BEAVER FALLS, Pa.— Thomas Copeland, assistant professor of political science, received his doctorate in public and international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh April 18, 2006.

     The topic of his dissertation is “Surprise, Intelligence Failure, and Mass Casualty Terrorism.” Copeland analyzed five mass casualty terrorist attacks to determine the source of the factor of surprise and intelligence failures which lead to mass casualty terrorism. His study concluded that policy makers’ approaches to handling terrorism contributed to intelligence failure and surprise. 

     Copeland previously worked as director of admissions and student affairs for the Institute of World Politics. In addition, he served as Chief of Staff in the Government Services Division of LexisNexis. He is currently a member of the American Political Science Association. 

     Copeland lives in Beaver Falls with his wife and two children. He graduated summa cum laude from Geneva in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He earned his master’s degree in 1992 from the University of Pittsburgh in public and international affairs. He has taught at Geneva as a professor of political science since 2004.

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