Brigham Young University is well known for many things, among them are the BYU Creamery ice cream, its affordability, loyal sports fans, and extensive opportunities for students to study abroad. A beloved legacy of the BYU Political Science Department, Stan Taylor, is helping students further realize the affordability of education or studying abroad with a scholarship fund awarded in his name.
Stan Taylor is an expert in national security, with an impressive portfolio of publications on the subject. He is also the founding director of the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies at BYU and infamous creator of the Political Science 200 course. Over his long and successful career, Dr. Taylor has blessed many lives, and through the Stan A. Taylor Endowed Fund in Political Science and International Relations that trend continues.
One 2015 recipient of the award, Sierra Davis, reflected on her ability to go abroad as a result of the scholarship money. “As a married undergraduate, I can eat and buy books. Just kidding; I'm hoping to use the funds to go to Tanzania and work with the Chagga women to use better cookstoves that are better for the respiration system and cleaner environmentally.” Ultimately she plans to follow Dr. Taylor's example, 'I really admire my mentors here in Political Science, so I want to attend graduate school and become one of them.'Presently, Dr. Taylor is on the Board of Editors of the leading academic national security journal, “Intelligence and National Security.” He is the former chair of the department of political science. Students working as “teacher’s assistants” may be nominated by professors to win the scholarship awarded in his name.