ALWAYS AN ICHABODModdelmog living her dream as professor of political science at WashburnBy Ernie W. Webb III • ernie.webb@washburn.eduLinsey Moddelmog, an alumna and assistant professor, knew she wanted to go to Washburn while she was ingrade school. The Moundridge native played basketball at Washburn and has been teaching in the Department ofPolitical Science since 2011. She says her students are “like family.”Choosing a college wasn’t a difficult decision AS A STUDENTfor Linsey Moddelmog. It’s a decision Moddelmog played for Coach Patty Dick for one seasonshe made more than a decade before she and her last two seasons for current women’s coach Rongraduated from high school in Moundridge, Kansas. McHenry. During her career at Washburn, she was a part“I remember when I was 6 or 7 years old, my uncle of a team that blossomed into an MIAA (Mid-America(Ed Browne, jd ’91) visiting us and bringing Washburn Intercollegiate Athletics Association) contender.T-shirts and hats, and I always thought that was so “Linsey competed every day for what she got,”cool,” said Moddelmog, ba ’02, an assistant professor of McHenry said. “Linsey competed as hard or harderpolitical science at Washburn. “I always wanted to go than any player I had! She was a great teammate and ato Washburn.”joy to coach.”A standout high school basketball player who won Balancing the rigors of life on the court and inthree state championships at Moundridge, Moddelmog the classroom, Moddelmog excelled. She played in 59also wanted to continue playing at the collegiate games during her career, including all 30 during a 23-7level. She continued her career with one season at campaign in 2001-02.Hutchinson Community College before walking on at She made the MIAA Commissioner’s honor roll,Washburn in 1999.originally majoring in pre-law before studying political“I could have played around my hometown at an science and history. She even fit a part-time job at HomeNAIA school, but I’m very competitive and wanted to Depot into her schedule.play at as high a level as I could,” she said. “There was “It was a busy schedule, very busy, but that isnever a question where I was going to go when I decided something as a student-athlete you expect and embrace,”to leave junior college. I was going to Washburn.” she said. “I thought I wanted to be a lawyer, but I just37 Campus News
loved political science and history and decided I wantedto be a professor. And there was never any doubt where Iwanted to teach – Washburn.”HER CAREER PATHSeveral professors made an impression on Moddelmog.Among those was Bob Beatty, professor, political science,who encouraged her to pursue a career in higher education.“I had Linsey in my classes, and it was a pleasurebecause she was always so enthusiastic and hardworking,”Beatty said. “The same is true of her as aprofessor. She brought great energy into our department,and she has already had a great impact on the students.”Moddelmog said she chose to teach political sciencebecause it merged two of her favorite subjects: politicsand history.“The great thing about political science is you get totalk about the history and about current event issues,”she said. “I really enjoy talking about what’s going onnow and what led to it.”Former student Joe Pilgrim, ba ’13, said Moddelmogcontributed to his success as an undergraduate andSchool of Law student.“Dr. Moddelmog is a great professor because sheis passionate about politics and government and herpassion shows in the classroom: it is infectious, and shemakes you want to learn about those things,” he said.“Her personal interest in the academic and personalgrowth of her students was an incredible thing toexperience. I will never forget Dr. Moddelmog and whatshe has done for me.”IMPACT IN CLASSROOMAfter receiving a bachelor of arts in history in 2002,Moddelmog attended the University of Kansas, whereshe graduated with a master of arts and doctor ofphilosophy in political science.Washburn had an opening for a lecturer of politicalscience shortly after she received her master’s degree,and she began to teach in the department in 2011 whilecompleting her doctoral degree. She eventually becamethe department’s first female professor.“(The hiring of) Dr. Moddelmog is the bestserendipitous event that has happened to thisdepartment in the 21st century,” said Mark Peterson,professor and chairman, political science. “Her rapportwith students is outstanding.”Moddelmog said she hopes to have the same impacton her students that the professors she now works withhad on her while she attended Washburn.“I love the students. The students here are hardworkingand care,” she said. “They’re like family tome. The wonderful thing about being a professor atWashburn is that you see these students all the time. Youwork with them; you get to see them grow and learn.Washburn is a very special place.”Linsey Moddelmog says about Washburn: “I lovethe students. The wonderful thing about being aprofessor at Washburn is that you see these studentsall the time. You work with them; you get to see themlearn and grow. Washburn is a very special place.”ABOUT LINSEY MODDELMOGHometown: Moundridge, Kansas. Moddelmog was a starin several sports, helping her high school team to three statebasketball and one state volleyball championship.Education: Bachelor of arts from Washburn, master of artsand doctor of philosophy from the University of Kansas.At Washburn: She majored in history and political scienceand was a point guard for the women’s basketball team,which went 23-7 and earned a bid to the NCAA Division IItournament during her senior season in 2001-02.Family: Husband, Nick, and sons Oliver, 5, and Harrison, 3.Campus News 38
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