Institute of Public Service
The Hartwick College Institute of Public Service is dedicated to strengthening democracy across the region by serving as a hub of collaboration and innovation between state and local government, and through civic engagement and legal studies.
Next Generation of Public Servants
A nonprofit, nonpartisan, regional political community, the institute seeks to educate the next generation of public servants and inspire legal professionals and government officials to meaningfully engage in our democracy through three supporting areas: Local and State Government, Civic Engagement, and Legal Education.
Hartwick College Trustee Larry Miller '73 announced a quarter million dollar matching gift to the Institute of Public Service. He believes gifts to the Institute leave a lasting legacy of a stronger democracy and a more resilient country. As a result, when you support our work your gift will be doubled.
Stories About Our Work
Hartwick College Hosts 2025 Moot Court Finals on Nov. 20
Hartwick Students Lead the Way in Voter Registration
Hartwick College Hosts NYC Reception in Support of the Institute of Public Service
“I Voted” Sticker Design Competition
Hartwick Students Step Into Local Government Roles Rarely Seen Among Undergraduates
Hartwick College and The Daily Star Renew Innovative Program
Past Events
2025 Moot Court Competition
Congratulations to finalists Adilyam Imyarova ’27 and Sarah Matumbura ’26, and our champions Cooper Cohen ’28 and John “Jack” Reichel ’26, who earned the title of Io Bruce Champions of the 2025 Moot Court Competition. Reichel also received the Richard Pomp Orator Award.
The competition, created and led by alumnus Thomas Holmgren ’13, featured a case he wrote on the constitutionality of a high school search involving a drug-sniffing dog named Stella.
Hartwick community members may learn more about the Moot Court Competition and Case through this link.
Constitution Day Talk 2025
Commander-in-Chief or Constitutional Overreach?
Geoffrey Corn ’83, the George R. Killam Jr. Chair of Criminal Law and director of the Center for Military Law and Policy at Texas Tech University School of Law, examined the constitutional boundaries of presidential authority in matters of national security, using the landmark Steel Seizure Case of 1952 as a guide.
Public Service, Local Government, and Democracy
This virtual event with Governor Jeb Bush included conversation with several Hartwick students about the value of public service and role of local government in our democracy.
Jeb Bush served as Governor of Florida from 1999-2007 and ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.
Leslie G. Rude Memorial Lecture 2025
“Public Service in New York”
New York’s Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado spoke about his work inspiring and supporting a new generation of public servants in NY.
Voting Inspiration Creative Competition
The goal of the competition was to encourage students to create something that would inspire their peers to get engaged in the 2024 election and our democracy.
Constitution Day Talk 2024
The 2024 Election: What Are the Polls Really Saying?
Preeminent pollster John Zogby discussed his latest book, Beyond the Horse Race: How to Read the Polls and Why We Should and its implications for the 2024 elections.
Public Service Work
US Representative NY-District #19 Marc Molinaro visited in February 2024 to talk with students and answer their questions about public service work.
Leslie G. Rude Memorial Lecture
Mike McIntire ’85, P’13, P’21, three-time Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist for The New York Times gave the 2024 Leslie Rude Public Service talk, “Investigative Journalism and Democracy”.
High School Essay Competition
The Institute hosted a high school essay competition and award ceremony, featuring a keynote address by Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado.
Constitution Day Talk 2023
NYS Assemblymember Jen Lusford ’04 returned to campus to provide our 2023 Constitution Day talk, “Young People and Democracy”.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Stephen L. Green American Governance Essay Competition
Launched in 2010-2011, emerging from Mr. Green’s interest in and concerns about American democracy, the competition highlights Hartwick’s commitment to civic engagement, critical thinking, and preparing students to lead in a democratic society.
Creative Civic Engagement Programs
The institute sponsors civic engagement programs to ensure that students and community members are informed about local, state, and national political issues. Events are designed to increase participation in elections and to promote debate on important issues using civil discourse.
Debates and Visits by Elected Officials
A catalyst for candidate forums, debates, and visits by elected officials, the institute hosts debates for public offices and offers students and local elected officials opportunities to engage and learn from one another. All candidate forums are bipartisan and all candidates and viewpoints are welcome.
Voter Registration and Turnout Activities
To increase turnout and registration, the institute conducts voter drives on campus and in the community. Programs and resources are developed to increase participation and to ensure that all voters are informed about issues on the ballot. The institute also partners with the Otsego County Board of Elections to provide poll worker training for students.
High School Outreach
Working closely with civics, history and government K-12 teachers and guidance counselors, the institute creates initiatives and activities to promote civic engagement and dialogue.
Speaker Events
The institute hosts high profile speaker events, including Hartwick’s annual Constitution Day and Leslie G. Rude Memorial lectures. The speaker series is open to all community members, including local high school students.
Hartwick Institute of Public Service Leadership Council
Matt Chase ’93, CEO/Executive Director of the National Association of Counties
Geoffrey Corn ’83, Killam Chair of Criminal Law and Director of the Center for Military Law and Policy, Texas Tech University School of Law, professor of law and U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel (Retired)
Carlo A.C. de Oliveira ’02, Member of the law firm Cooper Erving & Savage LLP in Albany, NY
Jennifer Givner ’99, Chief Media and Government Relations Officer at the New York State Thruway Authority
Randy L. McCullough ’86, Hartwick College Trustee, Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, the New York State Funeral Directors Association
Mike McIntire ’85, Pulitzer Prize Winning Investigative Journalist at The New York Times
Larry Miller ’73, Hartwick College Trustee, former CEO of Northern Composites, New Hampshire Budget Committee member and Select Board member
Matipa Mutoti ’20, Masters of Public Policy at American University, Legal Analyst
Grace Nealon ’15, Associate at Haynes & Boone, LLP in NYC; Albany Law ’18
Joanne Dittes Yepsen ’80, former two term mayor of Saratoga Springs and Co-Founder of Public Affairs Firm Yepsen & Pikulski
Hartwick College Institute of Public Service
Hartwick College
Departments of
Political Science, Law, and International Relations & Sociology, Criminology, and Human Services
Let us know how the Institute can partner with you to strengthen our democracy.
[email protected]