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, and spend time in small groups with students.
Previous Scholars
David Healey
Journalist, teacher and ghostwriter.
Healey has written three Civil War novels, including Sharpshooter and a non-fiction book, 1812: Rediscovering Chesapeake Bay’s Forgotten War. His articles and essays have been published in many magazines, including American History, The Washington Times, Blue & Gray, Running Times and Maryland Life.
Thomas Penfield Jackson
U.S. District Court Judge (1982-2004)
During his time as the Chaney Visiting Scholar, Judge Jackson held a public lecture entitled “Maryland Designe: The First Wall Between Church and State” based on his Occasional Paper. Jackson visited classes to discuss mandatory sentencing guidelines, 17th-century Maryland, and the Microsoft case.
“Maryland Designe: The First Wall between Church and State” Occasional Paper
Professor Larry Sabato
The Robert Kent Gooch Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia
Dr. Sabato spoke to an 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.
James McPherson
Princeton University History Professor
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 a St. Mary’s Civil War seminar and delivered a public lecture.