PSIA major John Blessing was selected as a Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation winner, the only student honored with such an achievement in the state of Georgia in 2019. Blessing was also awarded the 2019 Rangel Summer Enrichment Program Scholarship and was previously selected for Campus Compact’s Newman Civic Fellows Class in 2016.

In this article,  Blessing reflects on his multiple awards and how the PSIA program prepared him to realize his goals.

 

Newsletter contributor Dr. Chris Kroh interviewed Blessing.

Why did you choose political science as a major and do you think that it prepared you for your common goals?

John Blessing: “Honestly, I originally chose Political Science, even before I chose to switch to a double major with History, because I love politics. I have always had a fascination with politics and Political Science helps me to understand why people do what they do in politics. Political Science, particularly pre-law, absolutely has. I hope to go to law school when I am done with my degrees and Pre-Law has been incredible, really showing me the actual application of the laws we pass, probably my favorite part of college.”

 

If you had to provide a blurb about your courses, the faculty in the PSIA department, and your experience as a major, what would you say?

Blessing: “In one word? Incredible! From both Dr. Wilsons, to Dr. (Doug) Young, to Dr. Kroh, and others, I really appreciate the time, effort and commitment each of these people have given me, and I have enjoyed every class I have taken because I always learn something new.”

 

What general advice would you give current PS majors? What is the greatest challenge? The greatest reward of a PS degree and attending UNG Gainesville?

Blessing: “My best possible advice I can give students of any major is time management. The idea that those who are the smartest will always get ahead is not entirely true. It is those who work the hardest but know what leisure time is. Take time for yourself, do not procrastinate and use time effectively. Trust me when I say you will never have enough time”.

 

Describe the journey toward winning the Truman Award. What advice would you give to other students thinking of applying for scholarships?

Blessing: “Though I did not apply my Freshman year, that is when Dr. Lin and I first began discussing it. What happened was, I had won my very first award (Newman Civic Fellowship) and Dr. Lin said that, with some work over two years, I could apply for the Truman my Junior year. From there, she and I tried a few others as well, but to no avail (which is fine, when applying to scholarships you have to lose some, part of the process). When we applied to Truman, it was kind of the pinnacle, everything we had worked for. For anyone who is interested in scholarships, they should absolutely reach out to UNG’s Student Research and Scholarship division, they can help you open doors you might not have heard of until now. I highly recommend it!”

 

What are your career plans going forward? What do you want to achieve in terms of accomplishments or contributions to government/community?

Blessing: “As of now I am either going to work in the state department as a consulate officer or as an attorney in election law, but I think it’s healthy for all of us as students to enjoy making these decisions, it is okay not to know yet, just follow your interest and you will find it. Alongside winning Truman, I happened to win the Rangel Summer Enrichment Program Scholarship as well, which is an extraordinary opportunity for me! This will allow me to learn the way the state department works in hopes of ironing out if that is my future or not, which is exactly what students should do, find their interest and pursue it, find out if it fits”.

Blessing received a AA degree (political science pathway) in 2017.  He is currently pursuing a BA in History on the Gainesville campus.