2022 Recipient – Jack Mehus

I am very honored to be the 2022 recipient of the Korbel Family Political Science Endowed Scholarship. I am a double major in Political Science and Psychology and will be graduating in the Spring of 2023. My experience at St. John's has been fantastic; this academic environment has given me the opportunity to develop intellectually and expose myself to many different ideas and beliefs. After graduation, I hope to either go to graduate school for policy research or work in government. I am interested in education policy, specifically in how we can build more equitable school systems, as well as improve our curriculums to better compete on the global stage. I am passionate about politics and want to contribute in whatever way I can to improving policy, culture, and the lives of Americans. This summer I will have the opportunity to do so, as I will be interning at the office of Senator John Hoeven (ND) in Washington D.C. I look forward to bringing my ideas and skills to the table, and making whatever impact I can manage, big or small. I believe that I will gain experience and knowledge there that will help carry me forward in my career. Thanks to the Korbel Scholarship, I will be able to offset most of the financial burden that comes with living and working in our nation's capitol.

2021 Recipient – Connor Kockler

I am honored to be selected as the 2021 Korbel Family Scholarship Recipient. The Political Science Department has been a major part of my experience here at St. John’s and I am humbled by their confidence in me through this selection. Politics and the law are passions of mine that have been developed by my upbringing and experiences. Volunteering from a young age through my church and other organizations, serving as an election judge and state House page, as well as being a participant in student government since middle school, I am dedicated to serving others and making positive change through my involvement.

At St. John’s, I have been able to continue my growth and development in these passions through many activities. As a member of the Bonner Leader Program and working in the Service-Learning Office, I have been able to add to my service and leadership development.

Serving on the Saint John’s Senate has enabled me to advocate for the student body and build valuable experience working with administration and faculty. I have also been able to develop additional career and leadership skills through participating in Mock Trial and Model United Nations, participating in competitions and working in leadership roles to advance the clubs and our members.

In the future, I plan to attend law school and become an attorney working for the government or in the public interest sector. This is the reason why I study political science and aspire to work in the law; because I believe in their power to change the world for the better in addressing complex issues that affect every aspect of people’s lives. As a lawyer, I aspire to use the legal profession’s unique opportunities to represent people and participate in work where I can create a lasting impact for clients and the wider community.

2020 Recipient – Caleb Jungling

I am honored to be 2020’s Korbel Family Scholarship awardee. Thank you to the Korbel family for your commitment to higher education and support of SJU students. Besides being a Political Science major, I’m also majoring in Hispanic Studies and will graduate in 2022. Politics are my life. Since before I could vote I’ve been volunteering on campaigns and knocking doors. I’ve worked as a social media campaign manager for a 2018 Ramsey, Minn. Mayoral candidate, a head canvasser for a U.S. Congressman, a campus coordinator for a U.S. Senate candidate and volunteered on countless other local campaigns. My most recent experience landed me in our nation's capital. I spent the summer of 2019 interning for Representative Tom Emmer completing legislative research and constituent services. D.C. was one of the most fascinating experiences of my life. On top of my day-to-day duties, I got to attend briefings and interact with politicians from across the country including Kevin McCarthy, Steve Scalise, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and a brief interaction with Nancy Pelosi. After graduation, I plan to pursue a master's degree in foreign policy and work for the Department of State. While there, I could use both politics and Spanish to help advocate and promote the image of the United States abroad.  Eventually, when the time presents itself, I would also like to run for office and climb the ladder as high as I’m able.

2019 Recipient – George Doyle

I am incredibly honored and grateful to be named as this year’s recipient of the Korbel Family Scholarship. I am a political science and theology double major with a music minor who will be graduating in May 2020. While at Saint John’s, music has been my largest commitment, as I play trumpet in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Choir, and Jazz Combo, as well as for musicals and for the SJU Student Mass, occasionally even for off-campus groups and events. I have also been involved with Magis Ministries’ Praise in the Pub as a sound technician and as a member of the SJU Knights of Columbus council. I recently had the opportunity to study abroad in Greece and Italy for a semester, and this experience was invaluable in helping me understand my own place in a changing world and in encouraging me to commit to service in making the world a better place for all of us. In the near future, I will be working as a counselor at the Youth in Theology and Ministry summer camp held at Saint John’s in order to help high school-age youth be more active in service and the search for social justice. After graduation, I hope to eventually earn a teaching position at a university where I can also continue with my own research.

2018 Recipient – Gilles Mally

As a First-Gen student, I am honored to be recognized as this year's Korbel Scholarship recipient and to be part of this amazing cohort. I am a political science major with International Relations Focus and French minor who will be graduating in May 2019. During my time at Saint John's I was fortunate to study abroad in Cannes (France), serve as call center supervisor with Institutional Advancement. I was also part of the Black Student Association as where I hosted the College of Saint Benedict /Saint John's University 2017 African Night. I have been granted the opportunity by the McCarthy Center to attend the New York City Study tour, where I had the chance to meet several CSB/SJU alums. I have recently been awarded the Brandl Scholarship which will allow me to intern at the Mayor's Office at the City of Minneapolis. It's truly a blessing and honor to be this year's recipient of the Korbel Scholarship. After graduation, I plan on serving abroad for a year and coming back to chase my dream of working for the United Nations or a non-profit organization. I eventually plan on going to a graduate school to get my master's in International Relations. Thanks to the Korbel scholarship, for allowing me to continue chasing my dream and affect the lives of others in my community as well as in the world. 

2017 Recipient – Zack Eichten

I am a political science and economics double major who will be graduating in May of 2018. At St. John’s I have had a fulfilling collegiate career, serving two terms of the St. John’s Senate, volunteering with Johnnie Bennie Campus News and the McCarthy Center, working at Student Accessibility Services as a Student Manager, and being a commissioner of a ping pong league, among others! Over the summer between my junior and senior year I have the opportunity to intern in Washington, D.C., where I will gain valuable experience working in government relations. After graduation, I plan on working in a government relations field in Minnesota, and eventually returning to school for my master’s in public policy. Thanks to the Korbel scholarship, I am able to be focused more on chasing those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities while I am still here at SJU.

2016 Recipient – Charles Pults

I am a political science and history double major who is on pace to graduate in May of 2017. During my time here at St. John's, I have been incredibly blessed with many wonderful and exciting opportunities. From spending time on the football field to the summer I spent working in Washington D.C., this school and the political science department have given me so much. I have served on the executive board of the College Democrats as treasurer and have just been elected to the St. John's Senate on the Activities and Allocations Board. After graduation, I plan to go to law school and fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer and returning to Washington D.C. Ultimately, I would like to own my own law firm and perhaps run for elected office someday. Thanks to the Korbel scholarship I am now one step closer to fulfilling that dream. 

2015 Recipient – William Jude

I am a Political Science and Communication double major, on track to graduate in May of 2016. I am grateful for the opportunity to study political science at St. John’s University. The professors in the department are eager to help students excel and succeed. They have challenged me to both grow in my intellectual curiosity and step out of my comfort zone. Over the past three years, I have been active in the campus community, serving as a senator on the St. John’s Senate, board member on the SJU Community Conduct and Standards Board, and as a Resident Assistant for one year. After I graduate, my long term plan is to pursue a JD, as well as sufficient courses at the master’s level in oratory and rhetoric, in order to fulfill my career goals. Ultimately, I would like to become a commentator on legal matters for a television station. However, before entering graduate school, I plan to gain experience in the field working either as a marketing research analyst, public relations specialist, or policy analyst.