Summer 2009 Tribute to Alumni
Message from the Alumni President
This young GU graduate is out there changing the world by working with humanitarian aid agencies in Bosnia, Iraq, Zambia and Bolivia. He is another Gracelander who has chosen to pursue career goals through service to humanity. His recent Ph.D. dissertation through the London School of Economics and Political Science probed the politics of U.S. and Norwegian foreign aid for landmine clearance in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Sudan. Find out more by reading what Alumni Board of Directors President Michael Lewis has to say about the exemplary life of 2001 graduate Matthew Bolton.
Dear fellow alumni,
I'd like to tell you about an extraordinary young Graceland graduate who is out there changing the world, making Gracelanders proud. Times are changing and our recent graduates are changing with them. Service to humanity is becoming an increasingly popular career choice. Here is a great example.
Matthew Bolton '01 was recently awarded a Ph.D. in government from the London School of Economics and Political Science for a dissertation researching the politics of U.S. and Norwegian foreign aid for landmine clearance in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Sudan.
The London School of Economics has educated more than 30 heads of state, including President John F. Kennedy. Fourteen Nobel Laureates and six members of President Barack Obama's administration have been either students or faculty at the school.
Matthew's research found that U.S. programs mitigating the threat of landmines, often shaped by strategic interests and contracted to private security companies, were less effective than Norway's more humanitarian approach that utilized international charities.
Matthew conducted fieldwork in each of his case-study countries, spending several months in Kabul, Sarajevo, Juba and Khartoum. To read some of his research, check out his Blog at http://politicalminefields.wordpress.com/publications.
"The nurturing environment at Graceland, with its intimate collaboration between faculty and students, gave me a firm academic foundation for graduate study," according to Matthew. "Doing my senior seminar and honors projects was excellent preparation in the process of doing independent research."
"Bill Russell, Bill Juhnke and Bob Mesle - I called them the ‘Three Wise Men' - particularly pushed me to think critically, dig below the surface and ask hard questions," Matthew said. He earned a B.A. at Graceland, majoring in history and religion, with a minor in German. He was editor of the Tower, represented Faunce House on Student Senate, led the Graceland Peace and Justice Coalition and participated in the Community of Christ Leadership Program.
His history senior seminar paper, which analyzed the politics of the Community of Christ's expansion into Japan and India, won the Alma and Kay Blair History Award. The paper formed the core of Matthew's 2005 book Apostle of the Poor, The Life and Work of Missionary and Humanitarian Charles D. Neff. Matthew now works part time for Outreach International, a development agency affiliated with the Community of Christ. Since leaving Graceland, he has worked with several humanitarian aid agencies in a dozen countries, including Bosnia, Iraq, Zambia and Bolivia.
He is also a freelance writer, contributing a weekly column on international affairs and travel to The Examiner in Independence, MO. He has published articles in The Guardian, Manchester, UK, Jane's Foreign Report, Global Journalist and Transitions Abroad. He is currently adapting his Ph.D. into a book titled Foreign Aid and Mine Clearance: Governance, Politics and Security in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Sudan, to be published by IB Tauris in late 2009.
It gives me great pride in my alma mater to bring to your attention such a driven and successful alumnus. Congratulations Matthew from your fellow alumni. Your achievements are tremendous. The best of luck to you with what I am certain will be fascinating and meaningful future adventures.
Warm personal regards,
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| Michael Lewis - Alumni President |
