From the president
Phoenix Hanratty is a History and Political Science double major who is passionate about civic engagement and foreign policy. As a rising senior, Phoenix has actively participated in intentional political initiatives during his time at Bellarmine. He is the former chairman of the College Republicans of Bellarmine and an active member in Students for Life and Libertarian Club. Phoenix stays informed and engaged in politics by inviting speakers to campus, along with volunteering for local and state campaigns. Currently, Phoenix is studying abroad in Poland to expand his history and political science training to the international community. As the Newman Civic Fellow, Phoenix intends to build a new registered student organization that focuses on foreign affairs and aims to sponsor activities that supplement Bellarmine’s civic, political, and international curricula with student and outside expert-led teaching and simulation to build a community dedicated to non-polarized appreciation, analysis, and discourse on international relations. Phoenix will leave a legacy at Bellarmine that promotes the importance of civic education and involvement among youth in our nation.
Personal Statement
Growing up in and out of shelters and living off of government programs throughout my childhood, I learned early on the importance of government in Americans' lives, and sought to educate myself and engage in politics and civics. During my college career, despite the unappealing backdrop of an increasingly polarized political environment, I participated happily in several political campaigns and served as the Chairman of my university's College Republicans chapter. I fell in love with foreign policy and international issues, especially untaught and polarizing fields, and sought to create a community on campus dedicated to analyzing, appreciating, and teaching foreign policy by holding events and hosting speakers based around the subject. I am currently working with several similarly-interested friends and colleagues to organize a college-recognized group dedicated to a non-partisan education of foreign policy on campus. My love of foreign politics has also led me to spend a semester abroad in Poland, studying her language, history, and foreign relations at the University of Wroclaw.