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.
2019-2020 botes Award Winner
Zahraa Al Fili, M.A. ’19, who graduated last fall from the Global Affairs and Human Security program, was selected by the School of Public and International Affairs awards committee as the winner of the 2019-2020 Johannes M. Botes Capstone Achievement Award. Her capstone project was titled, "Gastrodiplomacy: A Model For Refugee Integration."
2019-2020 Honorable Mention Awards
Three recent graduates were selected by the School of Public and International Affairs awards committee to receive honorable mention awards:
Alanna Hays, M.A. '20
Global Affairs and Human Security program
Honorable Mention Award for Exemplary Service & Leadership
Teisha Miles, M.S. '19
Negotiations and Conflict Management program
Honorable Mention Award for Exemplary Service & Leadership
Catherine Znamirowski, M.A. '20
Global Affairs and Human Security program
Honorable Mention Award for Excellence in Academic Writing
Past Botes Award Winners
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2019
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” -
2018
Blessing Olatimehin, M.S. '18
Negotiations and Conflict Management program
Capstone Project Title: “The Cyclical Effects of Challenges in Nation-Building in Somalia” -
2017
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”