Ruth Margolies Beitler graduated from Cornell in 1988 and attended The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, where she received both her Masters of Law and Diplomacy and PhD. Cornell and her professors nurtured her passion and love of Middle East politics, particularly a deep exploration of the Israeli-Palestinian issue, along with women's roles in the MENA. After serving as a political intern in the US Embassies in Cairo and Tel Aviv, Ruth thought that she would go into the foreign service. However, when the United States Military Academy at West Point decided to "civilianize" its faculty, Ruth had the opportunity to apply to be a professor in the Department of Social Sciences and has served in that role since 1993. She is also the director of the Conflict and Human Security Studies program, which enables her to travel to many wonderful places, including the Middle East, with cadets.
Cornell continues to play an important role in the lives of the Margolies Beitler family. Ruth was thrilled when her daughter, Hannah, graduated from Cornell in 2021, with a minor in Near Eastern Studies. Fortunately, Hannah was able to benefit from some of the same professors (Ross Brann and David Powers) who helped professionally develop her mother!
