Ken Rutherford (political scientist)

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Ken Rutherford is a researcher in the field of political science. He lost both his legs in Somalia during a landmine accident. He has since spoken to Congress against landmines

At the age of 31, Dr. Kenneth R. Rutherford was conducting humanitarian relief work in Somalia to alleviate the suffering of thousands, when his vehicle ran over a landmine, which resulted in the loss of both his legs. Since that time ... Ken has been recognized by celebrities, such as the late Diana, Princess of Wales, President Bill Clinton, Sir Paul and Heather Mills McCartney and Oprah as an inspirational leader. He has been awarded the Leadership in International Rehabilitation Award from Northwestern University's Center for International Rehabilitation and a recipient of a humanitarian award by the United Nations of America and the United States and was presented by Sir Paul and Heather Mills McCartney. Ken was as a selected as one of America's 25 heroes by United Airlines from a nominated pool of more than 8,000 nominations.

Ken currently resides in Springfield, Missouri, where is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Southwest Missouri State University, and President of Rutherford and Associates. Since becoming a professor, Ken has been awarded a College service or research award every year as nominated by faculty colleagues.

In 1994, Ken testified before the U.S. Senate Sub-Committee for Foreign Operations on the global landmine crisis and was featured on CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Kuralt, McNeil Lehrer Newshour, CBS evening news. In 1995, his story was profiled in Reader's Digest. In 1998, Ken's story was re-enacted in a BBC documentary. In 1999, Ken appeared on the View and in 2001 on Oprah. He has spoken at the United Nations in New York City (2002) and Vienna (1995), and at international conferences and conventions on four continents and seventeen countries (Austria, Bahrain, Bosnia, Burkina Faso, Canada, El Salvador, France, Germany, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Mauritania, Netherlands, South Africa, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States).

As a member of the National Speakers Association, Ken has participated in several national and regional conferences, and has spoken at more than twenty universities and colleges.

Ken speaks frequently on a variety of motivational topics and is in constant demand as a keynote, conference, convocation and breakout speaker.

Ken has authored two edited international security books entitled Reframing the Agenda: The Impact of NGO and Middle Power Cooperation in International Security Policy (Greenwood Press) and An Enduring Legacy: The International Movement to Ban Landmines (SUNY Press). He has authored more than twenty peer-review and policy journal articles and chapters on United States Foreign Policy and international security.

He is currently writing the Power of Gratitude TM, which addresses freeing your true self and contributing with a spirit of service to actively pursue a purpose-filled life. The importance of Ken's latest research is to highlight how fear, which is the single greatest inhibitor of accomplishing your life's purpose, can be overcome with the Power of Gratitude, which, in turn, provides an energy to move with passion and determination.

[edit] Professional Experience

Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Southwest Missouri State University (SMSU), Springfield, Missouri. August 2000 - Present
Co-Founder, Landmine Survivors Network (LSN), Washington, D.C., 1995 - Present
Visiting Instructor, School of International Service, American University, Washington, D.C.
Graduate Assistant, Department of Government, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. September 1996 - December 1999
Government Liaison, International Rescue Committee, Boulder, Colorado and Washington, D.C. January 1994 - December 1996
Credit Union Training Officer, International Rescue Committee, Somalia. 1993
Director of Operations, Rutherford Group International, Boulder, Colorado. 1991-1993
Africa Region Project Assistant, Chemonics International Consulting, Washington, D.C. 1990-1991
Emergency Relief Coordinator, United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Senegal. 1989
Trainer, United States Peace Corps, Mauritania. 1989
Volunteer, Agricultural Extension Agent, United States Peace Corps, Mauritania. 1987-1989
Researcher, Woodrow Wilson International Center, Washington, D.C. 1986-1987

[edit] Current Activities

Advisory Board, United Nations Association of the United States of America, Adopt-a-Minefield Project, New York, New York Board Member, Landmine Survivors Network (LSN), Washington, D.C. Board Member of Experts, Center for Unconventional Security Affairs at the University of California Irvine Board Member, Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Foundation, Springfield, Missouri Member, Civil War Roundtable of the Ozarks Chapter Past Activities

Board Member, Center for International Rehabilitation, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois Board Member, The United Nations Association of the USA, Springfield (MO) Chapter Member, Rotary International, Springfield, Missouri Education

Ph.D., in Government, Georgetown University, June 2000 M.A.L.S, Georgetown University May 1991 M.B.A., University of Colorado, 1993 B.A., University of Colorado 1985. Major: Political Science