Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Larus has been awarded a Taiwan Fellowship for 2015. The 
Taiwan Fellowship is the Republic of China’s version of the Fulbright Program. Dr. Larus will conduct field research in Taiwan on U.S.-China-Taiwan trilateral relations. In recognition of the award, Dr. Larus was the honored guest of Ambassador Shen Lyushen, Taiwan’s representative to the United States, at an Oct. 29 luncheon held at Twin Oaks, the official residence for Taiwan ambassadors.
Larus Presents Paper at China Conference
Elizabeth Larus, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, presented a paper “The Pivot versus the Dream: The Battle for Seapower in the Asia-Pacific” at the 2014 meeting of the American Association for Chinese Studies at George Washington University, Oct. 10-12, 2014.
Professor Larus Participates in U.S. War College Program
Elizabeth F. Larus, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, participated in the 2014 Commandant’s National Security Program (CNSP) at the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania in July 2014. Participation was by nomination only. Larus joined senior military officers as well as 60 other guests from law, business, the intelligence community, medicine and academia to participate in a series of lectures and small group discussions on pressing national security issues.
Elizabeth Larus Presents National Security Lecture
Elizabeth F. Larus, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, presented a lecture, “The U.S. Pivot to the Western Pacific: Implications for Security in the Asia-Pacific,” on April 11, 2014 to Command and Staff of the Joint Warfare Analysis Center (JWACS) as part of the National Securities Lecture Series at the UMW Dahlgren Campus. Professor Larus’ lecture was simultaneously broadcast to remote attendees from U.S. Strategic Command and the Pentagon.
Larus Discusses Business in China at Rotary Meeting
Elizabeth Larus, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, spoke on China’s economy and pressing issues affecting businesses in China at the October 30 meeting of the Rotary Club of in Fredericksburg.
Elizabeth Larus Offers Comments on Radio Program
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, offered comments on current events in China on “Tea Talk,” the radio program of the Asian World Center at Creighton University. The first part of her interview aired in mid-October and can be accessed at Episode 3 – Dr. Elizabeth Larus Part 1/2.
Liz Larus Offers Public Lecture on China
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, offered a public lecture “Social and Economic Problems Facing China’s Fifth Generation of Leaders” at Creighton University in Omaha on September 9. The university’s Asian World Center invited Dr. Larus, a Creighton graduate, to offer the lecture to kick off this year’s Asian Culture Week.
Elizabeth Larus Presents at International Conference
Elizabeth Larus, professor of political science and international affairs, presented a paper, “Technological Change and China’s Naval Modernization: Security Implications for Taiwan,” at an international conference on Cross-Strait Relations in an Era of Technological Change on Tuesday, March 5. The conference was organized by St. Antony’s College, Oxford University (UK).
Political Science Student Awarded Summer Scholarship
University of Mary Washington junior Shirley Martey is the recipient of the 2013 Ambassador Summer Scholarship from the Taiwan-U.S. Sister Relations Alliance (TUSA). Martey, chosen to represent the Commonwealth of Virginia, is the first UMW student to be awarded the scholarship.
A political science major, Martey is a member of UMW’s Finance Committee and is the treasurer of the Student Government Association. She also serves on the College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee and has been active in Student Senate. Martey is a member of the Mortar Board national honor society and Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honor society. She has been named to the Dean’s List.
“Shirley personifies the spirit and values of UMW,” said Elizabeth Larus, professor of political science and international affairs. “A high achiever, Shirley has an infectious enthusiasm for learning and will bring a high level of energy and gusto to the TUSA program. Shirley will make an excellent ambassador because she is open to other cultures and her exuberant friendliness quickly puts others at ease.”
The Ambassador Scholarship provides funds for an eight-week study of Chinese language at the National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan. Recipients of the scholarship learn Mandarin Chinese and experience Taiwanese culture while representing the U.S. TUSA promotes peace in the world by creating closer friendships and understanding between the people of the U.S. and the people of Taiwan.
“Shirley’s achievement speaks for itself: it is an outstanding accomplishment, consistent with her record of academic excellence that she has compiled at UMW,” said Jack Kramer, distinguished professor and chair of political science and international affairs. “It is also very welcome news because the United States desperately needs far more individuals fluent in Chinese as it seeks to understand and respond to a rapidly growing China that is emerging as a global challenger to the U.S. economically and militarily.”
For more information about the TUSA, visit http://taiwanusalliance.com/ambassador-summer-scholarship-program/.
A political science major, Martey is a member of UMW’s Finance Committee and is the treasurer of the Student Government Association. She also serves on the College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee and has been active in Student Senate. Martey is a member of the Mortar Board national honor society and Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honor society. She has been named to the Dean’s List.
“Shirley personifies the spirit and values of UMW,” said Elizabeth Larus, professor of political science and international affairs. “A high achiever, Shirley has an infectious enthusiasm for learning and will bring a high level of energy and gusto to the TUSA program. Shirley will make an excellent ambassador because she is open to other cultures and her exuberant friendliness quickly puts others at ease.”
The Ambassador Scholarship provides funds for an eight-week study of Chinese language at the National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan. Recipients of the scholarship learn Mandarin Chinese and experience Taiwanese culture while representing the U.S. TUSA promotes peace in the world by creating closer friendships and understanding between the people of the U.S. and the people of Taiwan.
“Shirley’s achievement speaks for itself: it is an outstanding accomplishment, consistent with her record of academic excellence that she has compiled at UMW,” said Jack Kramer, distinguished professor and chair of political science and international affairs. “It is also very welcome news because the United States desperately needs far more individuals fluent in Chinese as it seeks to understand and respond to a rapidly growing China that is emerging as a global challenger to the U.S. economically and militarily.”
For more information about the TUSA, visit http://taiwanusalliance.com/ambassador-summer-scholarship-program/.
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News release prepared by: Julia DavisElizabeth Larus’ New Book Available
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Elizabeth Freund Larus’ new book “Politics and Society in Contemporary China” is available through Lynne Rienner Publishers.
Elizabeth Larus begins with a broad sweep of China’s modern history—from the imperial era to the present—providing essential context for understanding the current political environment. She then makes sense of the dramatic political, social, and economic changes that have occurred across some six decades. The result is a rich and detailed analysis that is both thought-provoking and accessible, appropriate for students at all levels.
– excerpt from the publisher’s description