Johannes M. Botes Capstone Achievement Award
The Johannes M. Botes Capstone Achievement Award was established in 2017 to honor the legacy, memory and contributions of our late colleague, Johannes M. Botes, associate professor emeritus in the School of Public and International Affairs.
This annual award recognizes a graduating student from either the Negotiations and Conflict Management program or the Global Affairs and Human Security program who:
- demonstrates academic excellence in the capstone project, the final integrative research project in both programs
- embodies the shared mission and spirit of the programs more broadly.
As sister programs, the Negotiations and Conflict Management program and the Global Affairs and Human Security program share the core goal of preparing students for careers that require functional knowledge grounded in theory, research and practice. Further, both programs equip students with the skills necessary for addressing complex and/or emerging real-world problems that exist at various levels and across different sectors. Though each program has a different focus and operates independently, they share a complementary commitment to public service, social justice, cooperation, sustainability and the promotion of societal welfare.
Nomination, Selection and Delivery Process
- The director of the Negotiations and Conflict Management program convenes a faculty committee consisting of full-time and adjunct faculty from both programs. During the spring semester, the committee reviews initial nominations generated by the capstone course instructors.
- The committee utilizes a standard and agreed upon rubric for scoring nominees. The final selection is determined through discussion that generates consensus within the committee.
- The award winner is announced at the spring Capstone Celebration Dinner, a joint event of both programs held in May of each year. The awardee is also recognized at the College of Public Affairs Honors Ceremony, also held in May.
- Both fall and spring graduates may be considered for the award, but the awardee is always recognized at the spring capstone event.
2020-21 botes Award Winner
Benjamin Rogers, M.S. ’21, who graduated from the Negotiations and Conflict Management program, was selected by the School of Public and International Affairs awards committee as the winner of the 2020-21 Johannes M. Botes Capstone Achievement Award. Benjamin's capstone project title was, "Community Mediation Online."
2020-21 Honorable Mention Awards
Two recent graduates were selected by the School of Public and International Affairs awards committee to receive honorable mention awards:
Natasha Ramsey, M.S. '20
Negotiations and Conflict Management program
Honorable Mention Award for Exemplary Service & Leadership
Capstone Project Title: "Are Current U.S. Detention Policies Creating Generational Trauma for Migrants?"
Ariana Robles, M.A. '21
Global Affairs and Human Security program
Honorable Mention Award for Excellence in Academic Writing
Capstone Project Title: "Deterrence Measures as U.S. Immigration Control Policy"
Past Botes Award Winners
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2019-20
Zahraa Al Fili, M.A. ‘19
Global Affairs and Human Security program
Capstone Project Title: “Gastrodiplomacy: A Model For Refugee Integration" -
2018-19
Leonard Spain, M.S. ‘19
Negotiations and Conflict Management program
Capstone Project Title: “Understanding Key De-Escalation Resolution Strategies Used by Baltimore City Safe Streets Program Workers” -
2017-18
Blessing Olatimehin, M.S. '18
Negotiations and Conflict Management program
Capstone Project Title: “The Cyclical Effects of Challenges in Nation-Building in Somalia” -
2016-17
Bhoja Narayan Shrestha, M.A. ‘17
Global Affairs and Human Security program
Capstone Project Title: “Climate Wars: Real or Imagined? Drought and War in Darfur”