed her concentration in law to civil practice, working under attorney Joshua Autry’s supervision to assist in case summaries and prepare legal focus groups. This opportunity allowed Arielle to combine her passion for law while simultaneously integrating research skills she has gained through her education as a psychology and sociology major.

During her senior year at Grove City, Arielle hopes to learn more about marketing and free-market economics through her fellowship with The Center for Vision and Values. She is excited to combine the experience gained from her past employment with the knowledge she hopes to gain this school year.

Kirby Gowen ’12 is a senior at Grove City College. A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Kirby found his intellectual home with the Grove City College economics department and their commitment to free market principles.

Research and discussion of public policy issues has been an integral component of Kirby’s life. During junior high and high school, Kirby participated in team policy debate for five years at both the state and national level. The range of knowledge required for debate instilled in Kirby a great appreciation for public policy research. Kirby is entering his fourth year competing on the Grove City College Debate Team. On campus, Kirby is involved with Students for Liberty, Webster Society, Omicron Delta Epsilon, Intramural Sports and the Financial Management Association.

After graduating from Grove City, Kirby plans on pursuing a master’s in finance and then a career in the private sector. Investment banking particularly appeals to Kirby as a challenging field that requires strong analytical and communication skills.

Steven Irwin ’12, a native of Mount Gilead, Ohio, is a senior at Grove City College, majoring in history with minors in political science and communications studies. A second-year marketing fellow, Steve’s experience with the Center for Vision & Values has been a valuable experience in networking, public relations and the spread of conservative ideals and free-market principles.

While at Grove City College, Steve has participated in numerous organizations and has held several prominent leadership roles. In the fall of 2009, Steve co-founded the Grove City College Journal of Law & Public Policy, one of the nation’s few undergraduate law reviews. He has served the Journal in administrative positions and currently leads the publication as editor-in-chief, managing what has become one of the largest organizations on campus with a biannual readership of 1,500. Steve is a member of the GCC Student Government Association and serves as President of the Class of 2012. Additionally, Steve is a member of the College Republicans, Life Advocates, and enjoys participating in intramural sports. Finally, Steve serves as a contributing writer for the Publius Foundation, a liberty-loving, student-run think tank at the University of Pittsburgh.

During the summer of 2011, Steve interned with the power and energy group at Atwell, LLC in Cleveland, Ohio; a nationwide land development and consulting firm. The experience of drafting lease agreements, reviewing title and deed issues and interacting with the nation’s biggest wind power developers has spurred Steve’s interest in the energy industry. Furthermore, Steve contributed to the firm’s launch into the Marcellus and Utica natural gas markets. Combined with his rural roots and love for small town America, Steve intends to blend first-hand work experiences in agriculture and oil production into a legal career with an energy company.

Abigail Lepsch ’12, a native of the Appalachians of East Tennessee, is a student at Grove City College. After retaining her undeclared major for as long as possible, she chose to study sociology, to which she added a minor in political science and a pre-medical certification. While her academic interests largely developed separately, they have combined in her growing interest in health policy and bioethics.  Following graduation, she hopes to continue her education in this field.

Like her studies, Abi’s field experiences have involved an equally diverse array of topics. At her home in Kingsport, Tenn., Abi interned with a health clinic that provides services to the growing Hispanic population in the area. Through this opportunity, Abi developed an interest in community health education and a high tolerance for Spanglish. Abi also works extensively in youth education, especially in the Grove City area where she teaches GED preparation classes and ESL instruction. These experiences have encouraged her interest in intercultural experiences, prompting her to travel to Africa and South America.

Academically, Abi has particularly enjoyed her classes in medical anthropology and science, technology and society. During the summer of 2011, she studied the relationship between Ecuador’s indigenous women’s perceived discrimination and their willingness to access government-provided maternal healthcare, a possible explanation for the high maternal mortality rate of this population.

Zachary Lewallen ’12 is finishing his bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in national security. He is from Houston, Texas, and is currently working as a Koch Student Fellow with The Center for Vision & Values. He is the president of the Sigma Alpha Sigma Men’s fraternity and a varsity soccer letterman. On campus Zach also leads Tuesday chapel worship as well as being part of the Warriors worship team. He has served on various inner-city housing rehabilitation projects in Pittsburgh as well as cities throughout Texas. He previously interned for Congressman Manzullo in the Washington, D.C., office where he was exposed to the intricacies of the public policy sector. Zach is in the process of applying to master’s programs in international affairs and national security, with an emphasis on Intelligence, to better prepare him to combat the enemies of freedom and Christian values on which this nation was founded.

Andrew Patterson ’12, a native of Monroeville, Pa., is a senior majoring in political science and communication studies. Upon graduating from Grove City College, Andrew hopes to start a career in political campaign management.

In the summer of 2009, Andrew interned at the Republican Committee of Allegheny County, working and coordinating with local committees to create a strong grassroots effort which eventually led to the election of six Republican candidates in seven statewide races. Andrew was also a summer associate with political media firm BrabenderCox Inc., and was responsible for working with campaigns in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Hawaii, Louisiana and Nevada to develop campaign media strategies. Last summer, Andrew spent time in Washington, D.C., as the personal intern to Morton Blackwell, president of the Leadership Institute. While there, Andrew was able to participate in multiple training seminars and workshops, all focused on pursuing electoral victories for conservative candidates.

Andrew is also an active participant in the Republican Party of Pennsylvania, a proud member of the Monroeville Republican Committee, chairman of the Grove City College Republicans and co-vice chair of the Pennsylvania Federation of College Republicans. Andrew has been a part of multiple congressional, senatorial, gubernatorial and presidential campaigns, most recently including Mike Kelly for Congress, Pat Toomey for Senate and Tom Corbett for Governor.

Finally, Andrew has ridden over 175 miles worth of track on 55 roller coasters! He hopes to become a member of the American Coaster Enthusiasts after graduation.

Jared Smith ’12 is a senior from Irwin, Pa., majoring in political science, with minors in history and legal studies. In addition to being a student fellow for the Center for Vision and Values, he serves as the executive administrative editor of the Grove City College Journal of Law & Public Policy. The Journal is one of only a handful of undergraduate law reviews in the nation and is further unique in that it incorporates student, faculty and alumni pieces for publication. He oversees all business aspects and day-to-day operations, as well as facilitating all communication between the college administration and the Journal staff.  He joined the editorial staff for its inaugural edition and has served as both an associate copy editor and an associate content editor.

In addition, Jared has also served as the vice chairman of the Grove City College Republicans. In this capacity, he was responsible for overseeing all day-to-day operations, managing all other officers and associates on the CR board. Jared has also been active with the Law Society, Homecoming Committee and intramural sports.

While attending Grove City College, Jared has gained a love for law, politics and limited government and has volunteered with the successful election campaigns for Representative Mike Kelly (PA-3), Senator Pat Toomey and Governor Tom Corbett. He had the opportunity to intern on Capitol Hill with the Office of Representative Tim Murphy, a Republican who represents the Eighteenth Congressional District of Pennsylvania. Jared specialized in energy, judicial, armed forces and foreign policy analysis as he worked with the congressman and his staff. He also gained valuable insight into the inner workings of Congress. Upon graduation, Jared plans to earn his Juris Doctor and begin a career in government service. He one day hopes to work as a legislative counsel, speechwriter or political campaign advisor before perhaps returning to Grove City College to teach in the future.

Mary Trease ’12, a student at Grove City College majoring in English, is a native of Charlotte, N.C. After completing her undergraduate studies at Grove City College, she hopes to take a gap year of travel before pursuing graduate studies.

During her time at Grove City College, Mary has taken opportunities to be challenged and stretched, whether as a member of the track team freshman year, trying new intramural sports or through serving as a freshman resident assistant for 2010-2011. During the summer of 2011, Mary participated in an international internship program sponsored by Grove City College in partnership with ONIRIS University in Nantes, France, teaching advanced business English to French university students. Through helping them to reach their goals, she was also able to form relationships with the students and benefit from many cross-cultural experiences.

Her interest in the importance of free markets in America stems from her experiences working at her father’s investment firm during high school and college summers. Watching, listening and participating in the daily operations of a business sparked her interest in understanding and someday sharing with others the vital importance of keeping America’s small-business climate robust.

Christopher Wetzel ’12 is a Grove City College senior majoring in political science and Spanish with a minor in religion. A native of Terre Hill, Pa., he hopes to attend law school and pursue a career in human rights law through a Christian ministry.

Chris is heavily involved on the Grove City campus in leadership and service activities. He is a member of the Tri-Rho men’s housing group and is serving as their resident assistant this year after holding the same position on a freshman hall last year. He is the president of Men’s Activities Board and the vice president of the Grove City circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honorary Society. Additionally, Chris serves as a campus tour guide, contributes to the school newspaper, The Collegian, and is an active participant in intramural sports.

Beyond these involvements, Chris is a member of Mortar Board and honoraries in the fields of political science, foreign language and the social sciences. His main academic interests are political philosophy and law. He has been published in both the Grove City College Journal of Law and Public Policy and the campus literary magazine, The Quad.

Dorothy Williams ’12 is a senior from Brentwood, Tenn. She graduated as valedictorian from Christ Presbyterian Academy in 2008 and is majoring in history and economics. During her time at Grove City College, Dorothy has served as a student research fellow with the Center for Vision and Values, been involved with Alpha Beta Tau Sorority, Phi Alpha Theta history honorary, Grove City College Law Society, Life Advocates and Crown and Sceptre service honorary. Last year, she became the executive articles editor for the Grove City College Journal of Law and Public Policy overseeing the Journal’s editing process, a role she continues during her senior year.

During her freshman year, Dorothy participated in an Inner City Outreach trip to Toronto, Canada, where she spent time working with the homeless. It was an eye-opening experience that ignited a passion for alleviating poverty. Subsequently, she researched the problems of the welfare system in the United States as well as various policies that have succeeded in helping people rise out of poverty. Additionally, Dorothy has a strong interest in free-market economics. She attended an Austrian Economics Seminar at the Foundation for Economic Education in the summer of 2010 and enjoyed discussing economic theory and various policies.

In the summer of 2011, she interned in the domestic policy department at the Heritage Foundation, working mainly on welfare issues with scholar Robert Rector. Dorothy assisted with research for several welfare papers, studied the background of the welfare system and reform attempts, and blogged about effective poverty alleviation programs. She also attended lectures by policy experts on a variety of issues and honed her writing skills in an op-ed class with McClatchy Tribune Op-ed editor Ray Walker. Her experience at the Heritage Foundation increased her knowledge of, and confirmed her passion for, public policy.

In addition, Dorothy enjoys studying the interplay of faith, morality and politics. Her experience working as a student research assistant for Dr. Gary Smith enabled her to read the thoughts of several U.S. Presidents on the subject, and her experience at the Heritage Foundation strengthened this interest. She read papers on the subject, attended the Religious Liberty Forum with former Attorney General Ed Meese in addition to several meetings and hearings on Capitol Hill where the subject arose. Dorothy is interested in defending religious liberty in some capacity in the future, and particularly enjoyed assisting with research for a potential joint project of the Heritage Foundation and the Alliance Defense Fund this summer.

Dorothy hopes to obtain a dual degree in law and public policy with the aim of working in policy at the state level or in Washington, D.C.

Kara Wilson ’13, a resident of Johnstown, Pa., is a junior at Grove City College majoring in political science and pursuing a minor in communication studies. After completing undergraduate studies she plans to move to the D.C. area and engage in political journalism or lobby for conservative issues.

On campus Kara holds a leadership position in each of the organizations in which she is involved. She serves as campaign associate for the College Republicans, deputy administrative editor of the Grove City College Journal of Law and Public Policy, assistant Homecoming float chair and vice president of the Zeta Zeta Zeta sorority.

While at home during the summer Kara was employed as a server at Shaffer’s Frosty Freeze, a local ice cream business. When she is not working she volunteers her time at Calvary United Methodist Church as a nursery volunteer and an elementary classroom teacher at Vacation Bible School.