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Provost Joseph Rallo, Michelle Fratamico and Garrett Slack.
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Two WIU Students Attend Prestigious International Forum

February 26, 2004

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MACOMB, IL - - Two Western Illinois University students were among some 120 college delegates from more than 90 universities across North America to participate in the 46th Academic Assembly, a prestigious annual political science forum hosted by the United States Air Force (USAF) and jointly sponsored by Columbia University’s American Assembly.

Seniors Michelle Fratamico (Wheaton, IL) and Garrett Slack (Carol Stream, IL) attended the February forum, “Global Governance: The Role of States and International Organizations,” which included roundtable discussions on nation building, conflict, health and environment, and economic issues moderated by prominent academic, business and government leaders.

The Assembly’s keynote speaker was Thomas Pickering, former career ambassador, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs and retired Naval lieutenant commander who now is senior vice president of The Boeing Company and its International Relations division.

Fratamico, nominated for the forum by Vincent Auger, Western Illinois political science associate professor, called her experience “amazing.”

“I learned a lot about myself and my opinions,” said Fratamico, an Illinois Centennial Honors College student with a double major in political science and law enforcement and justice administration and a minor in international relations. “I learned how to remain true to my opinion without offending others, but at the same time I realized that compromise sometimes is necessary.”

Slack, a law enforcement and justice administration major and military science minor who was nominated for the forum by military science department chair Lieutenant Colonel Michael Cumbie, called the forum a good experience.

“I believe I learned a good deal about how others view the ongoing situations in the world and presented others with a different viewpoint on many issues due to my military background,” he said.

A 1998 graduate of Glenbard North High School, Slack served in the Illinois National Guard before joining Western’s ROTC program in 2003. As a guardsman, he earned the rank of sergeant and spent time overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom following the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on America.

In addition to academics, work with related organizations and extracurricular activities, both Slack and Fratamico are serving internships this semester in government-related offices in Macomb.

Slack is working with the 9th Judicial Circuit Court and its juvenile and adult probation officers, learning firsthand about the cooperation between the court with governmental agencies and civilian organizations.

Fratamico, a 2001 graduate of Wheaton-Warrenville South High School, is interning in Illinois State Senator John Sullivan’s Macomb office, learning all aspects of the operation including conducing research and talking with constituents. She also serves on the University’s Student Judicial Board and is active in Lambda Alpha Epsilon professional criminal justice fraternity.

Scheduled to graduate in May, Fratamico’s career goal is to work for the CIA.

Slack is also scheduled to graduate, and to earn his Army commission as a second lieutenant, in May. Following graduation he will begin his career as an infantry officer at Ft. Benning, GA.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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