Visiting Scholar Program

Every other year the Center asks a distinguished public intellectual to serve as a visiting scholar. The scholar is asked to deliver a public lecture, be a part of an ongoing class at St. Mary's College, and spend time in small groups with students.

Professor Larry Sabato, (photo at right) the Robert Kent Gooch Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia, served as the Center's second visiting scholar in March 2007. Dr. Sabato spoke to a audience of students, faculty, and community about the 2008 presidential election. He also lectured to an American Politics class about the history of television campaign advertising and lunched with political science students.

Princeton University History Professor James McPherson (photo at left) was the Center's first visiting scholar in November 2004. the He was in residence in St. Mary's during November 2004.  Dr. McPherson is a former President of the American Historical Association and the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for History. He is the author of several books about the American Civil War including, Battle Cry of Freedom, Hallowed Ground: A Walk at Gettysburg, For Cause and Comrades: Why Men Fought in the Civil War, and Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam. Dr. McPherson participated in St. Mary's College Professor Charles Holden's Civil War seminar and gave a public lecture during his residency at the Center.