B.A. in Arabic & the Middle East and Political Science
Toledo, Ohio

Presentation Remarks:

Betsy, a look at your record at Denison leads one to believe that you wrote the Denison mission statement, for the spirit of that document pervades your academic commitments, your unparalleled leadership and service to the community, your deep sense of world citizenship, and your “firm belief in human dignity and compassion ... directed toward an engagement with the central issues of our time.” You have anchored your world outreach in the academic bedrock of an exquisitely rigorous, self-designed independent major in “Arabic and the Middle East,” integrated into your second major in political science. Paschal Carter Scholar, Morrow Pre-Law Scholar, two-time Summer Scholar, and Phi Beta Kappa, you have also starred in your role as debater in the National Moot Court competition, receiving recognition as one of the top orators this past year. Your Moot Court faculty director says that you have not been daunted by the cross-examination of judges and lawyers – a trait all of us might well envy!

Beyond your academic program, yet artfully interwoven with it, is your community work reaching from Denison to Licking County to Amman, Jordan. You are well known around Granville for your work in nursing homes and with the Legal Aid Office, and you represent the global service commitments of Denison through your tireless work with international relief organizations and Iraqi refugees on issues of world poverty, statelessness and genocide. One of your teachers puts it this way: “Ms. Fisher’s work is the archetypal example of the scholar committed to helping those less fortunate than herself. Rather than using her language and cultural skills in Arabic as a stepping stone to a lucrative job in Washington, she seeks to work as a lawyer with the United Nations on refugee and immigration issues, serving the world’s poorest of the poor.”

Betsy, we are thankful for what you have given to Denison, and we are proud that you have carried the College’s mission well beyond the borders of College itself. If it is true that people receive back as much as they give, it is clear that in the future there lies a vast fortune awaiting you.

Student Achievements:

University of Jordan, Amman Jordan - CIEE Amman Language and Culture; Dean’s List; Phi Beta Kappa; Phi Society; Honors Program; Paschal Carter Scholar; Irma and Clark Morrow Pre - Law Scholar; Department of Political Science - Fellow; Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honorary); Gilman Scholar (State Department scholarship for study abroad); Moot Court - Co - Captain, Midwest Regional Second - Place Orator, National Qualifier; ranked 21/128 orators; National Tournament; Presidential Service Medal - Bronze; Arabic Teaching Assistant and Tutor; Denison Community Association (DCA) - Legal Aid Intern, Co - Leader of Denison Darfur Divestment Campaign, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Lunch Buddy, Homelessness and Hunger - Chair, Nursing Home Companions - Trip Coordinator; Office of Service - Learning - Office and Research Assistant; Gilpatrick Honors Center - Office Assistant; Denison Christian Community (DCC) - Leadership Team; Denison International Relief Effort (DIRE) - Vice President; Denison Service Orientation.