Institute

A recent graduate and current student of the Mercyhurst College Department of Intelligence Studies are among eight recipients nationwide to have earned a $2,000 Harold and Maria Ransburg American Patriot Scholarship from the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO).

Kathleen Moore, who graduated from Mercyhurst in May with an undergraduate degree in intelligence studies, is currently on full scholarship pursuing a doctorate in information sciences and technologies at Penn State University.

Moore worked in operations management for 15 years before returning to college to earn her degree in intelligence studies. While at Mercyhurst, she won the Robert Heibel Service Award and the President’s Award for Academic Excellence. She was one of the primary student organizers of Mercyhurst’s inaugural Global Intelligence Forum: The Dungarvan Conference, held July 12-13 in Dungarvan, IE.

Intelligence studies faculty Kristan Wheaton, J.D., recommended Moore for the honor.

“Kathleen is an extraordinary student who is destined to make a difference,” Wheaton said. “This award means that the AFIO sees the same things that we in the intelligence studies department have seen for the last three years – dedication, professionalism and a keen analytic mind.”

Moore, likewise, credited Wheaton and the intelligence studies faculty at Mercyhurst.

“Traditionally, this award is reserved for children of former intel officers but he (Wheaton) championed me so greatly in his recommendation letter and that was what put me over the top, which is, of course, what makes the Mercyhurst program so great; you really get to know the professors and they go to bat for you at every turn.”

Casey Ann Greuber, a junior intelligence studies major from Perry, Ohio, maintains a 4.0 GPA at Mercyhurst and recently completed two internships, one in national security, the other in competitive (business) intelligence.

Intelligence studies faculty Shelly Freyn, MBA, recommended Greuber, calling her “a very ambitious, motivated and dedicated student who shows many attributes of not only a skillful analyst, but an effective leader.”

Freyn said Greuber's work is detail-driven and that she is consistently focused on ensuring accuracy and a polished presentation of her research.

Grueber said she views obtaining the scholarship as “a tremendous honor and a way to further my future career goals.” She hopes to work in the intelligence community for the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime or addressing national security interests within the United States Department of Defense.

Recipients of the Ransburg scholarship are students whose achievements exemplify AFIO's educational mission on behalf of national security, patriotism and loyalty to the constitution.