Dylan Gooding-2023

Dylan Gooding

Major: Economics

Second Major: Government & Law

3.86

 

THESIS TITLE

Pipeline Politics: Analyzing the German-Russian Natural Gas Relationship

PERSONAL STATEMENT

To me, Lafayette is a place of nurture. More than a college of instruction, it is a place of constant evolution. We grow not only because of our actions alone but because of the collaborative nature of the campus.

Throughout my time at Lafayette, I have had opportunities to grow as a person and to give back to the community. One way was through Lafayette Votes, where I worked to increase student turnout in the 2020 and 2022 elections. Another was my work in Refugee Action helping resettle refugee families. But without the support of professors, administrators, and friends, these accomplishments would not have been possible. Because through it all, it was those long chats with friends, going spontaneously to events around campus, and late–night taekwondo practices— always full of boundless laughter — which got me through some of the hardest times both academically and personally.

Even more, some of my most fulfilling moments at Lafayette have been helping a student with their papers or assignments as a writing associate or teaching a teammate a new taekwondo kick or form. Through those mentoring moments, not only was I able to assist others, but I was able to learn from them things as well, making me a better leader and person. It is why helping others succeed always fills me with joy and reminds me why I had so much to look forward to every day.

Those experiences taught me that the Lafayette Ideal is more than any one person. Rather than symbolizing one individual’s success, it is a mutualistic relationship that allows everyone to blossom to their fullest potential. So in a way we all are that Ideal, as we share in this institution’s, and each other’s, continued advancement.

ACADEMIC ACTIVITY/AWARD

Senior Thesis in Government & Law-1 year

Under the supervision of Professor Katalin Fábián I am writing a senior honors thesis in government & law that focuses on the German-Russian national gas relationship. I wished to explore this topic after the war in Ukraine and seek to understand why the two countries cooperated so long in the natural gas trade, even during times of geopolitical tension and explain why their relationship deteriorated after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Gov-Lab-3 years

I have served on Professor Andrew Clarke’s research team for two projects. First, as a research assistant, I collected contact information of local party leaders, activists, and political donors and worked as part of an eleven person team to build a 40,000+ sample used in an experiment on closing the candidate gender gap. For the second project, as a research associate and co-author, I researched political mobilization, political volunteerism, and peer-to-peer contacts. I helped to structure an experimental design for a study focusing on how peer-to-peer contact methods can increase youth political volunteerism. I designed incentives, a timetable for the experiment, and end-of-experiment follow-up survey. I collected contact information from College Democrat and Republican clubs across the country and helped write, edit, and revise sections of the academic article draft.

National Undergraduate Research Conference-1 year

In April, I will be presenting a chapter of my senior thesis at the National Undergraduate Research Conference in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. That chapter focuses on the German domestic context of its energy relationship with Russia. I argue that the German political ideology, social movements, business interests, and pro-Russian political actors all had a major influence in continuing the German natural gas relationship with Russia.

European and Eurasian Undergraduate Research Symposium-1 year

In April of 2022, I presented my final research paper produced in Professor Fábián’s GOVT 412: Politics of European Integration called “Explaining Moldovan Elites Divided Opinion on Moldovan EU Membership.” The conference was hosted by the University of Pittsburgh. I argued that corruption, pluralism by default, and involvement by the EU and Russia slowed Moldova from entering the EU.

Lafayette College Fed Challenge-1 year

I was selected in a competitive process to join the College’s team in the 2021 College Fed Challenge. Under the advice of Professor Julie Smith, I researched trends in inflation, GDP, unemployment, and consumption as well as read extensively into the Federal Reserve Bank System. I helped to design a presentation proposing monetary policy recommendations to solve economic conditions and helped prepare the team responses for Q&A during the semi-final round.

Minerva and Emil V. Novak Prize in Government and Law-1 year

Awarded annually to one or more majors in the Department of Government and Law based on overall excellence in academic work and citizenship in the campus community.

Pi Sigma Alpha-2 years

The national honor society for Political Science.

Omicron Delta Epsilon-2 years

The national honor society for Economics.

Dean’s List-4 years

Have received Dean’s List every semester thus far.

 

CAMPUS SERVICE ACTIVITY/AWARD

Lafayette Votes Student Director-3 years total, 2 as Student Director

I joined Lafayette Votes in 2020 as a board member. There, I organized professor panels to inform students about current issues and moderated talks during the U.S. Presidential debates. I contributed to increasing student turnout to 82.9% at Lafayette for the 2020 election. As the Student Director, I spearheaded voter registration drives on campus and presented at classroom drop-ins to inform students about the voter registration process. I also organized events and panels in collaboration with other student organizations on campus. For weekly board meetings, I helped create the agenda and run the meetings.

Mentor Writing Associate-1 year as Mentor WA, 1 year as WA

Writing Associates peer-read student papers using a facilitative approach to offer feedback. I work with a partner professor and meet with around 15 students 3-4 times a semester. As a Mentor Writing Associate for the 2022-2023 school year, I work as a liaison between Writing Associates and College Writing Program leadership. I helped lead new Writing Associate Orientation, work with the College Writing Program Coordinator to manage the program’s drop-in hours and staff meetings, and attend bi-weekly meetings with the Coordinator.

Secretary of the Kirby Government & Law Society-2 years

I served as the secretary for the Kirby Government and Law Society (KGLS) for two years. I joined KGLS in the fall of 2019 as a member and was elected twice to the board. I sent regular email blasts to all members regarding events hosted or co-sponsored by the organization as well as opportunities off campus. I also help prepare talking points for our general body meetings and attend regular executive board meetings to plan out events.

Paul Tully Memorial Prize-1 year

Presented to the student who best exemplifies the progressive principles of social and political service – democratic ideals to which Paul Tully devoted his life.

Landis Active Citizen-1 year

Awarded to students, faculty, and community members who made a great impact in the Lafayette community.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Refugee Action-2 YEARS total, 1 as Treasurer

Refugee Action is a student-run organization dedicated to resettling refugees. We are one of the only student-run organizations in the United States to do this level of resettling. I have, as a finance committee member, assisted two refugee families with financial issues such as finding work and paying bills, with the main goal to have the family become self-sufficient within 10 months of arrival to the United States. I was nominated for, ran, and became the treasurer of the club for the 2022-2023 school year. As the treasurer, I am primarily responsible for submitting detailed budgets for club operations to Student Government.

Lafayette Food Recovery Network-1 year

The Food Recovery Network (FRN) is a part of the Lafayette Food and Farm Cooperative (LaFFCo) which focuses on donating extra food from Dining Services to a homeless shelter in Easton. I organized a meeting between the Landis Center, Dining Services, the Office of Sustainability, and LaFFCo in December which led to the FRN’s revival at the end of the semester. As the director, I am in contact with the above organizations in regards to food donations and also participate in bringing the food from Dining Services to the homeless shelter. As of March 10, we have facilitated the donation of over 200 pounds of food.

ATHLETIC ACTIVITY/AWARD

Taekwondo Club-4 years

I take an active role as a 3rd degree black belt in helping newer members with their punches, kicks, forms, and weapons. I strive to create a friendly, inclusive environment where Lafayette students no matter their experience can learn martial arts and make friends along the way. As secretary I am primarily responsible for managing the club’s OurCampus and Do Sports Easy page alongside attending required meetings.

SPECIAL INTEREST ACTIVITY/AWARD

Intern for Congressman Tom Malinowski-1 year

I applied and was selected to be an intern at Congressman Tom Malinowski’s district office. There, I managed calls from constituents with political concerns and issues with federal agencies and aided in casework for constituents who needed assistance. I also helped set up public events in the district such as mobile office hours and a military academy info session.

Extern for Prince George’s County Council-1 year

In January of 2022 through the Gateway Career Center I shadowed Councilman Todd M. Turner, alumnus ‘89, and the Prince George’s County Council. I observed a legislative session where the Council received briefings on current issues facing the county. I gave a speech to the Council regarding my externship and local governance.

Volunteer for Joe Biden for President-1 year

During the summer of 2020 I volunteered for the Biden presidential campaign, primarily through text banking. I attended training sessions and sent over 3000 texts regarding campaign recruitment, finding issues voters cared about, and invitations to watch parties.