George receives liberal arts award

Politics professor Robert George has been named the first recipient of the Philip Merrill Award for Outstanding Contributions to Liberal Arts Education by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA). George will receive the award in an Oct. 7 ceremony, part of ACTA's 10th anniversary celebration in Washington, D.C.

The award "honors individuals who have made an extraordinary contribution to the advancement of liberal arts education, core curricula, and the teaching of Western civilization and American history," ACTA president Anne Neal said in an email. "The award highlights ACTA's decade-long effort to promote and encourage a strong liberal arts education which enables students to live thoughtful lives informed by study of the highest achievements of human civilization."

ACTA was founded in 1995 by Lynne Cheney, Joseph Lieberman and other conservative and moderate figures from both the Democratic and Republican parties. The blog on ACTA's website features several items criticizing alleged instances of anti-conservative policies on college campuses, and an online database search shows that two ACTA employees have publicly donated money to Republican political campaigns.

George said he felt honored to be chosen. "There are many people who deserve to be ahead of me in line to receive this award. I am pleased that they have chosen me," he said, adding that his teaching style is influenced by the broad liberal arts philosophy ACTA promotes.

"I have tried to participate in debates at the juncture of several disciplines, particularly philosophy, politics and religion," he said. "I try to focus my own scholarship and teaching at the interdisciplinary level."

According to Neal, George was chosen by a committee of educational and civic leaders to receive the award because of his work in constitutional law and his role as founder and director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions.

The James Madison Program, which has drawn criticism for a perceived conservative tilt in guest lectures and other events, concentrates on civic education at the collegiate and university level. "The Program is noteworthy for its profound commitment to fostering a diversity of viewpoints and robust exchange of ideas on campus. It is serving as an inspiration and national model for institutions seeking to elevate the standard of civic education," Neal said.

This past January, George was also honored for his work in the James Madison Program by the conservative Lynne and Harry Bradley Foundation with the Bradley Prize, an award given to public intellectuals and academics every year.

The Philip Merrill Award is named for the journalist, former assistant secretary-general of NATO and emeritus member of ACTA of that name. The gala invitation states that Merrill is "a distinguished public servant, publisher, entrepreneur and philanthropist who has tirelessly supported and affirmed the importance of academic excellence and a common core of learning in a free society."

ACTA plans to give the award on an annual basis.

"Those eligible for the award include distinguished writers and scholars, college and university professors and administrators, government officials and public-spirited citizens," Neal said.