Say Yes to Public Service

Spending and evening with so many incredible people who are so passionate and enthusiastic about public service was an extremely inspirational experience. Last Thursday, June 21, we attended the Excellence in Public Service Award ceremony at the Marian Koshland Science Museum. It was extraordinary to watch Senator Glenn honor Charlie Bolden, NASA administrator, with this inspiring award. It was very clear that he was overwhelmingly deserving of this great award and honor.

Hearing both Senator Glenn and Mr. Bolden speak about our future and the work we could contribute to improving public service in our country was truly moving. They both see so much potential in each of us, and hearing their stories and what public policy means to them made me appreciate my participation in this internship program that much more. Mr. Bolden, on various occasions, looked directly at many of the interns during his speech and said, one day you could be on the moon, or you could be doing something amazing. Our generation does have the chance to do good for our country and public service and he really showed us the importance of that.

When Senator Glenn came to talk to our class on Friday, he made a point to remind us that in 25 or 30 years, this world is going to be ours, not our parents and not those who are here now, but ours. That statement stuck with me and really got me thinking. He is absolutely right. The decisions we make are going to impact our future and those to come after us. The statistics he shared about the large percentage of the working class that will be retired within the next ten years were astonishing. We can’t sit back and let others make all the decisions, but rather, we need to fight for what we believe and work to improve our society and country.

Having the unique opportunity to talk to many past fellows, other Ohio State faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as those from NASA was a very heartwarming experience. I was so honored to be a part of that great evening, and gain a better understanding for public service. Both the Bolden’s and the Glenn’s are incredibly inspirational people, and their enthusiasm for public service is 100% evident.

-Ariel Cohen